This post was originally published on April 6, 2022 and was most recently updated on December 15, 2023.
For the past several years, I've had a Capital One Venture credit card. I like it because the annual fee is lower than similar travel rewards cards, it's easy to redeem points for travel expenses, and you get a statement credit to apply to TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Another fun perk is two free visits per year to Capital One's airport lounges.
Effective January 1, 2025, Venture and Spark Miles cardholders will no longer receive complimentary lounge access. However, complimentary access will still be available to Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders.
Capital One Lounges are available at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport (DFW), Denver International Airport (DEN), and Washington D.C.'s Dulles International Airport (IAD). Lounge access is available to all travelers for $65 and Capital One cardholders can purchase additional visits for $45.
The Capital One Lounge at DFW is located in Terminal D near Gate D22. Check in is easy: show the receptionist the lounge pass in your Capital One mobile app (or your Venture card) as well as your boarding pass, and you're good to go. Access to the lounge is on a first-come, first-served basis, so if the lounge is full you will need to put your name on a wait list.
If you'd like to store your luggage or other personal items, lockers are available by the entrance. Ask the receptionist for a locker assignment.
The lounge is quite expansive, with several seating areas. There are a few different styles of armchairs, tables, counters, and a bar area, all with convenient outlets and complimentary high-speed WiFi. The decor is sleek and modern, and most areas offer a view of the runway.
The lounge also features private spaces. Relaxation rooms, a shower room, and a cycling and yoga room are available by reservation at the front desk. The prayer rooms and nursing room are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Unsurprisingly, my favorite part of the lounge experience is the free food. At the entryway, there's a grab-and-go cooler filled with salads, sandwiches, desserts, juices, and sparkling water. There are also dispensers filled with items including mixed nuts and sweet or savory snack mixes—you can fill up a bowl to enjoy in the lounge or a paper bag get your trail mix to-go.
A self-serve buffet is stocked with several varieties of baked goods, including muffins, croissants, cookies, and baklava. Paper bags are available so that you can take baked goods with you. There are also hot entrees in small snack-sized portions, such as quinoa salad, mac 'n cheese, roasted vegetables, chicken pot pie, and lentil dal. There's a selection of plated desserts and snacks, like miniature macarons, brownie bites, hummus with pita wedges, and charcuterie cones filled with cold cuts, cheese, and pickles.
I appreciated that everything had a label indicating if it was vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or contained nuts or pork. It was also nice that most items were in small, reusable containers to minimize packaging and food waste.
The quality of the food was great—the baked goods were fresh and artisanal bakery quality, and the entrees were flavorful and satisfying.
The Capital One lounge also offers a plethora of beverage options, including sodas, coffee, sparkling water, cold brew, and a draft latte. There's also a full bar, with complimentary beer (including local craft brews), wine, and craft cocktails. The cocktails are excellent—I loved my pecan bourbon old fashioned.
Although food and non-alcoholic beverages are self-serve, staffers frequently circulate throughout the lounge to clear your dishes and tidy up.
I've spent two layovers (one in March 2022, the other in November 2023) in the Capital One Lounge at DFW and found it far more comfortable than the main concourse, with cozy chairs, a great view, lower noise levels, and tasty snacks. The food and decor are much higher-quality than other airport lounges I've visited, and the staff is attentive. However, the lounge was significantly more crowded during my 2023 visit.
The takeaway: If you have a long layover and want access to the shower room and other private amenities, it may be worth paying $45-$65 to access the Capital One lounge, especially if you take advantage of the complimentary food and drinks. If you're a Capital One cardholder and have free access, definitely check it out.
This isn't a sponsored post—I pay my Capital One Venture credit card fee out-of-pocket.
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