Capital One is just consistently awesome.
First, we’ve got the premium travel card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, and then on top of that, some the swankiest lounges around — putting itself head to head with programs like the American Express Platinum Card® (and its luxurious Centurion Lounges).
This guide is your key to accessing some of the best lounges in the U.S. Here’s everything I know, from locations to access to why some of our community members will schedule flights just to peak inside a Capital One Lounge!
What is a Capital One Lounge?
Capital One Lounges are airport lounges owned and operated by Capital One. In case you’re brand new to airport lounges, welcome to your new favorite thing. These are airport retreats that give you space from the hustle and bustle of airport traffic. There are lounges through airlines, banks, and independent lounge networks.
Photo by McKay Moffitt / Daily Drop
How to Access a Capital One Lounge
Capital One Lounges are departure lounges only. That means you’ll need a same-day boarding pass (entry opens up three hours before departure) along with an eligible card or day pass loaded into your Capital One app.
Unlike some other lounge programs, there aren’t a dozen ways to backdoor your way in. You’ve got three main ways in: complimentary entry with the right card, discounted entry if you’ve got a mid-tier Capital One card, or full-price entry if you’re paying cash.
How to Get Complimentary or Discounted Access
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Unlimited complimentary entry for you and two guests. Authorized users can each bring 2 guests of their own (until Jan. 31, 2026). That means a family of six could get in if you play your cards right.
Capital One Venture X Business: Same access and guest rules as the personal Venture X.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Not free, but you can buy lounge passes for $45 each, which is still cheaper than most bank lounges.
No Capital One card? You can buy an entry for $90, which is pretty pricey.
👀 Pro Tip: Add authorized users to your Venture X. They get their own unlimited access and guest privileges (until early next year), which can make you very popular on group trips.
Capital One Lounge Locations
Right now, Capital One Lounges (and landings) are just in the U.S., but they’re already some of the most talked-about airport lounges in the country. Current and upcoming locations:
New York City (JFK) — lounge
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) — lounge
Denver (DEN) — lounge
Washington Dulles (IAD) — lounge
Washington D.C. (DCA) — landing
Las Vegas (LAS) — lounge
New York City (LGA) — landing coming soon!
And if you want a taste of what’s to come? I recently reviewed the brand-new Capital One Lounge at JFK, and it honestly blew me away with its design, insanely kind staff, and legitimately great food.
Photo by McKay Moffitt / Daily Drop
What to Expect in a Capital One Lounge
You’ll still find the usual lounge staples: comfy seats, free Wi-Fi, and snacks. But Capital One Lounges really have some unique qualities. We’re talking:
Chef-inspired dining with rotating menus.
Signature cocktails and local craft beers at full-service bars.
Coffee bars with plenty of great options.
Wellness spaces, from yoga rooms to showers and even Peloton-equipped workout areas.
Family-friendly touches, including kid-friendly play zones and multi-faith prayer rooms.
Community members in the Daily Drop Lounge have raved about these spaces so much that one person literally booked a flight just to hang out at a Capital One Lounge. (Honestly? Respect.)
Each lounge also has its own local flavor. Want a little sneak peek? Here’s what you can expect, courtesy of Capital One:
Dallas-Fort Worth: Enjoy the custom Yellow Rose Airport Pilsner from locally owned 3 Nations Brewing and frozen Irish coffee from local bar Nickel City.
Dulles: Try the exclusive Pre-Flight Lager, a helles lager, from the award-winning Lost Rhino Brewing Company in nearby Ashburn, Virginia.
Denver: Order the Sky High P.A., a refreshing and slightly bitter session-style IPA, made in collaboration with Cervecería Colorado.
…seriously, what’s not to love?!
Best Capital One Credit Cards with Lounge Access
If you want to make lounge access a permanent part of your travel routine, you’ll want one of these cards in your wallet:
Venture X — Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests, plus authorized users get the same (this is the card Capital One designed the lounges around).
Venture X Business — Same unlimited access setup, but geared toward small business owners.
Venture Card — A great mid-tier card if you want a taste of Capital One, with lounge passes available for $45 each.
Spark Miles Business Card — Same $45 pass option for business cardholders.
If you’re only going to pick one? The Venture X is the clear winner and is a consistent favorite here at Daily Drop. The value of unlimited lounge access alone easily offsets its annual fee if you travel even a handful of times per year.
⚠️ Heads Up: Starting February 1, 2026, Capital One is rolling out some major changes to its lounge access rules for the Venture X and Venture X Business, so read up on those changes here.
Bottom Line
Capital One may not have the global lounge footprint of American Express or Priority Pass, but the quality of its lounges is pretty top-tier. From insane food to fitness rooms and craft beer selections, these lounges have got it going on!
Photo by McKay Moffitt / Daily Drop
What I love most, though, is the access model. Since only certain cardholders get unlimited complimentary entry, these lounges are likely to stay less crowded than Centurion Lounges, and that alone makes them worth a stop before your next flight.
So if you’re a Capital One cardholder (or thinking of becoming one), keep an eye out for these lounges, because a quick visit might just be the highlight of your trip.
