Why is it more difficult to reach the airport halls now?

Aircraft tickets become cheaper, but the cost of bringing your family to the airport lounge increases.

Capital is one It is the latest company to reduce access to it Flored airport halls To combat overcrowding.

Starting February 1, Venture X and Venture X Business cards will not be able to automatically transfer the guest to halls or bring users of the second accredited card.

Instead, they will have to pay $ 125 annually for each additional card holder to keep the hall to reach, $ 45 for each guest per visit and $ 25 per guest 17 or less. The $ 125 fees also include the second card holder’s arrival in a network of priority successful halls.

“As the airport halls continue to grow throughout the industry, we saw our customers face increasing waiting times for their entry,” Capital Wan said in a statement. “It is important for us to maintain the wonderful airport hall experience for Venture X and Venture X Business, while continuing to offer distinguished travel cards in its class at an accessible price.”

The primary card holders will have to spend at least $ 75,000 for each evaluation year to deliver up to two free free guests to capital halls and one guest to capital, and smaller halls designed for travelers who tend to spend less time at the airport, such as those who head to short flights.

The $ 75,000 spending requirements are compatible with free guests American Express It was announced two years ago, which is also a procedure to reduce congestion and preserve the exclusive feelings.

Credit card companies have formed their airport hall networks in recent years, as they opened new sites to deal with the request. Access to the airport lounge was a central feature connected to the reward cards, which generally comes with annual fees.

Venture X, which was launched in 2021, is $ 395 annually, less than $ 695 in the American Express for the platinum card or $ 550 Jpmorgan Chase Features of the Caes Al -Yaqout Reserve, both of which come with airport halls.

“When it comes to good, Capital One is a competitive brand; it is a loss,” said Henry Hartfield, founder of the Air Research Group.

Capital One has halls at Denver International Airport, Dallas International Airport, Washington International Airport and Harry Reed International Airport in Las Vegas. It plans to open one this year at John F. Kennedy International in New York and one of its landing at La Gardadia Airport.

But the new restrictions show the first capital are not fortified against its popularity, which leads to large crowds.

“Like Amex, like Chase, these halls have become victims of their success,” Harttelt said. “No hall operator wants to be more than public areas at the airport.”

Airlines also raised prices to reach airport halls and build them greater to accommodate the flow.

Delta AirlinesFor example, made Comprehensive changes To access to the hall, such as getting rid of unlimited visits in favor of annual hats.

And the past summer, Delta revealed the first Delta one hallDedicated to customers in the highest category of cabin. It plans to open a new one in Seattle later this month.

US Airlines and United Airways They also expanded their airport halls and opened new first -class halls for customers who travel Premium On long -term trips.