A Capital One Lounge Worth the Stop at JFK
On our way to Copenhagen — and again coming home — we had the chance to spend some serious time in the new Capital One Lounge at JFK’s Terminal 4. It’s safe to say this is one of the best lounges we’ve tried.
The space feels upscale without being stuffy. Lots of natural light, plenty of seating, and enough outlets that you’re not fighting over plugs. We had a long connection and were able to work comfortably for four hours without being rushed out. Officially, you can’t check in more than three hours before your flight, but they made an exception since we were connecting from Atlanta and could show our earlier boarding pass.
Food is where this lounge really shines. (Check out the menu) The short rib sliders and mac and cheese were excellent, and you can order hot dishes right from your seat. There’s also a buffet if you want to mix and match, plus a cheesemonger station with rotating selections that feels more like a wine bar than an airport. Another highlight is the grab-and-go coffee bar — with bagels, breakfast sandwiches, fruit cups, and espresso drinks. I had a Reuben bagel that hit the spot. My wife tried the salmon one and wasn’t as impressed, but it’s a nice option if you’re in a hurry.
How It Compares
I’d rank this above a Centurion Lounge in terms of food and comfort, though it doesn’t quite match the sheer variety you’ll find at a Delta SkyClub. Still, the quality wins. For Southern travelers connecting through JFK to save points, this lounge makes the stopover not just bearable, but genuinely enjoyable.
How to Get In
Access to Capital One Lounges, including JFK, comes with the Capital One Venture X card. The annual fee is $395, and it includes unlimited entry for the cardholder plus Priority Pass lounge access around the world.
A couple things to know:
You can add authorized users, but starting in February 2026, it will cost $125 per user per year if you want them to have lounge access.
Guest rules are also changing. Right now, you can bring in two complimentary guests, but after February 2026, you’ll only keep that perk if you spend $75,000 or more per year on the card. Otherwise, adult guests will be $45 and kids 17 and under will be $25 (under 2 are free).
The three-hour entry rule is standard, but like we experienced, they may allow exceptions for long connections if you can show your inbound boarding pass.
For frequent travelers — especially those who connect through hubs like JFK to stretch points on international trips — the Venture X more than pays for itself if you use the lounge benefit. And if you value better food and more space to relax, this is a stop worth planning into your next trip.
