Capital One Broadens Airport Lounge Network and Introduces New Premier Collection

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In November 2021, Capital One introduced its premier credit card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Since then, the company has aimed to establish Venture X as a strong competitor in the elite credit card market, rivaling options like the Platinum Card® from American Express and Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

The latest developments suggest that Capital One is succeeding in this endeavor. In January 2023, Capital One Travel launched the Premier Collection, a carefully selected range of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide, offering Venture X cardholders numerous benefits. Following positive feedback on its inaugural branded lounge at Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Capital One plans to open full-scale lounges at Denver International Airport (DEN) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in 2023. Additionally, it will introduce two Capital One Landings—culinary-themed lounge alternatives for members—one at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and the other at LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B (LGA) in New York City.

Here's the latest buzz surrounding the Venture X card as Capital One fully commits to creating a premier travel credit card.

Capital One Travel’s Premier Collection

Much like American Express's Fine Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Collection, as well as Chase's Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, Capital One Travel’s new Premier Collection offers Venture X cardholders enhanced benefits when booking through the card’s exclusive travel platform. Enjoy perks such as complimentary room upgrades, gourmet breakfasts, experience credits, and late checkouts.

Jenn Scheurich, vice president and head of Capital One Travel & Lounges, states that the Premier Collection distinguishes itself from other programs by including unique luxury hotels and resorts that offer local and authentic experiences. Notably, exclusive properties in the Premier Collection include the Ned NoMad in New York City, Rock House in Turks & Caicos, Como Uma Canggu in Bali, and the Carlin Hotel in New Zealand.

When booking via the Premier Collection site or Capital One Travel, Venture X cardholders enjoy the following benefits at properties within the Premier portfolio:

• Earn 10x miles for every dollar spent on bookings
• $100 experience credit (or equivalent in local currency) for on-site food, drinks, spa treatments, or other activities
• Daily breakfast for two
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Room upgrade upon arrival, subject to availability
• Early check-in, subject to availability
• Late checkout, subject to availability

Capital One Lounges and Landings

Like many premier travel cards, the Venture X offers Priority Pass Select membership, granting unlimited access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. To rival the American Express Platinum Card and its sought-after Centurion Lounges, Capital One has ventured into the lounge sector with its own Capital One Lounges and culinary-focused Capital One Landings.

The inaugural Capital One Lounge opened in Dallas–Fort Worth in November 2021, with two more planned for 2023 in Denver and Washington Dulles, among others. Featuring craft cocktails on tap (like the butter pecan old-fashioned), a gourmet grab-and-go deli, various hot and cold food options, and a fitness center, the DFW lounge surpasses other U.S. airport lounges.

Scheurich states, “We aimed to create a hospitality experience reminiscent of a vibrant city, emphasizing great design, food, and drinks. Whether you have 20 minutes or two hours, you can savor your time of relaxation.” She adds that guests can enjoy the full range of amenities or choose quick options from the ‘to-go’ area for their flight.

The lounges also emphasize a local feel by sourcing regionally. For instance, the Dallas lounge showcases vibrant artwork by local artists, and their signature giant sugar cookies are crafted by Texas-based the Cookie Society. As someone who holds both the Amex Platinum and Venture X cards, this writer prefers Capital One’s Dallas lounge over the airport’s Centurion Lounge any day.

In addition to its full-scale Capital One Lounges, the brand is introducing Capital One Landings in urban areas where shorter visits are common. Two new locations are set to open soon: at Reagan Washington and LaGuardia in New York. Landings will emphasize a culinary experience featuring authentic Spanish-style tapas by José Andrés, but will not include amenities like fitness centers and showers.

In a refreshing change from the trend of restricting guest access at airport lounges worldwide, Venture X cardholders can always bring in two guests at no extra cost to branded lounges and landings. This is particularly welcome as gaining entry to airport lounges becomes increasingly challenging.

Does this make the Venture X card a worthwhile option?

Before the introduction of the Premier Collection and the opening of branded lounges, we already considered the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card a strong travel credit card that pays for itself through credits, benefits, built-in travel insurance, and a rewarding points system. Now, with Capital One launching its own airport lounges and the new Premier Collection, which offers exclusive perks at numerous hotels worldwide, the card's appeal has grown even more.

The card’s $395 annual fee is quickly offset by a $300 annual travel credit that applies to any purchase made through Capital One Travel, whether via the Premier Collection or not. An additional annual bonus of 10,000 miles after your account anniversary helps balance the costs. Even better, up to four additional cardholders can be added at no extra fee, each receiving their own Priority Pass lounge membership, access to Capital One lounges, and benefits from the Premier Collection. To further entice new cardholders, the card currently offers an impressive welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. It’s clear that even if you already own other premium cards, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a valuable addition to any travel credit card lineup.

While the offers listed above were accurate at the time of writing, they are subject to change at any moment and may have altered or may no longer be valid.