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Home  >  American Express • Capital One • Virgin Atlantic  >  Good News: Capital One + AMEX Cardmembers Will Not Lose Virgin Atlantic Lounge Access
American ExpressCapital OneVirgin Atlantic

Good News: Capital One + AMEX Cardmembers Will Not Lose Virgin Atlantic Lounge Access

Matthew Klint Posted onFebruary 3, 2023November 13, 2023 9 Comments
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a room with chairs and tables

Initial reports that Capital One Venture X and American Express Platinum cardmembers will soon lose access to at least some Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounges in the USA appear premature: Plaza Premium has now clarified that cardmembers will continue to have access to all five Virgin Atlantic lounges in the USA.

Virgin Atlantic Will Not Cut Clubhouse Access For American Express + Capital One Cardholders Who Accessed Lounges Via Plaza Premium

Yesterday, it appeared that Virgin Atlantic, which partners with Plaza Premium to manage its lounges outside the USA, would be cutting access for American Express Platinum and Capital One Venture X cardholders.

Virgin Atlantic maintains US lounges in:

  • Boston (BOS)
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – closed, perhaps permanently
  • New York (JFK)
  • Newark (EWR)
  • San Francisco (SFO)
  • Washington (IAD)

Indeed, reports emerged of travelers being denied access at New York (JFK). Furthermore, the Plaza Premium website was updated to reflect:

  • No access, effective immediately, to clubhouses in Boston (BOS) and New York (JFK)
  • No access, effective February 28, 2023, to clubhouses in San Francisco (SFO) and Washington (IAD)
  • Clubhouses in Newark (EWR) would remain in the Plaza Premium network

But both Capital One (H/T: View From The Wing) and Plaza Premium (H/T: One Mile At A Time) have now issued clarifying statements that nothing is changing: AMEX and Capital One cardholders will continue to enjoy access to Virgin Atlantic lounges in the USA. The Plaza Premium website has also been updated to reflect this.

That’s great news, of course. But it begs the question, what happened behind the scenes? Why was this change announced on the website, then rolled back. Was it made too prematurely or perhaps made without consulting relevant partners like American Express or Capital One?

On the surface, the changes were regrettable, but logical. During my visit to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK, it became very crowded during the afternoon rush ahead of Virgin’s multiple flights to London (Delta passengers can also access the lounge). it would make sense to at least limit the time during which Plaza Premium access was granted to credit cardholders if it the lounges became too crowded for Virgin’s valuable “Upper Class” passengers to enjoy.

Therefore, it would not surprise me to see these changes come at a later point, perhaps with more warning. But at least for now, the status quo continues.

CONCLUSION

American Express Platinum and Capital One Venture X cardholders will continue to enjoy access to Virgin Atlantic lounges in the USA. This is very good news, especially considering Venture X cardmembers just lost Priority Pass restaurant access. As for what caused the temporary policy change this week, we can only guess.

Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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9 Comments

  1. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Reply
    February 3, 2023 at 3:45 pm

    Just had to look up “H/T’. That’s enough learning for one day.

    • Andreas Reply
      February 3, 2023 at 10:23 pm

      And what did it mean?

      • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Reply
        February 4, 2023 at 2:14 pm

        Hat tip. Everyone knows that.

    • George Santos Reply
      February 4, 2023 at 2:29 am

      I worked at Capital One and Amex.and helped found Virgin Atlantic.

      • LMAO Reply
        February 4, 2023 at 2:14 pm

        LMAO. He has got to go.

  2. PM Reply
    February 4, 2023 at 1:44 am

    I think that this is about Virgin trying to find ways to manage the additional traffic that their lounges will be getting as a result of joining Skyteam in the next few weeks. Probably makes sense to wait and make a decision based on real-world data.

    Despite having never flown VS and having no plans to fly with them in the near future, I am quite excited about them joining the alliance as they offer a very decent credit card in the UK and I do have a few thousand miles with them.

  3. Jason Reply
    May 14, 2023 at 7:44 pm

    Turned away at SFO today with VX. Claimed Capital One cards are through Plaza Premium and Plaza Premium no longer accepted.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 14, 2023 at 7:45 pm

      Good data point, but big red flag. Will investigate.

      I thought that SFO VS lounge was closed for refurbishment?

      Still listed as Plaza Premium lounge—
      https://www.plazapremiumlounge.com/en-uk/find/americas/united-states-of-america/san-francisco/san-francisco-international-airport/virgin-atlantic-clubhouse-by-plaza-premium-group

      • Jason Reply
        May 16, 2023 at 2:51 am

        No it’s been open for awhile. Lots of similar stories on Reddit. And not listed on Amex lounge site either.

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