Capital One Lounge: What you need to know

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Capital One is late to the lounge game, but is coming in strong with appealing offerings and industry-leading to-go food options and a coffee bar. Here’s what you need to know. 

Capital One Lounge Locations 

Currently, there are three Capital One Lounges in operation in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN) and Dulles (IAD) airports, and Capital One plans to open a fourth lounge in Las Vegas (LAS) in the future, although no opening dates have been announced as of yet. 

There’s a concept restaurant-style lounge in development at Washington National (DCA) airport with no set opening date as well. While it may seem odd that Capital One only has a handful of lounges but is developing two of them in Washington, DC, remember that Capital One’s headquarters are in McLean, Virginia about halfway between Dulles and National. 

Hours of operation for each lounge vary, so make sure to check Capital One Lounge’s website for the latest info.

Capital One Lounge Overview

Capital One Lounges are a refreshed, modern take on the old school, business traveler centric airport lounges. With more open spaces, an elevated selection of food and beverage options and even grab-and-go menu items as well as barista coffee, they set themselves apart from their competitors.

Additionally, the lounges offer quiet work areas, large community tables, and different seating options for solo travelers as well as families. Bathrooms are single occupancy, for added privacy. The Dallas-Fort Worth and Dulles lounges have secured lockers for you to store your belongings, and you’ll find Peloton bikes and yoga mats in the Dallas-Fort Worth lounge, should you feel like burning some calories.

How to gain lounge access

Capital One offers only two credit cards that will grant you unlimited, free lounge access to the Capital One network of lounges: theCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Business card. Both are the top tier, premium credit cards on their personal and business side, and they come with an annual fee that is much lower than other premium credit cards in the market offering similar benefits. Not only is the annual fee lower, but the Venture X offers free authorized user cards and each card allows free entry. This benefit does not apply to the business version. 

Capital One Venture X Highlights

Capital One Venture X for Business Highlights

If you instead hold the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card card or the Capital One Spark Miles card, you will enjoy two complimentary Capital One Lounge passes valid until December 31, 2024. As of January 1, 2025, this lounge entry benefit is going away for both Venture and Spark Miles cards.

Guesting Privileges

One of the best things about traveling in style with the help of premium credit cards is that, sometimes, you’re able to extend some of those perks to your friends and family. You will be able to bring in up to two guests per visit to a Capital One Lounge an unlimited number of times at no extra cost to you. If your traveling party is larger than three, fear not: you can guest additional travelers at $45 per guest per visit.

Children under 2 years of age can enter with a cardholder at no charge and enjoy all of the lounge’s amenities.

Alternative Lounge Access

Both Venture X and Venture X for Business cards come with additional lounge benefits, including Priority Pass and Premium Plaza complimentary access, opening the door to a giant global network of lounges you can access virtually anywhere you’re traveling from.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking to elevate your travels with lounge access, having one of Capital One’s premium credit cards is one of the best ways to go. For a significantly lower annual fee than its competitors with premium lounge access like the The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Venture X and Venture X Business cards offer many of the same perks geared to frequent travelers who enjoy hitting the road in style.

It should be noted, however, that if you don’t travel through any of the airports where there are Capital One lounges, your benefits will be limited and perhaps better suited with one of the other above-mentioned cards.

To view rates and fees of the The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page 

Frequently asked questions

Can I access a Capital One Lounge if I hold no Capital One credit cards?

Yes, in fact Capital One Lounges allow non cardholders to access its lounges at a cost of $65 per visit, per person, and children under 2 years of age can enter free of charge with an accompanying paying adult. Access may be restricted depending on occupancy.

Are my authorized users granted access to Capital One Lounges?

If you hold the Capital One Venture X personal card and have authorized users, they will receive access to the lounge and the ability to guest up to two companions free of charge. Authorized users of the Venture X Business card do not receive complimentary access to Capital One Lounges.

Are there any Capital One Lounges outside of the United States?

There are no Capital One Lounges outside of the United States, however, if you hold either the Venture X or Venture X Business cards you will also receive access to Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Lounge networks, which have several hundred international locations throughout the world.

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