Capital One Venture x Lounge Access Is Now Limited to Two Programs
Capital One removed the Venture x card's access to most lounge networks in 2024. The card now covers only Priority Pass Select and Mastercard Airport Experiences — down from a broader menu that previously included Lounge Club and other networks. If you held the card before the change and relied on lounge visits, you need to know which lounges you can still enter and what to do if your preferred lounge is no longer covered.
The change took effect for new cardholders when ready and applied to existing cardholders on their next renewal or account anniversary. Capital One did not extend the old benefit to anyone who kept their card, so the loss is permanent unless you close and reopen the account (which would reset your annual fee and rewards).
Key Takeaways
- The Venture x card now covers only Priority Pass Select and Mastercard Airport Experiences, removing access to Lounge Club and other networks that were previously included.
- Priority Pass Select lets you visit over 1,400 lounges worldwide, but not every airport lounge participates — you can search the Priority Pass directory by airport before you travel.
- Mastercard Airport Experiences covers a smaller set of lounges and typically requires you to be traveling on a Mastercard-issued ticket to enter.
- Existing cardholders lost the old benefit on their next renewal date; Capital One did not grandfather the previous lounge access into current accounts.
- If you travel frequently and lounge access was your main reason for the card, comparing the new benefit against other travel cards' lounge offerings is worth doing before your renewal.
How Priority Pass Select Works With the Venture x Card
Priority Pass Select is the primary lounge benefit now attached to the Venture x card. The membership covers over 1,400 lounges in more than 140 countries, though not every airport has a Priority Pass lounge. You receive one complimentary visit per year, and additional visits cost $32 each — or you can pay an annual fee to convert to unlimited visits, though Capital One does not cover that upgrade cost.
To use Priority Pass, you read the Priority Pass app or visit the website, search for lounges at your departure airport, and show your membership number at the lounge entrance. Some lounges accept walk-ins; others require advance reservation. The app shows you which lounges are currently open and whether they accept same-day bookings. If your airport has no Priority Pass lounge, you cannot use the benefit there, so checking before you book your flight matters.
The one complimentary visit per year resets on your card anniversary, not the calendar year. If you travel infrequently, that single visit may cover your lounge needs. If you fly multiple times per year, the $32 per-visit cost adds up quickly — at three visits annually, you are paying $96 out of pocket beyond the card's annual fee.
Mastercard Airport Experiences and What It Covers
Mastercard Airport Experiences is the second lounge benefit included with the Venture x card. This program covers a smaller network of lounges than Priority Pass, and access typically requires that you purchased your ticket using the Venture x card or another Mastercard-issued card. The benefit is not a membership card you carry — it is tied to your Mastercard itself.
The lounges in the Mastercard program vary by region and airport. You can search the Mastercard website to see which lounges participate in your home airport or frequent destinations. Unlike Priority Pass, Mastercard Airport Experiences does not offer a set number of free visits per year; instead, the benefit covers entry when you meet the ticket-purchase requirement. Some lounges in this network also participate in Priority Pass, so you may have two ways to enter the same lounge depending on which card you used to buy your ticket.
What Lounges You Lost Access To
Before the 2024 change, Venture x cardholders could access Lounge Club, which operated a network of airport lounges across the United States and a few international locations. Lounge Club membership was included as a benefit, meaning cardholders could visit those lounges without paying per-visit fees. That access is now gone for all cardholders, whether you held the card before or after the change.
Some regional lounge networks and independent lounges that were previously covered under Capital One's lounge partnerships are also no longer included. If you have a list of lounges you used regularly, the fastest way to check whether they are still covered is to search the Priority Pass directory and the Mastercard Airport Experiences list. If your preferred lounge appears in neither, you will need to pay out of pocket or consider switching to a different travel card.
Capital One did not offer compensation, travel credits, or extended benefits to cardholders who lost lounge access. The change was treated as a standard benefit modification, similar to changes in rewards rates or annual fees.
How This Compares to Other Travel Cards' Lounge Benefits
Other premium travel cards offer different lounge combinations. The Chase Sapphire Reserve includes Priority Pass Select (with unlimited visits, not just one free visit per year) plus access to Chase's own Sapphire Reserve lounges. The American Express Platinum includes Centurion Lounge access, Priority Pass Select, and Amex's own lounges. The Citi Prestige includes Priority Pass Select and Citi's own lounge network.
The Venture x card's new benefit — one free Priority Pass visit per year plus Mastercard Airport Experiences — is narrower than what these competing cards offer. If lounge access is a primary reason you want a premium travel card, comparing the actual lounges at your most-used airports across all three programs (Priority Pass, Mastercard, and any card-specific lounges) will show you which card gives you the most value. A lounge that matters to you might be covered by one card but not another.
What to Do If You Held the Card Before the Change
If you owned the Venture x card before 2024 and used Lounge Club or other removed benefits, you have a few options. First, check whether your preferred lounges are in the Priority Pass or Mastercard networks — you may still have access, just through a different program. Second, if lounge access was a major reason you kept the card, compare the new benefit against other travel cards to see whether switching makes sense before your next annual fee hits.
Capital One will not refund your annual fee or offer a credit for the lost benefit. If you decide to close the card, do so before your next renewal date to avoid paying the annual fee for a card with a benefit you no longer want. If you keep the card, the new lounge access is included automatically — you do not need to take any action to set up it.
Some cardholders have reported success calling Capital One to request a retention offer or annual fee waiver after the benefit change, though Capital One is not required to grant one. If lounge access was the primary value you got from the card, it is worth asking, but do not expect a yes.
How to Search for Lounges Before You Travel
Before booking a flight, search the Priority Pass directory at prioritypass.com to see which lounges are available at your departure and connection airports. The search tool shows you lounge hours, amenities, and whether same-day reservations are available. Do the same search on the Mastercard Airport Experiences website to see whether any Mastercard lounges are at those airports.
If neither program covers your departure airport, you will need to pay for lounge access separately or skip the lounge on that trip. Some airports have independent lounges that charge per visit ($25 to $50 typically), and some credit cards from other issuers may cover them. Knowing this before you travel means you can budget for it or adjust your plans.
The Priority Pass app also shows you which lounges have capacity issues or are temporarily closed, so check it the day before your flight if you are planning to use a lounge. Lounge closures and hour changes happen regularly, especially at smaller airports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my old Lounge Club membership if I have the Venture x card?
No. Lounge Club access ended for all Venture x cardholders in 2024. If you had a separate Lounge Club membership outside of the card benefit, that membership is separate and may still be active, but it is not connected to the card anymore.
Do I get unlimited Priority Pass visits with the Venture x card?
No. The card includes one complimentary Priority Pass visit per year. Additional visits cost $32 each. Other premium travel cards offer unlimited Priority Pass visits, but the Venture x card does not.
What if my airport has no Priority Pass or Mastercard lounge?
You will not be able to use either lounge benefit at that airport. Some airports have independent lounges you can pay to enter, or you can look for lounges operated by airlines you fly. The lounge benefit only works at participating Priority Pass and Mastercard locations.
Will Capital One add back the old lounge benefits if I complain?
Capital One has not restored the old benefits for any cardholder. The change is permanent. You can contact Capital One to ask about a retention offer or annual fee waiver, but the lounge benefit itself will not return to your account.
Should I close the card because of this change?
That depends on what else the card offers you. The Venture x card still earns rewards on travel and dining, and it includes other travel protections and benefits. If the lounge access was your only reason for keeping it, closing before your next annual fee is due makes sense. If you value the rewards and other benefits, the lounge change may not be enough to make you leave.