Alaska Airlines Lounge Access Changes
Alaska Airlines is making changes to its lounge membership. The airline is hiking the price by as much as $100, and is also adding new limitations on lounge access for some members.
Starting February 1, 2024, Alaska Airlines’ annual lounge membership will increase in price. The standard Alaska Lounge Membership, which includes access to 9 Alaska Airlines Lounges, will cost $450 for elites and $550 for non-elites. That’s an increase of $50 compared to current prices.
The Alaska Lounge+ Membership, which expand your access to Alaska-operated Lounges and more than 90 partner lounges, will cost $650 for elites and $750 for non-elites. The new prices are $100 higher. This is the seconds price hike in as many years.
A bit of good news is that eligible Alaska personal and business cardholders will continue to receive $100 off an Alaska Lounge+ membership.
But there’s more bad news. Besides the price hikes, Alaska Airlines will also add new restrictions to lounge access. Only members flying on a same-day Alaska or partner ticket will be able to access lounges.
This is a big shift from the current policy where members can enter lounges regardless of the airline you’re flying with. The change just brings Alaska in line with other carriers, but it’s still a hard pill t swallow when it’s announced on the same day as a price hike.
Alaska MVP® Gold, Gold 75K, and Gold 100K members also get lounge access when they travel on a oneworld® member airline to a destination outside of the US, Canada, or Mexico.
HT: Simple Flying
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Boardroom member here (Alaska lounge). Bartenders and all other workers are Alaska employees, unlike every other airline, which hire HMSHost or Sodexo. I prefer Alaska bartenders, whom I don’t have to beg, tip, or deal with their attitudes. Yes, AS is getting expensive and I might get United or American lounge membership again next year.
The Alaska Lounge product just does not support these price increases. Hire some real bartenders. Get a real dishwasher in SEA (plastic cups at these prices is a joke). Keep the food stocked – it is amazing how often I have to ask. At least the people working in the lounges are great.