Capital One has updated its airport lounge access policy for Venture X Rewards and Venture X Business cardholders, ending free guest privileges and imposing new fees for authorized users. The changes, effective immediately, significantly alter one of the most generous travel card benefits on the market.
Key Changes Explained
Previously, Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders enjoyed unlimited complimentary access for themselves and their guests to Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings, and Priority Pass lounges. Authorized users also received free access. This is no longer the case.
Here’s a breakdown of the new costs:
- Guests at Capital One Lounges/Landings: $45 per visit ($25 for ages 17 and under; under 2s are free).
- Authorized Users: $125 per year to unlock unlimited lounge access (Capital One and Priority Pass) for up to four users.
- Priority Pass Guests: $35 per visit for Venture X cardholders; Venture X Business holders retain two complimentary guest slots, with additional guests at $35 each.
The only way to regain complimentary guest access is to spend at least $75,000 annually on your Venture X or Venture X Business card. This unlocks access for two guests at Capital One Lounges and one guest at Capital One Landings for the current and following calendar year.
Why This Matters
This shift reflects a broader trend among travel rewards providers. Airport lounges are becoming increasingly crowded, and companies are adjusting policies to manage capacity and maintain exclusivity. Capital One’s move follows similar restrictions implemented in January 2025, when complimentary lounge visits were cut for Venture Rewards and Spark Miles cardholders.
The tightening of access is designed to ensure space for those who benefit from the cards the most; high-spending cardholders.
Who Feels the Impact?
These changes hit certain groups hardest:
- Group Travelers: Paying $45 per guest adds up quickly.
- Couples: Sharing a single Venture X card now means one person may have to pay for lounge access.
- Families: Children aged three and up will incur guest fees.
However, Venture X Business cardholders benefit, as they can now add authorized users with lounge access (previously unavailable). Solo travelers remain largely unaffected, as the rules primarily target guests and authorized users.
Bottom Line
Capital One’s latest policy adjustments prioritize lounge access for high-spending cardholders while introducing costs for guests and authorized users. While some cardholders will find the changes inconvenient, the option to pay for access remains available, ensuring that those who value lounge privileges can still enjoy them.
The changes are a clear signal that unlimited lounge access is becoming a less common perk in the competitive travel rewards landscape.
