Capital One set to change lounge access policies: Here's what you need to know
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card's lounge access policy is the best around. For just one $395 annual fee, the primary cardholder enjoys complimentary access to Capital One lounges and Landings and Priority Pass lounges for themselves and up to two guests. Even better: This access is also granted to authorized users for no additional cost.
But we knew this access policy was too good to last, and now we have an end date: Feb 1, 2026.
Venture X and Capital One Venture X Business cardholders received an email notifying them of sweeping changes to lounge access for guests and authorized users that will begin taking effect next February.
Let's dive into the details and what this means for cardholders.
Venture X and Venture X Business current lounge access policies
Before we get into the upcoming changes, here's a refresher on the lounge access policy cardholders currently enjoy:
| Venture X | Venture X Business | |
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Primary cardholder |
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Additional cardholders (authorized users and account managers) |
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Venture X and Venture X Business cardholder lounge access changes
Beginning Feb 1, 2026, Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders' lounge access for additional cardholders (including authorized users and account managers) will change. After this date, no additional cardholders will receive complimentary lounge access. Primary cardholders can add lounge access to additional cardholder accounts by paying $125 per card.
This is a significant loss for those with the Venture X. Authorized users will no longer have complimentary lounge access, and instead will need to pay $125 for the privilege.
Capital One stated:
Since it was introduced in 2021, Venture X has stood out as a unique premium travel card with industry-leading rewards and benefits - including airport lounge access - at a $395 price point.
As airport lounges continue to grow in popularity across the industry, we’ve seen our customers increasingly encounter wait times to enter them. It is important to us that we maintain a great airport lounge experience for our Venture X and Venture X Business customers, while continuing to deliver best-in-class premium travel cards at an accessible price point.
To address this, we will be making some changes to lounge access for additional cardholders (authorized users and account managers) and guests. Venture X and Venture X Business primary cardholders will continue to receive complimentary access to over 1,300 lounges, including Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings and Priority Pass lounges. We thought carefully about these changes, and we remain committed to delivering a differentiated premium travel card for our customers.
This could, however, be good news for Venture X Business cardholders. Currently, there is no option for additional cardholders to receive complimentary lounge access. But after this change goes into effect, primary cardholders can get unlimited access for up to four authorized users by paying $125 for each account.
Note that authorized users can still be added to both cards for free; the additional fee is only for adding lounge access for each account.
Related: The credit cards with the greatest value for authorized users
Venture X and Venture X Business lounge guest policy changes
Capital One isn't stopping at changing lounge access policies for additional cardholders; it's also implementing changes to all cardholders' guest policies.
For Venture X cardholders:
- Beginning Feb. 1, 2026, Venture X primary cardholders and authorized users will no longer be able to bring in complimentary guests to Priority Pass lounges. They will need to pay $35 per guest.
- Beginning Feb. 1, 2026, Venture X cardholders' guest access for Capital One lounges and Landings will change. Guests will cost $45, and children 17 and younger will cost $25. Children under 2 will still be free.
The Venture X Business has similar changes coming, with two exceptions:
- Primary cardholders will still receive two complimentary guests to Priority Pass lounges.
- Additional cardholders with lounge access will also receive two complimentary guests at Priority Pass lounges starting Feb 1, 2026. Additional guest access can be purchased at $35 per guest.
However, primary cardholders and eligible additional cardholders who spend $75,000 or more on their card in a calendar year will be permitted to bring in two complimentary guests to Capital One lounges and one complimentary guest to Capital One Landings. Complimentary guest access is valid for the calendar year you spend $75,000 or more and the following calendar year.
Related: A guide to guest policies for airport lounges
Capital One lounge policy change analysis
I can't say I am surprised that Capital One is charging authorized users to enter lounges, as its counterparts American Express and Chase have been doing this in some form for years with their premium cards. Authorized users on The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) receive complimentary lounge access, but those cards come at a cost: $195 for each authorized user on the Amex Platinum (see rates and fees) and $195 for each authorized user on the Sapphire Reserve. After the Venture X's changes go into effect, its cost for authorized user lounge access will be lower than its two main competitors.
On the Venture X Business side, its biggest competitor — The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — charges a whopping $400 (see rates and fees) to add an additional cardholder. These cardholders receive complimentary lounge access but for a fee that's nearly four times what Venture X Business will charge for additional cardholders to have lounge access. This is a win for authorized users of the Venture X Business, even with the fee, as previously, there was no lounge access.
While we hate to see added fees, these fees for lounge access for additional cardholders are quite reasonable. Even after paying either card's annual fee of $395 and $125 to add access for an additional cardholder, you can get lounge access for two people for $500, less than what you'll pay in annual fees for the primary account on the Amex Platinum or the Sapphire Reserve.
Regarding guests' access to their namesake lounges, Capital One's policy is similar to that of the Amex Platinum, as you must spend a very large amount to unlock guest access. Still, guest fees will stay a bit cheaper than Amex's: Capital One guest access costs $45 per adult and $25 per child (17 and younger), whereas Centurion Lounge guests cost $50 per adult and $30 for children 17 and under — although neither charges a fee for children under 2.
These Venture X changes will make the Sapphire Reserve the most generous regarding lounge guest access. Sapphire Reserve cardholders can bring in two complimentary guests to the Sapphire Lounge by the Club and Priority Pass lounges.
Capital One is the first of the "Big Three" credit card issuers to remove complimentary guests from its Priority Pass access. Currently, both the Amex Platinum and the Sapphire Reserve allow cardholders to bring two guests into Priority Pass lounges for no additional charge (enrollment required).
Related: The 10 best Priority Pass lounges around the world
Bottom line
Losing complimentary lounge access for authorized users and the ability to take guests into lounges for no additional cost stings, but it is not unexpected. Amex and Chase have been charging for authorized users to enter lounges for years now.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Venture X and the Venture X Business.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Business
Related reading:
- Capital One Venture X vs. Venture X Business: Small but important differences
- How to choose a credit card for airport lounge access
- Capital One Venture X vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which premium card comes out on top?
- The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison
- Capital One Landing is now open at DCA — and it's unlike any airport lounge we've ever experienced
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.