Why I’m Still Adding Authorized Users to My Capital One Venture X Card in 2026

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of my favorite credit cards. Beyond its standout benefits for the primary cardholder, I also love that I can add up to 4 additional cardholders for free.

Until early 2026, authorized users on the card enjoyed a wide range of benefits, including Priority Pass lounge access (after enrollment), Capital One Lounge and Landing access, and complimentary Hertz President’s Circle elite status.

However, as several other credit card issuers have done recently, Capital One increased its restrictions for additional cardholders. Authorized users no longer receive complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges or Capital One Lounges. Despite these changes, I still find it worthwhile to add additional cardholders to my Capital One Venture X card. Here’s why.

Changes for Authorized Users on the Capital One Venture X Card

My entire family was happily enjoying freshly baked cookies in the Capital One Lounges when the issuer announced new restrictions.

Beginning February 1, 2026, additional cardholders on the Capital One Venture X card lost complimentary lounge access, and primary cardholders lost the ability to bring guests for free.

Instead, primary cardholders now have to pay $125 annually for each authorized user to gain unlimited access to Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings, and participating Priority Pass lounges. Even with this paid access, authorized users cannot bring guests into the lounges. The $125 fee only covers the authorized user.

Primary cardholders can regain complimentary guest access by spending $75,000 on the card per calendar year. Once that threshold is met, the benefit applies for the remainder of the year and the entire following year. This allows the cardholders to bring:

• Up to 2 guests in Capital One Lounges
• 1 guest into Capital One Landings

Otherwise, guest access costs $45 per adult and $25 per child 17 and under. Children under 2 can enter for free with an eligible cardholder. Priority Pass guest access costs $35 per person (see the full list of fees, inclusions, and exclusions here).

6 Reasons I Still Keep Additional Users on My Capital One Venture X Card

Even with the lounge access changes, I still keep my 4 additional users on my Capital One Venture X card: my husband, my dad, my mom, and my uncle — here’s why.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Top rated mobile app

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

1. Adding Authorized Users Is Still Free

While authorized users aren’t quite as valuable as they once were, they’re still free to add.

Because there’s no cost to keep them on my account, I’m happy to continue giving my family access to the card and its remaining benefits.

2. Their Spending Helps Me Earn More Miles

I trust the authorized users on my account, and they only spend on the cards with my permission. Instead of just me doing all the spending, there are now 5 ways (via 5 spenders) I can earn bonus miles. With the Capital One Venture X card, we earn:

• 10x miles on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles on all other purchases

I’ve had this card for years now, but if you decide to apply, adding additional users can help you meet the welcome bonus offer: Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

3. Additional Users Get Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle Elite Status

Hertz President Circle is the top-tier elite status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program, offering perks such as car upgrades, additional miles on rentals, and a special customer service line.

My uncle (one of my authorized users) often rents from Hertz and benefits from this status. Both the primary cardholder and any additional users can register for this benefit using the rewards tab in the Capital One app.

4. They Receive Travel and Purchase Protections

Both the primary cardholder and authorized users on the Capital One Venture X card have access to a variety of travel and purchase protections.

Travel protections include:

• Trip delay reimbursement: Get money back for meals and accommodations if your trip is delayed for a covered reason and by more than 6 hours, or if it requires an overnight stay.
• Primary rental car insurance: Make sure to decline the rental car company’s collision damage waiver (CDW), also known as loss damage waiver (LDW), and use your card to pay for the rental in order to get the coverage.
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance: Get reimbursed for travel if your trip is canceled or cut short.
• Lost luggage reimbursement: Get reimbursed for the value of your luggage and whatever’s inside if it’s lost or stolen, as long as at least part of the trip is purchased with your card.
• Travel accident insurance: This provides coverage if there’s an accidental death or dismemberment while traveling.
• Travel and emergency assistance services: Access services such as emergency transportation, medical referrals, translation, and more. The information is free, but the actual cost of any services you choose to contract isn’t covered.

Purchase protections include:

• Cell phone protection: Pay your bill with your Capital One Venture X card, and you could get reimbursed up to $800 if your phone is stolen or damaged.
• Purchase protection: You’re protected against theft or damage for eligible purchases made with your card for up to 90 days after purchase.
• Return protection: This helps you get reimbursed if the retailer denies your return within 90 days.
• Extended warranty: If your item has a warranty of less than 3 years, this adds an additional year to your warranty.

One of my authorized users (my dad) actually used the cell phone protection benefit last year when his phone was damaged.

5. High Spending Can Unlock Free Guest Lounge Access

Spending $75,000 on my Capital One Venture X card in 1 year would be a challenge. While this spending level doesn’t align perfectly with my current points-and-miles strategy — since I prefer spreading spending across several cards — it could be realistic for a large purchase. For example, if my family purchases a car this year, I would likely use this card. The purchase would earn 2x miles and help me reach the $75,000 threshold.

For high spenders or those who prefer to spend on 1 or 2 key cards, this could be a practical way to regain lounge access for travel companions. Just note this isn’t valid for Priority Pass — only for Capital One Lounges. You can bring 1 guest into Capital One Landing locations if you meet this spending threshold.

6. Authorized Users Still Get Discounted Lounge Access

Capital One Lounges and Landings are open to all guests — even those without Capital One cards — but the walk-in entrance costs $90.

Meanwhile, if you’re a Capital One Venture X primary cardholder, you can purchase passes at $45 for guests 18 and older and $25 for guests 17 and under. The same pricing applies to additional cardholders.

For example, I travel through Dallas Fort Worth once or twice each year. Bringing my husband and son into the lounge costs about $70 per visit. If we visit once or twice per year, paying the guest fee is cheaper than paying the $125 annual authorized user lounge access fee.

It’s worth doing the math based on how often your family actually visits these lounges.

Hot Tip:

If your authorized users visit a Capital One Lounge occasionally, paying the one-time $45 fee might be the best option. Or it could make sense to pay the $125 per user if authorized users frequently visit Capital One Lounges.

How I Replaced Lost Priority Pass Access for My Family

When these lounge changes were first announced, I was most concerned about losing Priority Pass access for my family.

Because we live in Madrid, we frequently use the AENA Sala VIP lounges, which are part of the Priority Pass program. These lounges are fantastic, with great culinary options, spacious seating, and almost no wait times. I visit them dozens of times each year, whereas I might transit through the Capital One lounge once or twice annually.

My husband isn’t a U.S. citizen and can’t get his own U.S. credit cards, but he can be an authorized user on mine. I canceled my Chase Sapphire Reserve^® and downgraded my Platinum Card^® from American Express. To replace that access, I decided to open the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $6,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,200

Annual Fee

$595

APR

20.49% to 28.49% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Elite card is a great option for frequent travelers, foodies, and those who are fans of the Citi ThankYou Rewards ecosystem thanks to its combination of bonus categories, perks, and annual credits.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 12x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
• 6x points on airfare through Citi Travel
• 6x points on dining on Citi Nights (Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and 3x points on dining at all other times

Cons

• $595 annual fee
• Boosted dining rewards are limited to 2 nights per week

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $6,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
• 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on cititravel.com
• 6x points on air travel booked on cititravel.com
• 6x points at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET, and 3x points any other time
• 1.5x points on all other purchases
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Up to $300 annual hotel benefit
• Up to $200 annual Splurge credit
• Up to $200 annual Blacklane credit
• 4 American Airlines Admirals Club passes every calendar year
• Transfer Citi ThankYou Points to partners like American Airlines
• Complimentary Priority Pass membership
• No foreign transaction fees

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.49% to 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The annual fee was easier to justify than some other premium cards, and the card offers strong benefits, including:

• A $200 splurge credit, valid at various brands
• Bonus earning categories during certain times of day
• The ability to transfer Citi ThankYou Points to American Airlines
• Priority Pass lounge access for me, as the main cardholder, plus 2 guests (usually my husband and son)

Plus, the $595 annual fee was much easier to swallow than some other premium cards.

This setup allows my husband and son to continue accessing Priority Pass lounges with me during our travels. My husband also gets 2 complimentary Priority Pass visits annually through his Spanish Tarjeta Gold from Amex, which helps cover the occasional solo trip.

Benefits Authorized Users Don’t Receive

Authorized users on the Capital One Venture X do not receive certain primary cardholder benefits, including:

• The 10,000-mile anniversary bonus each year upon card renewal
• The $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Complimentary airport lounge access

Final Thoughts

Additional cardholders on the Capital One Venture X card used to receive a long list of premium benefits, including complimentary lounge access. While those perks have been reduced, I still find value in having authorized users on my account.

Since adding up to 4 users is free, they can still help generate rewards through their spending and access useful perks, such as rental car elite status and travel protections. For my family, the best solution has been keeping authorized users on the Capital One Venture X card while adding another credit card that provides Priority Pass access.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits may be provided by Visa^® or Mastercard^® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.