Want to get into a Capital One Lounge before your next flight, but don't have a Capital One card? It'll cost you even more now.
While *venture x* cardholders get in free and flyers with a *capital one venture card* get a discounted rate, even everyday travelers can pay their way into Capital One lounges. But the bank on Monday quietly raised the entry price for travelers without an eligible Capital One card from $65 to $90 – a nearly 40% increase. Children under the age of 2 can still get in for free with a parent or guardian.
Capital One confirmed the price hike took effect Monday, Aug. 12. And the motivation is clear: It's yet another way Capital One is trying to get ahead of the game and keep its lounges from being overrun like Amex Centurion Lounges and other competitors.
Read more: As Airport Lounges Overflow With Travelers, Capital One Gets It Right
While everyday travelers will pay a much steeper price to get into Capital One Lounges in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), and Washington, D.C.-Dulles (IAD), nothing else is changing for Capital One cardholders.
Travelers with a *venture x* or *venture x business* in their wallet still get complimentary access to Capital One Lounges. And they still get two complimentary guests apiece, too – plus the option of sharing lounge access with friends and family by adding authorized users for free.
Meanwhile, *capital one venture card* and *CapOne Spark Miles* cardholders also get two free lounge visits a year … but only through the end of the year: Capital One previously axed that perk effective Jan. 1, 2025. After that, Venture and Spark Miles cardholders will be able to get into Capital One lounges at a discounted rate of $45 for themselves and their guests.
At a time when Amex Centurion Lounges are the poster child of overcrowded airport lounges and Delta Sky Clubs continue struggling with long lines, Capital One Lounges stand out.
This isn't its first move, either:
- Starting next year, Venture and Spark Miles cardholders will lose their twice-a-year free entry passes
- Earlier this year, Capital One rolled out a customer-friendly feature that allows cardholders to scope out how full their nearest Capital One Lounge is … and, more importantly, join the waitlist to get in if it's full.
- Capital One has done a better job than any other lounge operator at managing capacity inside its lounges, if you ask us. While this might result in a slightly longer wait on the front end, you won't be fighting to find a seat once you're in.
By limiting who can get in for free (and charging more for those who can't), Capital One is making conscious choices to carefully manage capacity, ensuring top-paying Venture X cardholders have a shorter wait to get inside and enjoy the tasty food and drinks and friendly service without feeling packed in.
