Why it's getting even harder to get into airport lounges now
Capital One is the latest company to limit access to booming airport lounges to combat overcrowding.
Starting Feb. 1, Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders will no longer be able to automatically take a guest into lounges or bring authorized second card users.
They will instead have to pay $125 annually for each additional cardholder to keep their lounge access, $45 per adult guest per visit and $25 per guest 17 or younger. The $125 fee also includes second cardholder access to a network of 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. '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.'
Primary cardholders will have to spend at least $75,000 per calendar year to bring up to two complimentary free guests to Capital One lounges and one guest to Capital One Landings, smaller lounges built for travelers who tend to spend less time at the airport, like those heading to short flights.
The $75,000 spending requirement for complimentary guests matches what American Express announced two years ago, also a measure to minimize crowding and keeping the clubs feeling exclusive.
Credit card companies have ramped up their airport lounge networks in recent years, opening new locations to handle demand. And airport lounge access has been a central perk attached to rewards cards, which generally come with an annual fee.
The Venture X card, which launched in 2021, is $395 a year, less than the $695 a year American Express charges for its Platinum card or the $550 JPMorgan Chase charges for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, both of which come with airport lounges.
'When it comes to lounges, Capital One is a challenger brand; they're an underdog,' said Henry Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research Group.
Capital One has lounges at Denver International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. It plans to open one this year at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and one of its Landings at LaGuardia Airport.
But the new restrictions show Capital One isn't immune to its popularity leading to big crowds.
'Like Amex, like Chase, these lounges have become victims of their own success,' Harteveldt said. 'No lounge operator wants them to be as overrun as the public areas of the airport.'
Airlines have also raised prices to access airport lounges and built larger ones to accommodate the influx.
Delta Air Lines, for example, has made sweeping changes to its lounge access policies, like getting rid of unlimited visits in favor of annual caps.
And last summer, Delta unveiled its first Delta One lounge, dedicated for customers in its highest class of cabin. It plans to open a new one in Seattle later this month.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
12 hours ago
- Scotsman
Tipping a hat to Scotland's social entrepreneurs
Research by American Express earlier this year found that Generation Z business leaders are pioneering a new approach with purpose, profit, and wellbeing at the forefront of their ventures. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Research by American Express earlier this year found that Generation Z business leaders are pioneering a new approach with purpose, profit and wellbeing at the forefront of their ventures. The study of UK entrepreneurs and senior leaders aged 18-27 revealed that while 88 per cent see hitting profit targets as the key measure of business success, 85 per cent said it's important for their business to solve problems that others don't, and 82 per cent of the sample considered their business to be 'purpose driven'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad So, what does 'purpose driven' actually mean? Respondents of the survey defined this as a business which 'makes a positive difference to a significant environmental or social issue' (31 per cent), a business 'using its mission and values to guide decision-making' (22 per cent) or one with 'clear ethical credentials' (17 per cent). Leaving a positive legacy was crucial in the study, with 93 per cent of respondents wanting to 'build something that their family will be proud of'. Inmates in Glasgow are being taught the trade of making bread For me, when you see a bona fide purpose-driven business out on the coalface you know – as they say, when you know you know. Back in 2017, I met entrepreneur Matt Fountain, who had given up the chance to study a PhD in the economics of art at Oxford in order to set up social enterprise Freedom Bakery in Low Moss prison near Glasgow. Training inmates to make artisan bread for sale to cafes, restaurants and stores, CEO Fountain said at the time, in a national newspaper report we helped organise: 'We incarcerate people as punishment for a crime, but when they get released they get incarcerated again by society'. Chapeau Matt, chapeau. This week, we handled a press announcement for an initiative which aims to boost the creation and growth of Scottish tech businesses with a social or environmental mission. Techscaler – the Scottish Government's programme for creating, developing and scaling tech startups run by CodeBase – partnered with The Ventures Lab, a global organisation on a mission to support early stage social entrepreneurs, with a view to strengthening the pipeline of impact-driven startups in Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dr Kate Smith, CEO and founder of Edinburgh-based ProfessorMe, is one of the purpose-driven companies already receiving support from the partnership. Having developed what the company describes as 'the world's first AI professor', she talks about improving the educational experience for students across the world, including in countries with disrupted education systems. Nick Freer applauds the rise of purpose-driven businesses As Kate, a former journalist, puts it: 'As a world-positive business, we want to reach learners no matter their personal circumstances or location. Research shows that if a woman receives a university education, it positively impacts her family for the next five generations.' 'We share a vision', says Smith, 'that a better world is possible'. I guess that gets to the heart of things when it comes to social entrepreneurs and purpose-driven businesses. The Matt Fountains and Kate Smiths of the world should be applauded and feted. Social entrepreneurs of the world, unite and take over!
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
British Airways launches bargain flights to affordable long-haul holiday destination for £150
Plus, how you can earn Avios points CHEAP TRIP British Airways launches bargain flights to affordable long-haul holiday destination for £150 – with a catch Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOR anyone wanting a bargain winter getaway, British Airways has just revealed a great one - but there is a small catch. The airline is launching new flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town starting in December, however only it's only available to its loyalty members. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 British Airways is launching a new Avios-Only flight route in December Credit: Alamy 5 The winter sun destination has highs of 29C in December and January Credit: Alamy British Airways is launching a new Avios-Only flight from London to the South African capital with 500 seats on offer. By using points accrued on the British Airways Club, members can buy themselves a seat on the plane. With the new flight, members can jet off to Cape Town from as little as 70,000 and £150. Cape Town is the latest British Airways long-haul Avios-Only flight destination added to its roster. Read More on Flights TAKE OFF My ultimate budget travel checklist - all the tricks to save HUNDREDS on flights This popular route will be made available for customers using their Avios over the festive period - from December 20, 2025 to January 2, 2026. British Airways' Chief Commercial Officer, Colm Lacy, said: 'We're delighted to announce Cape Town as our latest Avios-Only flight destination, in South Africa's peak travel season. "Members will have the opportunity to book seats across all four cabins over the popular festive period offering more value and choice than ever.' It sounds good, right? If you want to start collecting Avios points yourself, sign up to the British Airways Club. Then to gain points, you have to fly with British Airways and book British Airways Holidays. Buying baggage and seats also add points, as does using British Airways American Express cards. The New British Airways First Class Seat 5 Cape Town has safari experiences too Credit: Alamy 5 Take the cable car up and down Table Mountain Credit: Alamy Cape Town is one of the world's best value holiday destinations. It came in second place as the top best-value destination in the Post Office Holiday Money Report 2025. The report added: "Cape Town, South Africa, retains second place, despite an 11 per cent rise in prices compared to last year." Some of the top sights in South Africa include Table Mountain which you don't have to climb - instead you can hop on a cable car. At the foot of the mountain is Groot Constantia, which is South Africa's oldest winery, having been established in 1685. For one of the most beautiful journeys, head down the Cape Peninsula until you reach the nature reserve of Cape Point. It's a great winter sun spot too, and between December and January, temperatures can reach highs of 29C. Head of Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire, visited the world's cheapest long haul holiday which is perfect for families - with no jet lag, jaw-dropping animals and perfect beaches. Plus, the budget airline that's launching first UK flights to one of Africa's best-value holiday destinations.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
British Airways launches bargain flights to affordable long-haul holiday destination for £150
FOR anyone wanting a bargain winter getaway, British Airways has just revealed a great one - but there is a small catch. The airline is launching new flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town starting in December, however only it's only available to its loyalty members. 5 5 British Airways is launching a new Avios-Only flight from London to the South African capital with 500 seats on offer. By using points accrued on the British Airways Club, members can buy themselves a seat on the plane. With the new flight, members can jet off to Cape Town from as little as 70,000 and £150. Cape Town is the latest British Airways long-haul Avios-Only flight destination added to its roster. This popular route will be made available for customers using their Avios over the festive period - from December 20, 2025 to January 2, 2026. British Airways' Chief Commercial Officer, Colm Lacy, said: 'We're delighted to announce Cape Town as our latest Avios-Only flight destination, in South Africa's peak travel season. "Members will have the opportunity to book seats across all four cabins over the popular festive period offering more value and choice than ever.' It sounds good, right? If you want to start collecting Avios points yourself, sign up to the British Airways Club. Then to gain points, you have to fly with British Airways and book British Airways Holidays. Buying baggage and seats also add points, as does using British Airways American Express cards. 5 5 Cape Town is one of the world's best value holiday destinations. It came in second place as the top best-value destination in the Post Office Holiday Money Report 2025. The report added: "Cape Town, South Africa, retains second place, despite an 11 per cent rise in prices compared to last year." Some of the top sights in South Africa include Table Mountain which you don't have to climb - instead you can hop on a cable car. At the foot of the mountain is Groot Constantia, which is South Africa's oldest winery, having been established in 1685. For one of the most beautiful journeys, head down the Cape Peninsula until you reach the nature reserve of Cape Point. It's a great winter sun spot too, and between December and January, temperatures can reach highs of 29C. Head of Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire, visited the world's cheapest long haul holiday which is perfect for families - with no jet lag, jaw-dropping animals and perfect beaches. Plus, the budget airline that's launching first UK flights to one of Africa's best-value holiday destinations.
