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

Should you’re in search of a premium journey bank card, you could be weighing the worth of American Specific 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 selection relies on the place you journey and what’s most necessary to you. My take: Each lounge networks have lots to supply, however the Centurion Lounges by American Specific edge out Capital One lounges.

As a result of there are extra Centurion lounge places, it is extra accessible for eligible cardholders. These lounges additionally supply premium drinks at no additional cost, in contrast to Capital One lounges.

Nonetheless, it is a shut competitors. Capital One affords extra handy eating choices. As soon as Capital One opens extra places, it might steal the title for one of the best airport lounge community from American Specific.

Capital One presently has three airport lounge places — 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 Specific has 13 places throughout the U.S.

The Centurion World Lounge Assortment additionally options lounges in 11 further places throughout the globe.

Ease of entry

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

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

By way of Dec. 31, 2024, Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score 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 particular person for the cardholder and their visitors who want to enter the lounge.

The Platinum Card® from American Specific and The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Specific cardholders obtain complimentary entrance, however they need to pay $50 for every visitor ($30 for youngsters ages 2 to 17). Nonetheless, while you spend at the very least $75,000 every calendar yr, you may earn complimentary entry for as much as two visitors on every go to. Centurion playing cards nonetheless supply complimentary visitor entry for as much as two individuals or fast relations with out the annual spending requirement.

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

Meals and snacks

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

Though it prices cash to have a premium journey bank card or pay for airport lounge admission, you lower your expenses by getting free meals inside. Capital One lounges and American Specific Centurion lounges each supply scrumptious meals for vacationers, though the experiences are fairly completely different.

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

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

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

Guests can take pleasure in a scrumptious meal and high it off with scrumptious dessert gadgets.

Drink choices

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

Capital One lounges supply complimentary drinks to guests. Nonetheless, if you would like premium drinks, there could also be an extra 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.

Different facilities

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

Except for meals and drinks, premium lounges supply different facilities to make your go to particular. Facilities fluctuate by location, however you could possibly e-book 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 could possibly 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 places additionally supply 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 Specific takes the sting because it companions with extra lounge operators than Capital One.

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

For Precedence Cross lounges, it’s essential to enroll by visiting its web site and getting into your bank card quantity.

The American Specific International Lounge Assortment contains 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 Cross Lounges.

Vacationers can entry the Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges and Precedence Cross lounges totally free and convey as much as two visitors at no further cost. Nonetheless, Precedence Cross entry requires handbook activation by the advantages part of your American Specific 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 Specific cardholders are restricted to 10 visits to Delta Sky Membership lounges per yr.