Delta Air Lines Changes Airport Lounge Access

September 15, 2023: Delta Air Lines is changing its airport lounge access and elite status requirements, effective February 1, 2024. The changes are designed to make it easier for customers to earn and keep elite status and to improve the overall experience for all customers.

Here are the critical changes to airport lounge access:

• Basic Economy ticket holders will no longer be eligible for airport lounge access. This includes customers who purchase Basic Economy tickets directly from Delta and those who redeem miles or points for Basic Economy tickets.
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Diamond Medallion members can still bring one guest into the Delta Sky Club. However, Delta SkyMiles Gold Medallion members can no longer get a guest.
• Delta will be opening new Delta Sky Clubs at several airports, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). The new clubs will be larger and more modern than the current clubs, and they will offer a variety of unique amenities, such as self-service food and beverage stations and workstations.

Here are the critical changes to elite status requirements:

Delta is reducing the number of Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) required to reach Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion status. The new requirements are as follows:

Silver: 25,000 MQMs

Gold: 50,000 MQMs

Platinum: 75,000 MQMs

Delta is also reducing the number of Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) required to reach Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion status. The new requirements are as follows:

Silver: $3,000 MQDs

Gold: $6,000 MQDs

Platinum: $10,000 MQDs

Delta is adding a new Medallion level called Diamond Medallion. Customers must earn 125,000 MQMs and $25,000 MQDs to reach Diamond Medallion status.

Delta says that the changes are designed to make it easier for customers to earn and keep elite status and to improve the overall experience for all customers. The company also says the changes will help make its airport lounges more exclusive and desirable.

The changes have been met with mixed reactions from customers. Some customers are happy with the changes, making earning and keeping elite status easier. Others are disappointed with the changes, especially the decision to exclude Basic Economy ticket holders from airport lounge access.

It remains to be seen how the changes will impact Delta’s business. The company expects the changes to help it attract and retain customers. However, the changes could also alienate some customers. Only time will tell how the changes will play out.