The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) and Capital One Venture X Business (review) have in recent years become popular premium travel credit cards, offering great value. This includes everything from a $300 annual travel credit, to 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, to valuable airport lounge access.
Aspects of the cards almost seemed too good to be true, so unfortunately there’s an update, along those lines. Capital One is making changes to the airport lounge access benefits on these cards, and the changes are overwhelmingly negative (I suppose unless you consider fewer people potentially having lounge access to be a good thing, as crowding has become an issue).
In this post:
Capital One lounge access changes February 2026
As of February 1, 2026, we’re going to see changes to Capital One lounge access, which impact access to Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings, and Priority Pass lounges. The exact changes differ between the personal and business cards, since the cards also currently have different lounge access benefits.
These changes include two main areas — lounge access for authorized users, and the ability to guest others into lounges. Let me start by recapping the current policies, before talking about the updates.
With the Capital One Venture X:
- The primary card member and up to four authorized users can all receive the same lounge access perks (there’s no cost to add those authorized users)
- Card members can access Capital One Lounges with up to two guests, and Capital One Landings with up to one guest
- Card members receive a Priority Pass membership, with the ability to bring two guests
With the Capital One Venture X Business:
- The primary card member receives lounge access, but authorized users don’t receive any lounge access perks
- Card members can access Capital One Lounges with up to two guests, and Capital One Landings with up to one guest
- Card members receive a Priority Pass membership, with the ability to bring two guests for free
Here’s how Capital One describes the logic for these changes, in a statement:
As airport lounges continue to grow in popularity across the industry, we’ve seen our customers increasingly encounter wait times to enter them. It is important to us that we maintain a great airport lounge experience for our Venture X and Venture X Business customers, while continuing to deliver best-in-class premium travel cards at an accessible price point.
To address this, we will be making some changes to lounge access for additional cardholders (authorized users and account managers) and guests. Venture X and Venture X Business primary cardholders will continue to receive complimentary access to over 1,300 lounges, including Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings and Priority Pass lounges. We thought carefully about these changes, and we remain committed to delivering a differentiated premium travel card for our customers.
Capital One $125 authorized user lounge access fee
As of February 1, 2026, authorized users on the Capital One Venture X will no longer automatically receive any lounge access perks. Instead, card members will be able to pay $125 per authorized user to get lounge access, for up to four authorized users.
Note that this will apply to both the personal and business card, so the ability for authorized users to get lounge access on the business card is a new development.
This applies for all types of lounge access, including for Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings, and Priority Pass memberships. Obviously this is a major change, since the personal version of the card currently allows you to add four authorized users at no cost, which is a value of up to $500 under the new system.
As of February 2026, you’ll have the option of designating whether you want authorized users to have lounge access or not. The default will be for them to have no access (in which case there’s no fee for authorized users).
Capital One $75,000 annual spending for lounge guests
As of February 1, 2026, the Capital One Venture X and Capital One Venture X Business will no longer automatically come with complimentary guests for access to Capital One Lounges and Capital One Landings.
Instead, only the card member as such will receive access. The exception is if you spend $75,000 per year across the card account, in which case you’ll continue to enjoy the same guesting privileges. This includes two guests at Capital One Lounges, and one guest at Capital One Landings.
Just to clarify a few points:
- The $75,000 spending requirement is per calendar year and per account (between the primary card member and authorized users)
- Spending in the 2025 calendar year is the first to count toward this, and if you unlock the spending requirement, you get the increased lounge access for the current calendar year and the following calendar year
- The ability to guest people into lounges will apply to both the primary card member and authorized users who have paid $125 for the lounge access pass
- Card members can still guest people into lounges at the rate of $45 per adult, and $25 per guest 17 and under, while children under two remain complimentary
Capital One Priority Pass benefits changes
As of February 1, 2026, the Capital One Venture X Priority Pass membership will no longer come with guesting privileges. This only applies to the personal version of the card, and not to the business version of the card (which continues to allow two complimentary guests).
Instead, those with a Priority Pass membership through the Venture X will have to pay $35 per person for any guests they bring into Priority Pass lounges. This applies even if the $75,000 spending requirement is met, as that only allows guesting at Capital One Lounge and Capital One Landing locations.
My take on Capital One lounge access changes
Obviously these Capital One Venture X lounge access changes are negative, as card members will be getting less value than before. In fairness, it has been almost five years since the Venture X was introduced, so it’s hardly surprising to see some significant changes.
Capital One is following the industry trend here, as lounge crowding has become a major issue. I suspect these changes will materially reduce crowding levels, since there will be no more free lounge access for authorized users, and even the ability to guest for free will come with a significant spending requirement.
I guess if there’s one silver lining, it’s that on the business version of the card, it’ll be possible to add lounge access for authorized users at a reasonable cost, which isn’t currently the case.
When it comes to the new spending requirement for guesting people into lounges, at least the Venture X is a rewarding card for everyday spending, so many people will be able to efficiently reach that spending requirement.
Obviously this is a negative change. It’ll probably cause quite a few people to cancel the card. Personally, it doesn’t change the card’s fundamental value proposition, since I consider the $395 annual fee to be offset by the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, and everything else is just the icing on the cake.
The change to Priority Pass guesting on the personal version of the card is also significant, if you ask me, since it doesn’t set a great precedent. Up until now, most premium cards in the US have allowed at least two guests into lounges.
This also reflects the bigger reality of premium credit cards. There’s such a race for premium market share between card issuers, and the economics also have to work. So presumably Capital One hopes that it’ll generate more in fees with these changes, while also increasing card member spending. It’s obvious that this isn’t just about limiting lounge crowding, but is also about economics, since even Priority Pass guesting is being cut.
Bottom line
As of February 2026, Capital One is making huge changes to its Venture X lounge access policy.
Authorized users on both the personal and business version of the card will need to pay $125 per authorized user for lounge access, which is a huge devaluation for the personal version, and an improvement for the business version. There will also be a $75,000 annual spending requirement to guest people into Capital One Lounges and Capital One Landings. Lastly, the personal version of the card will no longer offer complimentary guests at Priority Pass lounges.
This is a negative development, and will likely cause many people to reconsider these cards. Personally, it doesn’t alter the fundamental value proposition of the Venture X for me, so it won’t cause me to cancel. And there’s no denying that lounge crowding has become a serious issue, so hopefully this makes a significant difference.
What do you make of these Capital One Venture X lounge access changes?
They need to change back where standbys have access! All o us Venture X travel customers still pay the annual feel of $395 to utilize the perks, benefits, and use of the Capital One Lounges.
It's not right to deny your standby guests. For some, that's how we get to and from work, is on standby only. They claim you need a confirmed seat. My seats are pretty much confirmed as a standby, but...
They need to change back where standbys have access! All o us Venture X travel customers still pay the annual feel of $395 to utilize the perks, benefits, and use of the Capital One Lounges.
It's not right to deny your standby guests. For some, that's how we get to and from work, is on standby only. They claim you need a confirmed seat. My seats are pretty much confirmed as a standby, but we have to wait at the gate 30 minutes prior for them to print us a confirmed seat. By that time there is no time to utilize and take advantage of our benefit of the Capital One Lounges.
For that, I don't think we are treated as equal customers when you segregate confirmed and standby passengers. We all pay the same for the card and we should all have the same benefits of using the lounge!
Honestly, for myself, this is a positive.
I travel a lot by myself for work and sometimes it's frustrating encountering wait times and seeing large groups or parties. For that, this new change would be great!
On the flipside, it was nice our authorized users had access or I had access to bring 2 additional people. I do feel it was getting abused though. I knew eventually they would change this, since Venture X...
Honestly, for myself, this is a positive.
I travel a lot by myself for work and sometimes it's frustrating encountering wait times and seeing large groups or parties. For that, this new change would be great!
On the flipside, it was nice our authorized users had access or I had access to bring 2 additional people. I do feel it was getting abused though. I knew eventually they would change this, since Venture X travel was new.
I'm still happy with the $300 travel and the anniversary bonus. That is a plus still. All in a nut shell, this card still works for me! If my spouse decided to travel with me (which is not frequent) then we will pay the discounted rate for him to get in.
Maybe I'm misreading this, but I can still bring guests in for $35 to a PP lounge or $45 to a C1 lounge once the changes take effect in 2026? I agree it would have been nice to have say 2-4 free guest passes per card year like the Delta Reserve does, but at least the fee for the guests is cheaper than what Delta charged for Skyclub entry on the old Platinum and Reserve system.
It has nothing to do with an industry trend. The fact of overcrowding is a real issue. The issue stems from too many people qualifying for access. It used to be that the lounge was a luxury kind of thing or gave something better than sitting at the gate, but for some airports or airlines this is not necessarily true. Some airlines have had to differenciate within such as the Delta One lounges versus the...
It has nothing to do with an industry trend. The fact of overcrowding is a real issue. The issue stems from too many people qualifying for access. It used to be that the lounge was a luxury kind of thing or gave something better than sitting at the gate, but for some airports or airlines this is not necessarily true. Some airlines have had to differenciate within such as the Delta One lounges versus the Sky Clubs. The fact this the airlines make a lot of money on the credit card partnerships for their lounges. There are all kinds of rules with regards to access and partners status, etc....
Doesn't the card right now allow unlimited guests to priority pass lounges? Or was that restricted to 2 guests after 2023?
I may ditch the card as the result off this. I don't care about the loss of free lounge access to AUs. that was a bit absurd. However, not being allowed even a single guest really diminishes the card's value. I don't think the card is all that special once you take that away. The travel credit you have to go through cap 1 travel and frankly they markup the prices from what I have...
I may ditch the card as the result off this. I don't care about the loss of free lounge access to AUs. that was a bit absurd. However, not being allowed even a single guest really diminishes the card's value. I don't think the card is all that special once you take that away. The travel credit you have to go through cap 1 travel and frankly they markup the prices from what I have seen so you are spending more than you would have to via other outlets just to use the credit at times. Really disappointed with these changes.
Finally an actual primary cardmember will be able to get into the lounge instead of all the freeloading guests and authorized users that were like Chinese tourists at Disneyland wandering around the lounge and taking up space! I see this as a net positive!
k. Some of us have a partner that we travel with. Would be nice to have at least one guest. I guess if you are a lonely miserable person with nobody to travel with then you would see this a as a net positive. Your bashing of Chinese people suggests you are a high class individual.
I am Chinese, but have you seen some of them? They are awful human beings.
As a mostly solo flier - good. Overcrowding is a real problem.
One compromise could be that they allow the primary cardholder a single guest subject to capacity constraints.
I do air travel 6-7 times a year and half are with family. Lounges are busy but I've never waited more than 30 minutes for entry and that's nothing on a 2.5-hr layover. I'd rather wait to bring my travel companions in than not at all. When traveling solo, it's usually for work and I could expense meals, so lounges are not as critical. It's a cancel decision for me.
I think this is part of the tension for airline and CC lounges. When the service has the most value to someone, it also uses the most resources (i.e. family travel vs. work travel). Many of the lounges are built around the needs of the business traveler, not families. But many travelers value this service the most for being able to get snacks and drinks for the kids without blowing $50 at an overpriced Hudson...
I think this is part of the tension for airline and CC lounges. When the service has the most value to someone, it also uses the most resources (i.e. family travel vs. work travel). Many of the lounges are built around the needs of the business traveler, not families. But many travelers value this service the most for being able to get snacks and drinks for the kids without blowing $50 at an overpriced Hudson News.
The other critical piece here: Amex and C1 are telling you that they are willing to let in your big family if you are willing to be their BFFs (meaning: spend 75k/yr). Delta has also told you that. They are basically saying: "if you want lounge access, we need to be the first and likely only card in your wallet. We aren't interested in having you treat us as a benefits only card." It is a big issue for churners and bloggers. I think regular upper middle class people that only have 1-2 credit cards won't consider this a major problem. For $525 they can get 6 people in the lounge. In this way, the C1 value proposition is much more reasonable than Delta Reserve or Amex Platinum. But if you don't have the spend or you are a maximizer/churner, they don't want to pay for your lounge access. I understand their position.
If interested in controlling cost why not assign fixed number of passes per card holder group (primary + authorized users) and then it is on group how to use the number. For example each group get 25 passes per year. If anyone wants more passes than charge something $125 for additional 25 passes. That way there authorized cards business will remain
who cares about the authorized users? they can get their own cards.
One additional change they snuck into the Venture X Business language under Priority Pass:
* Beginning Sept. 9, 2025, access to Priority Pass non-lounge airport experiences will no longer be included in your benefits.
I read this as the loss of our restaurant, BeRelax Spa, and Minute Suites benefits. Am I understanding this correctly?
I miss being single. Card holder +1 guest seems pretty reasonable to me.
Exactly that would be a reasonable compromise but they want to nickel and dime us. The free AU lounge access was a bit absurd but one guest should be free at least.
I'll join the surprisingly large group of people who are happy with this, which will improve my chances of using the lounge benefit. Another option that may work for authorized users who don’t want to pay the $125: get your own VentureX. The card is still basically free. If they ever did raise the annual fee without boosting the travel credit, that’s when I’d do the math and seriously consider dropping the card.
This is a welcome development and not surprising. It is no different than a complimentary upgrade on a flight. If you really want it pay for it by either getting the card or pay the access fee. Their cryptic approval rules will also help as those that want to get their own card can't and just give up. I was denied with an 820 probably because I have too many cards but wife with 765...
This is a welcome development and not surprising. It is no different than a complimentary upgrade on a flight. If you really want it pay for it by either getting the card or pay the access fee. Their cryptic approval rules will also help as those that want to get their own card can't and just give up. I was denied with an 820 probably because I have too many cards but wife with 765 was approved. Was able to get the Biz version so we are covered when we travel. For the couple times a year when the kids are coming along paying $25 isn't the end of the world.
This was the key value prop that got us to sign up for the card in the first place. Why would they think this is ok? It's straight up bait and switch. I was angry enough then they removed the restaurant benefit for places with crowded/no lounges. But this is the end. I can see removing non-cardholding guests. But your spouse with a card? That's just trying to recoup costs after overpromising. We'll be cancelling...
This was the key value prop that got us to sign up for the card in the first place. Why would they think this is ok? It's straight up bait and switch. I was angry enough then they removed the restaurant benefit for places with crowded/no lounges. But this is the end. I can see removing non-cardholding guests. But your spouse with a card? That's just trying to recoup costs after overpromising. We'll be cancelling this card and using the $135 to go with a lounge card with decent lounges and a company that doesn't disrespect its members. Bye!
Always debated whether I should renew the card or not. The lounge benefit put it in the "Renew" category. But with this neutered lounge policy, I will not renew the card at the next renewal.
Most tables in the Capital One lounges are set up for two persons. Not allowing one guest access does not change the crowding, as the same number of tables will be occupied.
This extreme change rather seems to be targeted to recover the cost for he lounge benefits.
They will likely follow Amex and ask people to share tables so every seat is utilized
Seriously? They want us to cram in with strangers at a two person table? That really is a subpar experience.
C1 is gotta start paying the bills for the recent acquisition of Discover, clearly a cost cutting move. A sad day for a card that was awarded best travel card in 2024 by TPG.
Next, they won't let us fill up our gym bags with food. Mark my words.
The PP lounges have become abysmally crowded. Many of us traveling alone can't even get in! And then when we are inside, it is horribly crowded. Something has to improve. They should not allow guests at all. Make everyone have their own PP membership.
Yes, if you travel with kids, each one should get their own PP ) I think it should have been restricted - say 5 or 10 guest slots per year, but not completely eliminated, all/most other cards do not go that far. If I get free lounge entry for myself but have to pay for my wife, we would probably go to an airport cafe instead.
Have you seen how horribly crowded many of PP the lounges are? I went to the turkish airlines lounge in Miami and there were crowds waiting outside. We need drastic changes and eliminating guests altogether (or charging at least $75 per guest) is one of them.
So does this mean that the main cardholder will no longer have priority pass lounge access? I will have to pay the $125 or is it just affecting guests?
I know reading scores are down, but Jesus
Lol maybe that person is from OKLAHOMA?
dude, read the article again.
My husband is an authorized user for my Venture X. Instead of keeping him as an AU, I will suggest he get his own Venture X card the next time there's a welcome bonus of 100K.
While I am disappointed that there is yet another devaluation of this card, I see this as a positive change overall. The CO lounge in Denver is frequently full of kids running around and grabbing food with their bare...
My husband is an authorized user for my Venture X. Instead of keeping him as an AU, I will suggest he get his own Venture X card the next time there's a welcome bonus of 100K.
While I am disappointed that there is yet another devaluation of this card, I see this as a positive change overall. The CO lounge in Denver is frequently full of kids running around and grabbing food with their bare hands. In addition, I've witnessed multiple instances of someone who is already in the lounge going to the front desk to grant access to someone who is trying to enter.
Your spouse should be free and not considered a "Guest"
lol no!
I can't seem to find any official source that describes the changes to the PP lounge access in detail (and from where the information that Venture X business will continue allowing guest access to PP lounges is sourced). Anyone can point me in the right direction?
The only source from Cap1 I found (on their lounge access page) says nothing at all wrt. PP guest access changes.
Yes, lets go after the 5% of users that are costing Cap One a boatload by making it expensive for the average user to bring their partner twice per year.
You talk exactly like a republican.
MCOGA.
The fact is that demand is growing and supply remains restricted. Something's gotta happen. Get over it.
Next at bat is the Ritz Carlton card. Chase, are you listening?
Victim shaming fun Fred?
Rather than blaming cardholder of cards you aren't eligible for with you 300 FICO.
Now if you actually have the intelligence to improve your credit score and get the card yourself. You'll realize we're all victim of credit card propaganda over promising the luxury life.
Have you seen the Hunger Games?
...You blaming other card holders is just like blaming other districts rather than the people who rigged the system.
Victim shaming fun Fred?
Rather than blaming cardholder of cards you aren't eligible for with you 300 FICO.
Now if you actually have the intelligence to improve your credit score and get the card yourself. You'll realize we're all victim of credit card propaganda over promising the luxury life.
Have you seen the Hunger Games?
You blaming other card holders is just like blaming other districts rather than the people who rigged the system.
The propaganda works on you. That's why it's still going on. YOU are part of the problem.
Lucky, just a minor suggestion for improvement. Your statement "card members will be able to pay $125 per authorized user to get lounge access" should really be "card members will be able to pay $125 per authorized user PER YEAR to get lounge access". Thanks for the awesome article and awesome blog.
I wish they would at least allow a small number of free guest passes per year. I only haven using their lounge once per year during my travel to Deventer. While the lounge is nice, having to pay for my wife to accompany me is feeling lame.
Maybe some people travel weekly; for me as an occasional leisure traveler with my wife these changes are disappointing.
Not unreasonable to have a few free guest passes at least.
Paying the AU fee + guest entry fee is a lot cheaper than putting $75k spend on a card. A win for Cap1 in either case. I will Probably go that route. Glad I can try the DCA Landing concept this winter when I visit the area before the changes take place.
The only reason I keep this card if for the hertz benefit. I do use m VX is to stock up on avios time to time.
A real bummer for anyone who isn’t traveling solo. We only use the benefit once or twice a year but it’s nice to have my wife and two kids together.
A better compromise would be a handful of passes a year for guests on your account. I can definitely appreciate that they are eliminating unlimited access
This is a GOOD thing Ben.
Why wait till February? Wish is was effective today. There was an hour wait at DFW yesterday. Luckily the Flagship lounge is next door.
Lucky indeed.
At least I can wait in the Flagship lounge while waiting for my turn to use Capital One lounge.
Just use the app and get on the waiting list on the way to the airport or as you go through security. I've never had a problem doing this at DFW.
Lounge access is a privilege, not a right. It is quite obvious that PP lounges and CO lounges are overcrowded. Sure, the cut of the lounge benefit is pretty harsh on this one. But I think this is the right thing to do in order to reduce the waitlist/crowdedness.
When Venture X came out, it was too generous to begin with. If you don't like the change, either drop the card or pay for lounge/restaurant you think it's worth spending on.
My answer is simple. I will cancel the authorized user's card and open the Venture X for them instead. $300 travel credit plus 10k points a year makes the card free. Why would I pay $125 for lounge access when I can get it for free.
Yes it makes absolutely no sense to pay for an AU.
not so fast Toys S., the AF on VX will increase in 2026. Expect coupons too. But definitely do NOT expect a retention offer. lolz
In some ways, is this a roundabout way to limit the number of children who enter the lounge (as now parents will need to pay for their access?) If so, this would be a major positive development in my opinion.
I don’t have easy access to cap1 lounges so this doesn’t affect me much until one opens in Seattle.
Second, I was expecting the worse but right it seems like I am saved… for now. I have both personal and business version of cap 1 card with the business card opened prior to April 2024, so I continue to enjoy PP restaurants and complimentary guest.
Party continues on for me… for now.
Not being able to bring your partner in is extra lame.
on a $395 AF card? Maybe if it was $695 or higher. It's the cheapest "premium card" out there.
I support this. There is a Frontier Airlines Go Wild Pass Facebook group where card members regularly post offering free access to anyone else in the DEN airport when they are there - just randoms, not even family or friends of cardholders, entering and taking space from cardholders. It’s regularly had waitlists over the past year, and is a far better lounge than the Centurion in Denver which is always crowded, disgusting, and has a...
I support this. There is a Frontier Airlines Go Wild Pass Facebook group where card members regularly post offering free access to anyone else in the DEN airport when they are there - just randoms, not even family or friends of cardholders, entering and taking space from cardholders. It’s regularly had waitlists over the past year, and is a far better lounge than the Centurion in Denver which is always crowded, disgusting, and has a gross buffet. (I will drop my Platinum as soon as I spend all my points).
Did we all know changes were coming? Sure. However this is an extreme over correction in my opinion. I completely understand the Priority Pass guest restrictions, and I also think C1 lounges needed more restrictions, but not even allowing one guest in their own lounge network?? If this is the case the $75K spend requirement for one measly guest should be lowered drastically, to something like $30K, and keep the $75K for two guests in...
Did we all know changes were coming? Sure. However this is an extreme over correction in my opinion. I completely understand the Priority Pass guest restrictions, and I also think C1 lounges needed more restrictions, but not even allowing one guest in their own lounge network?? If this is the case the $75K spend requirement for one measly guest should be lowered drastically, to something like $30K, and keep the $75K for two guests in network and one guest in Priority Pass or something.
Will certainly make me reevaluate if I need this card! The guest access was a key benefit.
TIA for helping with the crowding problem.
I wish they kept free Priority Pass guest access for children. My wife and I each have our own cards, but now we'd need to get each of our young children an authorized user card of their own (for $125) which isn't worth it.
Exactly like my response to @Andrew
First they came for restaurant access and I did not speak out because my airports doesn't have one.
Then they came for unlimited access and I did not speak out because I don't use it more than the annual limit.
Then they came for guest access and I did not speak out because I don't have guests.
Finally they came for my lounge access and there was no one left to speak for me.
So...
First they came for restaurant access and I did not speak out because my airports doesn't have one.
Then they came for unlimited access and I did not speak out because I don't use it more than the annual limit.
Then they came for guest access and I did not speak out because I don't have guests.
Finally they came for my lounge access and there was no one left to speak for me.
So far people are being misled that guests are overcrowding the lounges.
It doesn't, it justs allows your service provider to collect more for the same access.
Same way as airlines make you think basic economy is cheaper.
Eskimo, you too funny! However, crowding is an issue. Would also help if lounges, particularly Cap1, elevated their food offerings.
My accountant has authorized users for the whole family. Authorized users are guests because they are not the primary cardholder. Lounges are expensive to run so they would eventually have to figure out ways to monetize it. A lounge being a bit more exclusive is fantastic. I hope they increase the annual fee but offset with travel credit and annual miles to keep more people out. $995 with $700 travel credit and 30k miles.
Speak out for yourself and cancel the card if you have it. It’s not like anyone is being forced to keep it.
It's ignorant idiots like you Chris that we the people gets taken advantage of by greedy corporations and incompetent governments.
Any idea about the Plaza Premium Lounges? They allow Amex, Capital One, and Priority Pass entry. As far as I know they were considered separate forms of entry and I usually pull out all 3 and ask them which method they want me to enter with and they almost always pick priority pass. If an authorized user without lounge access try to enter, would it charge full price for the entry?
Biggest issue is paying for your kids to access every time. My wife and I both have the card as our main lounge and priority pass card. This along with the aspire not providing it really suck since these were our “keeper” cards.
And you would still pay extra to get your kids in.
At the end of the day, this propaganda is just to get you to pay more and does nothing to solve overcrowding problems.
Parallel to the Amex Platinum setup.
This was bound to end - it was too good to be true. And I'm just talking about the Priority Pass access. I'm glad we had a couple of years with a ton of European lounge access stops.
Now need to see how to continue access for my three AU's
"Now need to see how to continue access for my three AU's"
Pay $125 each?
Nah - there's got to be a better solution. :) Until recently, I would have said "Surpass", but in about 6 months, I'll be finding out how easy it is for kids in their early 20's to get a VX. As an AU, they have my credit rating, so, they actually have a shot.
So basically the only changes for the Business card is the (positive) ability to add Priority Pass to authorised users for a fee, and the need to have $75k spend in order to get free guests in Cap One lounges (but will still be available for a fee without achieving spend).
I see this as neutral at worst for the Business card holders.
The business venture X card can already add priority pass to authorized users. my MIL has used my AU card priority pass for years.
A huge positive to me. This guesting business has gotten out of hand. Hopefully, lounges return to what they were designed to be: as a respite from the turmoil of the terminal.
Yes you can always tell when someone is guested in .
While a big negative for many, the changes should not impact me as a solo traveler.
If anything, maybe I won't be told there is a 45-minute wait at the Cap One lounge in Las Vegas, only to get in and see at least 40% of the tables available.
Super, Craig. Glad you're happy
I agree, Craig. Crowding has been so bad for the last year that I can never get in the lounge anyway. The lounge benefit for all practical purposes no longer exists.
Most of travel is with someone else. It has been nice to guest them into lounges, especially the nicer ones in Europe.
I don’t see the value in the card anymore.
The $300 travel credit has been a bust. Insert make a reservation. The airline later cancelled my flight and refunded me. Capital One subtracted $300 from the refund because it was now a new year and the $300 credit “expired”.
Fares and hotel rates...
Most of travel is with someone else. It has been nice to guest them into lounges, especially the nicer ones in Europe.
I don’t see the value in the card anymore.
The $300 travel credit has been a bust. Insert make a reservation. The airline later cancelled my flight and refunded me. Capital One subtracted $300 from the refund because it was now a new year and the $300 credit “expired”.
Fares and hotel rates on their travel portal are usually more expensive than elsewhere.
Has Centurion lounge crowding been solved?
Since the Amex guest changes and SFO expansion (Feb 23), I've had no problems at SFO, and am there ~monthly. The relocation to a smaller, more central place in T2 in late June may change that. We'll see.
The only other Centurion I've been to a few times recently is DCA. No problems there either.
I've been to the ones at JFK, LGA, MIA, DFW, and LHR in the past few months. Some of these lounges were approaching capacity, but I personally haven't had a wait time since that restriction went into place.
LGA? Are you a time traveler from the future?
Whoops! I read that as EWR. I blame cognitive decline.
My recent experience with Amex lounges:
- LAS has a perpetual line
- SEA has a line 50% of the time
- SFO - I have not seen a line recently but they are moving to a smaller facility for awhile
- DCA - no lines
I feel like every complaint about lounge crowing I have seen have been Dallas, Vegas or maybe Colarado..... have never had a problem in any of the NYC airports/anywhere I've been abroad or heard of other places. If that's the case, then maybe they should figure out the issues at that location or do a book only in advance instead of affecting everyone elsewhere.
"The only other Centurion I've been to a few times recently is DCA. No problems there either."
Agreed. I've always found the DCA Centurion to be ~3/4 to 4/5 full, but a seat is ALWAYS available when I've been there. I also like it because one literally passes it on the way to the Delta concourse.
PHL is still a mess due to it being a tiny space. Have had 90 min waits during peak days/times
Hopefully the Flagship finally opening will cut down on some Centurion users there. Also, I assume that Amex will expand downstairs into the Galleries Lounge at some point. Doesn’t make sense for BA to have a designated lounge with the new Flagship across the hall
The only locations I visit frequently are LAX & PHX. I frequently encounter 30 minute waits.
Granted, I'm usually trying to get in mid to late afternoon so am probably competing with some long haul Intl. That thought does leave me scratching my head with PHX. At least with PHX, I have the co-located Escape Lounge as an emergency backup. I've only done that once and wasn't impressed, but better than nothing (and no, you...
The only locations I visit frequently are LAX & PHX. I frequently encounter 30 minute waits.
Granted, I'm usually trying to get in mid to late afternoon so am probably competing with some long haul Intl. That thought does leave me scratching my head with PHX. At least with PHX, I have the co-located Escape Lounge as an emergency backup. I've only done that once and wasn't impressed, but better than nothing (and no, you can not lounge hop between them in the same day).
Clearly, everyone saw this coming from many miles away. The guest access was unsustainable.
I'm actually happy with this; the prior authorized user loophole + guests was being abused (e.g., you could have a single primary card used to bring in a party of ten by having multiple authorized users and multiple guests). The CapitalOne lounges are amazing (better than Amex Centurion in my opinion) and I look forward to being able to use them with more ease.
A positive development, in my opinion. I hope that card companies continue to tighten up access eligibility to their lounges in order to continue to provide a consistent, enjoyable experience for the remaining guests.
Keep up that thought for when they raise the AF and then come up with the bright idea of charging you as the primary card holder for lounge visits.