It Will Be More Difficult to Get Into Delta Sky Clubs in 2023 — Here’s What You Need to Know
The airline is making lounges harder to access in hopes to reduce crowds.
Delta Air Lines just announced big changes for customers looking for Sky Club access in 2023.
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Beginning Jan. 1, memberships for the lounges will only be for Medallion members and fees will increase the airline shared with Travel + Leisure on Wednesday. The cost for an annual membership will increase from $545 or 54,500 miles to $695 or 69,500 miles for an individual, or $845 or 84,500 miles to $1495 or 149,500 miles for an executive membership. Companion passes will also increase in price from $39 to $50, or from 3,900 to 5,000 miles.
Additionally, beginning Feb 2., travelers with a basic economy ticket will no longer be allowed to access the lounge unless they have club benefits with an American Express credit card, or an annual pass.
Also beginning in early February, passengers who are not flying Delta One or Delta Premium Select will also not have access to the lounge. Medallion members in main cabin or Comfort + will also no longer have lounge access (unless they possess a Sky Club membership or another method of entry).
“While we’re thrilled to see so many customers enjoy the fruits of our teams’ hard work, our goal now is to balance the popularity of the clubs with the premium service and atmosphere for which they were designed — and that our guests deserve,” Dwight James, senior vice president of customer engagement & loyalty, and CEO of Delta Vacations, shared in a statement.
Despite the lounges increasing in exclusivity, the airline is also committed to growth and plans to open a new lounge in the Kansas City International Airport in spring 2023, and add new clubs or renovate existing ones in major hubs such as New York City, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, Newark, and Miami.
The airline also plans to add a “real-time” occupancy tracking system to the app so customers can see ahead of time how busy the lounge will be. Delta also plans to continue its nationwide partnership with emerging chefs in all hub locations by January.
These changes come a few months after the airline changed its qualifications for status for the first time in eight years, and announced a new partnership with Starbucks.
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