A new perk for both the personal and business Delta Reserve cards is complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges when the primary cardholder flies a Delta marketed and operated flight. This little bonus takes effect January 30, 2020, when the Delta Amex refresh “officially” kicks in.
But is this new benefit alone worth applying for a Reserve card?
Simply put: no.
Quick Background: American Express Centurion Lounges
Centurion Lounges are premium lounges located in several airports throughout the world — and their network is expanding. They feature handcrafted cocktails (though isn’t every cocktail handcrafted?), buffet spreads designed by renowned (at least locally) chefs, showers, nice places to relax, and more.
Many also have family areas where kids can play without disturbing other guests.
Here are some Centurion Lounge locations and our reviews:
- American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas (LAS)
- American Express Centurion Lounge San Francisco (SFO)
- Old American Express Centurion Lounge DFW (now closed)
- New American Express Centurion Lounge DFW
- American Express Centurion Lounge Miami (MIA)
- American Express Centurion Studio Seattle (SEA)
- American Express Centurion Lounge New York LaGuardia (LGA)
New Centurion Lounge Benefit for Delta Reserve Cardholders
Starting January 30, Delta Reserve personal and business cardholders will receive free access to Centurion Lounges when traveling that same day on Delta. (Reserve cardholders also enjoy complimentary admission to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta itineraries.)
Cardholders may bring up to two guests at $50 each. But guests, too, must be on a Delta itinerary that same day.
The terms and conditions stipulate that “The eligible flight must be booked on a U.S. issued American Express charge or credit Card.” I’m not sure how that’s going to be enforced. So if you bought your flight with a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve card, my assumption is you could still enter. Although maybe Delta will somehow code boarding passes to alert Centurion Lounge check-in reps if you didn’t book with an American Express card.
Keep in mind you can’t access Centurion Lounges when arriving at your final destination. And don’t try to enter more than three hours before your flight.
Food, beverage, and ambiance-wise, I’ll take nearly any Centurion Lounge over most Delta Sky Club any day. The only exception is the overcrowded and underwhelming Centurion Studio Seattle — which I visited for ten minutes before bolting to the fantastic, nearby Delta Sky Club.
Why the Centurion Lounge Benefit Alone Might Not Be Worth Getting a Reserve Card
Many Centurion Lounges aren’t located in the same terminals as Delta. In Dallas, you need to take the post-security AirTran from Delta’s gates to the Centurion Lounge. The San Francisco and Miami lounges, for example, are so far away that you travel to another terminal land-side and enter security.
In Las Vegas, though, the Centurion Lounge is relatively close — only a five minute walk.
Plus, keep in mind access is limited to just the cardholder — who must be flying a Delta itinerary that day. If you’re a free agent and travel other airlines, you’ll receive far more benefits from the Platinum Card from American Express or Business Platinum American Express card. The non-Delta Amex Platinum cards allow you to bring two guests for free to the Centurion Lounge. And you can fly any airline you want and still have access.
For example, I work in Las Vegas several times a year and usually fly Southwest. The Reserve cards’ Centurion Lounge benefits wouldn’t get me admission. But my Platinum Card from American Express does — and I usually bring two colleagues with me.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Business Platinum Card from American Express
Plus, both the Platinum Card from American Express and Business Platinum American Express card come with Delta Sky Club access (just like the Reserve cards), Priority Pass Select Membership (which the Reserve card doesn’t have), and admission to the Global Lounge network (also not included with the Reserve cards).
Should You Still Get a Delta Reserve Card?
Don’t get me wrong: the personal and business Delta Reserve cards are great for helping Medallions see more upgrades and acquire gobs of MQM. The first class BOGO is a nice benefit, too. The Centurion Lounge benefit is certainly a nice plus.
But if you’re a casual flyer who doesn’t care about upgrades, MQM, or the BOGO — and only has Centurion Lounges in your eyes, consider a Platinum Card from American Express or Business Platinum Card from American Express.
What Do You Think About the Delta Reserve Cards’ Centurion Lounge Access Benefit?
Please share your thoughts in the below Comments section!
–Chris
Other Delta Amex Topics We’ve Covered This Month
Now is a fantastic opportunity to apply for Delta Amexes because many have great welcome bonuses — and you can lock in a year at their current annual fees.
We’ve covered several related topics during the past several weeks including:
- My Thoughts on the New Delta American Express Benefits, Fees, and More!
- 10 Things to Know About Bonus MQM on the Updated Delta Amex Cards
- What You Need to Know About the Delta Amex MQD Waiver
- Delta Main Cabin 1 Boarding: How Valuable is This Delta Amex Perk?
- Sky Club Access for Delta American Express Cards: Which Cards are Now Eligible?
- Saving Money with the Delta Amex Free First Checked Bag Benefit
- “No Status” Upgrades for Delta Reserve Cardholders?
- Is Centurion Lounge Access with a Delta Reserve Card Really That Great?
- Saving 20% on Delta Purchases Made Onboard During Flights with Delta American Express Cards
- A Mileage Run Without Getting On a Plane? Yes!
- Scoring More First Class Upgrades: How Delta American Express Cards Can Help
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Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card from American Express
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card
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12 Comments
For my travel patterns, I will say that a Priority Pass benefit on that card would be MUCH more valuable to me. I definitely want to try a Centurion lounge at some point, but on my next Mileage Run, having Priority Pass at my home airport of CHS and having it in JNB since I don’t believe I will be able to get into the Clubhouse there would be very valuable to me. This is of course because I have the Reserve card and am not currently in a position to get another premium card that offers the Priority Pass benefit.
@Brian Fisher: When you’re able to get a premium card w/ Priority Pass, I recommend the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It’s cheaper than both the personal and business Amex Platinum cards — and also has the restaurant benefit that Amex 86ed.
Q: My wife has an “employee” Reserve card tied to my Business Reserve account. That gets her free entry to SkyClubs. Will it also work at the Centurion Clubs.
@Glen: The terms and conditions on Amex’s website say she — the Additional Card member — should have access to the Centurion Lounges.
I think the new PHX lounge will be in terminal 4, near AA international flight. Delta is in terminal 3.
@Chris Carley: That’s a very good point. Thanks for the tip!
My corporate expense system gets credit card charge data and it includes my flight information in that charge. Not sure if there is some behind the scenes magic happening or it is included in the charge data but it can be done. So if they have that piece working they can verify.
You didn’t mention the soon to open JFK T4 Centurion, in the same Delta terminal . Also a little further down the road, the LAX centurion, which will be in TBIT, which a year from now, will be connected to T2 and T3 and some Delta flights do leave from TBIT
@Christian D: Good point about the JFK Centurion. Even though T2-T3-TBIT will be physically connected, it will still be sort of a hike.
You’re spot-on. I had called this out back in the fall when this – specious – benefit was announced. In most cases, the Centurion Lounge is not anywhere near Delta gates. So unless they start serving up Filet Mignon and Lobster Tails…I’m not schlepping over there. The point about the new CL coming to JFK T4 is valid…but the T4 Sky Club is among the best in Delta’s system and has been undergoing another remodel so that may be a push (Las Vegas pun intended!).
I now have Amex delta reserve card. Upgraded from the gold one. But now looking at this style it seems the platinum non delta card might be a better option as you don’t have to be flying delta and can bring in two guests even. Can you ask Amex to change it from delta reserve to platinum non delta ? Has that ever happened?
The Delta Centurion Lounge “access” has been totally useless. I tried several days in February 2020 to enter the one in Mexico City. They would not let me in!