How to use Amsterdam Schiphol airport lounges

Who can use a SkyTeam lounge at Schiphol?

SkyTeam's access policy recognises two routes into a member airline lounge: travelling in a premium cabin, or holding Elite Plus status. [4] First and Business Class customers qualify when they fly on a same-day international flight operated by a SkyTeam member airline, or on same-day transfers between flights operated by two SkyTeam members. [4] For connecting customers, both the domestic and international flights must be operated by a SkyTeam member airline, and every segment must be booked in First or Business Class. [4] Customers travelling on domestic flights need an itinerary made of a transfer from a domestic flight to an international flight, or from a domestic flight to another domestic flight followed by a transfer to an international flight. [4]

Elite Plus members qualify regardless of the cabin they travel in, provided the flight is a same-day international flight operated by a SkyTeam member airline, or involves same-day transfers between two SkyTeam members. [4] They present their boarding passes and a valid Elite Plus membership card to the lounge agent for validation before admission, while First and Business Class customers present their boarding pass. [4]

Can Elite Plus members bring a guest?

Yes, one. SkyTeam Elite Plus members can invite one guest, who must be travelling on the same SkyTeam member-operated flight, irrespective of their preceding and any onward flights. [4] The guest's boarding pass is presented to the lounge agent for validation and admission. [4] SkyTeam applies house rules to all guests and reserves the right to revise those rules without notice. [4]

How early can you enter, and can you use a lounge on arrival?

SkyTeam's policy allows lounge access at the departure airport at least three hours before the flight's scheduled departure time. [4] Access is provided at departure and transfer airports only, not on arrival at the destination. [4] Elite Plus customers connecting between two SkyTeam-operated flights continue to have access at the point of transfer. [4]

Since 1 April 2025, SkyTeam Elite Plus customers have also had lounge access when travelling on domestic flights, at selected SkyTeam member airline lounges. [4] SkyTeam says more than 70 lounges are now accessible to Elite Plus travellers on domestic itineraries, with access being extended gradually to more locations. [4] Customers on a domestic-only itinerary may have access to selected lounges. [4]

Does main cabin economy get lounge access?

Under SkyTeam's policy, admission depends on travelling in First or Business Class or on holding Elite Plus status rather than on the cabin alone, and Elite Plus access applies whatever class the member flies. [4] SkyTeam states that it is not currently possible to purchase lounge access through skyteam.com. [4] [5]

For Elite Plus members, the programme that issued the status matters in one house rule. Complimentary access at Delta Sky Clubs is no longer extended to Delta SkyMiles Elite Plus equivalent members — SkyMiles Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion — when they fly in Main Cabin or Delta Comfort+ internationally. [4] Effective 1 January 2024, Delta SkyMiles members travelling in Basic Economy or an equivalent partner cabin do not have access to Delta Sky Clubs. [4] SkyTeam Elite Plus members of other SkyTeam member frequent flyer programmes are not impacted by that rule, and third-party lounges are excluded from it. [4]

Exceptions and limits

• Access varies by airline. SkyTeam says lounge access may vary by airline and directs customers to its Lounge Finder for the details of individual lounges, so terminal assignments and opening hours are worth confirming with the operating airline before travelling. [4]
• The definition of international travel. In the SkyTeam policy, international travel excludes customers travelling between the US and the Caribbean. [4]
• Separate domestic policies. Different domestic lounge access policies may apply to members of Aerolineas Argentinas' Aerolineas Plus and Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles programmes. [4]
• Lounge-specific terms. Virgin Atlantic publishes the access policy for its Clubhouse at London Heathrow Terminal 3 separately, on virginatlantic.com. [4]
• House rules can change. SkyTeam reserves the right to revise its lounge house rules without notice. [4]

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a day pass to a SkyTeam lounge?

SkyTeam states that it is not currently possible to purchase lounge access via skyteam.com. [4] The access the policy describes is tied to First or Business Class travel or to Elite Plus status. [4]

Do I need a reservation to use a SkyTeam lounge?

No. SkyTeam says reservations are not required, and that it strives always to offer lounge access to Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers. [4]

Can I use the lounge at Schiphol after landing?

No. Access is provided at departure and transfer airports only, and not on arrival at the destination. [4]

Does Elite Plus give lounge access on a domestic flight?

SkyTeam Elite Plus customers have had lounge access on domestic flights since 1 April 2025, at selected SkyTeam member airline lounges, with more than 70 lounges open to domestic itineraries. [4]

How many guests can an Elite Plus member bring in?

One guest, who must be travelling on the same SkyTeam member-operated flight as the Elite Plus member. [4]

Related pages

Programmes: KLM Crown Lounge, SkyTeam lounge programme. Guides: SkyTeam lounge access, lounge access checklist. Glossary: frequent flyer terms.

Sources

Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. Lounge rules of airlines outside SkyTeam are not covered here, and access conditions vary by airline and by individual lounge. [4]

1. SkyTeam lounges: access policy and house rules, checked 18 October 2026
2. SkyTeam lounges: access policy, guests and domestic lounge access, checked 18 October 2026