Capital One Venture X Lounge Access: What You Need to Know
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One of the main perks of a premium credit card is airport lounge access. With such hefty annual fees though, you want to be sure you choose the right one for you. I have had the Capital One Venture X credit card for years, and highly recommend it for anyone who travels a few times a year with family or friends.
The main factors to consider when picking a card based on lounge access is the network of lounges, the number of guests, and the annual fee vs credits. The Capital One Venture X really stands up to popular cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the American Express Platinum Card. If you already have the Venture X Card then there are a few things to keep in mind when using it for lounge access.
What Lounges Do You Get with the Capital One Venture X?
With the Venture X, you get access to:
- Capital One Lounges (a growing network with premium amenities)
- Priority Pass Lounges (excluding restaurant benefits)
- Plaza Premium Lounges
Capital One Lounge Locations
Currently, Capital One has three lounges open:
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
- Denver (DEN)
- Washington Dulles (IAD)
More locations, including Las Vegas (LAS) and New York LaGuardia (LGA), are expected in the future.
Tip: Check on the app if the lounge is busy to join the waitlist. Do this right when you land if connecting in an airport with a Capital One Lounge.
I have literally planned my layovers to be around these lounges, they are that great! My last visit was at the Capital One Lounge in Denver and I was blown away by the many delicious options for breakfast, full bar and barista coffee, and even a robust grab and go section. The food had a focus on local ingredients and flavors, and came out well presented on small plates.
I was so glad to have a freshly made coffee rather than one at the press of a button after a long overnight flight from Hawaii. The grab and go section was also a lifesaver. It gave lots of healthy snack options for my next long flight and even a light meal out of some remade sandwiches and salads. I hope other lounges are taking note, so I don’t have to try to sneak out a banana and water bottle anymore!
Priority Pass: What You Need to Know
Priority pass is a network of over 1300+ lounges around the world which can be accessed via their membership. Learn more about lounge access via priority pass in the guide to airport lounges.
The Capital One Venture X comes with a Priority Pass Select membership, which allows you an unlimited number of visits to lounges worldwide. It does not include restaurant access, and most credit cards with Priority Pass no longer have that benefit either. As of this year it is now limited to two guests per visit (used to be unlimited guests), so you + 2 others can get in to lounges.
Tip: Be sure to register for this benefit to set up your Priority Pass Account. You will need to show your Priority Pass Card (not the Venture X Card) for access to these lounges.
There is almost always a Priority Pass lounge wherever I am traveling, and I’m happy to have a decent one at my home airport of Miami. As long as I’m in the right terminal, I get to go to the Turkish Airlines lounge for a glass of wine, a coffee, and some snacks, before cramming into an economy seat for a few hours. Sometimes I’ve had access to a lounge because of Priority Pass, even when my business class ticket doesn’t offer a lounge, like this one time in Bali when flying Virgin Australia.
Plaza Premium Lounges
Venture X grants Plaza Premium Lounge access, which are also included in the Priority Pass network, and are subject to the same guest rules.
Guest Limits & Restrictions
- Cardholder access is free.
- You can bring two guests for free, which is a great perk for family or friends.
The two free guests are applicable for the Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass Lounges. For comparison, Amex Platinum charges $50 per guest (unless you spend $75K annually on the card), while Chase Sapphire Reserve allows two free guests.
Additional Authorized Users Perks
One standout feature of the Venture X is that you can add authorized users for free, and they get the same lounge access perks as the primary cardholder. This means they can also enjoy Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, and Plaza Premium Lounges with their own guest privileges. Additionally, like primary cardholders, authorized users receive Hertz President’s Circle status, which provides perks like vehicle upgrades and faster service at Hertz locations.
How Venture X Lounge Access Compares to Other Premium Cards
| Feature | Capital One Venture X | Amex Platinum | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Lounges | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Priority Pass Lounges | ✅ Yes (No Restaurants) | ✅ Yes (No Restaurants) | ✅ Yes (No Restaurants) |
| Plaza Premium Lounges | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Centurion Lounges | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Delta Lounges | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (must be flying with Delta, not basic economy) | ❌ No |
| Chase Sapphire Lounges | Only 1 Visit Annually thru PP, $75 per guest | Only 1 Visit Annually thru PP, $50 per guest | ✅ Yes |
| Guest Policy | 2 Free Guests | $50 Per Guest (unless spending $75K/year) | 2 Free Guests |
Is the Annual Fee Worth the Perks?
The Capital One Venture X annual fee is $395. Fortunately, you get $300 a year in travel credit to use through the Capital One Portal. I found the portal very easy to use and have’t had any problems in finding ways to redeem the credit. It can be used toward airfare, hotels, or cars.
I’ve found using the Capital One Portal to be a great way to buy those cheap flights that wouldn’t be worth redeeming points for. It is also beneficial for booking hotels that are part of their premier or lifestyle collection because Capital One Venture X cardholders get perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and resort credit. Hotel bookings thru the portal also earn 10x points which is an excellent return on spend.
The card also awards you 10,000 anniversary points annually, which can be redeemed for at least $100 in value. Just with those two perks, the annual travel credit and anniversary points, the annual fee has been made up for. Lounge access is the cherry on top!
Compared to other premium travel cards, the credits on the Venture X are the most straightforward to use and more than make up for the annual fee. The Amex Platinum cards have an array of coupon book style discounts that you have to remember to take advantage of every month or are things you don’t need, which still doesn’t make up for the entire $695 fee. The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $300 travel credit like the Capital One card, but a much higher fee at $550.
All three cards, the Capital One Venture X, Amex Platinum, and Chase Sapphire Reserve, offer a credit that covers the cost of Global Entry/TSA PreCheck. This is a benefit I’ve been very glad to have used as it has saved me hours waiting in line at the airport security lines. Be sure to take advantage of this benefit and make the time for the application and appointment.
Each card earns different transferrable reward currencies so be sure to pick the one with the best set of transfer partners to meet your needs.
Bottom Line: Should You Get the Venture X for Lounge Access?
If you want an affordable premium travel card with excellent lounge access for you and your companions, The Capital One Venture X is one of the best choices. While it doesn’t have Centurion Lounges, it makes up for it with Capital One Lounges, Plaza Premium access, and a generous guest policy.
