The launch of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was met with enthusiasm due to its generous lounge access policies. However, changes to these benefits are on the horizon starting in 2026.
Effective Feb. 1, 2026, authorized users will no longer have complimentary access to airport lounges. This marks a significant shift for the premium travel rewards card, which initially offered shared benefits to authorized users when it debuted in 2021.
Cardholders of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will also lose complimentary guest access to lounges within the Priority Pass network. However, this change will not impact Capital One Venture X Business cardholders, who can still bring two guests to Priority Pass lounges.
Capital One explained these modifications by noting the increasing popularity of airport lounges industry-wide, resulting in longer wait times for customers.
These adjustments mirror similar measures taken by American Express to restrict access to its Centurion lounges.
How will these changes impact me?
If you frequently travel with companions…
Starting Feb. 1, 2026, you will no longer be able to bring guests to lounges for free using the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
To restore complimentary guest access to Capital One Lounges and Landings, you must spend a minimum of $75,000 on your card within a calendar year. Once this threshold is met, you can bring in two guests at no cost to Capital One Lounges for the following calendar year. For visits to Capital One Landings, you will be limited to one guest. (Note: Landings are sit-down restaurants, not traditional lounges.)
Additionally, cardholders of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will lose complimentary guest access to Priority Pass network lounges.
If you are an authorized user…
Primary cardholders of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will still have the option to add or maintain authorized users at no charge. However, these additional cardholders will no longer receive complimentary lounge access, even if they are an account manager. Instead, an annual lounge access fee of $125 per additional cardholder will be required for access to Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings, and Priority Pass lounges.
If you currently have authorized users on your account, it is recommended to discuss the situation with them to determine the best course of action. Your authorized user may opt to pay you $125 to cover the fee, or they may choose to apply for their own Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (or another travel card).
If you hold the Capital One Venture X Business…
Starting Feb. 1, 2026, you will no longer be able to bring in guests for free to Capital One Lounges and Landings unless you meet the $75,000 spending requirement on your card within a calendar year. Upon meeting this criterion, the guest policy remains the same as before: two guests for Lounges and one guest for Landings. You will still have the ability to bring in two guests for free to Priority Pass lounges once the new regulations take effect.
On the Capital One Venture X Business, up to four additional cardholders can receive lounge access for an annual fee of $125 per person. They will be issued their own Priority Pass memberships and can bring in two guests for free. Previously, authorized users did not have complimentary lounge access.
If you are open to paying for guests…
Capital One is reducing rates for minors at its locations for both the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business.
For additional guests beyond those included for free, you will continue to pay a discounted rate of $45 per adult guest per visit. (The standard rate is $90 per visit.)
Effective immediately, the rate for each guest aged 17 and under is reduced to $25. Children under 2 can enter for free.
Additional guests for Priority Pass lounges will be charged $35 each.
Is the Venture X still a valuable option?
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been known for its extensive lounge access benefits for authorized users and guests, and the upcoming changes are not unexpected. It was only a matter of time before Capital One followed the lead of American Express and Chase, which require an annual fee for authorized users on their flagship travel credit cards.
For non-solo travelers, these revisions significantly impact the card’s value proposition, prompting a reassessment of its worth.
Moreover, Capital One has a limited number of locations compared to its competitors. American Express and Chase collaborate with Delta Air Lines and Air Canada, respectively, to provide cardholders with additional lounge access options when flying with these airline partners — a feature lacking in Capital One’s offerings.
Nevertheless, at an annual fee of $395, Capital One’s premium travel card still offers compelling benefits for travelers, even with reduced lounge access privileges. The card includes a $300 annual travel credit usable in Capital One’s travel portal, 10,000 bonus miles on each account anniversary, and 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases. This straightforward rewards structure is advantageous for individuals seeking simplicity in their credit card usage.
Miles can be redeemed at a rate of 1 cent per mile in the travel portal or transferred to one of Capital One’s hotel or airline partners. Compared to other premium travel cards, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card remains user-friendly. Capital One has not adopted American Express’ complex annual fee structure, making it easier for cardholders to maximize their benefits.
By utilizing the annual travel credit and bonus miles, users can offset the cost of the annual fee.