Capital One Lounge Access Changes

Most all travelers love a good airport lounge. After all, free food & free drinks are awesome, especially when shielded from the hustle and bustle of a busy airport. The topic is so popular that we have a guide on lounge access generally and, more specifically, a guide to the best credit cards for access to Priority Pass lounges. After news of the Capital One lounge access changes (read: devaluations), the popular question “What lounge do I have access to?” just got a lot more complicated.

Current Capital One Lounge Access Policies

As of May 2025, the following Capital One cards have lounge access and with the stated limits:

• Capital One Venture X:
  • Capital One Lounges: Cardholder and up to 2 guests (additional guests are $45 each, age 17 and under is $25 and under age 2 is free).
  • Capital One Landings: Cardholder and up to 1 guest (additional guests are $45 each, age 17 and under is $25 and under age 2 is free).
  • Priority Pass Lounges: Cardholder and up to 2 guests (additional guests are $35 each).
• Capital One Venture X Authorized Users: (up to 4 authorized users per main account for free):
  • each authorized user with similar limits to the main cardholder above.
• Capital One Venture X Business:
  • Capital One Lounges: Cardholder and up to 2 guests (additional guests are as outlined above).
  • Capital One Landings: Cardholder and up to 1 guest (additional guests are as outlined above).
  • Priority Pass Lounges (including Restaurant access for cardholders before May 2024): Cardholder and up to 2 guests.

Capital One Lounge Access Changes

Unfortunately, likely due to overcrowding, long lines at lounges, and gaming of access via authorized users, Capital One announced sweeping changes to lounge access in May 2025. Beginning February 1, 2026, the Capital One lounge access changes take affect. As expected, these changes are quite drastic and very hard to swallow for families and those that travel in large groups.

As of February 1, 2026, the following Capital One cards have lounge access and with the stated limits:

• Capital One Venture X:
  • Capital One Lounges & Landings: Cardholder is free. Additional guests 18 and older are $45 each, 3-17 year olds are $25, and kids 2 and under are free.
    • Cardholders spending $75,000 or more in a calendar year (beginning in 2025) receive 2 additional guests to Lounges and 1 additional guest at Landings for the year in which the spend occurs and the following year.
  • Priority Pass Lounges: Cardholder is free. Additional guests are $35 each.
  • Authorized Users: Up to 4 cards with a $125 per card to add lounge access, each with limitations as stated for the main cardholder.
• Capital One Venture X Business:
  • Capital One Lounges & Landings: Cardholder is free. Additional guests 18 and older are $45 each, 3-17 year olds are $25, and kids 2 and under are free.
    • Cardholders spending $75,000 or more in a calendar year (beginning in 2025) receive 2 additional guests to Lounges and 1 additional guest at Landings for the year in which the spend occurs and the following year.
  • Priority Pass Lounges: Cardholder and up to 2 guests are free. Additional guests are $35.
  • Authorized Users/Employee Cards: Up to 4 cards with a $125 per card fee to add lounge access, each with limitations as stated for the main cardholder.

Analysis of Upcoming Changes

Personal Card

This one is a tough blow for the diehards of the Venture X personal card. Unfortunately, it has been one major devaluation after another since the card's launch in 2021. The card's perks are now just a fraction of what they were at launch. For families, or those that love to travel with friends or family that didn't want an expensive premium card of their own, this is a major blow. Previously, four free authorized users meant you could, theoretically, bring in 15 people to Lounges or 10 people to landings for free. This is mind-blowing for a $395 annual fee and is likely the reason for massive overcrowding at lounges all around the world. If this was your scenario, this news hurts. It hurts a lot. If it's not your scenario, you're likely to benefit from this news, as lounges will likely be less full in the future.

Business Card

But all is not lost. The winner, if there is such a thing in devaluations, is the Venture X Business card. First, it did not lose any guest access to Priority Pass lounges. Those make up the vast majority of the lounges available. Second, businesses can regain complimentary guest access to pre-February 2026 levels with $75,000 or more spend on the business card in a calendar year. This is in-line with spend levels required for guest access on a Business Platinum, for example. Lastly, the best news for Venture X Business cardholders is authorized user/employee cards now have full lounge access with a $125 annual fee per card. I've always found it very strange that the personal card had free lounge membership for up to 4 authorized users and the business version offered nothing, even for a fee. That oversight is now corrected and is a very positive change, especially for businesses with road warriors.

Capital One Changes: ToP Thoughts

Change is never fun, that is for sure. The lounge access changes really hurt Venture X personal cardholders. On the other hand, the news for Venture X Business cardholders is mostly neutral. It could be a win for everyone if the overcrowding of airport lounges is considerably lessened. Regardless, Capital One announced these changes 8 months before they take affect. While devaluations always hurt, it's nice to have 8 months advance notice.

For existing cardholders, it seems the Venture X Business card is now the most valuable Capital One premium card. In many ways, that's been our take since the business card launched. What are your thoughts on these changes? Come over to our Facebook Group and let us know.