A Complete Guide to Capital One’s Airport Lounges

If you’ve ever dashed through a crowded terminal, dodging rolling suitcases and navigating chaotic food courts, you know how overwhelming airports can be. Now imagine stepping into a space that feels more like a boutique retreat than a concourse—a quiet, beautifully designed haven with curated dining, calming spaces, and thoughtful amenities. That’s the experience Capital One Lounges aim to deliver.

Since opening its first lounge in 2021 at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Capital One has redefined what airport lounges can be. These spaces blend elevated design, regionally inspired menus, wellness features, and a warm, welcoming vibe tailored to today’s traveler. In this guide, we’ll explore who can access these lounges, what’s inside, where to find them, and why they might just transform the way you experience travel.

Who Gets Access to Capital One Lounges?

Access to these upscale lounges is primarily extended to holders of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or the Venture X Business Credit Card. Both cards come with an annual fee of $395 and unlock unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounge and Capital One Landing locations for the primary cardholder and their authorized users.

Each Venture X cardholder may also bring two guests at no cost. Additional guests are charged a reasonable $45 each. For travelers who fly often with family, friends, or colleagues, this guest-friendly policy adds significant value.

Holders of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Spark Miles for Business card do not receive complimentary access, but they can enter any Capital One Lounge for $45 per visit.

If you hold none of the above cards, you are not out of luck. Anyone with a same-day boarding pass for a departing or connecting flight can purchase a day pass for $90, space permitting. Entry is allowed up to three hours before the scheduled departure, and guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Where to Find Capital One Lounges

Capital One’s lounge presence may be smaller than that of its competitors, but what it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality. Each space is designed with deep attention to local identity, traveler needs, and comfort-driven details.

Currently Open Lounges

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Located in Terminal D near Gate D22, this was the first Capital One Lounge and remains the flagship. Spanning over 10,000 square feet, it offers Peloton bikes, a yoga room, private shower suites, grab-and-go food stations, and quiet workspaces. It is large, thoughtfully organized, and just steps from the American Express Centurion Lounge. Many frequent flyers argue it surpasses its competition in both experience and value.

Denver International Airport (DEN)

The Denver lounge opened in 2023 and is located in Concourse A near Gate A34 on the mezzanine level. It reflects the city’s mountain heritage with nature-themed art, a hearty regional menu, and local beer options. Travelers can enjoy showers, private relaxation rooms, reservable workspaces, and a parents’ room.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Unveiled in September 2023, the IAD lounge sits just past the TSA PreCheck and Clear security checkpoints in the main terminal. It stands out for its breakfast menu, which includes smoked salmon bagels and coconut chia pudding. Art installations from D.C.-based artists, a dedicated mocktail menu, and locally sourced coffee create a calming and culturally rich environment.

Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas (LAS)

Opened in 2025, this 8,200-square-foot lounge can be found in Terminal 3, Concourse D, Level 2 near Gate D50. It features signature Capital One amenities like a full-service bar, grab-and-go stations, a relaxation room, and rotating beverage rituals. Think Italian-style shaken espresso in the morning, tea and pastries in the afternoon, and sparkling wine to toast the sunset. However, this location does not have showers or a fitness area, making it more of a place to unwind than work out.

Capital One Landing, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Rather than a full lounge, the Landing is a dining-centric experience in Terminal 2 near Concourse D. In collaboration with the José Andrés Group, this concept features elevated Spanish tapas, a curated cocktail and mocktail program, and a casual grab-and-go outlet called “On the Fly.” It offers reservations up to six months in advance, an uncommon and very welcome feature for travelers who like to plan ahead.

Coming Soon

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Expected to open in 2025, this 13,000-square-foot lounge will be located in Terminal 4. It promises New York-style charm with a bodega-themed coffee and bagel bar, Hudson Valley charcuterie, and local art throughout. Capital One continues to emphasize partnerships with regional purveyors to create an experience unique to each city.

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

Another Landing concept is under construction in Terminal B. Slated to open later in 2025, this space will build on the culinary-forward model introduced at DCA. If the José Andrés tapas at Reagan are any indication, the New York iteration will offer equally exciting and flavorful options.

What Makes Capital One Lounges Special?

At their core, Capital One Lounges are spaces designed for the entire spectrum of travel moods. Whether you are racing through with just enough time for a sandwich and sparkling water, or have hours to unwind with tapas and a book, you will find the environment to match your pace.

Dining and Drinks

Capital One Lounges emphasize regionally inspired and health-conscious dining. Food stations feature dishes that reflect local flavors, such as hatch chile chilaquiles in Denver or specialty cocktails from Herbs & Rye in Las Vegas.

Each lounge features:

• Grab-and-go options like fresh salads, cold brew, sparkling water, sandwiches, and cookies.
• Seasonal rotating buffet items.
• A dedicated coffee and espresso bar, often partnered with a local roaster.
• A thoughtful beverage program with wine, craft beer, classic and signature cocktails, and zero-proof mocktails.

Wellness and Relaxation

Capital One’s commitment to wellness is clear in the amenities offered at its flagship lounges. Features include:

• Peloton bikes and yoga rooms (available at DFW)
• Nap pods and relaxation spaces with blankets and eye masks
• Private shower suites with spa-quality products
• Nursing rooms with reclining chairs, footrests, bottle warmers, and changing stations

For those who need to work, lounges offer:

• High-speed Wi-Fi
• Private workstations and phone booths
• Reservable conference-style rooms (in select locations)

Art and Atmosphere

Each lounge includes a curated selection of artwork from local artists, offering not just visual enrichment but a connection to the community you are either departing from or arriving into. For example, the IAD lounge displays works by D.C. artists like Michael Crosset and Judy Southerland.

Space to Recharge

Beyond food and art, the true luxury of a Capital One Lounge lies in its ability to offer space: space to sit, to breathe, to reflect, and to prepare. Quiet zones, luggage lockers, multifaith meditation rooms, and soft lighting all work together to create an ambiance rarely found within the walls of a terminal.

Going Global: Priority Pass Integration

While Capital One’s own lounges are currently U.S.-based, Venture X cardholders also receive complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. This provides access to 1,300-plus airport lounges around the globe, significantly expanding the brand’s reach. Although Priority Pass lounges vary in quality, they remain a valuable option for frequent international travelers looking for a quiet seat and a snack.

Is the Venture X Worth the Annual Fee?

For many, Venture X’s $395 annual fee pays for itself quickly. When you consider unlimited lounge access, free guest entry, and additional card perks such as travel credits and rental insurance, it becomes clear that this card is more than a credit tool. It is a gateway to comfort and convenience.

Capital One Lounges are more than just a place to wait. They are a curated space that recognizes the diversity of traveler needs. From weary parents to on-the-go entrepreneurs, everyone finds something to love.

The Bottom Line

Capital One has taken a fresh, thoughtful approach to the airport lounge. It has combined smart design, culinary innovation, and personal comfort to create spaces that travelers actually look forward to visiting.

As the lounge wars heat up with American Express and Chase expanding their own networks, Capital One is establishing itself as a serious contender—not through quantity, but through quality. Whether you are craving fresh fruit and espresso before an early flight, or winding down with a cocktail and a city view at sunset, Capital One lounges offer a travel experience that begins long before you board your plane.