Since the dawn of air travel, airport lounges have been a beacon of luxury and privilege for well-travelled frequent fliers. Now, Delta is shaking up the system in an effort to make it harder for passengers to access these coveted spaces.
As of November 1, Delta has decided to both tighten the requirements to access its lounges, and to increase the number of points needed to reach elite status for access. The new rules include requiring passengers to meet the minimum spending threshold plus any and all taxes and fees on the ticket in order to gain access.
The new policy also greatly bumps up the number of points needed to reach Elite status. For example, a SkyMiles Platinum cardholder must now earn 125,000 qualifying miles annually to remain in the club. This marks a drastic change from the 75,000 required prior to November 1.
Delta is on the leading edge of customer service with this move, as one of the first airlines to have the distinction of making it more difficult to obtain entry to an airport lounge. Other airlines still make sure that customers remain loyal to their programs with incentives and bonus points, but Delta’s plan to make it harder to get in is seen by many as a controversial move. In fact, one source inside the airline has already admitted that Delta is searching for ways to make up for lost profits due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Clearly, Delta’s plan to update its lounge rules could have a considerable impact on frequent travelers. While the changes do show that Delta is willing to make adjustments to remain competitive in an ever-changing market, the higher points requirements and tightened access could make it even more difficult for passengers to experience the benefits of an airport lounge.
