The Guide to Capital One Lounges
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In an era where airport lounges have become the ultimate traveler’s refuge, Capital One has entered the scene with its own branded spaces. It joins competing, bank-affiliated lounges like the American Express Centurion Lounges and the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club.
All of these airport lounges — primarily designed for premium credit card holders — offer an escape from the chaos of crowded terminals, providing a serene environment with comfortable seating, complimentary food and thoughtful amenities.
Who can access Capital One lounges?
Anyone can gain entry to the Capital One lounges, but the cost varies depending on which, if any, credit cards you hold.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Those with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card have unlimited complimentary access to Capital One lounges within three hours of your flight (you must have a confirmed, same-day boarding pass). This includes complimentary entry for 2 guests per visit to Capital One Lounge. If arriving with an entourage larger than that, cardholders can pay $45 per visit for additional guests.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles for Business cardholders
Other cardholders have access, albeit more limited. For example, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles for Business cardholders can purchase passes for $45 for themselves and each of their guests
All other visitors
Otherwise, all other cardholders and non-customers can enter at the standard rate of $90. Children younger than 2 can enter for free.
» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now
That's a different model than The Centurion Lounge from American Express, which is only accessible to cardholders of its highest-end cards (though entry is complimentary). Unless you're visiting as a guest of an eligible cardholder, you can't buy your way into a Centurion Lounge.
Capital One lounge locations
(Photo by Hanah Cho)
After launching its first lounge at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in late 2021, the company expanded its offerings.
Capital One lounges are open now in the following airports:
(Photo by Sally French)
Additional lounges are planned for other major hubs in the coming years, with announced locations at airports including:
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
Capital One lounge benefits
Food options in the Dulles Capital One Lounge. (Photo by Craig Joseph)
Capital One lounges offer high-quality food, top-shelf cocktails and a classy place to wait for your flight. Some offer extra amenities including showers, spas, play areas for kids and wine-tasting areas.
What to expect from the Capital One airport lounge refreshments
Food options and cocktail in the Dulles Capital One Lounge. (photo by Craig Joseph)
Capital One lounges stand out for their grab-and-go food section featuring curated menus by local, up-and-coming chefs. Though there are plenty of desserts and comfort foods, travelers can also find relatively healthy selections made with regionally sourced ingredients.
Lounges also feature a bar serving craft cocktails on tap, local beers and regional wines. Non-drinkers might appreciate the assortment of coffee drinks (including cold brew on tap) plus the taps of craft sodas.
What to expect from the Capital One airport lounge amenities
The Peloton room at the DFW Capital One Lounge makes for an excellent way to pass time during a layover. (Photo by Sally French)
Of course, there’s more to do than eat. Capital One lounge amenities vary by location, but some even include a cycling and yoga room. You’ll probably need a shower after that — and luckily there are shower suites with luxury bath amenities. Luggage lockers keep your bags safe. Most lounges also have:
Quiet areas for working and recharging devices.
Family-friendly amenities, including parent rooms.
Multifaith rooms for prayer or meditation
Relaxation rooms (some with massage chairs).
High-speed Wi-Fi.
Other airport lounges for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card holders
Although the Capital One lounge is an excellent option if your airport has one, the network is still pretty small. For Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card members who want to use their card to access any sort of airport lounge, they might still find one in their airport through the card's Priority Pass access.
Priority Pass
Priority Pass is a network of more than 1,700 airport lounges and experiences worldwide. Some travel credit cards, notably the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, offer complimentary Priority Pass Select membership as a benefit for holding the card.
Most Priority Pass lounges pale in comparison to the Capital One lounges on pretty much every metric — design, crowd flow and refreshment quality. But some are far better than others, and it can be worth claiming your Priority Pass membership (assuming you hold the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card) to at least have a lounge to visit — even if it's not a top-tier Capital One lounge.
» Learn more: The best Priority Pass lounges in the United States
If you’re not a Capital One cardholder, you can also find a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership with these popular travel credit cards:
$695.
$650.
Priority Pass Select membership. Enrollment required.
Terms apply.
Priority Pass Select membership. Enrollment required.
Terms apply.
How Capital One lounges compare to the competition
When the first Capital One lounge opened in DFW in 2021, it became clear that Capital One was directly responding to the rising popularity of the American Express Centurion Lounges. The rising trend of AmEx, Capital One and — more recently — Chase Sapphire lounges means that folks holding premium credit cards now have access to swanky lounges tied to big banks. And there still are airport lounges tied to airlines that are going strong.
Capital One lounges versus AmEx lounges
The Centurion Lounge in Phoenix. (Photo by Sally French)
Capital One Lounges and American Express Centurion Lounges both cater to travelers seeking premium airport experiences, but their approaches differ. Capital One Lounges, though smaller in number, focus on innovation, with standout features like grab-and-go food stations and wellness rooms. AmEx Centurion Lounges are more established, known for their chef-curated menus and extensive networks in key airports worldwide.
But where Centurion Lounges set the initial standard of airport lounges with gourmet dining and custom cocktails, some of the original Centurion Lounges do look a bit dated. Meanwhile, Capital One Lounges focus on practical touches such as grab-and-go food and fitness spaces.
Centurion Lounges are typically accessible to cardholders of the The Platinum Card® from American Express, which has a $695 annual fee.
The Platinum Card® from American Express also includes a Priority Pass membership, but there's more. Along with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and the Centurion card, AmEx Platinum cardholders have access to the Global Lounge Collection. This includes Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), in addition to:
Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner.
Aspire lounge.
Plaza Premium.
Select Lufthansa lounges (when flying on a same-day Lufthansa flight).
Delta Sky Club lounges (when flying on a same-day Delta Air Lines flight).
Terms apply.
Capital One lounges versus Chase Sapphire lounges
The Chase Sapphire Lounge in San Diego. (Photo by Meghan Coyle)
Capital One Lounges and Chase Sapphire Lounges represent two emerging contenders in the airport lounge market, each offering a fresh take on premium travel experiences. Capital One Lounges emphasize efficiency and comfort, with unique features like grab-and-go dining and Peloton workout rooms. Chase Sapphire Lounges, still in their early rollout stages, aim to blend luxury with relaxation, often highlighting regional touches in their design and food offerings.
Compared to Priority Pass lounges, which vary widely in quality, Chase lounges deliver a more consistent and premium offering. Some Priority Pass lounges are posh, but other lounges offer some paltry carrots and cheese cubes, with little else.
Access policies also differ — Capital One limits entry to either its premium cardholders or non-cardholders who pay the hefty day pass fee. Chase Sapphire Lounges allow one complimentary entry per year through Priority Pass membership, broadening their reach. Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders get unlimited visits.
However, Chase's inclusion in the Priority Pass network could lead to overcrowding — an issue that has plagued many Priority Pass lounges in the U.S — given how so many credit cards now offer Priority Pass membership as a benefit.
Airport lounge membership
The Air France Lounge in LAX. (Photo by Josh Garber)
If you’re loyal to one airline, you may want to consider purchasing an airport lounge membership. These lounges are generally designed for travelers in first or business class, but many also sell memberships that grant you access to any of an airline’s lounges when flying on that airline, no matter where you’re located. This can be an ideal option for frequent travelers who also frequent economy class.
Some credit cards, such as the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and the United Club℠ Infinite Card provide this benefit as a perk of holding the card.
» Learn more: Reasons you should be using airport lounges
How to maximize your rewards
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Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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