From CNBC: 2025-03-24 11:42:00

United Airlines is increasing fees for airport lounge memberships and rewards credit cards, testing consumer willingness to pay for travel perks. New card perks include sign-up bonuses, rideshare credits, and award flight discounts. American, United, and Delta have raised prices for checked bags, seat assignments, and tightened access to airport lounges due to crowding. Loyalty revenue has been a windfall for airlines, with United bringing in $3.49 billion in “other” revenue last year mainly from co-branded card spending and airport lounge memberships. United is offering two tiers of memberships for its United Club airport lounge network, with individual memberships priced at $750 a year, and new benefits include rideshare credits and flight upgrades. Credit card fees are also changing, with the United Explorer card increasing to $150 a year and the United Club Infinite Card going up to $695 a year.



Read more at CNBC: United Airlines raises annual fees for lounges, rewards credit cards