The Guide to Capital One Lounges
Capital One lounges feature grab-and-go food, in-house dining options and areas for working and relaxing.
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In an era where airport lounges have become the ultimate traveler’s refuge, Capital One has entered the scene with its own branded spaces. It joins competing, bank-affiliated lounges like the American Express Centurion Lounges and the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club.
All of these airport lounges — primarily designed for premium credit card holders — offer an escape from the chaos of crowded terminals, providing a serene environment with comfortable seating, complimentary food and thoughtful amenities.
Who can access Capital One lounges?
Anyone can gain entry to the Capital One lounges, but the cost varies depending on which, if any, credit cards you hold.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Those with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card have unlimited complimentary access to Capital One lounges within three hours of your flight (you must have a confirmed, same-day boarding pass).
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles for Business cardholders
Other cardholders have access, albeit more limited. For example, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles for Business cardholders can purchase passes for $45 for themselves and each of their guests, or $25 for those 17 and under. Kids 2 or under are free.
All other visitors
Otherwise, all other cardholders and non-customers can enter at the standard rate of $90. Children younger than 2 can enter for free.
» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now
That's a different model than The Centurion Lounge from American Express, which is only accessible to cardholders of its highest-end cards (though entry is complimentary). Unless you're visiting as a guest of an eligible cardholder, you can't buy your way into a Centurion Lounge.
Capital One lounge locations
(Photo by Hanah Cho)
After launching its first lounge at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in late 2021, the company expanded its offerings.
Capital One lounges are open now in the following airports:
(Photo by Sally French)
Additional lounges are planned for other major hubs in the coming years, including:
Capital One lounge benefits
Food options in the Dulles Capital One Lounge. (Photo by Craig Joseph)
Capital One lounges offer high-quality food, top-shelf cocktails and a classy place to wait for your flight. Some offer extra amenities including showers, spas, play areas for kids and wine-tasting areas.
Capital One lounge food and drinks
The grab-and-go section. (Photo by Meghan Coyle)
Capital One lounges are famous for their grab-and-go food section that make it convenient for travelers to take food with them on the rest of their journey. There is usually an assortment of sandwiches, salads, pastries, snack mixes and boxed water.
Lounges also feature a bar serving craft cocktails on tap, local beers and regional wines. Non-drinkers might appreciate the assortment of coffee drinks (including cold brew on tap) plus the taps of craft sodas.
Other Capital One lounge amenities
The Peloton room at the DFW Capital One Lounge makes for an excellent way to pass time during a layover. (Photo by Sally French)
Of course, there’s more to do than eat. Capital One lounge amenities vary by location, but some even include a cycling and yoga room. You’ll probably need a shower after that — and luckily there are shower suites with luxury bath amenities. Luggage lockers keep your bags safe. Most lounges also have:
Quiet areas for working and recharging devices.
Family-friendly amenities, including parent rooms.
Multifaith rooms for prayer or meditation
Relaxation rooms (some with massage chairs).
High-speed Wi-Fi.
Other airport lounges for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card holders
Although the Capital One lounge is an excellent option if your airport has one, the network is still pretty small. For Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card members who want to use their card to access any sort of airport lounge, they might still find one in their airport through the card's Priority Pass access.
Priority Pass
Priority Pass is a network of more than 1,700 airport lounges and experiences worldwide. Some travel credit cards, notably the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, offer complimentary Priority Pass Select membership as a benefit for holding the card.
Most Priority Pass lounges pale in comparison to the Capital One lounges on pretty much every metric — design, crowd flow and refreshment quality. But some are far better than others, and it can be worth claiming your Priority Pass membership (assuming you hold the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card) to at least have a lounge to visit — even if it's not a top-tier Capital One lounge.
» Learn more: The best Priority Pass lounges in the United States
If you’re not a Capital One cardholder, you can also find a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership with these popular travel credit cards:
$695.
$650.
$795.
Priority Pass Select membership. Enrollment required.
Terms apply.
Priority Pass Select membership. Enrollment required.
Terms apply.
Priority Pass Select membership.
How Capital One lounges compare to the competition
Capital One, American Express and Chase are all competing to offer its cardholders an exclusive lounge experience. American Express Centurion Lounges was the first in issuer lounges and — more recently — Chase Sapphire lounges have come on the scene as well.And there still are airport lounges tied to airlines that are going strong.
Capital One lounges versus AmEx lounges
The Centurion Lounge in Phoenix. (Photo by Sally French)
Capital One lounges and American Express Centurion lounges have different approaches. Capital One lounges are generally newer and they focus on buffets of small plates, rather than a self-serve buffet like the AmEx Centurion lounges. The AmEx Centurion Lounge network is bigger and more established, so there are more locations, but some of them can look a bit dated.
Centurion Lounges are typically accessible to cardholders of the The Platinum Card® from American Express, which has a $695 annual fee.
Terms apply.
Capital One lounges versus Chase Sapphire lounges
Capital One lounges and Chase Sapphire lounges represent two emerging contenders in the airport lounge market. Chase Sapphire Lounges have a lot of similarities: modern design, an emphasis on partnerships with local food establishments and artists, and some wellness amenities.
Chase Sapphire lounges differ in that they provide table service, allowing guests to order certain dishes that will be brought out to their table. This is in addition to the buffet food options at the Chase Sapphire lounges. They also offer more amenities, like complimentary facial treatments and an arcade room.
Access policies also differ — Capital One limits entry to either its premium cardholders or non-cardholders who pay the hefty day pass fee. Chase Sapphire Lounges allow one complimentary entry per year through Priority Pass membership, broadening their reach. Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders get unlimited visits.
» Learn more: What to know about Chase airport lounges
Airport lounge membership
The Air France Lounge in LAX. (Photo by Josh Garber)
Airlines also offer their own airport lounges. These lounges are generally designed for travelers in first or business class, but many also sell memberships that grant you access to any of an airline’s lounges when flying on that airline. This can be a good option for frequent travelers who also frequent economy class.
Some credit cards, such as the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and the The New United Club℠ Card provide this benefit as a perk of holding the card.
Top photo by Meghan Coyle.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2025:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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