Delta Will change Sky Miles Club Access In 2023 To Prevent Crowding, Memberships Will Only Be For Medallion Members

Change is coming to a Sky Miles Club near you. Starting January 1., Delta Air Lines will enact its new Sky Miles Club access policy.

Medallion members will be the only members able to get memberships for the lounges and fees will increase, the airline told Travel + Leisure on Wednesday.

Annual memberships were previously $545 or 54,500 miles but at the start of the year will increase to $695 or 69,500 miles for an individual. Executive memberships also went up $1495 or 149,500 miles. Companion passes will also increase by $11—now costing $50, or 5,000 miles. 

Starting Feb 2., travelers who purchase a basic economy ticket will no longer have access to the lounge. They will have to have club benefits with an American Express credit card or have an annual pass. The same is for Passengers who are not flying Delta One or Delta Premium Select and members who are flying main cabin or comfort+.

Medallion members are also limited. Those that purchase main cabin or Comfort + tickets will no longer have lounge access. They will have to have a Sky Club membership.

“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 said in a released statement. 

The added limitations placed on Delta lounges are only that. The airline is still expanding and plans to open a new Sky Miles club in the Kansas City International Airport this coming spring. There are also plans to add new clubs or renovate existing ones in major hubs like New York City, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, Newark, and Miami, T+L reported.