The premium credit card landscape has been shaken up with the release of the Capital One Venture X. Premium travel credit cards have been known to come with many bells and whistles. One perk that all of these cards include is a variation of Airport Lounge Access. The Capital One Venture X entered the scene with its own take on this valuable perk. Is there a new king of Airport Lounge Access? Find out below!
The Big Three
In my opinion, there are three major credit card contenders in the premium travel space.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
All three credit cards come with a handful of benefits including various credits, elite hotel, rental car & airline status, travel transfer partners, and more. One of my favorite benefits from these premium cards is airport lounge access.
Airport Lounge Access
Having access to an Airport Lounge when traveling has completely changed the way I travel. Complimentary food and beverages, plus comfortable seating are just a few of the benefits found in an airport lounge. Instead of dreading layovers, now I try to plan them into my tickets to visit new lounges. There are a variety of airport lounges operating that differ on accessibility based on being a specific credit card holder, having elite status, or flying a premium cabin seat. Let’s look at the access granted from the big three premium travel credit cards.
Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture X provides cardholders access to Capital One Lounges and it comes with a Priority Pass membership. Cardholders can bring two guests with them into the lounges and can have no cap on how many times they can use their passes annually. It’s important to note that the Capital One Venture X Priority Pass membership comes with restaurant access. This is a special perk that provides on average $28 (+$28 for one guest) in credit at specific restaurants found in airports around the world. Capital One Venture X no longer has access to the restaurant priority pass.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
A great option for many years has been the Platinum Card® from American Express. I like the special Amex Centurion Lounges that cardholders have access to. Like Venture X, the Amex Platinum comes with a Priority Pass membership that includes unlimited visits plus two free guests. One negative aspect is that there is no restaurant access with this membership. To compensate, the Amex Plat offers access to the Global Lounge Collection which includes more options when traveling like the Escape Lounges and the Plaza Premium Lounges.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card provides the same Priority Pass membership as the Capital One Venture X which includes unlimited visits and two free guests. Additionally, restaurant credits are included with this membership. The Chase Sapphire Reserve will also provide access to the new Chase Sapphire Airport Lounges which are slated to open in the near future.
Major Differences Broken Down
Capital One Venture X
- Annual Fee: $395
- Capital One Lounge Access
- Priority Pass Membership
- Unlimited
- Two Free Guests
The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Annual Fee: $695 (See Rates & Fees; terms apply)Â
- Amex Centurioun Lounge Access
- Priority Pass Membership
- Unlimited
- Two Free Guests
- Global Lounge Collection Access
- Escape Lounges
- Plaza Premium Lounges
- Air Space Lounges
- Annual Fee: $550
- Priority Pass Membership
- Unlimited
- Two Free Guests
- Restaurant Access
- Chase Sapphire Lounge Access (Coming Soon)
Authorized Users (or the X factor?)
This is the big difference in my opinion between the big three premium travel credit cards. The Capital One Venture X provides cardholders with the option to add FOUR authorized users for FREE. While the Amex Platinum costs $175 for three users and the Chase Sapphire Reserve costs $75 per user. All three of the premium cards provide full access of the lounge benefits to the authorized users. For example, an authorized user of any of the cards can enter a Priority Pass lounge and bring two guests for free.
The New King of Airport Lounge Access
It is clear to me that the Capital One Venture X is making a run for the crown. At an annual fee of $395 with four free authorized user cards, the value is through the roof compared to the competition.
Let’s say a Capital One Venture X cardholder extends to their family the four authorized user spots. The cardholder plus the authorized users can all get themselves into a lounge plus two guests for free. That’s 15 people!
Basic Breakdown
To be fair to the other premium travel cards, lounge access is certainly location-dependent. If someone’s home airport includes a Centurion Lounge then perhaps the Amex Platinum would be a better fit. The same could be said for the new Sapphire Lounges. Overall, it’s hard to understate the value of the new Capital One Venture X credit card on paper and I believe the throne has been overtaken. Dracarys! (for all of you GOT fans)
Do you agree that there’s a new king in the airport lounge credit card space?
I’d love to hear in the comments below or over in our 8,700+ Member Basic Travel Facebook Group!
More Basic Reading
- Top Credit Card Offers of the Month
- Guide to Airport Lounge Access
- Priority Pass Restaurant Access + Full List
- Capital One Venture X ~ Review
- Basic Guide to Capital One Rewards Miles
For rates and fees for American Express cards mentioned in this post, please see the following links: The Platinum Card® from American Express (See Rates & Fees; terms apply)
