Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and MasterCard Worldwide today begin an exclusive brand partnership to offer customers and businesses co-branded Delta SkyMiles Debit MasterCard® cards. It will create the largest and most comprehensive debit card program offered to Delta customers.
MasterCard has the experience, infrastructure and deep commitment to help support our debit card growth plans, and they are absolutely the right partner,” said Jeff Robertson, vice president of Deltas SkyMiles program.
Delta and MasterCard have executed the first phase of the agreement; the two companies will now work over the next several months to build a national network of financial institutions to offer the Delta SkyMiles Debit MasterCard cards to current and prospective Delta customers through local bank branches across the United States.
In addition to offering cardholders the ability to earn Delta miles on qualifying purchases, the Delta SkyMiles Debit MasterCard card will provide a range of benefits. These include access to hundreds of merchant-funded discounts as well as purchase protections including Extended Warranty and Satisfaction Guarantee.
Delta fliers who prefer a debit card option will soon be able to enjoy the powerful benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Debit MasterCard for years to come, said Chris McWilton, President, U.S. Markets, MasterCard Worldwide. Delta provides exceptional service to loyal travelers in nearly every major market of the country, serving more small- and medium-sized communities than any other airline and our localized approach positions us to further strengthen Delta customer relationships.
The Delta SkyMiles Debit MasterCard will be available as Platinum Debit MasterCard®, World Debit™ MasterCard® or Debit MasterCard BusinessCard® card products.
About Delta SkyMiles
The Delta SkyMiles program offers members multiple mileage-earning
opportunities when flying Delta, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection carriers, Delta Private Jets and other SkyTeam airlines. With more than 140 worldwide SkyMiles partners, SkyMiles members can earn miles through participating hotels, car rental companies, restaurants, SkyMilesShopping.com, SkyMilesDining.com, floral and gift retailers, financial and realty services, and more.
Now in its 29th year, SkyMiles is one of the longest-running and most successful loyalty programs in the travel industry. It was named “Best Domestic Frequent Flyer program” for 2007 through 2009 by readers of Executive Traveler magazine and “Best Frequent Flyer Program” for 2006 through 2009 by Business Traveler magazine.
Last year, frequent flyers redeemed more than 230 billion miles in the SkyMiles program for more than 11 million award redemptions. In 2009, 8.5 percent of revenue miles flown on Delta were for award travel, among the best of U.S. network airlines according to data filed in airlines’ 10-K annual reports. Delta offers more ways to redeem frequent flyer miles than any other airline including airline tickets, mileage upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, Delta Sky Club memberships, merchandise and more than 30 types of gift cards.
All SkyMiles program rules apply to SkyMiles program membership, miles, offers, mile accrual, mile redemption and travel benefits. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide. Offers void where prohibited by law. Offers subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.
About Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With its unsurpassed global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 354 destinations in 65 countries on six continents.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 75,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industrys leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK,
Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airlines service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the worlds largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.
Media Contacts
MasterCard Worldwide
Tristan Jordan,
914-249-5724
Airport lounges offer a convenient location to get a little work done, enjoy a complimentary snack or drink, or just relax before heading to the gate.
With more than 50 locations around the world, Delta’s Sky Clubs are among the best lounges anywhere. Sky Club amenities vary by location and can include free Wi-Fi, complimentary cocktails and snacks, hot meals and, in some locations, showers. You can find a full list of locations and amenities for each lounge on the Sky Club page of Delta’s website.
Unlike other airlines, Delta doesn’t sell single visit passes to its lounges. So how can you get inside a Sky Club before your next flight? There are four ways.
1. Fly internationally in first or business class on Delta or one of its partners
Is access to a Delta Sky Club free with a first class ticket? Yes, Sky Club lounge access is included in your ticket if you’re flying first or business class internationally on one of Delta’s 18 partner airlines in the SkyTeam alliance.
All SkyTeam alliance premium cabin passengers, including passengers on Delta, get access to the SkyTeam network of more than 750 lounges across the world — even if you paid for your ticket with miles.
2. Fly internationally as an elite member of Delta SkyMiles
Do you get lounge access with Delta premium economy? Only if you have elite status with Delta or another SkyTeam airline. If you have Gold, Platinum or Diamond status with Delta’s SkyMiles frequent flyer program, you and a guest get lounge access when traveling internationally. It doesn't matter if you're flying in economy, business or first class. If you’re at least a Gold level elite with Delta, you get lounge access.
Since Delta is a member of SkyTeam, having status with Delta will also provide benefits on other SkyTeam airlines. For example, if you have Gold status with Delta, that maps to SkyTeam Elite Plus status, which also offers lounge access on international flights.
This is true even if the first leg of your trip is a domestic flight on Delta. As long as you’re connecting to a same-day international flight on a SkyTeam airline, you can enjoy the lounge before departure. Unfortunately you cannot access arrival lounges when you land.
3. Purchase a Delta SkyClub membership
You can buy an annual membership to access Delta Sky Clubs. A standard membership costs $545 and lets you enter a Sky Club lounge every time you fly Delta. You can bring up to two guests for an extra $39 per guest, per visit. An executive option priced at $845 lets you bring two guests free of charge every time you visit.
But for many travelers, it may be more cost effective to skip the paid annual membership and sign up for a Delta credit card with lounge access instead. You can also pay for an annual membership using SkyMiles — 54,500 miles for a standard membership or 84,500 miles for an executive membership.
4. Carry the right credit card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Both of these cards carry a high annual fee of $550, but have a host of other benefits and decent signup offers. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card includes a welcome bonus for new members: Earn 95,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card has the following welcome offer: Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 11/9/22. Terms Apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is offering the following welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card has the following welcome offer: Limited Time Offer: Earn 85,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 11/9/22. Terms Apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Perhaps the best deal for Sky Club lounge access is The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, both of which offer access to the cardholder or authorized users when traveling on a Delta-operated or marketed flight. Each card has an annual fee of $695and provides access options comparable to the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, plus access to AmEx’s own Centurion Lounges and the Priority Pass network (enrollment required), and a host of other benefits.
The chief drawback of these cards is that they do not guarantee you can bring a guest, even for a fee, though some lounges may allow it. Terms apply.
The Centurion® Card from American Express and the Business Centurion® Card from American Express
Travelers lucky enough to have the Centurion Cards in their wallet also get Sky Club lounge benefits. But these cards are invitation only, meaning it’s not available to most travelers. Terms apply.
The ways to access Delta lounges, recapped
Even if you travel only occasionally, lounge access can improve your experience at the airport. Delta’s Sky Club is a great option if you fly frequently on Delta. You can access a Sky Club lounge by flying in first or business class on Delta or one of its partner airlines, attaining Delta Gold elite status (or higher), purchasing a membership to the clubs or holding one of several premium credit cards.
Not sure if your ticket will get you in? See the Sky Club access page of Delta’s website. Keep in mind that access is limited to three hours before your departing flight (excluding layovers).
Frequently asked questions
How do you get into Delta Sky Club?
There are four ways to get into a Delta Sky Club: Buy a Sky Club membership, fly on Delta One, earn Gold or higher Medallion status or carry a credit card that offers Sky Club access as one of its perks.
Can I buy a day pass to Delta Sky Club?
No, Delta no longer sells day passes.
Can you pay to get into Delta Sky Club?
You can pay for a Sky Club membership, which costs $545 per year. Delta does not offer single visit passes to Delta Sky Club lounges.
Is food complimentary in Delta Sky Club?
Most Sky Club locations offer complimentary snacks, but the full food menu is available for purchase.
How much does it cost to join Delta Sky Club?
A basic individual membership costs $545 per year and does not include access for guests. An “executive” membership costs $845 and includes access for two guests per visit.
Do Delta first class passengers get lounge access?
If you’re flying on Delta One, which is Delta’s name for its first class product, you can access Sky Club lounges. Also, passengers traveling on SkyTeam flights (excluding Delta) in first or business class get into the lounges.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.
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