Quick points: How to access Capital One Lounges without a physical credit card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has many travel-related benefits, including up to $300 per cardmember year in credits toward travel booked through the Capital One Travel portal and the ability to transfer miles to one of the program's many airline and hotel transfer partners.
However, one of the perks I don't often get to use is access to the issuer's Capital One Lounges at major airports. Venture X cardholders enjoy unlimited access to Capital One Lounges for the primary cardholder and authorized users, with complimentary access for up to two guests per visit (kids ages two and under are free). They can bring additional guests for $45 per person per visit.
So far, Capital One only has lounges at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Denver International Airport (DEN), with more locations planned. I'm based in Los Angeles, so you won't often catch me transiting through those other three hubs. However, I had to travel to Dallas recently to attend a conference, so I was excited to spend some time in the DFW Capital One Lounge for a few hours before my evening flight.
I pictured myself settling into one of the lounge's retro-chic windowside swivel chairs, sipping a draft cocktail and nibbling on many plated snacks before grabbing a to-go sandwich. Perhaps I'd even have time for a pulse-pounding ride in the Peloton room, or a refreshing rinse in one of the shower suites.
It wasn't until I was actually on my way to the airport, though, that I realized I had forgotten my physical Capital One Venture X card, which the reception agents use to check guests into the lounge. I wondered if I could use the digital version stored in my iPhone's Apple Wallet to enter instead.
Polling my TPG colleagues, none of them had attempted a cardless lounge entry. Nor could I find information on the process online as I furiously Googled from my Uber to the airport. I had plenty of time and was already checked in for my flight, though, so I figured I could stop by the lounge and try my luck.
It's a good thing I did, because the friendly staff at the entrance showed me it is indeed possible to access Capital One Lounges without your physical Venture X card on hand. Here's how.
Capital One Lounge locations
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
The first Capital One Lounge opened at DFW in November 2021. It's located in Terminal D near gate 22 (not far from the Centurion Lounge and accessible via the same elevator as the American Airlines Flagship Lounge). It's open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Denver International Airport
This third location opened in November 2023. It is situated in the airport's A Concourse, so it's convenient for Delta flyers and those hopping on international carriers. Its opening hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Dulles International Airport
This Capital One Lounge opened in September 2023 and is conveniently located in the Main Terminal just past the TSA PreCheck security area. Its opening hours are 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
How to access Capital One Lounges through the app
First, you'll need the Capital One banking app on your phone. I have it on mine and just set it so I have to use my username and password to log on for security.
Having done that, I scrolled down to the section titled, "Explore Rewards & Benefits," and tapped on the plane icon for "Travel" below that.
From there, I was directed to a screen enumerating the travel benefits of my card and tapped the "Lounges" button.
It confirmed that I have unlimited complimentary access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide (the three Capital One locations plus those of the vast Priority Pass network).
It listed all three current Capital One Lounge outposts, their locations within their respective airports and their hours.
Tapping on the one for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport pulled up its individual entry, a live update on how busy the lounge was, a list of its amenities, and my specific benefits as a Venture X cardholder — it never hurts to be reminded! It also confirmed that to get in, I'd need my card or a digital lounge pass. Unfortunately, virtual card numbers (like my Apple Wallet version) are not accepted.
I would also be required to show my boarding pass for a departing or connecting same-day flight with a confirmed seat assignment.
I tapped the "View Pass" button and the next screen pulled up a QR code with my name listed, my access privileges and the ability to add it to my Apple Wallet.
While I had to go through that (admittedly simple) process this time, now that I have the QR code in my iPhone's Apple Wallet, I should be able to pull it up that way.
And that was it! Thankfully, the folks at the DFW Capital One Lounge could walk me through the steps, cheerfully scanned my QR code and boarding pass and then invited me in to enjoy the lounge's amenities, which made my day.
Hopefully every Capital One Lounge reception agent knows how to help cardmembers do the same, but just in case, it never hurts to know how to do it yourself in case you find yourself in a forgetful quandary like me.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees