Capital One Airport Lounges: Guide & Access Rules

Now is the time to apply for the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card.

Capital One has been doing a great job on travel. In the past year, Capital One launched the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card, which is an incredible premium credit card that lots of people are applying for.

Capital One opened its first airport lounge at the end of the year. There are two more lounges in the works, but their opening timelines have been delayed, and they are expected to open in 2023.

I want to recap everything we know about the Capital One Lounges.

Why is Capital One opening airport lounges?

Premium credit cards have lounge access as one of their perks. Priority Pass memberships give access to a large collection of lounges. Credit card branded lounges have been taken by some card issuers.

American Express has a network of lounges. Chase will be entering the lounge game with the introduction of Chase lounges. The introduction of the Capital One Venture X card coincides with the opening of the first airport lounge by Capital One.

Which airports are getting Capital One Lounges?

The first of three Capital One lounges is already open at the airport. The basics of all three Capital One Lounges that have been announced so far are below.

Capital One Lounge Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW)

The Capital One Lounge is located at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport. There is a lounge in Terminal D.

Capital One Lounge Denver Airport (DEN)

The Capital One Lounge Denver Airport was supposed to open in 2022. The lounge is 11,200 square feet and will be located in the A concourse.

Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles Airport (IAD)

The Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles Airport was supposed to open in mid-2022, but it's now expected to open in 2023. The lounge will be near the security checkpoint.

What are Capital One Lounges like?

The Capital One Lounge DFW is one of my favorite lounges in the US. The Capital One Lounge DFW has a lot to offer.

• A grab & go food selection, including sandwiches, salads, fruit, snacks, and more
• A proper in-lounge dining experience, with menus curated by local chefs, and healthy selections made from regionally sourced ingredients
• An excellent drink selection, including local beer, regional wine, craft cocktails, cold brew on tap, and a full espresso bar
• A cycling and yoga room with Peloton bikes and resistance bands
• Shower suites with towels and toiletries
• Relaxation rooms with blankets, eye covers, and earplugs
• Semi-private work areas with outlets at every seat
• Friendly service, especially from Rumana, who is a superstar

You can read my full review of the lounge here.

Who can access Capital One Lounges?

People can access the Capital One Lounges.

• Capital One Venture X cardmembers can get unlimited access to Capital One Lounges, and can bring two guests with them for free, and can bring additional guests with them for $45 each; keep in mind that authorized users can be added to the card for free, and they get the same lounge access perks
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (review) and Capital One Spark Miles for Business (review) cardmembers receive two complimentary visits annually, with no complimentary guesting privileges (the passes could be used by the primary cardmember or authorized users, and can also be used for a guest who is present, meaning you could use two passes for you and a guest); additional guests, as well as additional visits, cost $45 each
• Kids under two can enter Capital One Lounges for free
• All others can enter Capital One Lounges for $65 per visit
• Even though Capital One Lounges are operated in partnership with Plaza Premium Group, there’s no access through other credit cards or lounge membership programs

It's worth it to get the Capital One Venture X Card. The card has a $395 annual fee, but offers a $300 annual travel credit and 10K bonus anniversary miles every year, so it should cost you nothing if you go about it right. Four authorized users will receive the same lounge access perks if you add them to the card.

Are there access restrictions for Capital One Lounges?

There are more restrictions to be aware of for Capital One Lounges.

• You need a boarding pass for a departing flight in order to be able to access Capital One Lounges (so you can’t use them as arrivals lounges)
• You can only access Capital One Lounges within three hours of a flight’s scheduled departure

The entry requirements are the same for lots of other lounges as well.

What’s my take on Capital One Lounges?

The launch of the Capital One Venture X Card coincides with the opening of Capital One airport lounges, and I am very impressed with what Capital One is doing. There are a few thoughts on Capital One lounges.

• Admittedly it’s going to take Capital One a while to build up a network of lounges, so this could be extremely useful for those based out of an airport with a lounge, while it will be less useful for others
• We can hope that maybe Capital One Lounges won’t be crowded for a while, since it’ll take Capital One some time to build up a cardmember base
• Capital One is doing something unique here, and is introducing amenities we haven’t seen from other lounges, and I love that; from cold brew and espresso, to grab & go food, to Peloton bikes, Capital One put a lot of thought into these lounges

The introduction of the Capital One Venture X Card coincides with the introduction of Capital One's airport lounge game. The Capital One Lounge DFW is open, and we can expect the lounges at IAD and DEN to open in the future.

I can't wait to see the portfolio grow as Capital One takes a different approach to lounge design. Capital One Lounges have a variety of unique features that are not found in other lounges.

What do you think about the Capital One lounges? Will you pick up the card?