High-fee Credit Cards and Airport Lounges: Are They Worth It?

[Commentary by Dave]

When we began our two years of travel in May 2025, I thought it might be nice to wait for our flights in an airport lounge, rather than in the always-crowded passenger boarding area. I had fond memories of business-class travel for Intel 25+ years ago, which included the privilege of visiting the airport lounge for first- and business-class ticket holders. Back then, the lounges were nicely decorated, quiet, not crowded, and offered a nice assortment of food and beverages.

After researching the various options and reading several online articles comparing various credit cards and their perks, I decided to apply for the Capital One Venture X card, which includes membership in Priority Pass, a network of over 1800 airport lounges worldwide. The Priority Pass membership included access for one guest. The Venture X card had an annual fee of $395, but since this more than covered the cost of a Priority Pass membership (according to the rates on their website), I figured it was worth it. I estimated we would probably consume at least $395 worth of food and beverages during our travels, and the calmer atmosphere would be enjoyable.

Still, this was sticker shock to me. I have never paid an annual fee for a credit card before. As it turns out, it was well worth it.

We’ll get to the airport lounges in a minute, but first, let’s talk about the credit card benefits.

Capital One operates a travel portal for booking flights, hotels, rental cars, etc., much like Orbitz or Expedia. Cardholders accrue miles for all purchases, much like airlines’ frequent flyer programs. Cardholders earn 10 miles for every dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked on their platform, 5 miles per dollar spent on a vacation rental, and 2 miles for every dollar spent using the credit card for everything else. Plus, they offered a 75,000-mile sign-up bonus (worth $750) after we spent $4,000, and an annual 30,000-mile bonus. Each mile is equivalent to 1 cent. So right away, we accrued $1,050 in travel credits ($750 + $300). The card had paid for itself already.

To date, we’ve received travel credits amounting to 7% of what we’ve spent on flights and lodging. It adds up! We’ve used our credits for several free flights already. That makes this credit card definitely worth it, even without the airport lounge access.

There are other benefits as well. Travel booked on the Venture X card includes pretty decent trip insurance and rental car insurance. The are no foreign transaction fees. And if we pay our cell phone bill using the Venture X card, we get up to $800 in protection if our phones are stolen or damaged.

Plus, the miles accrued on this card are in addition to the miles we earn in the airlines’ frequent flyer programs. We have rarely amassed enough frequent flyer miles to redeem for anything, and those programs are convoluted and frustrating. We still participate in those programs anyway, just in case we might get some benefit once in a while. After all this travel, maybe we will!

While the Capital One Venture X card has exceeded our expectations, our experiences with the airport lounges we have visited so far have been mixed. 

First, they are nowhere near as nice as I remember from 25+ years ago. They’re not as nice as the pictures on the Priority Pass website (which are often taken with no people present), either.

The first lounge we visited was in Faro, Portugal. Granted, this is not a major airport, but it definitely did not create a good first impression of modern-day airport lounges. When we arrived, a sign said it was full. When we asked the receptionist how long the wait would be, she glanced into the lounge, then let us in. It was packed. The decor wasn’t at all impressive, and the food and beverage offerings were paltry.

I took this picture right before we left, after most people had cleared out. When we arrived, it was packed. Pretty tacky, right?

Fortunately, our experiences have been better since then. When we fly out of Terminal 3 at Phoenix Sky Harbor, we visit the Escape Lounge. It’s decent, if not luxurious.

There is a staffed bar and servers for the drinks (including non-alcoholic). We help ourselves to the small buffet.

The lounge in Minneapolis was also an Escape Lounge. It was a little larger than the one in Phoenix.

We had nice experiences in Portland and Vancouver, although I didn’t take pictures of those. In Amsterdam, the food offerings were meager, but they had soft drinks, beer, wine, and liquor, and the atmosphere was nicer and more relaxed.

Most recently, we visited the lounge in Puerto Vallarta. There were two lounges in the international concourse. We stopped at the first one. The sign said it was full, but as we approached the desk, several people walked out. We got in. It was crowded, and there was beverage service but very little food. Still, we enjoyed a couple of sodas and wines.

When we left, there was a line.

As we got closer to our gate, we passed the other lounge. It looked larger and much nicer. Oh well… we’ll know next time! 

This brings up our biggest frustration with airport lounges: They’re usually crowded, and sometimes they’re full and there’s a waiting list. In Atlanta, one of the largest airports in the country, there’s only one lounge in the Priority Pass network in the entire airport! The wait list was 30 to 60 minutes. I added my name and phone number to the list, but by the time I got texted, it was almost time to board.

Both times we’ve tried to use the lounge in Phoenix Sky Harbor Terminal 4, it’s been full. And since it’s a Chase Sapphire lounge, they often won’t admit Capital One cardholders if it’s too busy. That’s incredibly frustrating, since this is our home airport.

To make matters worse, beginning in February 2026, Priority Pass members will no longer be able to admit one guest free. A guest will cost either $35 per visit or $125 per year. One visit is definitely not worth $35, but I figure we’ll probably visit lounges often enough during our second year that the $125 annual fee will be worth it. But after our two years of travel are over, I think we’ll be through with airport lounges. 

We’ll evaluate whether to keep the Capital One Venture X card at $395 per year, too.