Lounge Overcrowding: US Airline Drastically Cuts Access

A major US airline is facing such extreme airport lounge overcrowding, that it’s resorted to eliminating access for its frequent flyers with elite status when flying in international Economy Class.

Delta Air Lines arguably has one of the best lounge networks of the major airlines in the United States. Unfortunately, Delta has become a victim of its own success. Many of its lounges are now so full at peak times that there are long queues to get inside and not enough seats for everyone who has access.

Most of the US airlines already don’t offer lounge access to domestic First Class passengers, nor to frequent flyers with elite status when flying domestically. Delta is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, which also doesn’t allow SkyTeam Elite Plus members from other airlines to access airport lounges on domestic itineraries.

But currently, Delta Gold, Platinum and Diamond frequent flyers can still access the lounge when travelling the same day on an international flight in any class of travel. (Delta’s definition of “international” excludes flights between the USA and Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.)

Delta moves to drastically restrict lounge access

Earlier this year, Delta stopped letting eligible customers access its Sky Club lounges more than 3 hours prior to their flight’s departure time.

Apparently, this change didn’t do enough to reduce lounge overcrowding. So Delta has just announced a range of brutal additional changes coming into effect in February 2023.

Perhaps the most contentious change is that Delta’s elite frequent flyers with Gold, Platinum or Diamond Medallion status will no longer receive lounge access when flying on an international Economy or Comfort+ ticket. (Delta Comfort+ is a separate Economy cabin with extra legroom and a few other perks, similar to Economy X on Virgin Australia but with a curtain separating it from the main cabin.)

Delta Gold, Platinum and Diamond members flying in Premium Select (Delta’s name for Premium Economy) will still receive lounge access with an international ticket. International Delta One (Business Class) customers will continue to receive lounge access based on their class of travel.

Delta’s top-tier Diamond Medallion members will be able to use three (currently two) of their “Choice Benefit selections” for lounge access from next year. But they will no longer be able to select individual lounge membership or credit card guest pass access as part of this benefit from next year.

Lounge access will still be available on international Economy tickets to people with SkyTeam Elite Plus status earned through another SkyTeam member airline.

Increased cost of Sky Club membership

On the face of it, it could appear that this change is designed to encourage more people to pay for Delta Sky Club membership. This is similar to Qantas Club or Virgin Australia Lounge membership, and grants lounge access when flying Delta on any domestic or international itinerary.

But Delta is making Sky Club membership less attractive and less accessible as well.

From 2023, Delta SkyMiles members will need to have at least Silver status to even be eligible to purchase Sky Club membership. The annual fees are also increasing by between USD150 (~AU$223) and USD650 (~AU$967) per year, depending on the type of membership.

In addition, Delta customers with Basic Economy tickets will no longer be eligible for lounge access from next year – even with a paid Sky Club membership.

To top it off, the fee to bring an additional guest into the lounge is increasing from USD39 (~AU$58) to USD50 (~AU$74).

Delta already stopped selling Single Visit Passes for one-time Sky Club lounge access in 2018.

How Delta is justifying these cuts

Delta says that it’s making these changes to preserve the lounge experience for its most loyal and high-spending customers.

“It’s incredibly important to us that Delta Sky Clubs continue to deliver an industry-leading experience for our guests,” Delta’s Senior Vice President of Customer Engagement & Loyalty Dwight James said.

“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.”

On one hand, lounge overcrowding does detract from the experience and has the potential to diminish the value of lounge access. Delta is also actively investing over the coming period in upgrading and expanding lounges at seven major airports, as well as opening a new location in Kansas City.

At the same time, these changes reduce the value of Delta SkyMiles status. It’s a bit of a slap in the face to Delta’s loyal frequent flyers – especially as Delta is also making it harder to earn status from next year.

No lounge access cuts for credit card holders

While these changes will affect Delta’s frequent flyers and paid-up lounge members, there are no major changes to lounge access for customers with an eligible Delta credit card. The only change is that the fee for additional guests will increase in line with the changes for paying Sky Club members.

In the United States, Delta partners with American Express to offer numerous co-branded credit cards that come with complimentary Delta Sky Club access. Australian Amex Platinum cardholders can also continue to access Delta Sky Club lounges when flying with Delta.

American Express members with Delta Sky Club access will continue to receive access for domestic and international flights, including when flying on a Delta Basic Economy ticket.

This means that Delta is blatantly prioritising lounge access for customers with one of its credit cards over customers who’ve paid for lounge access or spent the many thousands of dollars required to earn Gold, Platinum or Diamond status! This is an unusual situation but likely reflects the fact that airlines generally make a lot more money nowadays from credit cards than from their core aviation businesses.

Are other airlines likely to follow?

When one of the major US airlines announces a change like this, it’s common for the others to follow within a few days. But so far, no other US airlines have announced similar changes. Nor should they.

Airport lounge access rules are often already too complicated for the average person (and sometimes even lounge staff) to understand. Delta’s lounge access policy is now even more of a dog’s breakfast.

Imagine the uproar in Australia if Qantas or Virgin Australia tried to remove lounge access for top-tier frequent flyers travelling in Economy – not just on domestic, but even international flights. It would significantly reduce the value of their frequent flyer programs, as lounge access when travelling in Economy is one of the main status benefits.

That said, some airlines have started creating a separate tier of airport lounges that are exclusively for passengers travelling in international Business or First Class.

For example, United Airlines has chosen to supplement its United Club lounges with superior Polaris Lounges. United’s Polaris lounges offer a significantly better experience with high-quality dining and amenities. Air Canada and Qatar Airways also have superior lounges that are only accessible to customers ticketed in a premium cabin.

Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: Delta Eliminates SkyClub Access to Medallion Members Travelling in Economy Cabin

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 70 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.