To coincide with the announcement of the Alaska Lounge SFO opening this summer, Alaska Airlines has unveiled plans to increase the cost of lounge memberships from this fall.
Alaska Lounge Membership Changes
Alaska Airlines will update its membership structure. As of October 2021, Alaska is offering two levels of lounge memberships.
‘A Alaska Lounge Membership only gives you access to Alaska Lounges, and food:
- $ 450 per year for non-elite members
- $ 350 per annum for MVP, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K miles
‘A Alaska Lounge Plus Membership gives you access to Alaska Lounges and American Admirals Clubs, and costs:
- $ 600 per year for non-elite members
- Annually $ 500 for MVP, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K miles
Any membership purchased before that time will still receive the old prize.
Alaska Lounge Membership Fees Increase
What is actually changing here?
There is currently only one type of Alaska Lounge membership, which provides access to both the Alaska Lounge and the American Admirals Club, as follows:
- $ 450 per year for non-elite members
- Annually $ 400 for MVP members for miles
- $ 350 per year for MVP Gold Mileage Members
- Annually $ 300 for MVP Gold 75K Mileage Members
In other words, if you only appreciate access to Alaska Lounge:
- The cost remains the same for non-elite members
- The cost decreases by $ 50 for members of the Mileage Plan MVP
- The cost remains the same for members of the Mileage Plan MVP Gold
- The cost increases by $ 50 for members of the Mileage Plan MVP Gold 75K
If you also value American Admirals Clubs in the meantime:
- The cost rises with non-elite members of the $ 150 Mileage Plan
- Costs Rise MUSP Members for Mileage Plan by $ 100
- The cost increases by $ 150 for members of the Mileage Plan MVP Gold
- The cost increases by $ 200 for members of the Mileage Plan MVP Gold 75K
You have to pay extra if you want access to Admirals Clubs
This change is not at all surprising
I think almost everyone could see this change coming. Since Alaska Airlines joined oneworld and formed a closer relationship with American Airlines, buying a membership in Alaska Lounge was a wonderful opportunity.
Since both membership lounges gained access to both Alaska Lounges and American Admirals Clubs, there was almost no reason to purchase an Admirals Club membership. For non-elite members, an Admirals Club membership costs $ 650, while an Alaska Lounge membership costs $ 450.
I would imagine that Americans partially forced this change.
It is not surprising that Alaska joins oneworld and strengthens ties with the Americans
What is the best way to access Alaska Lounges?
There are different ways to access Alaska Lounges. There are a few things that make access to Alaska Lounge interesting:
- Alaska offers all paid first-class passengers access to the lounge, whether paid for in cash or redeemed for miles
- Currently, most Alaska Lounges accept members of Priority Pass, although I would not be surprised to see the change again
- The best value for access to Admirals Clubs and Alaska Lounges is Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (revision) – the card offers Admirals Club membership for the primary card member, and up to 10 authorized users can be added for free, and they also all get Admirals Club access (though not access to Alaska Lounge)
I appreciate the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card for lounge access
Bottom line
The cost of an Alaska Lounge membership increases from October 2021. The airline now has two membership levels, one of which only offers access to the Alaska Lounge, and the other also provides access to the U.S. Admirals Club access.
These changes do not surprise me at all, given the closer cooperation between Alaska and American and the clear decoupling of prices.
Will you be affected by these changes in Alaska Lounge membership?