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Capital One Venture X Loses Free Priority Pass Guests in February 2026: What to Do Now
July 1, 2025
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If you're a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholder, an important change is coming to your Priority Pass lounge access benefits. Starting February 2026, you'll no longer be able to bring guests into Priority Pass lounges for free, a significant shift for one of the most popular premium travel cards on the market. Here's everything you need to know about the changes, how they affect your travel plans, and which cards still offer complimentary guest access.
What's Changing with Capital One Venture X Priority Pass Access
Beginning February 2026, Capital One Venture X cardholders will face new restrictions on Priority Pass lounge access:
Guest Access Ending
- Guests will now cost $35 per person, per visit at Priority Pass lounges
- Previously, Venture X cardholders enjoyed unlimited complimentary guest access
- The Capital One Venture X Business will still allow two free guests at Priority Pass lounges
Authorized User Changes
- Authorized users will lose complimentary lounge access
- To maintain access, you'll need to pay $125 per year per authorized user (up to four)
- This fee applies starting in February 2026
Capital One Lounges Also Affected
These changes follow similar updates to Capital One's own branded lounges. Free guest access at Capital One Lounges can only be restored by spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year—and this spending threshold does not apply to Priority Pass locations.
Why This Matters for Your Travel Strategy
The Capital One Venture X has been a go-to card for travelers specifically because of its generous lounge benefits. With unlimited Priority Pass access and free guests, it was often the default card many used when traveling with family or friends.
If you frequently travel with companions, these changes could add up quickly:
- Family of 4 visiting one lounge: $105 in guest fees
- Couple with two layovers: $140 in guest fees
- Multiple trips per year can easily exceed the card's annual fee in lounge charges alone
Best Credit Cards for Priority Pass with Free Guests (2026)
The good news? Several premium travel cards still offer complimentary Priority Pass access with free guests. If you already have one of these cards, switching your primary Priority Pass membership could save you hundreds.
Top Cards with Free Priority Pass Guest Access
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "510", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "High-Value Perks"} ]]
American Express Platinum Card®
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Serious Points on Flights"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "19322", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "High-End Travel Rewards" } ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "22393", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Renters", "headerHint" : "Rewards on Rent and Mortgage Payments" } ]]
How to Choose the Right Priority Pass Card for You
Not sure which card makes the most sense for your spending? Kudos Test Drive lets you see exactly how much each of these cards would earn you—before you apply.
Test Drive Before You Decide
Instead of guessing which premium card is worth the annual fee, you can:
- Browse any card you're considering on Kudos
- Click "Test drive this card in my wallet"
- Get instant calculations showing your potential earnings based on your real spending
You'll see:
- Annual rewards projection based on your actual spending patterns
- Category-by-category earnings breakdown
- Net value after annual fees
- Side-by-side comparison with your current cards
No applications. No hard credit pulls. Just real numbers.
The average person leaves over $1,200 in rewards on the table annually by having the wrong cards in their wallet. Test Drive ensures you choose the card that actually maximizes your rewards—not just the one with the flashiest marketing.
How to Switch Your Priority Pass Membership
If you have another credit card that offers Priority Pass with complimentary guests, here's how to make the switch:
Step 1: Enroll Through Your Other Card
Visit your credit card's benefits portal and enroll in Priority Pass. Most major issuers make this process straightforward through their online account management.
Step 2: Create Your New Priority Pass Account
Set up a new Priority Pass account using the card that includes guest access. You can use the same email address as your previous Capital One account.
Step 3: Update Your Priority Pass App
Add your new Priority Pass membership number to the Priority Pass app, or present your new physical card when entering lounges.
Step 4: Verify the Correct Card is Linked
Open the Priority Pass app and check under the "Account" tab to confirm the right card logo appears. This ensures you won't be charged unexpected guest fees.
Important: Using your old Capital One Priority Pass number, even if you have access through another card, won't work. You must enroll through your other issuer and use that membership number.
Should You Keep Your Capital One Venture X?
Despite these changes, the Venture X still offers compelling benefits for many travelers:
Reasons to Keep the Card:
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2888", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Luxurious Travel Benefits" } ]]
Reasons to Consider Alternatives:
- Loss of Priority Pass guest access (unless you have another card)
- Annual fee
- Authorized user costs
- If lounge access with guests was your primary reason for the card
How Kudos Helps You Maximize Every Card in Your Wallet
Major credit card issuers frequently update their benefits, annual fees, and perks—and it's easy to miss these changes. Kudos automatically tracks all your cards' benefits so you never miss an important update like this one.
Key Features to Maximize Your Travel Cards:
Benefits Tracking
- See all your card benefits in one place, including lounge access details
- Get notified when benefits change so you're never caught off guard
- Track expiring travel credits and perks across all your cards
Smart Card Recommendations
- Kudos shows you which card to use at checkout for maximum rewards
- Automatically factors in active offers and bonus categories
- Never leave rewards on the table again
- Auto-activate card-linked offers across all your issuers (Premium feature)
- Get reminded at checkout when you have an active offer
- Turn forgotten offers into real savings
- See exactly how much a card would earn you before applying
- Compare multiple cards using your real spending data
- Make confident decisions backed by actual numbers
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly do these changes take effect?
The changes begin in February 2026. Capital One has not specified an exact date, so it's safest to assume February 1, 2026.
Can I still bring guests to Capital One-branded lounges?
Not for free, unless you spend $75,000 on your Venture X card in a calendar year. Otherwise, guest access at Capital One Lounges will also require payment.
Does the Venture X Business card keep free guests?
Yes, the Capital One Venture X Business will still allow 2 complimentary guests at Priority Pass lounges.
Will I be automatically charged for guests?
Yes. If you use your Capital One Venture X Priority Pass membership after February 2026, any guests will be charged $35 per visit to your card.
Can I have multiple Priority Pass memberships?
Yes! You can have separate Priority Pass memberships for each eligible credit card you hold. Just make sure you're using the correct membership number when you visit lounges.
How do I know which premium card is worth the annual fee?
Use Kudos Test Drive to see personalized earnings projections based on your actual spending. You'll see exactly which card delivers the best value for your lifestyle before you apply.
The Bottom Line
The Capital One Venture X's Priority Pass changes mark a significant shift in the premium travel card landscape. While the card still offers strong value through its earning structure and other benefits, travelers who frequently use Priority Pass lounges with guests will want to evaluate their options.
If you have another premium travel card, now is the time to enroll in Priority Pass through that issuer and update your membership before your next trip. If you don't, use Kudos Test Drive to see which card would earn you the most based on your real spending, not generic estimates.
Never miss another card benefit change. Sign up for Kudos free to track your cards' benefits automatically, get notified of changes like this, and always use the right card for maximum rewards.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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