Alaska Airlines raises lounge membership prices, tightens access
Alaska Airlines is increasing its lounge membership costs for 2024 and tightening restrictions in the process.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2024, the Seattle-based carrier will increase both the costs of a standard Alaska Airlines Lounge membership and an Alaska Airlines Lounge+ membership — for both elite and non-elite Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members.
Alaska will also dispose of one of the most uncommon perks of its lounges: the ability to enter regardless of which airline you're flying.
The changes were first spotted by One Mile at a Time, but confirmed with the airline by TPG.
Here's what you need to know.
Cost of an Alaska Airlines lounge membership
Alaska Airlines sells two types of lounge memberships. The standard membership gets you into the airline's network of nine lounges while a Lounge+ membership gets you into Alaska lounges and those of its 25 Oneworld Alliance and other partner airlines.
However, the carrier does offer $100 discounts for Mileage Plan elite status members.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2024, standard membership prices will increase by $50. Lounge+ memberships will increase by $100.
Here's how it breaks down.
Alaska Lounge membership:
- Membership price will increase from $500 annually to $550
- Membership price for elite members will increase from $400 to $450
Alaska Lounge+ membership:
- Membership price will increase from $650 to $750
- Membership price for elite members will increase from $550 to $650
It's worth noting that a complimentary Alaska Lounge+ membership does remain a 100K Choice Benefit option for Mileage Plan elite members with MVP Gold 100K status.
Also, cardholders with the Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card get a $100 discount off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership after paying with their card. (Note that the credit card discount cannot be combined with the elite status discount, though).
However, these changes for 2024 follow steps the airline took this past year in raising the cards' annual fees and adding new restrictions, such as the ability to purchase discounted lounge daypasses.
New lounge entry restrictions
Starting Feb. 1, 2024, Alaska will also tighten its lounge access rules.
Going forward, members can only enter a lounge with a boarding pass on Alaska, a Oneworld partner or one of the airline's other non-Oneworld partners.
Admittedly, this is a rule travelers face with most (if not all) U.S. airlines. After all, you can't enter an American Airlines Admirals Club with a Delta Air Lines ticket.
However, Alaska has been the exception.
Its current rules specify that access is available to members and immediate family or up to two friends at no cost. They just need "a same-day ticketed boarding pass on any carrier."
With the new restrictions, the airline will largely bring its entry requirements in line with those of many other carriers. However, it still won't have the sort of sweeping guest restrictions and other policies rolled out at lounges like the Amex Centurion Lounge or Delta Sky Clubs.
The same rules will apply to single-day pass holders: You'll need to be flying on Alaska, a Oneworld airline such as American Airlines, or another Alaska partner like Condor.
Bottom line
Alaska Airlines' lounge changes are twofold: pricier annual membership fees and the end of a fairly lenient policy that allows members to enter regardless of the airline they're flying with.
In a statement to TPG, the airline cited "more generous benefits" with its lounge memberships compared to other U.S. airlines.
"Occasionally, we need to adjust our pricing to make sure that quality stays at the level our members appreciate," an Alaska spokesperson added.
Related reading:
- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
- The best travel credit cards
- Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.