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If you have the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, we have some bad news for you. While the Venture X card continues to provide fantastic lounge benefits, its Priority Pass benefits are being reduced next year. As of Jan. 1, 2023, Venture X cardholders will no longer have access to participating restaurants, spa services and shopping benefits across the Priority Pass network.
Here's what cardholders need to know about these modifications.
Priority Pass: More than just lounges
When you think of Priority Pass, you likely think of its network of more than 1,300 airport lounges. That's a core part of what Priority Pass is, but there are other uses of Priority Pass memberships. These include select airport restaurants (where you can enjoy $25-$30 per person in complimentary food, depending on the location), spa experiences, sleep rooms and more.
Related: The $112 secret Priority Pass restaurants don't want you to know
Venture X Priority Pass changes
As of Jan. 1, 2023, Venture X cardholders will no longer have access to non-lounge Priority Pass benefits. This means those who get their Priority Pass membership through this card will continue to have access to the range of Priority Pass lounges but will not be able to use the non-lounge benefits, such as restaurants, spas and suites. This mirrors the 2019 removal of non-lounge elements from Priority Pass access through American Express cards.
At the time of writing, this update isn't prominently visible on the issuer's main lounge access page. There's even conflicting language in the Frequently Asked Questions section of that page. One of them includes this note:
What is Priority Pass and how do Venture X cardholders enroll in it?
Priority Pass is a program that provides access to airport lounges worldwide. Effective January 1, 2023, Priority Pass non-lounge airport experiences (like dining, retail shopping and spa discounts) are not part of the Visa Infinite® benefit program for Venture X cardholders.
However, a later question includes the following:
As a Venture X cardholder, how do I access Priority Pass benefits, such as exclusive discounts on in-airport dining, retail and spas?
Once you’ve enrolled for your complimentary Priority Pass membership, you’ll get access to more than 800 exclusive discounts on in-airport dining, retail shopping and spas.
Unfortunately, a spokesperson for Capital One has confirmed these changes.
"We are currently notifying Venture X customers that as of Jan. 1, 2023, access to Priority Pass non-lounge airport experiences will no longer be part of their membership program benefits."
However, it should be noted that other Venture X lounge privileges are not changing at this time. That includes access to Capital One lounges and Plaza Premium lounges, in addition to continued access to Priority Pass lounges. The only update is related to non-lounge elements of Priority Pass.
It's also worth noting here that the Venture X card launched in Nov. 2021, so this change comes at a time when many are paying the annual fee for year two. If your renewal is coming up, be sure to consider how frequently you used these non-lounge Priority Pass locations over the last year to consider whether the $395 annual fee is worth it.
Related: The 10 best Priority Pass lounges around the world
Bottom line
Starting Jan. 1, Capital One Venture X cardholders will lose access to non-lounge benefits through Priority Pass — including participating airport restaurants and spa services. This is similar to the restrictions on Priority Pass memberships included on select American Express cards.
The other interesting piece of this news is that the removal of the benefit is announced as a change related to Visa Infinite benefits — which is the same card type as the Chase Sapphire Reserve. We reached out to Chase to ask if this benefit will be affected, but a spokesperson would neither confirm nor deny whether there are any changes happening now or in the near future.
