Capital One is opening its newest lounge in Las Vegas on Friday, Feb. 21, marking another milestone in the bank’s expansion into premium travel perks. The new lounge, located in Concourse D of Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), will join Capital One's lineup with existing locations already in Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, and Washington Dulles.
This move puts Capital One in direct competition with American Express, which already operates a Centurion Lounge at LAS. The face-off between these two credit card giants highlights the growing importance of airport lounges in the battle to attract and keep high-value customers as cardholders.
As Capital One continues to challenge American Express's long-standing dominance in the airport lounge space, Chase is also entering the fray with its own Sapphire Lounge network, which has a lounge planned for the Las Vegas airport later this year. This three-way competition is reshaping the landscape of premium credit card perks, offering travelers more options but also raising questions about lounge overcrowding and exclusivity.
Capital One Lounge Las Vegas details
Capital One’s newest lounge at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) combines understated luxury with regional flair, offering an elevated pre-flight experience for travelers. The lounge spans a spacious area with terrific views of both the tarmac and the mountains in the distance. It has seating for around 130 guests, making it comparable in size to the Washington Dulles (IAD) location. Open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., it’s particularly well suited for red-eye travelers looking to relax after an indulgent Vegas trip.
The decor is a subtle nod to Las Vegas, inspired by desert sunsets rather than flashy neon. The food program strikes a balance between indulgence and wellness, featuring dishes like falafel hummus bowls and avocado toast with smoked salmon, alongside treats such as caviar deviled eggs and espresso martini trifles.
Guests can enjoy small plated dishes at the buffet or grab-and-go options for convenience. I appreciate Capital One’s approach to buffets, with a deliberate nod to keep dishes fresh and sanitary being a departure from the usual cafeteria-style tray of questionable origin.
At the bar, Capital One leans into craft cocktails with a Vegas twist. Signature drinks include on-tap options for faster service and playful creations like the "Desert Palmer" with a sprinkle of disco glitter. For those seeking something truly special, the Rare Bottle Club offers high-end spirits at near-retail pricing—a steal for aficionados.
Comfort is key here, with reclining lounge chairs, a dedicated resting room, and even a hidden nap pod tucked away in the back hallway. These thoughtful touches make the lounge ideal for unwinding before a flight.
Access and entry policies
Venture X cardholders get unlimited free access to Capital One's new Las Vegas lounge and can bring two complimentary guests. Keep in mind the Venture X allows up to four free authorized user cards with full lounge access—assuming you have the personal version of the Venture X card—so every member of your family could potentially have their own Capital One Venture X with equal access.
The Venture X Business card’s rules are slightly different: Venture X Business cardholders’ authorized users and account managers are not eligible for Capital One Lounge access privileges.
This family-friendly approach lies in stark contrast to Amex’s posture regarding lounge access. Centurion Lounge access is for Platinum, Business Platinum, Delta Reserve, and Centurion cardholders only. Guests cost $50 each, unless the cardholder spends $75,000+ annually on their Platinum card. The Amex Platinum card charges $195 annually per authorized user.
Both lounges allow access within three hours of departure or during layovers, not upon arrival without a connection. Children under the age of 2 enter free in both lounges.
Capital One is chasing Amex
Capital One's lounge expansion strategy reads like a game of "follow the leader," with American Express blazing the trail. The newcomer is strategically planting its flag in airports where Centurion Lounges have already set up shop.
Take Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Denver (DEN) as examples. Both airports now boast lounges from both issuers, creating a head-to-head showdown for travelers' attention. Now we have Las Vegas (LAS), with New York (JFK) being next on the docket.
This isn't just coincidence. Capital One appears to be choosing these locations for a reason: they're high-traffic hubs where premium cardholders frequently pass through. It's a savvy move to chip away at Amex's longstanding dominance in the airport lounge space.
But Capital One isn't just copying Amex's homework. They're adding their own flair with features like grab-and-go food options and a generally more relaxed vibe. It's not about being a carbon copy, it's about offering a compelling alternative.
The expansion doesn't stop there. Capital One has also debuted the Capital One Landing, a more boutique experience with table-side tapas, at Washington National (DCA) with one in development at New York LaGuardia (LGA). It's a clear signal that Capital One is gunning for Amex's crown in the premium travel perks arena.
This aggressive growth strategy could reshape the airport lounge landscape. For travelers, it means more options and potentially less crowding. For credit card issuers, it's a new battleground in the war for high-value customers who are willing to shell out a comparatively pricy annual fee to carry premium cards that offer luxury benefits.
Grab and go for the win
Capital One's taking a different tack with their lounges, offering options that fit a variety of traveling styles. I regularly fly out of Washington Dulles (IAD) and have never encountered a wait to enter the lounge. While this is anecdotal, the Capital One Lounge grab-and-go food options and coffee bar encourage a more fluid guest flow. Travelers can snag a quick bite without camping out, potentially easing the crush of bodies vying for space.
It's not a cure-all, but Capital One's approach shows promise. As premium perks become more commonplace, maintaining that exclusive feel gets trickier. The grab-and-go concept might just be the blueprint for balancing accessibility with luxury in the high-stakes world of airport lounges. I know I appreciate popping in for a Chai latte and a homemade pop tart each time I pass through Washington Dulles, and maybe even grabbing a chickpea wrap for the flight.
The lesson? Sometimes, less is more. Offering an easy out for time-pressed travelers could be the key to preserving that coveted lounge experience for those who truly want to linger.
Chase has entered the field
Chase is also in the race, rapidly expanding its Sapphire Lounge network to compete with Amex and Capital One. With locations already open in Boston (BOS), New York—both Laguardia (LGA) and Kennedy (JFK)—Phoenix, and San Diego, Chase plans to add Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles to its roster in 2025.
Unlike its competitors, Chase has partnered with existing operators like Airport Dimensions and Etihad Airways for some locations, allowing for quicker expansion. The lounges themselves also feel a bit different. For example, at a recent visit to the Chase-partnered Washington Dulles Etihad Lounge I was presented with a menu instead of having to face a buffet. I highly recommend the veggie burger.
Each Sapphire Lounge features local flair and premium amenities, aiming to elevate the travel experience for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders. With a more inclusive access policy than Amex but similar to Capital One, Chase is positioning itself as a formidable player in the increasingly competitive airport lounge market.
Centurion Lounges: Victims of their own success
Centurion Lounges, once the crown jewel of American Express, now face a formidable foe: popularity. With fifteen domestic lounges open as of this writing, not only is Amex the biggest player in the market, Centurion Lounges are often the most overcrowded.
At bustling hubs, cardholders might wait half an hour just to get through the door. The Las Vegas lounge, in particular, has become ground zero for overcrowding issues. As the first stop for many travelers landing at Harry Reid airport, it consistently has a line you would expect at a hot Vegas nightclub, not in the middle of the terminal.
Kevin Song, co-founder of thislounge.com, an airport lounge review site, reports, “The Centurion Lounge in Vegas offers high quality food and a great place to relax.” But he also says he has seen that “over time, it’s become a victim of its own success.”
Song adds: “It’s rare that I go there and there isn’t a line outside the door to check in, and I’m often quoted a wait time to get in that wouldn’t make sense for my flight.”
I’ve had similar experiences with the Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas—I attempted to enter four times and on only one occasion was the lounge available when I walked in. The other three times the wait averaged 30 minutes, with one wait stretching close to an hour.
Song welcomes the Capital One lounge expansion in Las Vegas. “I’m hopeful that quality alternatives like the Capital One Lounge and the future Chase Sapphire Lounge will help congestion a bit,” he says.
The problem isn't limited to Sin City. Centurion Lounges in places like Miami, Seattle, Dallas, and New York's LaGuardia have all generated complaints about excessive crowds and wait times. What was once designed as an oasis of calm now often resembles Penn Station at rush hour.
For Platinum cardholders who paid $695 per year in annual fees for the privilege of Centurion Lounge access, this diminished experience is particularly frustrating. The value proposition takes a hit when you must fight for space and scarf down your meal before racing to catch your flight.
As American Express continues to expand its lounge network, with new locations planned for airports like Salt Lake City in 2025, the question remains: can Amex balance growth with the premium experience that made Centurion Lounges so desirable in the first place? The coming years will likely determine whether these lounges can reclaim their status as havens of luxury or if they'll remain victims of their own success.
Don’t forget about Priority Pass
While the big credit card issuers duke it out with their branded lounges, let's not forget about the humble Priority Pass options at Harry Reid International Airport. There are two The Club LAS lounges, both accessible to Priority Pass members. Remember that Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Capital One Venture X cards all come with a Priority Pass membership.
The first lounge sits in Terminal 1 near Gate D33, while its sibling resides in Terminal 3 across from Gate E2. Both offer the usual amenities—Wi-Fi, snacks, and a place to park yourself away from the slot machines. They're open from early morning until late night, perfect for those red-eye flights.
Consider The Clubs an ace in the hole. These lounges are often less crowded than their flashier counterparts. While everyone's clamoring to get into the Centurion Lounge, you might find yourself with elbow room and a decent view of the tarmac at The Club.
The takeaway
Capital One’s new Las Vegas lounge promises a respite from the terminal slot machines and should act as a much-needed release valve for the neighboring Centurion Lounge. However, the real challenge lies in maintaining exclusivity and quality as these spaces become more accessible. In other words, if everyone is a high roller, no one is.
But I don’t think anyone should get a premium card merely for lounge privileges. The winning strategy for consumers is choosing a card that aligns with your specific needs and travel patterns, rather than simply chasing the flashiest jackpot.
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