Downgrading Capital One Venture X Card
For years, the Capital One Venture X ranked high among the best travel credit cards, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum, and Bilt Mastercard. It delivered exceptional value for those focused on points travel, thanks to solid earning rates, flexible redemption options, and impressive lounge access.
But starting February 1, 2026, Capital One is making changes to its lounge access policy that significantly reduce the card's overall appeal—especially for families, couples, and anyone who values maximizing their credit card points for travel perks.
Capital One Venture X Lounge Access Changes: What You Need to Know
The upcoming policy adjustments strip away some of the Venture X’s biggest advantages in the travel rewards space, particularly for cardholders who frequently bring guests or add authorized users.
Here are the key changes:
1. Authorized Users Lose Lounge Access (Unless You Pay)
Beginning in February 2026, only the primary Venture X cardholder will receive complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges. Authorized users will now be required to pay $125 per year for the same lounge privileges they previously enjoyed for free.
For points travel families who rely on multiple cards and shared access, this is a big loss.
2. Priority Pass Guests No Longer Free
Currently, the Venture X allows up to two free Priority Pass guests per visit. Starting February 1, 2026, you’ll need to pay $35 per guest. That means a family of four could be looking at an additional $70 just to enter the lounge—a hefty charge for something that used to be included.
Why This Impacts Points Travelers
If you're like many savvy travelers using credit card points to book flights, hotels, and upgrades, lounge access is one of the key perks that makes the annual fee worthwhile. But with these devaluations, the Capital One Venture X starts to feel less competitive—especially when compared to other travel rewards programs that continue to offer greater value.
For example:
The Chase Sapphire Reserve still includes Priority Pass with guest access, a major perk for families.
The Amex Platinum continues to offer Centurion Lounge access, plus a range of transfer partners for those who are deep into points travel strategy.
Should You Still Keep the Capital One Venture X?
If you’re a solo traveler who doesn’t often bring guests and primarily earns points on everyday spending, the card can still hold some value. With:
2x miles on all purchases
10x on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel
A 10,000-mile anniversary bonus
$300 travel credit annually
…it’s still a decent contender for points travel enthusiasts looking to rack up miles. But it’s hard to ignore that the overall travel rewards value is slipping.
For most families, couples, or anyone maximizing credit card points for travel, these lounge access changes may be the deciding factor in downgrading or canceling the card.
Better Alternatives for Points Travel in 2026
If lounge access and flexibility matter to you, consider switching to a card with more generous benefits. The following are still top-tier picks in the best credit cards for points travel category:
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Excellent transfer partners, flexible redemption, solid lounge perks
Amex Platinum: Strong for luxury travelers, especially those leveraging airline and hotel point transfers
Bilt Mastercard: Ideal for renters who want to earn points on rent and access to valuable transfer partners
Final Thoughts
With these changes, the Capital One Venture X card has lost much of its competitive edge in the points travel and rewards credit card market. If you're focused on extracting maximum value from your credit card points—whether for solo adventures, family vacations, or business travel—this might be the right time to reevaluate your strategy.
Don’t let downgraded perks cost you extra in the long run. When it comes to maximizing travel rewards, flexibility and guest-friendly benefits still matter.
