Capital One Removes Lounge Passes for Venture and Spark Miles for Business Cards

Capital One Lounges have skyrocketed in popularity ever since the flagship location opened at Dallas-Fort Worth back in 2021. While the lounge network’s footprint remains small (it is poised to keep growing), the credit card issuer has now announced it would scale back access for 2 of its major card products.

Here’s a closer look at what’s changing.

Capital One Venture and Spark Miles for Business Cards Lose Lounge Visits in 2025

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Spark Miles for Business* are both affordable travel credit cards packed with a lot of value. Besides the ability to earn 2x miles on all eligible purchases, another key benefit of these cards is the 2 annual lounge passes per year — valid for entry at Capital One or Plaza Premium lounges.

Starting in 2025, both cards will lose this benefit:

“Effective January 1, 2025, Venture and Spark Miles cardholders will no longer receive two complimentary lounge visits per year to Capital One Lounges or Plaza Premium Lounges,” a spokesperson for Capital One told Upgraded Points. “Venture and Spark Miles cardholders can continue to access Capital One Lounges at a special rate of $45 for themselves and their guests.”

In 2024, Capital One Venture card and Capital One Spark Miles card holders will still receive two complimentary passes to use through December 31, 2024. After that, Capital One Venture and Capital One Spark Miles for Business cardholders may still access the lounge — but with a $45-per-person fee.

However, the policy change does not go into effect for a little more than a year, giving existing cardholders time to use the lounge passes they already have.

*(Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Access for Capital One Venture X Cards Remain the Same — For Now

This leaves Capital One’s most premium credit cards as the only way to enjoy complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network, which includes Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Group. Unlimited access is granted to the primary cardholder of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture X Business Card* and up to 2 additional guests.

There are currently 3 Capital One Lounges open — Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and most recently, Denver International Airport (DEN) — with more in the pipeline.

*(Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Final Thoughts

Airport lounge overcrowding has been a hot topic post-pandemic, and this is just one of the (many) ways we’ve seen issuers limit access.

There’s no doubt this is a devaluation for the popular Capital One Venture card, as well as the small-business-owner-friendly Capital One Spark Miles for Business card. Ultimately, this change may only impact a small number of cardholders, as there aren’t many Capital One Lounges nationwide yet.