Capital One set to change lounge access policies: Here’s what you need to know

Capital One is making changes to its premium credit card perks, specifically tightening access to its exclusive airport lounges. The decision will impact both additional cardholders and guests, who will no longer receive routine free access. This marks a shift in the bank’s offerings and aligns its policies with other major players in the industry, such as Chase and American Express.
Key Changes in Lounge Access
Starting early next year, Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders will no longer be able to extend free access to their additional cardholders or guests. This change eliminates a previously valuable perk that helped offset the card’s nearly $400 annual fee.
The decision comes after Capital One acknowledged the growing popularity of its lounges, which have become increasingly crowded. According to the bank, the exclusive airport lounges feature amenities such as chef-curated menus, specialty cocktails, and relaxation spaces. The increased demand has led to longer waiting times to enter the lounges, prompting the changes.
The New Costs for Lounge Access
As part of the revised policy, here’s a breakdown of the new charges for cardholders and their guests:
- Additional Cardholders: From next year, each additional cardholder will incur a cost of $125 annually. This fee applies to both Venture X and Venture X Business accounts.
- Guests: The cost for bringing guests into the lounges will depend on the cardholder’s spending behavior:
- Cardholders who spend over $75,000 per year on their accounts can still bring two guests for free to the lounges. They can also bring one guest to Landings locations, a hybrid lounge-restaurant experience, at no additional charge.
- For those who do not meet the $75,000 spending threshold, the following fees will apply:
- $45 per adult guest
- $25 for guests aged 17 and under
- Children under the age of 2 will continue to have free access.
Capital One’s move to charge for guests and additional cardholders mirrors similar changes made by other banks in recent years, as they adjust their offerings in response to rising demand and the popularity of lounge experiences.
Capital One’s Rationale for the Changes
The bank has explained that these changes were made with careful consideration, emphasizing its commitment to delivering a “differentiated premium travel card” for its customers. A bank spokesperson noted that the new policies aim to balance the benefits of the lounges with their growing demand.
While some may find these changes disappointing, Capital One is not the only credit card issuer to tighten its lounge access rules. Similar shifts have been observed across the travel and banking industries as a whole. Major competitors like Chase and American Express have introduced similar fee structures for their own premium credit cardholders.
The Broader Trend in Credit Card Perks
Capital One’s decision to reduce lounge access perks is part of a broader trend among premium credit card issuers. These companies are adjusting their perks in light of increasing demand and competition within the travel space. Lounge access, once a widely available perk, is becoming more exclusive as travel demand surges, particularly following the pandemic’s impact on air travel.
For many travelers, airport lounges represent an oasis of comfort, away from the chaos of crowded terminals. They offer a range of amenities such as food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and quiet spaces to relax or work before flights. As demand for these lounges grows, so too does the need to manage their capacity and ensure that the experience remains exclusive.
This shift in lounge access is not just about Capital One. Other banks like Chase, which operates Priority Pass lounges, and American Express, with its Centurion Lounges, have similarly begun adjusting their offerings. These changes reflect the increasing competition among major banks to offer the most exclusive and desirable perks to their premium cardholders.
What This Means for Travelers
For travelers who enjoy the benefits of airport lounge access, this news may come as a disappointment. However, it’s important to note that the changes do not mean the end of lounge access altogether. Instead, they represent a shift toward making these perks more exclusive and tied to higher spending thresholds.
Those who regularly spend over $75,000 annually on their Capital One Venture X or Venture X Business card will continue to enjoy the benefits of free guest access. However, for those who fall below this threshold, the new fees may make lounge access less attractive. The charges for guests could quickly add up, especially for frequent travelers.
Conclusion
Capital One’s decision to tighten lounge access for some cardholders is part of a wider trend of revising premium travel perks. As demand for exclusive airport lounges continues to rise, banks are increasingly charging for access to manage capacity and maintain the exclusivity of these spaces. While some cardholders may find this shift disappointing, it’s likely that other banks will continue to follow suit, adjusting their offerings to meet the growing demand for premium travel experiences.
For travelers, the changes serve as a reminder to evaluate the true value of their credit card perks and how often they use these benefits. Those who spend more on their credit cards will continue to enjoy the luxury of free guest access, but others will need to weigh the costs of lounge visits against the benefits of their credit cards.