Delta Air Lines and United Airlines recently made adjustments to memberships and entry rules for lounges in an attempt to prevent overcrowding. Delta’s Sky Clubs are now more exclusive, meaning certain cardmembers no longer have unlimited Sky Club access but rather an annual visit limit.
American Express Platinum and American Express Business Platinum cardmembers now only have 10 annual visits, while Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Business Reserve now have 15 annual visits.
One visit covers entry to one or more Delta Sky Clubs or usage of the Delta Sky Club Grab and Go feature at one or more airports for a period of up to 24 hours starting upon the first Delta Sky Club entry or Grab and Go usage. Once all 10 or 15 visits have been used, Reserve and Platinum cardmembers can purchase additional visits at a per-visit rate of $50 per person.
Certain passengers of LATAM Airlines and WestJet can also still enjoy lounge access. The sale of Single Visit Passes to Sky Clubs have also been discontinued. See here for all new Sky Club access rules and policies.
Although not as sweeping as Delta’s changes, United Airlines also announced updates to United Club, affecting membership options, time limits and guest policies.
United now offers two tiers of club membership: United Club individual and United Club All Access. Individual membership offers unlimited access to all United Club locations for the primary member, priced annually at $750 or 94,000 miles. All Access memberships offer unlimited United Club access to primary members and up to two guests, and also includes access to all Star Alliance member lounges and other select partner locations. Purchasing the All Access membership (costing $1,400 or 175,000 miles annually) gives passengers Star Alliance Gold status for lounge access.
United Airlines also announced an entire overhaul of its cobranded credit cards, with lounge access now included for cardmembers of United Club Card, United Club Business Card, United Presidential Plus Card and United Presidential Plus Business Card.
And due to increased numbers in airport lounges, United Airlines implemented a three-hour time limit before departure times in United Clubs for one-time pass users.
What are your thoughts on these changes? Will these changes affect your travels? Which airport lounge is your favorite? Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.
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