Capital One Lounges vs. Centurion Lounges: Which Is Higher? - NerdWallet

In case you’re searching for a premium journey bank card, you could be weighing the worth of American Categorical Centurion lounge entry with Capital One lounge entry. Centurion lounges have been round longer, providing high-end facilities for eligible cardholders since 2013. Capital One, in the meantime, lately launched its first lounges and is shortly constructing out its community.

The higher alternative is dependent upon the place you journey and what’s most vital to you. My take: Each lounge networks have quite a bit to supply, however the Centurion Lounges by American Categorical edge out Capital One lounges.

As a result of there are extra Centurion lounge areas, it is extra accessible for eligible cardholders. These lounges additionally provide premium drinks at no additional cost, not like Capital One lounges.

Nonetheless, it is a shut competitors. Capital One presents extra handy eating choices. As soon as Capital One opens extra areas, it might steal the title for the most effective airport lounge community from American Categorical.

Capital One presently has three airport lounge areas — Dallas-Fort Price, Denver and Washington-Dulles. In June 2024, it introduced an upcoming lounge in New York-JFK to compete with the AmEx Centurion Lounge and Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Membership.

The Centurion Lounge by American Categorical has 13 areas inside the U.S.

The Centurion World Lounge Assortment additionally options lounges in 11 extra areas throughout the globe.

Entry to the Capital One lounges and Centurion lounges is proscribed to eligible cardholders and their friends. Whereas non-cardholders will pay an entrance charge, they have to be accompanied by an eligible cardholder.

Although Centurion lounges provide extra entry choices, Capital One lounges provide complimentary entry for as much as two friends with out an annual spending requirement.

By means of Dec. 31, 2024, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles cardholders obtain two complimentary lounge passes every year. Cardholders can use these passes for themselves or to carry a visitor into the lounge with them. Beginning in January 2025, there’s a $45 charge per individual for the cardholder and their friends who want to enter the lounge.

The Platinum Card® from American Categorical and The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Categorical cardholders obtain complimentary entrance, however they have to pay $50 for every visitor ($30 for youngsters ages 2 to 17). Nonetheless, once you spend at the least $75,000 every calendar 12 months, you will earn complimentary entry for as much as two friends on every go to. Centurion playing cards nonetheless provide complimentary visitor entry for as much as two folks or quick relations with out the annual spending requirement.

Along with Centurion and Platinum playing cards, AmEx clients who’ve the non-public or enterprise model of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card bank card additionally obtain entry to the Centurion lounge. Nonetheless, these clients have to be flying on an eligible Delta flight. They can not enter the lounge when flying different airways. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Categorical Card cardholders can carry as much as two friends into the lounge. Nonetheless, the cost is $50 for adults and $30 for youngsters ages 2 to 17 years.

The Capital One lounges serve meals in single-serving containers fairly than conventional buffet eating. It additionally presents to-go gadgets for vacationers on the run, making it a extra handy possibility than Centurion lounges.

Though it prices cash to have a premium journey bank card or pay for airport lounge admission, you get monetary savings by getting free meals inside. Capital One lounges and American Categorical Centurion lounges each provide scrumptious meals for vacationers, though the experiences are fairly totally different.

Capital One lounges function a “chef-inspired menu” with single-serving dishes that make it easy and simple for guests to seize meals. Stroll up and choose any of the out there meals and dessert gadgets from the serving stations.

Meals gadgets differ all through the day to correspond with breakfast, lunch and dinner. For vacationers in a rush, Capital One additionally presents grab-n-go gadgets that they’ll take with them.

Centurion lounges provide “recent seasonal fare created by domestically famend cooks.” The meals is served buffet-style, so you may take as a lot or as little as you want. Gadgets are up to date as trays get empty and alter all through the day.

Guests can get pleasure from a scrumptious meal and high it off with scrumptious dessert gadgets.

Lounges sometimes provide craft cocktails, native craft brews and diverse drinks. Centurion lounges provide complimentary premium drinks, whereas Capital One lounges cost for orders past home beers, home wines and effectively drinks.

Capital One lounges provide complimentary drinks to guests. Nonetheless, if you’d like premium drinks, there could also be a further cost.

When ordering a drink at a Centurion lounge, all drinks are complimentary. So, deal with your self to top-shelf liquor, artisan wines or craft beer with out worrying about ringing up an enormous tab. Though Centurion lounge drinks are free, bear in mind to tip the bartender.

Capital One lounges provide devoted exercise and multi-faith rooms, whereas Centurion lounges provide massages, manicures and different facilities that change by location.

Except for meals and drinks, premium lounges provide different facilities to make your go to particular. Facilities differ by location, however you might be able to ebook a convention room, bathe, sleep pod and different goodies.

Capital One units itself aside by providing a devoted exercise area that options Peloton bikes and a view of the runway. It additionally has a multi-faith room for vacationers who want to pray, meditate or have a quiet second of reflection earlier than their flight.

Guests to the Centurion lounge might be able to spoil themselves with a therapeutic massage or manicure in between flights. These facilities sometimes require reserving an appointment forward of time, so plan forward so you do not miss out. Some areas additionally provide different facilities, like a pool desk or shuffleboard, to assist go the time in between flights.

Extra lounge entry for cardholders

Along with accessing the Capital One lounges and Centurion lounges, eligible cardholders have entry to different lounge networks. American Categorical takes the sting because it companions with extra lounge operators than Capital One.

The Capital One Companion Lounge Community consists of complimentary entry to greater than 1,300 Plaza Premium Lounges and Precedence Go lounges for eligible cardholders and as much as two friends. To enter Plaza Premium lounges, simply present your eligible Capital One bank card and your boarding go.

For Precedence Go lounges, you have to enroll by visiting its website and getting into your bank card quantity.

The American Categorical World Lounge Assortment consists of greater than 1,400 airport lounges throughout 140 international locations. Along with Centurion Lounges, cardholders have entry to Escape Lounges, Delta Sky Membership, Lufthansa, Plaza Premium Lounges and Precedence Go Lounges.

Vacationers can entry the Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges and Precedence Go lounges totally free and convey as much as two friends at no extra cost. Nonetheless, Precedence Go entry requires guide activation by way of the advantages part of your American Categorical account or by calling AmEx customer support.

Entry to the Delta Sky Membership and Lufthansa lounges requires a same-day boarding go for the respective airways. Efficient Feb. 1, 2025, Hawaiian Airways® Enterprise Mastercard® and The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Categorical cardholders are restricted to 10 visits to Delta Sky Membership lounges per 12 months.