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.

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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:

• The best credit cards for airport lounge access
• A complete guide to Capital One's airport lounges
• The 7 do's and don'ts in an airport lounge
• 7 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
• Best Capital One credit cards