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If you're looking for a premium travel credit card, you might be weighing the value of American Express Centurion lounge access with Capital One lounge access. Centurion lounges have been around longer, offering high-end amenities for eligible cardholders since 2013. Capital One, meanwhile, recently launched its first lounges and is quickly building out its network.
The better choice depends on where you travel and what's most important to you. My take: Both lounge networks have a lot to offer, but the Centurion Lounges by American Express edge out Capital One lounges.
Because there are more Centurion lounge locations, it's more accessible for eligible cardholders. These lounges also offer premium drinks at no extra charge, unlike Capital One lounges.
Still, it's a close competition. Capital One offers more convenient dining options. Once Capital One opens more locations, it could steal the title for the best airport lounge network from American Express.
» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now
Locations
Winner: American Express Centurion lounges
Whereas Capital One only has six lounges in total (and none are located outside the U.S.), the Centurion Lounge by American Express has more than a dozen locations within the U.S. alone, plus roughly a dozen others worldwide.
These locations include:
- Charlotte.
- Dallas-Fort Worth.
- Denver.
- Houston-IAH.
- Los Angeles-LAX.
- Las Vegas.
- Miami.
- New York-JFK.
- New York-LaGuardia.
- Philadelphia.
- Phoenix.
- San Francisco.
- Seattle.
Whether domestic or international, AmEx lounges bring in local flair, such as the wine wall with seasonal wines from across California at the San Francisco Centurion Lounge, or the tea cart in the London Centurion Lounge.
In contrast, the only Capital One lounges open now are in Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, New York-John F. Kennedy, Washington-Dulles, Washington-Reagan and Las Vegas, but an additional location is in the works at New York-LaGuardia.
» Learn more: When is an airport lounge day pass worth the splurge?
Ease of access
Winner: Capital One
Capital One lounges have a less restrictive guest policy and also more eligible credit cards that allow access.
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Capital One lounges
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business cardholders have unlimited complimentary access to the bank's lounges. Cardholders can also bring up to two guests with them into the lounge for free. Additional guests are $45 each.
As of Feb. 1, 2026, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card holders no longer be able to bring guests to lounges for free. To gain free guest access for Capital One Lounges and Landings, cardholders need to spend at least $75,000 on your card in one calendar year. The guest fee is $45 per adult or $25 per child (ages 2 to 17). Still, this guest fee is $5 less than the Centurion Lounge guest fee.
Capital One cardholders with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles can purchase a day pass at a discounted rate of $45.
How the cards compare
Annual fee
$395.
$95.
$395.
Welcome offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.
Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
Still not sure?
American Express Centurion lounges
Centurion lounge access is exclusive to premium credit cards from American Express. Eligible cards include the Centurion Card, the American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATEDAll information about The Centurion® Card from American Express and the Business Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Centurion® Card from American Express and the Business Centurion® Card from American Express are not available through NerdWallet. |
American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders receive complimentary entrance, but they must pay $50 for each guest ($30 for children ages 2 to 17). However, when you spend at least $75,000 each calendar year, you'll earn complimentary access for up to two guests on each visit. Centurion cards still offer complimentary guest access for up to two people or immediate family members without the annual spending requirement.
In addition to Centurion and Platinum cards, AmEx customers who have the personal or business version of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card credit card also receive access to the Centurion lounge. However, these customers must be flying on an eligible Delta flight. They cannot enter the lounge when flying other airlines. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card cardholders can bring up to two guests into the lounge. However, the charge is $50 for adults and $30 for children ages 2 to 17 years.
How the cards compare
Annual fee
$895.
$895.
$650.
Welcome offer
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Terms apply.
Elevated Welcome Offer: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 04/01/2026. Terms Apply.
Still not sure?
Meals and snacks
Winner: Capital One lounges
The Capital One lounges serve food in single-serving containers rather than traditional buffet dining. It also offers to-go items for travelers on the run, making it a more convenient option than Centurion lounges.
Although it costs money to have a premium travel credit card or pay for airport lounge admission, the food and most drinks inside the lounge is free. Capital One lounges and American Express Centurion lounges both offer delicious food for travelers, although the experiences are quite different.
Capital One lounges
Capital One lounges feature single-serving dishes that make it simple and easy for visitors to grab food. Walk up and select any of the available food and dessert items from the serving stations.
Food items vary throughout the day to correspond with breakfast, lunch and dinner. For travelers in a hurry, Capital One also offers grab-n-go items that they can take with them.
American Express Centurion lounges
Centurion lounges food is served buffet-style, so you can take as much or as little as you'd like. Items are updated as trays get empty and change throughout the day.
Visitors can enjoy a delicious meal and top it off with delicious dessert items.
Drink options
Winner: Centurion lounges
Lounges typically offer craft cocktails, local craft brews and assorted beverages. Centurion lounges offer complimentary premium beverages, while Capital One lounges charge for orders beyond domestic beers, house wines and well drinks.
Capital One lounges
Capital One lounges offer complimentary beverages to visitors. However, if you want premium drinks, there may be an additional charge.
American Express Centurion lounges
When ordering a drink at a Centurion lounge, all beverages are complimentary, so treat yourself to top-shelf liquor, artisan wines or craft beer without worrying about ringing up a huge tab. Although Centurion lounge drinks are free, remember to tip the bartender.
Other amenities
Winner: Tie
Some Capital One lounges offer dedicated workout, shower, and multi-faith rooms, but most Centurion lounges have its spa services. Still, some Centurion lounges have phone booths.
Capital One lounges
Capital One sets itself apart by offering a dedicated workout space that features Peloton bikes and a view of the runway. Some locations also have a multi-faith room for travelers who wish to pray, meditate or have a quiet moment of reflection before their flight.
American Express Centurion lounges
Some Centurion lounge locations also offer other amenities, like a pool table or shuffleboard, to help pass the time in between flights.
Additional lounge access for cardholders
Winner: American Express
In addition to accessing the Capital One lounges and Centurion lounges, eligible cardholders have access to other lounge networks. American Express takes the edge as it partners with more lounge operators than Capital One.
Capital One
The Capital One Partner Lounge Network includes complimentary access to participating Priority Pass lounges for eligible cardholders.
For Priority Pass lounges, you must enroll by visiting its website and entering your credit card number.
American Express
The American Express Global Lounge Collection includes airport lounges across 140 countries. In addition to Centurion Lounges, cardholders have access to Escape Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Lufthansa, Plaza Premium Lounges and Priority Pass Lounges.
Travelers can access the Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges and Priority Pass lounges for free and bring up to two guests at no additional charge. However, Priority Pass access requires manual activation through the benefits section of your American Express account or by calling AmEx customer service.
Access to the Delta Sky Club and Lufthansa lounges requires a same-day boarding pass for the respective airlines. American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders are limited to 10 visits to Delta Sky Club lounges per year. Big spenders can earn unlimited access by making $75,000 in purchases in a calendar year.
To view rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.
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 2026:
- 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: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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