Small lounge, great food: First look at the Capital One Lounge in Washington-Dulles International Airport

The Capital One Lounge at Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD) finally opened on Sept. 7. The long-awaited second of the bank’s newly imagined airport lounges debuts nearly two years after its first lounge opened in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) at the end of 2021 — and CNN Underscored was invited for a sneak peak.

Capital One opened the lounge for the media last week, and we were impressed with what we were able to preview. It features lots of seating, tasty grab-and-go food, a hot-food buffet and signature beers and cocktails that are only available at the IAD Capital One Lounge.

This opening is a testament to Capital One’s newfound focus on travel, and these lounges are available to anyone with an eligible Capital One card. Over the past few years, we’ve seen the bank introduce a new premium travel credit card, launch the Capital One Travel portal and, of course, start its own airport lounge network.

But what can you expect at the Capital One Lounge at IAD? Here’s a closer look.

How to access the Capital One Lounge

Select Capital One card holders can use the Capital One Lounge. Travelers with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (or its business equivalent) can access any Capital One Lounge as many times as they’d like, so long as they have a same-day boarding pass for a departing or connecting flight. These card holders can bring up to two guests per visit.

Meanwhile, those with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Spark Miles for Business can access the Capital One Lounge twice per calendar year, free of charge. You can use your two visits for yourself or bring a guest with you. Additional visits cost $45 per person.

Travelers who do not have one of these credit cards can purchase a pass for $65 per person. If you’re considering opening one of these credit cards for access, remember each has a different welcome bonus, annual fee and various features.

Inside the Washington-Dulles Capital One Lounge

Welcome to the new Capital One Lounge at Washington-Dulles Airport. Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

The Washington-Dulles Capital One Lounge is a bit different from its counterpart in Dallas. The Dallas lounge is considerably larger and right inside the terminal, near some of American Airlines’ busiest international gates. This makes it a hit for connecting passengers on long layovers between flights. But that’s not the case at Washington-Dulles. This 8,500-square-foot Capital One Lounge is situated directly behind the airport’s TSA PreCheck security checkpoint. However, it’s before the AeroTrain station that brings passengers to far-flung gates on the other side of the airport.

With that in mind, the Washington-Dulles Capital One Lounge has a much smaller footprint and a heavy focus on grab-and-go options. It’s meant more as a pit stop before heading to your gate, though the quality of food and drink are still up to the standards of the larger Dallas lounge.

That said, you won’t find all the amenities of the DFW lounge. Farewell Peloton bikes! And there is decidedly less seating. At the same time, the Washington-Dulles lounge has added more easily accessed features like a full-service coffee bar at the front of the space.

12 things to do when you get the Capital One Venture X

Entering the Washington-Dulles Capital One Lounge

Heading inside Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

As discussed, the Washington-Dulles Capital One Lounge is located right past security. After you clear, walk past the elevators and you should see the well-posted Capital One Lounge sign. If you’re connecting, don’t be alarmed when you’re faced with a set of stairs that read “Do Not Enter” (see below). You’ll still need to enter and go up — these stairs also go from the security checkpoint to the terminal. Just take a left at the top and you’ll quickly find the lounge.

Ignore these foreboding “Do Not Enter” signs before the stairs if you’re connecting. Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

The lounge’s location is a blessing and a curse. Obviously, a dedicated airline lounge will be closer to your specific gate, but the Capital One Lounge is more central to all the airlines as a whole. However, you’ll want to factor in the amount of time you’ll be able to take advantage of the amenities, given the 10+ minutes you’ll need to get to your gate.

Find the Capital One Lounge right behind TSA at Washington-Dulles. Andrew Kunesh/CNN

When you get to the lounge, you’ll need both your Capital One card and boarding pass to get in, so have them handy. Also, note that you can only access the lounge within three hours of your flight’s departure time.

Seating at the Washington-Dulles Capital One Lounge

Even though the lounge is on the smaller side, it’s jam-packed with seating. No space is wasted, and it should hold up well to crowding during peak travel times, given its distance from the gates and plentiful grab-and-go food options (more on that later).

Plenty of seating in the new Capital One Lounge Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

The main dining area is L-shaped with all types of seating options. Walking past the check-in counter, there are two half booths and chairs located a little farther away from the buffet and bar. These can be good for getting work done or having a conversation with your travel partner.

The children’s area Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

Moving past this, you’ll find a similar seating setup with half booths. This time, however, there’s a children’s seating area in the center, complete with power outlets and USB ports.

Lots of comfy seating in the lounge area Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

Walk past this and you’re in the main dining room, where can choose from comfortable lounge chairs, booths and standard chairs. Despite the lounge being on the smaller side, there’s plenty of seating for peak travel times.

Or just take a seat on a barstool Andrew Kunesh/CNN

You can also opt for a seat at the bar.

Plenty of space to get work done Andrew Kunesh/CNN

There are also two rows of work-friendly seats past the dining area. While not soundproof like the work booths at the Chase Lounge in Boston, this area should be shielded from the noise of the bar and dining room, making it more conducive to quick phone calls or Zoom meetings.

Food and drink at the Washington-Dulles Capital One Lounge

Take as much as you’d like at the grab-and-go station. Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

As you enter the Capital One Lounge, you’ll notice a well-placed grab-and-go food station. This is packed with sandwiches, salads, nonalcoholic beverages (like canned La Colombe coffee and Bubly sparkling water) and other snacks — perfect for when you’re running for a flight.

Or relax in the lounge with coffee and snacks Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

If you have time to spare, you’ll also find a full-service espresso bar to the left, where you can get pastries, beverages and other snacks. All coffee is supplied by Philadelphia-based La Colombe Coffee Roasters.

Keep cool with iced coffee options from La Colombe. Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

There’s also a self-service iced coffee tap nearby with cold brew and draft iced lattes that you can enjoy in the lounge.

The on-site kitchen serves a hot-food buffet all day. Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

If you’ve got the time to relax in the lounge, there is an on-site kitchen that serves buffet-style hot food all day long. You can find this option opposite the bar in the main dining room.

Why not stay awhile? Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

During the media preview, Capital One had a selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner options available. Most of the food is crafted from locally sourced ingredients, and everything I tried was delicious. For breakfast, you can expect sandwiches, pastries and other classics. The bacon, egg and cheese sandwich was particularly tasty.

The bar offers well-balanced cocktails on draft. Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

That said, the bar is the star of the show, and the main attractions are the lounge’s signature cocktails, which are all served on draft. I tried the Cherry Blossom Margarita and found it was a perfect mix of sweet and salty, exceeding my expectations.

A sampling of signature cocktails Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

Plus, there is a curated selection of locally sourced craft beers, wines and liquor for classic cocktails. Capital One even partnered with Virginia-based Lost Rhino Brewing Company to make an exclusive beer for the lounge. You’ll find both draft and canned beers at the lounge.

Don’t forget to try the exclusive Lost Rhino Brewing Company brew. Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

The bar menu is extensive and has a small list of premium drinks that require an upcharge. For example, you can buy a half bottle of Krug Champagne.

Higher-end libations come at a cost. Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

There’s also a selection of self-serve craft sodas, water, iced tea and lemonade next to the buffet. Each soda is served with a beer-style draft.

And of course, there are plenty of nonalcoholic options. Andrew Kunesh/CNN Underscored

Before you leave, make sure to take a Cherry Blossom Dark Chocolate Bar with you. These were made specifically for this Capital One Lounge by Virginia-based River-Sea Chocolates.

Bottom line

The Capital One Lounge at Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD) is a great addition to Capital One’s airport lounge portfolio. The food and beverage offerings are some of the best I’ve seen in any airport lounge, and the focus on locally sourced ingredients makes for an interesting suite of libations.

Though the lounge is on the smaller side, there’s plenty of thoughtful seating. Plus, the focus on grab-and-go food options should reduce crowding for those who just want a snack and a cup of coffee before heading to the gate. However, its location right behind security — and thus, farther from the gates — may make it difficult for connecting passengers to access.

This new Capital One Lounge shows the bank’s commitment to furthering its travel benefits for card holders. Future lounges are planned in Denver International Airport (DEN) and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.