Since their launches, the Venture X and Venture X Business cards have been popular cards for those seeking lounge access. That’s because Capital One implemented a generous policy for bringing guests into lounges, plus additional cardholders (AKA authorized users) received complimentary lounge access despite the authorized user cards not coming with an added fee.

That’s sadly changing.

As of February 1, 2026, only primary cardholders will get complimentary lounge access. Not only will additional cardholders have to pay a special lounge access fee of $125 in order to gain access, but primary cardholders will also have to pay a fee to have guests join them if they have a personal Venture X card, as will guests of Venture X Business cardholders depending on the type of lounge.

Additional Cardholder Changes

From February 1, 2026, additional cardholders on Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business cards will lose lounge access. To regain access, you’ll have to pay an annual lounge access fee of $125. That will reenable access to Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings and Priority Pass lounges.

Something important to note is that there still won’t be a fee to get additional cardholder cards on your Venture X and/or Venture X Business cards. It’s only if those additional cardholders wish to have lounge access that a $125 fee will be payable.

For both personal Venture X cardholders and Venture X Business cardholders, there’ll be a limit of four additional cardholders for whom you can pay $125 to gain lounge access.

Guest Access Changes

Also starting from February 1, 2026, primary cardholders will no longer be able to provide complimentary lounge access to traveling companions if they have the personal Venture X card; Venture X Business cardholders on the other hand will have a better policy.

Here’s what the new policies will be based on the lounge types and which version of the Venture X card you have:

Priority Pass

Venture X – Primary cardholders & additional cardholders who have paid the $125 lounge access fee will be able to bring guests for $35 per visit.

– Primary cardholders & additional cardholders who have paid the $125 lounge access fee will be able to bring guests for $35 per visit. Venture X Business – Primary cardholders & additional cardholders who have paid the $125 lounge access fee will be able to provide complimentary access for up to two guests. Additional guests can be brought along for $35 per person.

Capital One Lounges & Landings

Venture X – Primary cardholders won’t be able to provide complimentary access to guests automatically. However, if you and eligible additional cardholders spend $75,000 in a calendar year, you’ll be able to bring two complimentary guests in to Capital One Lounges and one complimentary guest to Capital One Landings. This access is valid for the rest of the year in which $75,000 is spent and all of the following year.

Primary cardholders & additional cardholders who have paid the $125 lounge access fee will be able to pay $45 per guest per visit who’s 18+; children ages 2-17 will be charged a discounted fee of $25, while children under two years old will be free.

– Primary cardholders won’t be able to provide complimentary access to guests automatically. However, if you and eligible additional cardholders spend $75,000 in a calendar year, you’ll be able to bring two complimentary guests in to Capital One Lounges and one complimentary guest to Capital One Landings. This access is valid for the rest of the year in which $75,000 is spent and all of the following year. Primary cardholders & additional cardholders who have paid the $125 lounge access fee will be able to pay $45 per guest per visit who’s 18+; children ages 2-17 will be charged a discounted fee of $25, while children under two years old will be free. Venture X Business – Primary cardholders won’t be able to provide complimentary access to guests automatically. However, if you spend $75,000 across all cardholders in a calendar year, you’ll be able to bring two complimentary guests in to Capital One Lounges and one complimentary guest to Capital One Landings. This access is valid for the rest of the year in which $75,000 is spent and all of the following year.

Primary cardholders & additional cardholders who have paid the $125 lounge access fee will be able to pay $45 per guest per visit who’s 18+; children ages 2-17 will be charged a discounted fee of $25, while children under two years old will be free.

Quick Thoughts

Considering how overcrowded airport lounges have gotten in recent years and how generous the Venture X and Venture X Business lounge policies – particularly for additional cardholders – were, it’s not surprising that some kind of restrictions would eventually be implemented. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that this is potentially a massive hit for Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders.

We added a couple of friends to my wife’s Venture X card a few months ago so that they’d be able to get complimentary lounge access, so it’s a shame that from February 1, 2026 they’ll each have to pay $125 if they want to maintain that.

For infrequent travelers, having complimentary lounge access was nice to have. If you’re only flying a handful of times per year though, it might not seem worth paying the $125 fee, particularly if the airports you fly in and out of only have access to Priority Pass lounges that happen to be mediocre.

It’s even worse for personal Venture X primary and additional cardholders who want to bring along guests. That’s because it’ll now cost $35 per guest for Priority Pass lounges. Venture X Business cardholders can breath a sigh of relief as they’ll still be able to bring two complimentary guests into Priority Pass lounges, for now at least.

Despite these changes, for many cardholders it’ll still be a no brainer to pay the $395 annual fee on these cards seeing as you get a $300 annual credit for bookings made through Capital One’s travel booking site, as well as 10,000 bonus miles at renewal. However, if you find it to be a hassle to redeem that $300 credit, having Capital One greatly restrict lounge access for additional cardholders and guests might make the decision on keeping the card more of a toss up.

Question

Will these lounge access changes have an effect on your decision to renew your Venture X and/or Venture X Business card? Let us know in the comments below.

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The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) and Capital One Venture X Business (review) have in recent years become popular premium travel credit cards, offering great value. This includes everything from a $300 annual travel credit, to 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, to valuable airport lounge access.

Aspects of the cards almost seemed too good to be true, so unfortunately there’s an update, along those lines. Capital One is making changes to the airport lounge access benefits on these cards, and the changes are overwhelmingly negative (I suppose unless you consider fewer people potentially having lounge access to be a good thing, as crowding has become an issue).

Capital One lounge access changes February 2026

As of February 1, 2026, we’re going to see changes to Capital One lounge access, which impact access to Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings, and Priority Pass lounges. The exact changes differ between the personal and business cards, since the cards also currently have different lounge access benefits.

These changes include two main areas — lounge access for authorized users, and the ability to guest others into lounges. Let me start by recapping the current policies, before talking about the updates.

With the Capital One Venture X:

The primary card member and up to four authorized users can all receive the same lounge access perks (there’s no cost to add those authorized users)

Card members can access Capital One Lounges with up to two guests, and Capital One Landings with up to one guest

Card members receive a Priority Pass membership, with the ability to bring two guests

With the Capital One Venture X Business:

The primary card member receives lounge access, but authorized users don’t receive any lounge access perks

Card members can access Capital One Lounges with up to two guests, and Capital One Landings with up to one guest

Card members receive a Priority Pass membership, with the ability to bring two guests for free

Here’s how Capital One describes the logic for these changes, in a statement:

As airport lounges continue to grow in popularity across the industry, we’ve seen our customers increasingly encounter wait times to enter them. It is important to us that we maintain a great airport lounge experience for our Venture X and Venture X Business customers, while continuing to deliver best-in-class premium travel cards at an accessible price point. To address this, we will be making some changes to lounge access for additional cardholders (authorized users and account managers) and guests. Venture X and Venture X Business primary cardholders will continue to receive complimentary access to over 1,300 lounges, including Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings and Priority Pass lounges. We thought carefully about these changes, and we remain committed to delivering a differentiated premium travel card for our customers.

There are major Capital One lounge access changes

Capital One $125 authorized user lounge access fee

As of February 1, 2026, authorized users on the Capital One Venture X will no longer automatically receive any lounge access perks. Instead, card members will be able to pay $125 per authorized user to get lounge access, for up to four authorized users.

Note that this will apply to both the personal and business card, so the ability for authorized users to get lounge access on the business card is a new development.

This applies for all types of lounge access, including for Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings, and Priority Pass memberships. Obviously this is a major change, since the personal version of the card currently allows you to add four authorized users at no cost, which is a value of up to $500 under the new system.

As of February 2026, you’ll have the option of designating whether you want authorized users to have lounge access or not. The default will be for them to have no access (in which case there’s no fee for authorized users).

There are new fees for authorized user lounge access

Capital One $75,000 annual spending for lounge guests

As of February 1, 2026, the Capital One Venture X and Capital One Venture X Business will no longer automatically come with complimentary guests for access to Capital One Lounges and Capital One Landings.

Instead, only the card member as such will receive access. The exception is if you spend $75,000 per year across the card account, in which case you’ll continue to enjoy the same guesting privileges. This includes two guests at Capital One Lounges, and one guest at Capital One Landings.

Just to clarify a few points:

The $75,000 spending requirement is per calendar year and per account (between the primary card member and authorized users)

Spending in the 2025 calendar year is the first to count toward this, and if you unlock the spending requirement, you get the increased lounge access for the current calendar year and the following calendar year

The ability to guest people into lounges will apply to both the primary card member and authorized users who have paid $125 for the lounge access pass

Card members can still guest people into lounges at the rate of $45 per adult, and $25 per guest 17 and under, while children under two remain complimentary

There’s a new spending requirement for guesting people

Capital One Priority Pass benefits changes

As of February 1, 2026, the Capital One Venture X Priority Pass membership will no longer come with guesting privileges. This only applies to the personal version of the card, and not to the business version of the card (which continues to allow two complimentary guests).

Instead, those with a Priority Pass membership through the Venture X will have to pay $35 per person for any guests they bring into Priority Pass lounges. This applies even if the $75,000 spending requirement is met, as that only allows guesting at Capital One Lounge and Capital One Landing locations.

There are even cuts to Priority Pass lounge access

My take on Capital One lounge access changes

Obviously these Capital One Venture X lounge access changes are negative, as card members will be getting less value than before. In fairness, it has been almost five years since the Venture X was introduced, so it’s hardly surprising to see some significant changes.

Capital One is following the industry trend here, as lounge crowding has become a major issue. I suspect these changes will materially reduce crowding levels, since there will be no more free lounge access for authorized users, and even the ability to guest for free will come with a significant spending requirement.

I guess if there’s one silver lining, it’s that on the business version of the card, it’ll be possible to add lounge access for authorized users at a reasonable cost, which isn’t currently the case.

When it comes to the new spending requirement for guesting people into lounges, at least the Venture X is a rewarding card for everyday spending, so many people will be able to efficiently reach that spending requirement.

Obviously this is a negative change. It’ll probably cause quite a few people to cancel the card. Personally, it doesn’t change the card’s fundamental value proposition, since I consider the $395 annual fee to be offset by the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, and everything else is just the icing on the cake.

The change to Priority Pass guesting on the personal version of the card is also significant, if you ask me, since it doesn’t set a great precedent. Up until now, most premium cards in the US have allowed at least two guests into lounges.

This also reflects the bigger reality of premium credit cards. There’s such a race for premium market share between card issuers, and the economics also have to work. So presumably Capital One hopes that it’ll generate more in fees with these changes, while also increasing card member spending. It’s obvious that this isn’t just about limiting lounge crowding, but is also about economics, since even Priority Pass guesting is being cut.

I can’t say that I’m surprised to see these changes

Bottom line

As of February 2026, Capital One is making huge changes to its Venture X lounge access policy.

Authorized users on both the personal and business version of the card will need to pay $125 per authorized user for lounge access, which is a huge devaluation for the personal version, and an improvement for the business version. There will also be a $75,000 annual spending requirement to guest people into Capital One Lounges and Capital One Landings. Lastly, the personal version of the card will no longer offer complimentary guests at Priority Pass lounges.

This is a negative development, and will likely cause many people to reconsider these cards. Personally, it doesn’t alter the fundamental value proposition of the Venture X for me, so it won’t cause me to cancel. And there’s no denying that lounge crowding has become a serious issue, so hopefully this makes a significant difference.

What do you make of these Capital One Venture X lounge access changes?

I receive compensation for content and many links on this blog. Citibank is an advertising partner of this site, as is American Express, Chase, Barclays and Capital One. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by my advertising partners. I do not write about all credit cards that are available — instead focusing on miles, points, and cash back (and currencies that can be converted into the same). Terms apply to the offers and benefits listed on this page.

Capital One is making major changes to lounge access for their Capital One Venture X product – restricted complimentary guests to cardmembers who spend $75,000 per calendar year (just like American Express has done); adding a fee for authorized user cards to access lounges (making them more like other issuers); and eliminating complimentary Priority Pass guests altogether (while keeping it on the business version of the card).

Additional cardmembers lose free lounge access: Effective February 1, 2026, Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business cards can continue to have additional cardmembers at no annual fee, however they are unbundling lounge access from these cards. Lounge access is added for $125 per additional cardmember as an option. (You can also keep additional cardmembers on the account without lounge access, and those cards retain their no annual fee.)

Effective February 1, 2026, Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business cards can continue to have additional cardmembers at no annual fee, however they are unbundling lounge access from these cards. Lounge access is added for $125 per additional cardmember as an option. (You can also keep additional cardmembers on the account without lounge access, and those cards retain their no annual fee.) Capital One lounges will require $75,000 annual spend for free guests: Starting February 1, 2026, Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business cards will no longer allow complimentary guest access to the issuer’s own lounges. Guest access (2 complimentary guests at lounges, 1 at Landings) is restored for accounts that spend $75,000 per calendar year. Complimentary guest access is valid for the calendar year in which the spend requirement is met, and for the following year.

Capital One Lounge, Washington Dulles

Starting February 1, 2026, Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business cards will no longer allow complimentary guest access to the issuer’s own lounges. Guest access (2 complimentary guests at lounges, 1 at Landings) is restored for accounts that spend $75,000 per calendar year. Complimentary guest access is valid for the calendar year in which the spend requirement is met, and for the following year. Guest access pricing changes: Paid guests will be $45 per person – but now $25 apiece for guests under 18 (children under two are free).

Paid guests will be $45 per person – but now $25 apiece for guests under 18 (children under two are free). Venture X Priority Pass loses all complimentary guests: Even cardmembers spending heavily on the product will no longer receive free guests. In contrast, Venture X Business will receive 2 complimentary guests for the primary cardmember, and beginning February 1, 2026 this will extend to additional cardmembers. Paid guests are currently $35 apiece. I find it interesting that Venture X Business keeps complimentary guest privileges, but the economics of the card will be different, including likely higher average spend volume.

Plaza Premium Lounge DFW Is Priority Pass-Accessible

My takeaways are,

This is broadly similar to the approach taken by American Express, requiring spend for guest access, and by American Express and Chase where an additional cardmember with lounge access is not free. Capital One just keeps the additional cardmember itself free, while charging for lounge access, which is smart because they’re not also pushing away the spending. But while I like Capital One lounges much more than American Express lounges, Capital One doesn’t have nearly as many lounges! And their Priority Pass – with no guest access, and no longer honoring restaurant visits – becomes ‘worst in class’. They are still at a lower annual fee price point than competitors like Amex Platinum and Chase’s Sapphire Reserve, and they aren’t adjusting the fee. We’ve seen increased annual fees and cuts to the value prop for both of those products, so it’s not surprising to see an adjustment to Venture X – my comment when the card was first launched about three and a half years ago was that it was likely too generous for the underlying economics (but probably needed to be to launch with a splash) so none of this surprises.

Capital One Landing, DCA

I wasn’t using the Venture X Priority Pass anyway. If you have more than one card that comes with Priority Pass, just switch away from the Capital One-sponsored version. This ultimately does not affect me. But for customers who don’t live in or travel primarily to or through cities with Capital One lounges, and who rely on Capital One for lounge access via Priority Pass especially when traveling with their families, this is a huge hit to the value proposition.

Still, Venture X is at a much lower price point than competitor cards and from my perspective the rebates I receive each year are worth the full annual fee – a $395 annual fee offset by a $300 travel portal credit (I buy a plane ticket) and 10,000 points which are worth well more than $100 to me. Plus, it earns 2x transferable points on all spend.

As a result, I will keep the card and I will keep spending on the card. As it happens I do put over $75,000 on the card each year. However, I’d say that getting a spouse or other player 2 their own card is better than paying the lounge access fee for an authorized user. Instead of paying $125 for a spouse to have lounge access, if they are approved for the card you’ve got benefits that effectively ‘cover’ the annual fee in its entirety.

They’ll be eligible to earn the card’s initial bonus

And be eligible for the $300 travel credit and 10,000 bonus points at renewal each year

So the net cost is lower than paying for an additional cardmember’s lounge access.

Capital One Landing DCA

According to Capital One,

Since it was introduced in 2021, Venture X has stood out as a unique premium travel card with industry-leading rewards and benefits – including airport lounge access – at a $395 price point. As airport lounges continue to grow in popularity across the industry, we’ve seen our customers increasingly encounter wait times to enter them. It is important to us that we maintain a great airport lounge experience for our Venture X and Venture X Business customers, while continuing to deliver best-in-class premium travel cards at an accessible price point. To address this, we will be making some changes to lounge access for additional cardholders (authorized users and account managers) and guests. Venture X and Venture X Business primary cardholders will continue to receive complimentary access to over 1,300 lounges, including Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings and Priority Pass lounges. We thought carefully about these changes, and we remain committed to delivering a differentiated premium travel card for our customers.

Capital One Lounge, Las Vegas

I don’t expect these changes as likely to improve lounge crowding. Capital One cards are not a driver of crowding for Priority Pass lounges. That’s a straight cost cut, aimed even at high spend cardmembers on the consumer product.

American Express dropped complimentary guest access to its lounges without spending $75,000 annually and that doesn’t seem to have helped with their lounge crowding. Maybe it’ll make a difference for Capital One, as many people using their lounges were free authorized user cards who won’t pay the lounge access fee – while Amex was already charging a fee for their additional Platinum cards?

Ironically, what helps most with crowding at Amex lounges is Capital One and Chase opening better lounges nearby. Staff at the Las Vegas Centurion lounge told me last month they were looking forward to the opening of the Capital One lounge nearby to help alleviate their lounge’s crowding. There will be some affect at the margin, but in a sense the value proposition of Venture X has been too generous.

I’ve written for decades that anything a few standard deviations better than the norm shouldn’t be expected to last. The good news is that Capital One’s lounges are very nice (and it’s a growing footprint), the card is generous for spend, and still comes at a lower price point than competitors. These changes don’t really affect my own use case at all, but each cardmember will have to evaluate their own circumstances.

I feel like, though, they shouldn’t just be taking away from cardmembers – they should be considering adding benefits for high spending ones at least. For instance, if lounge access is going to be spend-based why not let customers spending $150,000 or $200,000 per year skip the queues? American Express does this for their Centurion cardmembers.

Capital One Venture X

When it launched, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card quickly gained popularity for its generous lounge access policies. But starting in 2026, many of those benefits are changing or going away.

On Feb. 1, 2026, authorized users will lose their complimentary airport lounge access. That’s a major shift for the premium travel rewards credit card, which boasted of its ability to share benefits with authorized users when it first launched in 2021.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card holders will also lose complimentary access for guests to lounges in the Priority Pass network. Capital One Venture X Business cardholders will not be affected and will still be able to bring two guests to Priority Pass lounges.

“As airport lounges continue to grow in popularity across the industry, we’ve seen our customers increasingly encounter wait times to enter them,” Capital One said in a statement explaining the changes.

These card updates mirror steps that American Express has taken to limit the number of people in its Centurion lounges.

How do these lounge access changes affect me?

If you travel with others …

Starting Feb. 1, 2026, you’ll no longer be able to use the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card to bring guests to lounges for free.

To regain free guest access for Capital One Lounges and Landings, you’ll need to spend at least $75,000 on your card in one calendar year. After that, you’ll be able to bring in two guests at no charge to Capital One Lounges through the following calendar year. For visits to Capital One Landings, you’ll be limited to one guest. (Landings are sit-down restaurants, not traditional lounges.)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card holders will also lose complimentary access for guests to lounges in the Priority Pass network.

If you have (or are) an authorized user…

While primary cardholders on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will still be able to add or keep authorized users for free, those additional cardholders won’t get complimentary lounge access (even if they are an account manager). Instead, you’ll need to pay an annual lounge access fee of $125 for each additional cardholder. This will grant them access to Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings and Priority Pass lounges.

If you currently have additional cardholders on your account, talk to them and figure out what the right approach is. Your authorized user may be willing to pay you $125 to cover the fee, or they may decide to get a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (or another travel card) of their own.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for airport lounge access

If you have the Capital One Venture X Business…

Starting Feb. 1, 2026, you will no longer be able to bring guests in for free to Capital One Lounges and Landings, unless you spend $75,000 on your card in a calendar year. If you hit that spending requirement, the guest policy is the same as before: two for Lounges and one for Landings. You’ll still be able to bring two guests for free into Priority Pass lounges once the new rules go into effect.

On the Capital One Venture X Business, up to four additional cardholders can receive lounge access at an annual fee of $125 per person. They will get their own Priority Pass memberships and be able to bring two guests for free. Previously, authorized users did not get any complimentary lounge access.

If you’re willing to pay for guests…

Capital One is lowering its pricing for minors at its locations for both Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business holders.

If you want to bring in additional guests beyond those included for free, you’ll continue to pay a discounted rate of $45 per adult guest per visit. (The standard rate is $90 per visit.)

Effective immediately, Capital One will lower the rate for each guest 17 and under to $25. Children under 2 can enter for free.

Additional guests for Priority Pass lounges are $35 each.

Is the Venture X still worth it?

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has always stood out for its generous lounge access policies for authorized users as well as guests, and unfortunately, I’m not surprised by the changes. It was only a matter of time before Capital One followed in the footsteps of American Express and Chase, which require an additional fee for authorized users each year for their own flagship travel credit cards.

Unless you’re a solo traveler, these changes are a major blow to the value proposition of the card, and it might be time to reconsider.

For one thing, Capital One does not have that many locations to begin with. Meanwhile, American Express and Chase partner with Delta Air Lines and Air Canada, respectively, to offer cardholders even more lounge access when flying with those airline partners — something that Capital One also lacks.

But at $395 a year, Capital One’s premium travel card still offers compelling value for travelers — even with the reduced lounge access benefits. The card comes with a $300 annual travel credit that can be used in Capital One’s travel portal, as well as 10,000 bonus miles on each account anniversary. Plus, it earns 2 miles per $1 on every purchase. That’s solid, especially if you only want one card in your wallet and don’t enjoy figuring out which one offers the best rewards for each purchase.

Miles can be redeemed at 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 is still relatively easy to use. Capital One hasn’t adopted American Express’ “coupon book” model, where the issuer justifies a sky-high annual fee with onerous credits that are difficult to use and keep track of.

As long as you use the annual travel credit and bonus miles, that helps recoup the cost of the entire fee.

» Learn more: The guide to Capital One transfer partners

Venture X alternative: Chase Sapphire Reserve

NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more. Learn More

If lounge access is your top priority and you’re ready to ditch your Capital One card, you might consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which has its own network of well-regarded lounges. Cardholders can bring two guests for free into Priority Pass lounges, including its Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club.

» Learn more: The guide to Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge access

Key takeaways Airport lounge access is an especially desirable perk, and several premium travel rewards credit cards come with this benefit.

However, most of these cards limit the number of guests you can bring into the lounge with you — and some don’t extend lounge privileges to guests at all.

If you regularly travel with family members or friends, the best ways to get lounge access for them involves choosing credit cards that include guest privileges, booking with third-party lounge access services or booking premium fares that include lounge access.

Having access to airport lounges can make any travel experience more comfortable, and these memberships can be a big money-saver, too. Not only do airport lounges generally have a selection of complimentary food and beverages along with WiFi access, but some even have showers and special spaces you can use to freshen up.

But, having airport lounge access only for yourself can be a major issue — especially if you travel with your spouse or partner, your kids or your friends from time to time. The good news is, there are ways to get airport lounge benefits for yourself and your guests, or to ensure the people you love have airport lounge memberships of their own they can use.

Policies for guest access to airport lounges

If you want to take advantage of airport lounge benefits, it’s important to know which policies apply to which lounges. Here’s a quick overview of the major airport lounges and their guest access policies:

American Airlines Admirals Club

American Airlines flyers can access Admirals Clubs with a paid membership or membership through a co-branded credit card and can bring immediate family members or two guests. You may also access Admirals Club lounges by booking a premium cabin ticket on an eligible itinerary and may be able to bring one guest.

American Express Global Lounge Collection

American Express Platinum Card® and Business Platinum Card® holders have unlimited access to Global Lounges. Complimentary guest access varies depending on the type of lounge. American Express Centurion lounges, for example, only allow two free guests after the cardholder has spent $75,000 on the card in the previous calendar year.

Capital One Lounges

Capital One Venture X Rewards and Venture X Business cardholders have unlimited access to Capital One lounges and can bring two guests.

Chase Sapphire Airport Lounges

Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders have unlimited access to Chase Sapphire lounges and can bring two guests. Priority Pass members receive one complimentary visit per year.

Delta Sky Club

Delta SkyMiles Reserve card members receive 15 Sky Club visits and four one-time guest passes per Medallion Year. If you spend more than $75,000 in a calendar year, you receive unlimited visits. You can also purchase Delta Sky Club membership, which comes with two free guests at the Executive level.

Priority Pass

Many premium credit cards offer Priority Pass Select membership, which gives you unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges (guest access depends on the card). You can also purchase a Priority Pass membership at the Standard, Standard Plus or Prestige level, but none of these memberships come with free guest access.

United Club

If you have the New United Club℠ Card, you and your eligible travel companions can access United Club lounges for free. Other United co-branded credit cards may offer limited complimentary lounge access.

Keep in mind that many of these lounges offer day passes as well, which means that you and your guests may be able to pay to enter the lounge even if you don’t have the corresponding membership or credit card.

Travel credit cards with airport lounge access

The best way to get airport lounge access for yourself and your family or other guests involves signing up for a travel credit card — but not just any travel credit card. Look specifically for a top travel rewards card that includes guest access or the ability to bring in others with your membership without paying any added fees.

Fortunately, quite a few top travel credit cards offer lounge access for guests, including the following:

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Learn More in our Bankrate review Card details Caret Down Icon

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Learn More in our Bankrate review Card details Caret Down Icon

The Platinum Card® from American Express Learn More in our Bankrate review Card details Caret Down Icon

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® Learn More in our Bankrate review Card details Caret Down Icon

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Learn More in our Bankrate review Card details Caret Down Icon

Find airport lounges that offer day passes

Even if a card offers guest access to airport lounges, it’s important to note that capacity controls can still apply. It’s not uncommon to head to a Priority Pass lounge and find a sign that says “full,” leaving you completely locked out of a visit you were counting on.

In this case, you may still be able to find airport lounges that offer day passes for a single entry. Services like the Amex Global Lounge Finder and The Club can help connect you with these lounges if your preferred lounge is full, if you need space for more guests than your guest limit allows or if you don’t have access to an airport lounge membership through a travel credit card.

Book premium fares that include airport lounge access

Finally, booking international airfare in a premium cabin will typically get you airport lounge access included with major airlines and their alliance partners. For example, booking Delta One with Delta Air Lines or booking international Business or First-Class flights with Delta’s SkyTeam partners could get you into Delta Sky Clubs as well as most partner lounges (terms vary).

To access this perk, you’ll likely have to book your entire family in the premium cabin to get everyone into the lounge, although there are some exceptions. For example, Virgin Atlantic airport lounges are for Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold members, but you are welcome to bring in a guest if they’re on the same international flight with you on Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, Air France or KLM .

The bottom line

Getting approved for the right travel credit card or co-branded airline card is the best way to lock in airport lounge access for yourself and your guests. However, you’ll want to read over specific card and membership policies so you know how many guests you can bring (and any other rules that apply). It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan if you’re counting on lounge access during your trip.

The information about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.