The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card* and Capital One Spark Miles for Business* cardholders are losing a potentially big perk at the end of this year: free access to Capital One and its partner lounges.
Capital One opened its first airport lounge in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) airport in 2021 with the goal of growing the program over time. Since then, the travel brand has added new lounges in two other airports, Denver International Airport (DEN) and Dulles International Airport (IAD). They’ve all long granted access to eligible Capital One credit card customers.Â
So why are some Capital One cardholders now losing the privilege -- and what can you do if you’re among them?
Why is Capital One cutting lounge access?
The Capital One Venture Rewards and Capital One Spark Miles previously offered cardholders two visits to Capital One lounges and Plaza Premium partner lounges per year and will continue to do so through the end of 2024. But starting in 2025, this perk is coming to an end.Â
"Effective January 1, 2025, Venture and Spark Miles cardholders will no longer receive complimentary lounge access. You will have two complimentary visits to Capital One Lounges or Plaza Premium Lounges to use by December 31, 2024," Capital One wrote in the FAQ section of its website.
Capital One doesn’t include why it’s dropping this perk, but it could have to do with lounge-crowding issues. With only three Capital One airport lounges available nationwide and heavy usage and huge crowds reported on Reddit and elsewhere, cutting this perk could help ease congestion.
The move also could be related to cost-cutting measures and benefit changes amid Capital One's planned acquisition of rival credit card Discover.
What does this mean for Capital One cardholders?
Although Venture Rewards and Spark Miles cardholders received only two passes per year, it was considered a big perk because the annual fees for these cards were low compared with other cards that offered airport lounge access. Capital One Venture Rewards’ annual fee is $95; Capital One Spark Miles charges a $0 annual fee the first year, then $95.
Individuals with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Spark Miles for Business can now pay a $45 day rate to enter Capital One airport lounges, compared with $65 for the general public.Â
Individuals with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card* and Capital One Venture X Business* will still have unlimited complimentary access to Capital One and Plaza Premium lounges. These premium travel credit cards also come with a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership, which includes entry to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world.
Are other Venture Rewards and Spark Miles benefits expiring?
The good news is that you can still benefit from the following rewards rates and features:
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year
- Earn 5x miles on car rentals, vacation rentals and hotels booked through Capital One Travel; earn 2x miles on other purchases
- Miles transfer to Capital One airline and hotel partners
- Includes an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, Hertz Five Star status and travel insurance benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
- Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within three months of account opening
- Earn 5x miles on car rentals, vacation rentals and hotels booked through Capital One Travel; earn 2x miles on all other purchases
- Miles transfer to Capital One airline and hotel partners
- Includes an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership
- No foreign transaction fees
What are my options?
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles for Business card holders can use their two remaining airport lounge passes through the end of this year and then pay a day rate of $45.Â
If the only benefits you think you’ll get from these cards are the two airport lounge passes, you might consider forgoing either card and instead pay the $65 day rate for the airport lounge access.
If you think you’ll increase your airport lounge usage, you may want to consider upgrading to the Capital One Venture X or Capital One Venture X for Business to get complimentary access to Capital One lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Priority Pass airport lounges. Or you may consider one of the other credit cards with airport lounge membership benefits.
*All information about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Spark Miles for Business, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, and the Capital One Venture X Business has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
