As of February 1, lounge access for Venture X authorized users changed significantly.

This top rated premium travel card has undergone some serious changes- changes big enough that they might make some die-hard fans looking to other options, depending on how important lounge access is for them.

While adding authorized users remains free on both the personal and business versions of the card, authorized users no longer receive complimentary Priority Pass membership.

Additionally, guest access has tightened across the board.

Only Venture X Business primary cardholders receive two complimentary guests at Priority Pass lounges. All other primary cardholders must now pay guest fees at Capital One Lounges, Capital One Landings, and Priority Pass lounges.

To maintain lounge access for authorized users, the primary cardholder must now pay $125 per authorized user annually.

Guest fees are now:

• $35 per guest at Priority Pass lounges
• $45 per guest at Capital One Lounges and Capital One Landings

Cardholders who spend over $75,000 on their Venture X in the previous calendar year unlock:

• Two complimentary guests at Capital One Lounges
• One complimentary guest at Capital One Landings

This spending perk does not extend to Priority Pass lounges.

Updating lounge access for authorized users requires several steps, including re-registering them for Priority Pass.

You’ll need the authorized user’s Social Security number and an active email address.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Set Up Online Access

1. Log into your Capital One account.
2. Select your Venture X card.
3. Go to “Control Your Card.”
4. Click “Manage Account Users.”
5. Locate your authorized user and review their Online Access and Lounge Access status.

To register an authorized user for Priority Pass, they must first have online access enabled.

If they do not:

• Click into “Online Access.”
• Enter their Social Security number and email.
• The authorized user will receive an email to validate their account.

2. Activate Lounge Access

1. Click into “Lounge Access” under the authorized user.
2. Select “Continue.”
3. If prompted, proceed through the pop-up.
4. If access is blocked, confirm the authorized user has completed online verification.

You will see lounge access listed as “Inactive.”

Click “View Details” and complete the $125 annual purchase. The charge will be added to your Venture X bill and lounge access will activate immediately.

After payment, the authorized user will receive an email from Priority Pass to create a new account.

Do not reuse old login credentials. Treat the previous account as inactive and create a new login and password.

If you previously used the Priority Pass app:

• Delete the app.
• Re-download it.
• Log in using your new credentials.

There have been reports of the app reverting to old login information if not reset.

Once logged in:

• Save the digital membership card to your mobile wallet.
• Confirm the updated expiration date (currently February 2027).

Repeat this process for each authorized user who wishes to maintain lounge access.

Card	Annual Fee	Authorized User	Guest Policy	Lounge Network
Venture X (Personal)	$395	$125/year for lounge access	$35 PP / $45 Capital One	Capital One Lounges, Landings, Priority Pass
Venture X Business	$395	$125/year for lounge access	2 free PP guests (primary only)	Capital One Lounges, Landings, Priority Pass
Chase Sapphire Reserve	$795	$195/year	Guest fees vary	Priority Pass (no restaurants), Chase Sapphire Lounges
American Express Platinum	$895	$195–$350 depending on version	guests	Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass (limited), Delta (when flying Delta)
Citi Strata Elite	$595	Varies	Limited info	Priority Pass
Bilt Palladium	$495	Limited details	Varies	Priority Pass

Best Alternatives If Guest Access Is a Priority

If unrestricted guest access is your top concern, consider:

• American Express Platinum — $895 annual fee
• Chase Sapphire Reserve (Personal & Business) — $795 annual fee
• Citi Strata Elite — $595 annual fee
• Bilt Palladium — $495 annual fee

Each has its own structure and limitations, so review the fine print carefully.

Despite the lounge changes, Venture X remains one of the strongest premium travel cards available.

In 2025, competitors raised annual fees significantly:

• American Express Platinum increased from $695 to $895.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve increased from $550 to $795.

Capital One chose to limit guest lounge access instead of increasing its annual fee. While not popular, the previous lounge policy was exceptionally generous.

For some travelers, especially families who relied on free guest access, this change may be a dealbreaker — and that’s completely understandable.

Personally, I still appreciate the simplicity of Venture X:

• 2x miles on all purchases
• 10,000 bonus miles every card anniversary
• $300 annual travel credit

The card is straightforward.

By contrast, both Chase Sapphire Reserve and American Express Platinum rely heavily on monthly, quarterly, and annual credits to justify higher annual fees. Those credits can be valuable, but they require tracking and consistent usage to extract full value.

If you prefer simplicity over juggling credits, Venture X still delivers.