An Open Letter to Capital One

Today I received the announcement about changes coming to the Venture X airport lounge benefits. And to be blunt — I’m deeply disappointed. This isn’t just a tweak to policy. It’s a fundamental shift in what made this card valuable, and frankly, worth recommending.

Beginning in 2026:

• Authorized users will no longer receive complimentary lounge access — unless I pay $125 annually per person.

• Guest access to Priority Pass lounges will now cost $35 per visit.

• Capital One Lounges and Landings will only allow complimentary guest access if I spend $75,000 or more annually — a steep and exclusionary threshold.

• Otherwise, guests will be charged $45 per visit, with only a slight discount for children.

I didn’t sign up for that.

And I certainly didn’t advocate for this card — to family, friends, clients, and fellow travelers — with the fine print buried beneath a massive paywall of exclusions and upcharges.

What made Venture X different was simplicity, generosity, and trust.

I could bring my family into a calm, clean, safe space while traveling — something absolutely critical when you’re traveling with young kids. It wasn’t just a luxury. It was the reason we felt confident booking long layovers or flying through busier hubs.

Now, it feels like Capital One has pivoted from creating value to creating obstacles.

And sure, I get that lounges are crowded. But rather than scaling with demand, Capital One chose to wall off benefits behind spending thresholds that are completely misaligned with the needs of real families and real travelers.

You just spent billions acquiring Discover — and now you’re asking me to believe that the only way to “manage lounge volume” is by nickel-and-diming the very customers who built this brand’s credibility? That’s not innovation. That’s short-sightedness dressed up in corporate PR.

It reminds me of another letdown this year — Southwest Airlines’ devaluation of its loyalty program. These are companies that built their reputations on doing things differently. On being for the customer. And now they’re walking that back with every “enhancement” email they send.

I’ve been a passionate advocate for Venture X.

I’ve referred others. I’ve used the card frequently. I believed in the product.

But unless this decision is reversed, I’ll be canceling my Venture X card when it renews. And I’ll stop recommending it — not out of bitterness, but because I can no longer, in good conscience, stand behind it.

Capital One: You had something special here. Please don’t let it slip away.

— Seth Chomout