Alaska Airlines Cuts Lounge Access for Some First Class Passengers

Alaska Airlines recently announced upgrades for its lounges. But at the same time the company has updated access rules for the worse, and increasing the membership prices.

The price of the two membership options is going up by $50. Starting January 1, 2023, Alaska Lounge memberships will be increasing from $450 to $500 and Lounge+ will be increasing from $600 to $650. Mileage Plan Elites will still receive a $100 discount on either membership option.

Alaska Airlines will no longer offer lounge access to first class passengers on shorter flights. This benefit will only be for first class tickets on flights with at least 2,100 miles. That include coast-to-coast, Hawai’i and international long-haul flights. Also keep in mind that passengers upgraded to First Class, whether complimentary, paid, or using miles do not have complimentary access to the Alaska Lounge.

Alaska Airlines Lounge Access Changes

Passengers traveling on a paid First Class or a First Class award ticket on flights operated by Alaska Airlines where one flight has a distance of at least 2,100 miles, will have complimentary access to Alaska Airlines Lounges. Lounge access is granted on the day of the flight only, to all lounges in that day’s itinerary, including connecting flights that are less than 2,100 miles. Lounge access is not included for family or other guests not traveling in First Class. To access the Alaska Lounge, passengers must show their eligible same-day First Class boarding pass to the Alaska Lounge Staff.

Passengers traveling on a paid First Class or a First Class award ticket where no single flights exceed 2,100 miles, do NOT get lounge access.

These changes are in effect for bookings made on or after November 18, 2022, for travel February 15, 2023 and beyond.

It does not affect bookings made on or after November 18, 2022 for travel through February 14, 2023, or bookings made through November 17, 2022 for any future travel date.

Alaska also offers complimentary access to US Military personnel traveling in uniform and ticketed to fly on an Alaska flight departing within 3 hours. All other US Active Duty military personnel with a valid ID may purchase a day pass at the discounted rate of $30 when flying on an Alaska flight departing within 3 hours.