Meet the fliers who never have to pay for luxury airport lounge access thanks to forward-thinking trick

As airlines continue to up the airport lounge prices and add further restrictions to fliers, some might be peeved to learn plenty of customers are enjoying lifetime access without the steep cost. 

Back in the days when the US airline industry had plenty of smaller companies, such as Piedmont and Eastern Airlines, fliers were able to snap up lifetime lounge access for cheap - a privilege they've been able to keep even through the giant mergers. 

Now, if one wanted to join American Airline's Admirals Club or United Polaris Club on an all-access level, it would cost anywhere between $700 to $1,400 per year. 

When Jonathan Slater bought his all-access lifetime membership pass for Eastern Airlines, he was in his 20s, he told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). 

Now, at 65, the Boston real estate agent enjoys United Airlines lounge for free, having paid only $300 for it in the 1980s. 

Over the years, Slater's Eastern Airlines pass turned into a Continental Airlines pass and eventually a United one after the major airline merged with Continental, he told WSJ. 

Unlike members today, who are shelling out $1,400 a year and complaining about the new changes, Slater isn't effected. Every time the airline's lounge access changes, he's automatically bumped to the highest package. 

In fact, his pass doesn't expire until the end of 2099. 

'Well beyond my sell-by date,' he joked to WSJ.  

Same with Ben LaGarde, who paid $600 for a lifetime pass to USAir in the 1980s. When the airline merged with American in 2013, he got access to the coveted Admirals Club. 

The 78-year-old's son is so jealous of his father's access that he began asking if the 'card was inheritable,' the Pennsylvanian told WSJ. 

Airlines no longer sell lifetime access and many members are frustrated by major companies constantly changing the rules and upping the price. 

Aviation expert Kathleen Bangs told DailyMail.com last year that it was common for airlines to rely on their loyalty schemes for profit.

'What most people don't realize is most airlines make more money from their credit card programs than they do carrying people,' she said. 'Airlines are just banks that operate flights.'

But for some flier who are buying into the program, they aren't happy when the airlines keep changing the rules.  

Veronica Reign, an Amex Platinum cardholder, was caught off guard by some of Delta's changed policies, and furiously shared her experience on TikTok just before boarding a Delta flight in January 2024. 

'Finally, I get an Amex Platinum card. I come to the Delta terminal,' she said. 'And as of January 1st, 2024, you cannot go into the Delta Sky Lounge with your Platinum Amex unless you are flying above basic economy.'

She added, 'I want to say to Delta and the Delta lounge that it's so disrespectful. Because we pay $700 f**king dollars a year for the Amex Platinum, and now I don't have access to the Delta lounge.'

In January 2025, Delta customers once again braced themselves for a long-feared crackdown on lounge access. 

It is the latest in the ongoing quest by airlines and credit-card companies to control crowds, and boost profits.

Delta first mooted a raft of changes to its frequent flyer program - including access to to its Sky Clubs for those with premium American Express cards - in September 2023, and rolled out some at the start of 2024.

For example, those who book a basic economy ticket are no longer be allowed into Sky Clubs with select Amex cards as they were prior to January last year.

But by far the most controversial change starts on February 1. Those who get access to Delta's 52 lounges is via one of American Express's top-tier cards will be limited to ten or 15 visits a year.

Until now, there has been no limit. Over the 15 visits Delta Reserve cardholders or ten for Amex Platinum customers is $50 per visit.

Customers can still get 'free' unlimited visits but they need to spend big, and rack up $75,000 a year on the card. They can also book pricy Delta One tickets, or a separate unlimited lounge pass for $695.

Airlines often say their ever-changing lounge prices go into them providing top-of-the-line stuff and improving and building their lounges. 

Delta recently opened the largest lounge in the world at JFK Airport in New York City. 

The space, which measures almost the same as three Olympic-sized swimming pools at 39,707sqft, has been broken down into different areas, with the offerings including a sprawling food court, an atmospheric fine dining restaurant, a swanky bar area, a lounge complete with a fireplace and a year-round covered terrace looking out over the runway. 

To help travelers unwind before their flight, there is also a mini spa, with five state-of-the-art massage chairs from Human Touch (which retail for more than $10,000), a treatment room and sleeping booths with reclining chairs.

United Airlines has raised the cost of its credit cards and airport lounge memberships by as much as $170 year — but has promised 'bigger perks.'

The airline announced the changes last week, alongside new incentives for its Chase-backed credit cards, including sign-up bonuses, rideshare credits, and discounts on award flights.

Airlines have steadily increased prices for everything from checked bags to seat assignments while offering co-branded credit cards as a way to unlock benefits that were once included in the cost of a ticket.

The entry-level Explore card fee rises from $95 to $150 a year, the Quest from $250 to $350 and the Club $525 to $695. United operates the largest passenger network in the world.

‘Thanks, time to get rid of it,’ one customer wit the Explore card wrote on a Reddit thread about the price hike.