Coming Soon! No Need For Your Physical AMEX Card To Access Delta SkyClubs

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Mistakes do happen when you travel.  For me, they tend to happen more often than not.  However, they do become learning experiences, and you can even discover certain things!

As we all know, to access Delta SkyClubs you must carry with you one of the following cards:

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

This rule is listed in their terms & conditions, and they don’t seem to bend rules for anyone.

Delta Won’t Let You In Unless You Show Them Your Physical AMEX Platinum Card

Delta Eliminating Requirement to Present Physical AMEX Card to Enter SkyClub Lounges

When I was traveling home for the holidays, my wallet fell out of my pocket in my Uber.

I freaked out, not only because I didn’t have an ID to get through TSA, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to grab breakfast and coffee at the Delta SkyClub.  And not only could I not get into the lounge, I couldn’t buy food since I had no money on me.  It was a great way to start my holidays to say the least…

Once I did get through TSA, I decided to go to the SkyClub and explain my situation.  Maybe they would feel sorry enough for me.  I explained the situation, they scanned my boarding pass, and I was good to go with no issue.  I was shocked that it worked.

After I contacted Uber and ensured they were working on recovering my wallet, I decided to ask about this policy in further.  The SkyClub representative said they did see my American Express Platinum Card listed in my SkyMiles wallet, and that was my ticket in.

Interestingly enough, there were similar reports surfacing online of this exact scenario.

However, I did enter the Delta SkyClub in Salt Lake City once again a couple weeks later, and I was asked to see my American Express Platinum Card.  This time, I wasn’t a klutz and didn’t lose my wallet in my Uber.  I approached another Delta SkyClub representative to ask for an update on the situation, and she did say they are actively working on the integration of recognizing AMEX Platinum cards in a flyer’s digital wallet.  She said it hasn’t been perfected just yet, so they recommend keeping your physical card on you, anyway.

Later that day, I stopped by a Delta SkyClub in Atlanta in Terminal D.  I asked a representative the same question.  She said if the Platinum Card is stored in your Delta Wallet, you are good to go!  We did a dummy test of this and it worked.

She also recommend keeping your American Express Platinum Card with you just in case something goes wrong.  It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Here’s how to attach your American Express Platinum Card to your Delta Wallet.

Step 1.   Open Your Digital Wallet

When you sign-into your Delta account, you’ll see a large box in the right corner that says “My Wallet“.  It stores your receipts, certificates, payment methods, and membership cards.  Click to open it.

Click The Top Right Box Where It Says “My Wallet”

Step 2.   Add Your AMEX Platinum in “Stored Payments”

At the bottom right, you’ll see a box that says “Stored Payments“.  Click to open, and then simply enter your AMEX Platinum card info!  Then when you visit a Delta SkyClub lounge, the agent should have no problem finding your card when you check-in.

Click “Stored Payments” In The Bottom Right Corner, And Add Your American Express Platinum Card Here!

Bottom Line

Not that carrying my American Express Platinum Card is a difficulty, but outside of booking flights for 5 points per dollar, I don’t use it much.  If Delta is able to get this integration perfected, it will only make the experience that much better.  Only needing to scan my digital boarding pass to enter is convenient, as I typically keep my wallet in my backpack.

Have you experienced the same situation?  Let’s hear it in the comments!

Million Mile Secrets features a team of points and miles experts who have traveled to over 80 countries and have used 60+ credit cards responsibly to accumulate loyalty points and travel the world on the cheap! The Million Mile Secrets team has been featured on The Points Guy, TIME, Yahoo Finance and many other leading points & miles media outlets.

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

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