Summary
- Alaska Airlines offers Lounge+ membership for access to 9 airline lounges and 90 partner lounges worldwide starting at $450.
- United Airlines provides annual Club membership to 45 lounges for prices ranging from $550 to 85,000 miles depending on status.
- Delta Air Lines offers Sky Club memberships at $695 or $1,495 annually with free access for guests and exclusive card perks.
The top US airlines operate their lounges at airports across the US and worldwide. While lounge access is generally limited to elite frequent fliers, annual memberships to the lounges are available for general members. This article explores the top four US airlines offering yearly lounge passes, one-day passes, and complimentary access through select co-branded credit cards.
4
Alaska Airlines
Access to 9 Alaska Airlines lounges
| United Club | Benefit | Guests | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual membership | Unlimited access to 9 Alaska Airlines lounges | One adult and dependent children younger than 21 or up to two guests. | $450 for elites $550 for non-elites |
| Annual membership | Unlimited access to Alaska-operated lounges and 90 partner airline lounges worldwide | One adult and dependent children younger than 21 or up to two guests. | $650 for elites $750 for non-elites |
| Day pass | One-time access | Children under 2 for free | $60 per person |
| Alaska Airlines Visa Signature or Visa Business credit cards | $100 off annual membership when purchased with the card | One adult and dependent children younger than 21 or up to two guests. | Annual credit card fee: $99 |
Alaska Airlines offers membership access to the nine airline-operated lounges as well as partner lounges with a Lounge+ membership. The annual rate starts at $450 for elite members, including MVP, MVP Gold, Gold 75K, and Gold 100K, and $550 for non-elite general members. The Lounge+ membership provides access to over 90 partner lounges worldwide in addition to the Alaska Airlines lounges.
Photo: Alaska Airlines
Members can also opt for a single-use pass for $60 per person per visit. The single-day passes are only sold at specific locations and when the space is available. Another way of benefiting from lounge membership is by opening one of two Alaska Airlines credit cards and receiving a $100 credit towards the membership purchase.
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3
United Airlines
Access to 45 United Club lounges worldwide
| United Club | Benefit | Guests | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Club access | Unlimited access | One adult and dependent children younger than 21 or up to two guests. | $550 to $650 or 75,000 to 85,000 miles |
| Day pass | One-time access | Children under 2 for free | $59 per person |
| United Club Infinite or United Club Business credit cards | Primary cardholders get United Club membership | One adult and dependent children younger than 21 or up to two guests. | Annual credit card fee: $545 (Club Infinite), $450 (Club Business) |
United Airlines offers membership access to 45 United Club lounges worldwide with annual club access, one-day pass access, or through select credit cards. Members can purchase an annual Club membership for as little as $550 or 75,000 miles. Members can bring a partner and dependent children (21 years and under) or up to two guests at no charge.
Photo: JJava Designs | Shutterstock
Members can also opt for a single-use pass for $59 per person per visit. The primary member can take children under two free of charge. The United Club Infinite or United Club Business credit cards offer free membership to United Club lounges. While an annual fee is attached to both cards, those come with other perks, including the opportunity to earn points for spending.
| MileagePlus status | Cash cost for annual club access | Miles cost for annual club access |
|---|---|---|
| General Member | $650. | 85,000. |
| Premier Silver | $650. | 85,000. |
| Premier Gold | $650. | 85,000. |
| Premier Platinum | $600. | 80,000. |
| Premier 1K | $550. | 75,000. |
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2
Delta Air Lines
The membership grants access to more than 50 locations.
| Delta Sky Club | Benefit | Guests | Yearly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Membership (annually) | Unlimited access | Up to two guests or spouse and children under 21 | $1,495 or 149,500 miles |
| Individual Membership | Individual Access | Up to two guests or spouse and children under 21 for a fee (approximately $50 per person per visit) | $695 or 69,500 miles |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card | Complimentary access | Four one-time guest passes each year | Credit card annual fee: $650 |
Delta Medallion members can purchase annual memberships to Sky Club and enjoy unlimited access to complimentary cocktails, fresh and healthy food options, free high-speed Wi-Fi and more. According to Delta Air Lines,
“Annual memberships (including renewals) to Delta Sky Club are available to Medallion Members of the Delta SkyMiles Program. Customers who are not Medallion Members may still access Delta Sky Club with another qualifying credential, such as the Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve or Reserve Business American Express Card*, or when flying on a same-day Delta One itinerary.”
Photo: Delta
The Individual Membership costs $695 or 69,500 miles annually, whereas Executive Membership costs $1,495 or 149,500 miles. The latter allows complimentary access for up to two guests or spouses and children under the age of 21. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Credit Card members receive complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club plus four one-time guest passes each year to be used when members and guests fly Delta together.
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1
American Airlines
Access to nearly 50 Admirals Club® lounges and more than 60 partner lounges worldwide
| Two ways to buy a membership | Benefits | Guests | Yearly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy Annual membership | More than 100 Admirals Club® lounges and partner lounges worldwide | Up to two guests | $750-$850 Purchase online or at any Admirals Club® location |
| Day pass | One-time access | Children under 2 for free | $79 or 7,900 miles |
| Sign up for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | Complimentary Admirals Club® membership Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee credit Enhanced airport experience |
Up to two guests | Complimentary access. Sign up for the credit card online. |
American Airlines offers annual or one-day pass membership access to over 50 Admirals Club® lounges and more than 60 partner lounges worldwide. Members can purchase the annual membership for as little as $750 for individuals or $1,550 for a household. Members can bring up to two guests at no charge.
Members can also opt for a single-use pass for $79 per person per visit.
Photo: RozenskiP | Shutterstock
The primary member can take children under two free of charge. The American Airlines’ Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® members receive complimentary Admirals Club® membership, along with application fee credit towards Global Entry or TSA Precheck and enhanced airport experience.
| Membership | AAdvantage® member | AAdvantage Gold® | AAdvantage Platinum® | AAdvantage Platinum Pro® | AAdvantage Executive Platinum® |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual – new | $850 | $825 | $800 | $775 | $750 |
| Individual – renew | $800 | $775 | $750 | $725 | $700 |
| Household – new | $1,650 | $1,625 | $1,600 | $1,575 | $1,550 |
| Household – renew | $1,600 | $1,575 | $1,550 | $1,525 | $1,500 |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
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