While not the end of the world, this is still a sad development…
In this post:
Venture X cutting some Priority Pass access in 2023
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (Rates & Fees) has become one of the most popular premium travel credit cards, since launching just over a year ago.
While the card has a $395 annual fee (Rates & Fees), there are so many reasons to get this card, from the excellent welcome bonus, to ongoing perks like a $300 annual travel credit, 10K anniversary bonus miles, and much more.
The Capital One Venture X has offered an extremely well rounded lounge access benefit, all of which apply to both the primary cardmember and authorized users:
- The Venture X offers a Priority Pass membership
- The Venture X offers access to Plaza Premium Lounges
- The Venture X offers access to Capital One Lounges
Unfortunately as of January 1, 2023, a change will be made to the card’s Priority Pass membership — the card will no longer offer credits or experience at Priority Pass’ non-lounge airport experiences, including Priority Pass restaurants, spa discounts, and more.
As far as premium credit card Priority Pass memberships go, this aligns the Capital One Venture X with the policy of The Platinum Card® from American Express (review) (Enrollment required) rather than that of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (review).
My take on this Capital One Venture X lounge access perk change
It goes without saying that this is a negative change, and I’m sad to see this. This now makes the Chase Sapphire Reserve the popular premium card that continues to offer Priority Pass restaurant credits, at least for now (hopefully Chase doesn’t make the same change).
While this is of course disappointing, to me it doesn’t fundamentally change the value proposition of the Capital One Venture X. The way I view it, the card’s $395 annual fee (Rates & Fees) is still more than covered by the $300 annual Capital One Travel credit plus the 10,000 anniversary bonus miles.
Everything else is the icing on the cake, and this remains the best premium card for families, as you can add up to four authorized users, and they all get lounge access as well. Also keep in mind that unlike with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Capital One Venture X offers access to Plaza Premium Lounges and Capital One Lounges.
Bottom line
As of January 1, 2023, the Capital One Venture X is changing its Priority Pass benefit. Priority Pass memberships issued through the card will no longer offer non-lounge airport experiences, like Priority Pass restaurants and spa treatments.
What do you make of this Capital One Venture X card benefit change?
Ben,
The problem with the new rules for Capital One is that for the people like me that just got their card without knowing about the change as of Jan 1st and sign up at https://prioritypass.com/capitalone, if you click on "find lounges and more" in the upper left, it still lists all the lounges that you now cannot use without any disclaimer. Isn't that a bit of false advertising?
Terrible news for LAX. PP has no lounges or restaurants, and now just lost the crappy experiences too.
Strong agree on this. LAX has nothing. Not that they had anything with Priority Pass pretended to give you access to the Alaska Lounge...
next step: to enhance “the industry-leading customer experience” the annual fee increases first to 495, then 695, etc.
It's as inevitable as Chase jacking CSR AFs to $550.
Wow that was fast, I haven't even had the card a year and they are already cutting the benefit I use the most. The only nice thing is that the travel credit and annual bonus pretty much cancel our the annual fee so the card is essentially free.
Overseas I use the lounge benefit the most. In the US, there aren't very many decent lounges so I use the restaurant benefit far more. Might be time to go back to the reserve
Whatever happened to the Citi Prestige, that other purported "CSR slayer" that was hyped almost as much as the C1 VX has been...?
Detect a pattern yet?
It still exists and is still king.
Yeah, right. Apply for it today...
DCS, you shill for both Hilton & Chase?
Are both volunteer positions?
I just know a good thing when I see it and do not fall for the hype. Got a problem with that?
Your problem is that you believe whatever fits you fits others. That's not the case.
You can believe whatever you wish, but that's just nonsense.
I know what fits me and I justify it factually. What fits you is none of my concern.
Whether this matters to you depends greatly on which airport you use the most. The two PP restaurants at my airport are nothing special and packed whenever I've walked past them. PP is just bad. I always felt like the restaurant benefit was there just to make up for how trash their domestic lounge options were. If this benefit mattered to you that much, you should already have a CSR.
this card has barely been out for a year, and they already changing?
Capital One is the Bonvoy of credit card companies.
My nose is still out of joint since recently being rejected for the Capital One Venture X card. Despite having a spotless 30-year credit history, an 837 credit score and just under 200K annual income, I was rejected. Unbelievable. Their card approval process is frankly, insulting.
Sadly I won’t be seeing Chef Geoff any longer. :(
This was a huge value prop for me. Traveling as a family of 4 we regularly took advantage of two-card visits at restaurants. My wife has PP through CSR. Just last week we received a $128 credit while transiting MIA.
Restaurants seem to work better for kids as they’re more content to stay in place. So lounges aren’t always practical for families with younger children.
...Sadly I won’t be seeing Chef Geoff any longer. :(
This was a huge value prop for me. Traveling as a family of 4 we regularly took advantage of two-card visits at restaurants. My wife has PP through CSR. Just last week we received a $128 credit while transiting MIA.
Restaurants seem to work better for kids as they’re more content to stay in place. So lounges aren’t always practical for families with younger children.
I wish they would have reduced - even halved the benefit rather than eliminated it.
Agree. Plus the majority of lounge goers don’t want children around, as they’re a refuge of sorts.
Glad I never go this card. It sucks. And that's from a guy who lives 10 minutes away from DFW airport where they have their ONE lounge.
The only reason the bloggers loved this card was because Capital One paid them lots of money to publish articles about it. The people who fell for it have some thinking to do.
@ Ryan -- I can appreciate if you don't see the value proposition of the card, because it's not for everyone. But it's not reasonable to suggest that people "fell for" applying for this card. This is still an incredible card and it's arguably the easiest to justify premium credit card.
“Glad I never go this card. It sucks.”
More like applied and we’re denied?
Great card that pays for itself multiple times over.
Nope. Never applied. I'm just fine in the Chase ecosystem.
I fell for something that gave me a nice pile of miles and features, and I didn't have to spend years making some trifecta/quadfecta and monitoring how fast I added cards to get full value from the ecosystem? OH NOES WHATEVER SHALL I DO.
Of course some stuff was going to get nerfed and prices went up, y'all don't think Chase does this too? AMEX? Citi?
You take your opportunities and make what you can...
I fell for something that gave me a nice pile of miles and features, and I didn't have to spend years making some trifecta/quadfecta and monitoring how fast I added cards to get full value from the ecosystem? OH NOES WHATEVER SHALL I DO.
Of course some stuff was going to get nerfed and prices went up, y'all don't think Chase does this too? AMEX? Citi?
You take your opportunities and make what you can out of them, and if the opportunities change you reasess and maybe move on.
Also, I forgot a bigger issue (which some commentators are also getting at). Bloggers love this card, but at the end of the day it isn't that much better than the Venture in a multi-card setup. It's a $395 fee card with a $300 travel credit and 10,000 annual points, so let's value that at $150. Once benefits like Priority Pass Restaurants start going away, you have to question the other perks of the card,...
Also, I forgot a bigger issue (which some commentators are also getting at). Bloggers love this card, but at the end of the day it isn't that much better than the Venture in a multi-card setup. It's a $395 fee card with a $300 travel credit and 10,000 annual points, so let's value that at $150. Once benefits like Priority Pass Restaurants start going away, you have to question the other perks of the card, which are tied into the travel portal, which many may not use. The big issue for the card is that its earnings structure is the same as the Venture. I have the Cap One Venture and spend on it, transfer points, etc, and I see no real reason to upgrade, aside from a Welcome Offer. And in recent years, I have called to get the Venture $95 fee waived as a "retention offer," so the card is free for me.
@ Anthony -- Just to clarify, you're valuing both the 10,000 miles and the $300 annual travel credit at a total of $150? Or just the 10,000 miles?
Because to me, what makes this card so incredible is that it pays for itself. Personally I value the $300 travel credit and the 10,000 anniversary bonus miles at more than the $395 annual fee, which is why I find this to be such a great card vs. the standard Venture.
Ben - I value the credit at $300, and the miles are $150, so it does pay for the annual fee. I’m not saying the Venture X isn’t better than Venture - it clearly is, and I plan on getting Venture X when I am under 5/24. I’m saying that it just isn’t THAT much better - it has the exact same earnings structure, Venture X is starting to roll back features, etc. Even lounge...
Ben - I value the credit at $300, and the miles are $150, so it does pay for the annual fee. I’m not saying the Venture X isn’t better than Venture - it clearly is, and I plan on getting Venture X when I am under 5/24. I’m saying that it just isn’t THAT much better - it has the exact same earnings structure, Venture X is starting to roll back features, etc. Even lounge access, personally I fly through Dallas once a year at most, so Venture is fine for my access to Capital One lounges. And it’s pretty easy to get the Venture fee waived,
One Capital One builds out many more lounges, Venture X starts to look better as it will provide more unique lounge access, But that’s years away.
Isn't this the card you litterly changed the entire website layout to promote a while back? And now it's slashing perks lmao.
Yup, it is the card. In fact, it has been promoted so heavily and so singularly since that "splashy" launch that one wonders whether there isn't some kind of quid pro quo between C1 and bloggers pushing it...
It was promoted rightfully, as it offered and still offers great perks. If you prefer CSR, good for you.
@ Jackson -- Sorry, but which premium card hasn't adjusted benefits over time? Remember when the Chase Sapphire Reserve offered unlimited guests, but then cut that a while after launch? Should I have never promoted or written about that card?
Also, arguably the lounge access value proposition of the Venture X has improved since it launched. The card added Plaza Premium access after launch, which I'd argue is more valuable than Priority Pass restaurants.
Apples and oranges: the CSR adjusted a policy that was ridiculously generous to start with. It did not eliminate it...
"Also, arguably the lounge access value proposition of the Venture X has improved since it launched. The card added Plaza Premium access after launch, which I'd argue is more valuable than Priority Pass restaurants."
Maybe for you given that you fly a lot outside the US. I'd argue that trading options in places like BOS/CLE/SEA/STL/TUS for Plaza Premium's very limited US footprint where there are typically other options (compared to their Canadian/international footprint, which is...
"Also, arguably the lounge access value proposition of the Venture X has improved since it launched. The card added Plaza Premium access after launch, which I'd argue is more valuable than Priority Pass restaurants."
Maybe for you given that you fly a lot outside the US. I'd argue that trading options in places like BOS/CLE/SEA/STL/TUS for Plaza Premium's very limited US footprint where there are typically other options (compared to their Canadian/international footprint, which is much larger) is not really a good trade for a US-centric customer base. Having a new lounge option in Chandigarh and losing them in Seattle isn't great for me or most people who aren't travel bloggers who can go to SE Asia on a whim.
That being said, it's very obvious why Capital One is doing this, no charge AUs + $28 at airport restaurants in the US for every cardholder = bleeding cash on this like a stuck pig.
Now it is not just having a priority pass membership that matters in the credit card perks but it depends on which one. Chase appears to be most flexible allowing a guest and allowing access to the restaurants. Rather than having a simple benefit it is down to the details.
@ DCS -- While I'm also a fan of the Chase Sapphire Reserve, are you forgetting when the card cut its unlimited guests policy within a couple of years of launch? Was that not "pulling" a benefit?
You mean, like, too generous a policy adjusted?
That was because a blogger bragged about how she invited an entire village or something into the lounge. There was obvious abuse of the card so I understand why Chase made this change. I don't understand how what Capital One is offering at this time offers similar value to being able to choose a restaurant vs a lounge or at some airports at least having a place to relax if no lounge exists that is...
That was because a blogger bragged about how she invited an entire village or something into the lounge. There was obvious abuse of the card so I understand why Chase made this change. I don't understand how what Capital One is offering at this time offers similar value to being able to choose a restaurant vs a lounge or at some airports at least having a place to relax if no lounge exists that is accessible through the Cap One X.
I know you value the $300 travel credit but I would prefer not to book through their engine and instead have that credit available for say eating at Priority Pass restaurants which has proven useful on occasion.
You sound like you work at Chase. Nothing is timeless, including the AF for CSR.
Can you name benefits that Venture X has pulled every other quarter?
Most here know who I work for. Rather silly to include the AF as a 'benefit', but the CSR's original benefits remain, with just tweaks to a few, and considering how long the card has been around, I would consider that 'timeless' in the rewards CC business.
Pretty sure that AmEx Plat was the original premium card.
The AMEX Plat might have been the 'original' premium card, but it is definitely not the one that started the 'explosion' of such cards.
The CSR did, by spooking the competition. including the AMEX Plat, into offering better benefits, which many, like the Citi Prestige (now the VX), just can't sustain or quite match...
I agree with you here. CSR was the first one specifically promoted as a premium travel card.
2x/usd makes c1 cannot make money on transaction fees, and we have a virtually negative annual fee with easy-to-use credits and free AUs with free PP...... you will really guess how C1 makes money with this card. Predictable.
This is really disappointing and a real hit to anyone based on the West Coast. Los Angeles and Portland don’t have any lounge access while SFO has lounges that are very limited access with PP. Capitol One just really lost standing with this. I’m not going to run and get another Chase Sapphire Reserve but I might close my Venture X before my next annual fee.
Yup, same boat here. My two airports are SFO (not on Air France flights) and LAX. The SFO restaurant benefit is a significant loss, especially paired with Alaska cutting lounge on paid first flights.
Oh well, now other people will get my money.
They should have charged for AUs. Major misstep here. A single lounge/black art gallery at DFW isn’t enough to be competitive.
1) This Priority Pass restaurant thing was always untenable as a widespread benefit across multiple banks, and I would bet the days on CSR are numbers, especially once Chase gets more of its lounges built
2) A lot of posters seem to rely on this benefit too much - people that fly a lot domestically should realistically have membership/access to one of the airline networks (American, Delta, United, Alaska if you are west coast, etc)
...1) This Priority Pass restaurant thing was always untenable as a widespread benefit across multiple banks, and I would bet the days on CSR are numbers, especially once Chase gets more of its lounges built
2) A lot of posters seem to rely on this benefit too much - people that fly a lot domestically should realistically have membership/access to one of the airline networks (American, Delta, United, Alaska if you are west coast, etc)
3) In terms of food, there is a lot of dead space in United and American lounges, which have offered substandard food for decades. Those airlines should massively improve food offerings, which will remove some pressure off of stuff like Priority Pass, Centurion Lounge, etc
Smartypant not everyone flies enough to get airline status. Airline status doesn’t make you special narcissistic
Status has nothing to do this this… You can
1) Buy club membership outright
2) Sign up for the Chase United Club, Citi American Airlines Executive, Amex Delta Reserve cards
Now I am happy they declined me. Even with 830 score and no debt. This also implies I am closing my Capital One bank account (with 6 figures) just out of spite, as soon as the CD matures.
Sour grapes much?
TBH we should have seen this coming with the Capital One Landings announcement. They might be taking away dozens of locations, but there could hypothetically be TWO fancy tapas restaurants for people who fly out of DC and NY, eventually. Maybe in a couple years.
Well, that didn't last very long.
Very disappointing. Just confirms that the Chase Reserve is the true luxury travel card for me as it's good that lounges compete against restaurants for quality of food (but of course mostly loose). If you have this card by all means call Capital One and let them know you don't like this change.
This is very disappointing for me. One of the best deals out there was to go to the PP restaurant in SEA and buy $25 worth of goodies before your flight. I was once treated to an excellent meal at IAD courtesy of my Venture X. I will be keeping my card but I am definitely not a fan of this change.
What a disappointment… Now that my Platinum offers Hertz President’s Circle, I’ll probably spend my points and ditch the Venture X.
For folks who do primarily domestic travel on the west coast this is definitely a bummer. Would I have canceled prior to renewal had I known? Probably not - there is still enough value for me to keep it around. But if more benefits get trimmed - cell phone insurance or the 10k renewal bonus points notably - I'll probably re-think this one.
This was almost predictable.
Kind of LOL. This happens just weeks after I finally actually enrolled in PP through C1, because my Amex PP didn't offer the restaurants...
Critical yikes.
Granted, I would admit I have never used this perk before (to me, chilling on a loungier seat in a lounge with finger food is a more "relaxing" waste of time). I still have the CSR so maybe I need to experience that before they gut that too.
I guess this means Be Relax massage and Minute Suite naps are also out for C1. I enjoy receiving both.
This change makes me appreciate my CSR and Ritz cards.
The chipping away begins
The fee increase will follow shortly. The loss leader honeymoon is over.
well that sucks but kinda decent timing for me as I recently product changed my chase marriott to the ritz carlton card so guess i'll switch to using the priority pass from the ritz card instead.
Was just thinking of getting this card as I'll be ramping up travel in 2023 and I only have PP restaurant access 4x/year with guest from the USBank card. I hope TimR is wrong about the downgrade coming for US Bank as well. I guess I'll think harder about upgrading my Sapphire Preferred to Reserve, but there won't be a welcome bonus.
I'm not pleased with the change. (I'm actually quite peeved.) However, I think the widely held expectation when the product was launched was that they'd start quickly "chipping away" at the value proposition, but the lounge access policy today is still on net more generous than it was when the card launched a year ago. (Capital One added Plaza Premium and their many affiliated lounges in the middle of this year.)
Anyone who got the...
I'm not pleased with the change. (I'm actually quite peeved.) However, I think the widely held expectation when the product was launched was that they'd start quickly "chipping away" at the value proposition, but the lounge access policy today is still on net more generous than it was when the card launched a year ago. (Capital One added Plaza Premium and their many affiliated lounges in the middle of this year.)
Anyone who got the card this time last year will still have better lounge access in January 2023 than they did in January 2022, even though it will be worse than it was in December 2022.
Dang. The timely options at SFO just went to nothing for travelers in terminals 2, 3, & G. Can't wait for the airside connection between Terminal 1 & 2 to open.
Even when that opens, it’s a *long* walk from G or 3 to A.
Yeah, that's a long way, but you'd get your steps in :) Fortunately I am a T2 kinda flyer.
Cap1 is saying its a Visa Infinite change so I wonder if the hammer will drop on Chase, BofA, USBank as well. In that case Prestige as a MC will be the hold-over
Just over a year since launch?
Sounds like bait & switch to me.
I don't know if I'd go that far, but the airport lounge restaurant benefit is pretty valuable to me. I was just charged my $395 renewal fee on 11/12 (so, less than three weeks ago) and a Cap One rep just told me there is no (even pro-rated) fee refund available if I downgrade. (Have not used $300 travel credit benefit yet.)
I may hang up, call back...
It's disappointing, but is it a "bait & switch"? Even without the restaurants, the lounge benefit next month will be more generous than the lounge benefit it launched with because they added access to 100+ Plaza Premium lounges midway through 2022.
(The top two destinations I fly to have a Priority Pass restaurant and a Plaza Premium lounge respectively, so it's a real mixed bag for me personally.)
Sadly, anyone involved with LAX has... still got nothing. Even with Plaza Premium.
This actually does change the value proposition for me. Being able to get a decent meal during a quick layover is far more valuable to me than squeezing in a visit to a crowded lounge with crappy food. Transiting through SEA regularly, the Priority Pass restaurants have been a godsend. And being based in the Western US, all the Capital One Lounges and Landings planned are of little use to me (perhaps LAS, but I...
This actually does change the value proposition for me. Being able to get a decent meal during a quick layover is far more valuable to me than squeezing in a visit to a crowded lounge with crappy food. Transiting through SEA regularly, the Priority Pass restaurants have been a godsend. And being based in the Western US, all the Capital One Lounges and Landings planned are of little use to me (perhaps LAS, but I presume it will be inaccessible from Southwest gates). Going to be very tempting to downgrade to the non-X Venture to avoid the headache of booking through Capital One Travel to recoup $300.