Link: Apply now for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One has been doing an impressive job on the travel front lately. In addition to greatly improving its mileage program, there’s now also the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which is an incredible premium credit card that lots of people are applying for.
On top of that, in late 2021 Capital One got into the airport lounge game. In this post I wanted to recap everything we know about Capital One Lounges, from locations to entry requirements.
In this post:
Why is Capital One opening airport lounges?
Lounge access has become a popular perk for premium credit cards. Historically premium credit cards have offered a Priority Pass membership, providing access to a large collection of lounges. However, some card issuers have taken that to the next level, with credit card branded lounges.
American Express is best known for this, with its network of Centurion Lounges. Chase has also gotten into the lounge game, with the introduction of Chase Sapphire Lounges. Capital One is also opening airport lounges, with the opening of the first one having coincided with the introduction of the Capital One Venture X Card.
Which airports are getting Capital One Lounges?
Capital One has confirmed plans to open lounges at four airports, with only one of the four being open so far. I’d expect that over time many more airports will get lounges, but below are the basic details of all four Capital One Lounges that have been revealed so far.
Capital One Lounge Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW)
The Capital One Lounge Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) opened in November 2021. The 10,000 square foot lounge is located in Terminal D near Gate 22.
Capital One Lounge Denver Airport (DEN)
The Capital One Lounge Denver Airport (DEN) is expected to open in 2023. The 11,200 square foot lounge will be located in Concourse A on the mezzanine level.
Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles Airport (IAD)
The Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) is expected to open in 2023. The 9,100 square foot lounge will be located near the security checkpoint (so not near any gates).
Capital One Lounge Las Vegas Airport (LAS)
The Capital One Lounge Las Vegas (LAS) has been confirmed to be in the pipeline, but we don’t yet know the opening date. The 7,900 square foot lounge will be located at the center of Concourse D. The Clark County Board of Commissioners has approved the lease plan, and a Capital One spokesperson has confirmed the plans.
What are Capital One Lounges like?
I’ve had the chance to check out the Capital One Lounge DFW several times, and it’s simply phenomenal, among my favorite lounges in the United States. While there are some basic amenities you expect from lounges, Capital One takes it to the next level.
Among other things, here’s what you can expect from the Capital One Lounge DFW:
- A grab & go food selection, including sandwiches, salads, fruit, snacks, and more
- A proper in-lounge dining experience, with menus curated by local chefs, and healthy selections made from regionally sourced ingredients
- An excellent drink selection, including local beer, regional wine, craft cocktails, cold brew on tap, and a full espresso bar
- A cycling and yoga room with Peloton bikes and resistance bands
- Shower suites with towels and toiletries
- Relaxation rooms with blankets, eye covers, and earplugs
- Semi-private work areas with outlets at every seat
- Friendly service, especially from Rumana, who is a superstar
You can read my full review of the Capital One Lounge DFW here.
Who can access Capital One Lounges?
Capital One Lounges can be accessed by the following people:
- Capital One Venture X cardmembers can get unlimited access to Capital One Lounges, and can bring two guests with them for free, and can bring additional guests with them for $45 each; keep in mind that authorized users can be added to the card for free, and they get the same lounge access perks
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (review) and Capital One Spark Miles for Business (review) cardmembers receive two complimentary visits annually, with no complimentary guesting privileges (the passes could be used by the primary cardmember or authorized users, and can also be used for a guest who is present, meaning you could use two passes for you and a guest); additional guests, as well as additional visits, cost $45 each
- Kids under two can enter Capital One Lounges for free
- All others can enter Capital One Lounges for $65 per visit
- Even though Capital One Lounges are operated in partnership with Plaza Premium Group, there’s no access through other credit cards or lounge membership programs
Getting the Capital One Venture X Card for lounge access can be totally worth it. The card has a $395 annual fee, but offers a $300 annual travel credit and 10K bonus anniversary miles every year, so having the card should cost you very little if you’re going about it right. Furthermore, you’ll be able to add four authorized users to the card at no extra cost, and they’ll receive the same lounge access perks. That makes this the ideal card for families.
Are there access restrictions for Capital One Lounges?
Beyond the actual entry requirements for Capital One Lounges, there are a couple of further access restrictions to be aware of:
- You need a boarding pass for a departing flight in order to be able to access Capital One Lounges (so you can’t use them as arrivals lounges)
- You can only access Capital One Lounges within three hours of a flight’s scheduled departure; while it’s my understanding that this is the official rule, I’ve heard lots of reports that it’s not enforced
What’s my take on Capital One Lounges?
I’m extremely impressed by what Capital One is doing with airport lounges, and the timing has been great as well, as it coincided with the launch of the Capital One Venture X Card. A few thoughts on Capital One Lounges so far:
- Admittedly it’s going to take Capital One a while to build up a network of lounges, so this could be extremely useful for those based out of an airport with a lounge, while it will be less useful for others
- We can hope that maybe Capital One Lounges won’t be crowded for a while, since it’ll take Capital One some time to build up a cardmember base
- Capital One is doing something unique here, and is introducing amenities we haven’t seen from other lounges, and I love that; from cold brew and espresso, to grab & go food, to Peloton bikes, Capital One put a lot of thought into these lounges
What other lounge access does the Venture X offer?
As a reminder, access to Capital One Lounges is only a small part of the lounge access perks offered by the Capital One Venture X Card. The card also offers:
- A Priority Pass membership, giving you access to 1,300+ lounges around the world; you can bring up to two guests with you at no additional cost
- Access to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges, including Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses in the United States; you can bring up to two guests with you at no additional cost
These benefits apply not just for the primary cardmember, but also for the up to four authorized users you can add to your card at no extra cost.
Bottom line
Capital One has gotten into the airport lounge game, with the introduction of the Capital One Venture X Card. The Capital One Lounge DFW is already open. We can expect the lounges at DEN and IAD to open in 2023, and a lounge at LAS to open at some point in the future.
Capital One has taken a different approach toward lounge design, and I can’t wait to see the portfolio grow. Capital One Lounges have unique features you won’t find in other lounges, ranging from a grab & go food selection, to cold brew on tap, to a workout room.
What do you make of the Capital One Lounges at airports? Will you be picking up the Venture X Card?
I can't find the "digital pass" in the Venture X app for lounge access.
I stopped in the Capital One lounge in DFW, and am waiting on the Venture X card. If you fly out of DFW, it is nicer than the American lounges (excluding Flagship), and the food selection is FAR superior. I have the Sapphire card, and I may just switch to the Venture X. The Sapphire card has the best Priority Pass, since you can go to restaurants with it. It is the main thing that...
I stopped in the Capital One lounge in DFW, and am waiting on the Venture X card. If you fly out of DFW, it is nicer than the American lounges (excluding Flagship), and the food selection is FAR superior. I have the Sapphire card, and I may just switch to the Venture X. The Sapphire card has the best Priority Pass, since you can go to restaurants with it. It is the main thing that seems better, so I may keep it for that perk. Not all airports have Priority Pass restaurants avaliable, so it's a toss up. If DFW is your primary departure or layover city, this card seems like a no-brainer.
I see job postings for the IAD lounge - GM, assistant GM, executive chef, sous chef, pastry chef.
Any update on exactly when the IAD lounge will open? Month?
Any recent data points on how crowded the DFW lounge is?
In Dallas, Lufthansa business class gets access to the lounge. It wasn’t crowded, food offerings were excellent, the lounge was very clean and well serviced. Great experience.
I was in the DFW lounge last month and it was very crowded. I was flying business on an AA flight so I went to their lounge, which was empty.
I know so many people who have the Amex Plat just for access to the SFO lounge. If Capital One opened a lounge at SFO, the Venture X would hugely gain in popularity.
I was recently in DFW and accessed this amazing lounge with the Venture X card. I was early - and was not limited to 3 hour before flight time. Lounge access wizard also says nothing about the time limitations...is that only for paid access?
I've also never been hassled about it, although I've always been connecting and most of the time lounges don't care if you're on a long layover. I'm guessing they're just not enforcing it until the lounge is busier.
@ adam w -- It seems that this isn't being enforced for now, so I've updated the post to reflect that. Thanks!
I'm a United flyer so the sole DFW location hasn't been terribly useful to me yet but once the Denver and Washington locations open I look forward to visiting them frequently! (Side note, will one of the credit card issuers please open a lounge in O'Hare!? Only Priority Pass lounge is in T5 and doesn't look all that remarkable)
Couldn't agree more! I just told someone in Chicago not to get the Venture X since his main goal was lounge access, and it's not worth going to T5 just to use the Swissport Priority Pass lounge.
But if Capital One opened up a lounge there... ideally in T2 so it can be used by both United (T1) and American (T3) flyers
What will likely happen
- the number of visitors will increase as word spreads and more people sign up
- some of the offerings (especially the grab and go) get cut back because people start treating it like their weekly trip to the grocery store. Hey, I'm paying 395 dollars for this access, so it's only fair if I grab ten sandwiches on the way out!
- As more people start visiting, especially...
What will likely happen
- the number of visitors will increase as word spreads and more people sign up
- some of the offerings (especially the grab and go) get cut back because people start treating it like their weekly trip to the grocery store. Hey, I'm paying 395 dollars for this access, so it's only fair if I grab ten sandwiches on the way out!
- As more people start visiting, especially with their families, the original cardholders and business travelers start complaining about how the lounge has turned into a zoo, and how it's supposed to be a quiet place to work away from the madness of the terminal, etc.
Hahah. Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of too.
I was just given with my World card that we would be able to use the facilities also.
Interesting. For fee? Which card is this?
Business class passengers flying Korean, Lufthansa or Finnair are granted access to the DFW Capital One lounge.
Along these lines, wondering which airlines at DEN & IAD may not have proper lounges for long-haul premium customers. At DFW those same airlines would already grant access to Delta SkyClub, United Club or AA Flagship lounges.
Turkish as well.
FYI, you can also get 50% off Pete’s Coffee located at Capital One Cafes with any Capital One card. Enjoyed the nice cafe at Valley Fair Mall in San Jose. They are also in SF and Walnut Creek and other major US cities.
I wish there was a more specific timeline for the Dulles lounge then "2022". I'm considering getting the Venture X card but it'd be nice if it were ready in time for the bulk of my 2022 travel. Does anyone know roughly when it's expected to open or if it's already under construction?
Yeah, I asked the same question, and no one will tell you. I'm in the same boat.
I'm not impressed by the DFW lounge interior, looks like an elementary school lounge and cafeteria. Not sure why they took that approach. I hope future lounges take a different approach.
I bet the grab and go selections will either be scaled back, go totally away or have some person give them out. I can see many people grabbing more than they can eat in a day let alone during one meal
Can Capital One lounges be accessed both before departure and after arrival?
@ Taylor -- I've followed up with Capital One on this. They can be accessed up to three hours before departure, and you need a departing boarding pass.
Thanks for the additional details, Ben - super helpful! I guess grab & go could be difficult to manage if arriving passengers received access
Pretty nice looking lounge but Capital One has no real premium feel to its brand so kind of curious as to why they are going down this path at all.
Can you enter the lounge for $65 even if you are not a Capital One Cardholder?
I ask because I fly out of DFW.
@ CJH -- Yep, you sure can! No need to be a Capital One customer.
Crapital One. What a joke.
great lounges....rival amex... yip, know then all! dfw lounge amazing and empty!
Currently, there are no Venture X cardholders because applications for the card will not open until 11/9.
I imagine that you can’t use your 2 free visits at once, e.g. for you and your companion? Only asking as I very rarely fly through DFW.
@ JW -- I followed up with Capital One to make sure I got an accurate answer. They can be used by the primary cardmember or authorized user, and any accompanying guest. So you could use your two passes for a single visit for you and a companion. Hope that helps.
There ONE lounge
Great photos Mr. Gilbert Ott
I believe credits was already given in the text.
Interesting there is no discount for other cap one cards. I've a free one I have had from when cap one was the only bank with no foreign transaction cards. I've had it probably 20 years. No perk to use it at the lounge.
Same - I have an about-20-years-old card too.
Agree. Little value to us, with three accounts for many, many years. I don’t travel enough to make a $300 card fee worthwhile.
I will use the AmEx lounges instead.