Capital One Changes Lounge Access Policies for Venture X Cardholders

McLean, Virginia — Capital One announced significant changes to the lounge access policies for its popular Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Venture X Business Card, set to take effect on February 1, 2026. These adjustments aim to address growing wait times and overcrowding at airport lounges.

Starting in 2026, authorized users of the Venture X card will no longer receive complimentary airport lounge access. This policy marks a departure from the benefits the card offered when it first launched in 2021. Additionally, cardholders will face restrictions on guest access at Capital One Lounges and Capital One Landings.

Currently, cardholders can bring guests for free, but after the new rules are implemented, they will need to spend at least $75,000 annually to continue enjoying complimentary guest access. Those who meet this threshold will be able to bring two guests to Capital One Lounges and one guest to Capital One Landings.

In a statement, Capital One acknowledged, “As airport lounges continue to grow in popularity across the industry, we’ve seen our customers increasingly encounter wait times to enter them.” The bank aims to maintain a premier lounge experience while adapting to increased demand.

Capital One will also charge authorized users an annual fee of $125 for lounge access. This fee applies to additional cardholders on both the Venture X and Venture X Business cards. Primary cardholders will still retain complimentary access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges.

Currently, authorized users can visit lounges with the primary cardholder, but this benefit will be restricted moving forward. Customers who utilize Priority Pass lounges will also see changes; guests will incur a $35 fee, and additional fees will apply for kids aged 17 and under.

Capital One aims to streamline the usage of its lounges while drawing lessons from other card issuers like American Express, which has made similar adjustments to guest access rules. New lounge policies signal a shift towards premium benefits that require higher spending to access privileges, affecting families and less frequent travelers most dramatically.

Continued use of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card remains attractive due to its annual travel credit of $300 and its bonus miles program. However, for those prioritizing lounge access, these changes may require reevaluation of their options.

“Feedback from our customers is crucial, and we are committed to enhancing their experience as we navigate these changes,” Capital One stated in its announcement.