Capital One major cuts to lounge access

[Anonymous]

This was bound to happen, all the other credit companies have put in similar restrictions as their lounges have gotten more popular.

As of February 1, 2026, no free guests ($45 for adults, $25 for kids), and additional cardholders have to pay a $125/year fee for lounge access. The days of a family getting one card, having the spouse be an additional cardholder, and the kids get in free as guests, are over early next year.

https://onemileatatime.com/news/capital-one-venture-x-lounge-access-changes/

[Anonymous]

The only time anyone should plan to use a lounge is a long layover. If you are using a lounge prior to departure, you got to the airport too early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only time anyone should plan to use a lounge is a long layover. If you are using a lounge prior to departure, you got to the airport too early.

We travel with our kids and have to get to the airport pretty early to ensure we have sufficient time. Something like a late gate change can really take forever if you have kids. Plus, feeding a family at the airport is expensive. I don't mind getting there a little early to get a free meal at the lounge.

[Anonymous]

Thank heavens.

Airport lounges have been so crowded for so long that I have skipped them in favor of a relatively uncrowded gate.

Very happy for them to get rid of the screaming-kid families, and let the business travelers be able to do some actual work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only time anyone should plan to use a lounge is a long layover. If you are using a lounge prior to departure, you got to the airport too early.

The cap 1 lounges have nice grab n go and sandwiches which are good for stocking up pre flight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only time anyone should plan to use a lounge is a long layover. If you are using a lounge prior to departure, you got to the airport too early.

The cap 1 lounges have nice grab n go and sandwiches which are good for stocking up pre flight.

Yeah I love that, especially because you have a lot.more long flights departing out of Dulles. It's a great option. A couple times before a west coast flight I stopped there for 5 minutes, got a coffee and pastry, and grabbed a sandwich and salad for the middle of the flight.