A Change to Capital One Venture X Lounge Access 😕

 

Priority Pass lounge in Las Palmas, Canary Islands

And now for a bit of disappointing news ✈️

As of February 1, Capital One Venture X removed complimentary lounge access for authorized users 😥

Previously, authorized users could access:

• Capital One Lounges in Denver, Las Vegas, Washington DC (Dulles and Reagan), JFK, and Dallas

• Priority Pass lounges worldwide

That perk is now gone for authorized users, and guest access is more limited as well.

Capital One Lounge Denver

Why I’m Still Keeping the Card 💳

Even with this change, I’m holding onto my Venture X. The math still works:

• $395 annual fee

• $300 annual travel credit

• 10,000 anniversary bonus miles (worth about $100)

That essentially offsets the annual fee.

On top of that:

• All purchases earn 2x points

• It pairs well with other cards for everyday spending

• Transfer partners are strong

• The travel eraser makes using points simple and flexible

Still, the loss of lounge access for authorized users—and tighter guest rules—is frustrating. Some cardholders are hoping this leads to shorter lounge lines 🤞, but that remains to be seen.

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So What Are Your Options Now? 🧳

If you travel with authorized users or guests, here’s what you can do:

1. Buy lounge access for authorized users
You can add annual lounge access for authorized users for $125 per person.
I plan to do this for my three kids, but the nice part is you don’t have to activate it right away—so you can wait until they actually need it.
To add this, log into your account and select “Manage Users.”

2. Pay per visit for guests
If someone is traveling with you:

• $45 per adult

• $25 per child

• Kids under 2 are free 👶

3. Have your travel partner apply for their own Venture X
If your partner applies for their own card:

• You can earn 10,000 bonus miles with a referral 🎉

• They’ll get their own lounge access, no guest fees required

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While this change definitely takes away some of the shine, the Venture X can still make sense—especially if you value simple earning, flexible points, and strong travel credits.

If you don't have a Capital One credit card yet, be sure to look at the hot bonus offer on the Venture credit card which can save you at least $1,000 off your next flight or hotel. 

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? I can plan your entire trip using your points and miles or offer a 30 minute consult to answer questions or you can  download my ebook, custom tracker or Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process.

Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the coaching program. I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable. 

*For every new client, we will donate 10% of the proceeds to one of our favorite charities. 

Hurry! Earn A Mini Southwest Companion Pass

Wow—Southwest just dropped a new mini Companion Pass offer, and this one comes with a tight deadline ⏰.

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most valuable perks in travel. It’s essentially a buy-one-get-one flight: you can bring a companion on any Southwest flight for just the cost of taxes and fees. You can use it as many times as you want during the valid period, and you’re even allowed to change your companion up to three times. That flexibility alone makes it a standout perk 👍

Normally, you’d need to earn 135,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points in a single calendar year to earn the Companion Pass, which is then valid for the rest of that year and the following year. But a few times a year, Southwest releases a shorter-term version—often much easier to earn.

That’s exactly what’s happening right now. Here are the details 👇

How this mini Companion Pass works:

• Register here for the promotion

• Purchase a round-trip flight or two one-way flights by Thursday, February 5th 2026

• Complete travel by March 31st

• Earn a Companion Pass valid from August 10th through October 7th

This timing could be especially useful if you’re helping a child move into college this fall or family weekend 🎓. I’ve used the Companion Pass to fly around the country for college visits, and the savings really added up.

A few important things to know:

• If you already have flights booked for February or March, you’ll need to cancel and rebook to qualify—so make sure the math works for you.

• You can pay with cash or a combination of cash and points, and all fare types count.

One strategy is to look for inexpensive flights from your home airport. A few years ago, I booked a quick round-trip to Phoenix just to qualify—my flight was about $100. That single trip unlocked thousands of dollars in value from the Companion Pass 💰

If your plans line up, this is a solid opportunity to grab one of Southwest’s best benefits with minimal effort. 

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? I can plan your entire trip using your points and miles or offer a 30 minute consult to answer questions or you can  download my ebook, custom tracker or Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process.

Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the coaching program. I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable. 

*For every new client, we will donate 10% of the proceeds to one of our favorite charities.