Delta to Address Sky Club Overcrowding, Introduce New Membership Categories

Delta’s Sky Club at JFK

Delta Air Lines announced significant changes to the Delta Sky Club membership program, citing the $50 million the airline has invested in new and expanded lounges over the past few years as well as member complaints that the clubs have been overcrowded.

Delta is raising the annual membership fee to $695 effective Friday, calling it an Executive Membership. This will allow members to bring two guests in at no extra charge.  The Atlanta-based airline said it will introduce a less expensive Individual Membership in the spring that will not include guest access.  That membership will cost $450 and each guest will cost $29.

Delta is also eliminating guest access for those entering the club using a credit card such as the American Express Platinum or Delta Reserve.  Those cardholders will still have complimentary access to the Sky Club but each guest will cost $29.

Members of the Delta SkyMiles program who qualified for Diamond Medallion status in 2013 for 2014 will receive an Executive Membership through February 28, 2015.  Members who qualify for Diamond Medallion status in 2014 for 2015 will receive an Executive Membership from the time of qualification through February 28, 2015 and an Individual Membership from March 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)