The Vanishing Oasis: Airport Lounges and Tiered Reality

Before 2016, I looked at airport lounges with a sense of wonder. From the crowded gate seats, the frosted glass doors seemed to guard a different world.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve changed everything. With its massive bonus miles and unlimited guest access to Priority Pass, we finally stepped inside. Priority Pass is a global network of over 1,400 independent airport lounges that allows cardholders to escape terminal crowds. For years, it made international travel seamless. However, that popularity became its undoing. Lounges grew crowded, waitlists became the norm, and annual fees climbed.

Then came the Capital One Venture X. It offered a premium experience with a compelling math equation. But starting February 2026, Capital One is tightening the rope: only primary cardholders and account managers will have lounge access. Guests will no longer be complimentary. I am keeping the card because the 2x points remain a strong business value, but the experience is shifting.

Recently at Washington Dulles (IAD), the Capital One Lounge had a waitlist. We pivoted to the Air France lounge. While comfortable, it lacked the "Nordstrom of lounges" feel that Capital One has perfected. Capital One operates with the hospitality DNA of a Ritz-Carlton, and my family will miss that seamless access.

The View from Abu Dhabi

The trend of restricted access followed us to the new Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. On previous visits, the Pearl Lounge was a highlight. Its balcony area, featuring high roofs and terminal views, was a true oasis. It offered the kind of mental space that justifies the lounge cost.

This time, the reality was different. There was a long line just to enter, and once inside, we found the balcony area is now restricted to Premier and First Class passengers only. Even in a brand-new, massive lounge, the best physical space is being cordoned off.

It is a striking contrast: sitting in a world-class facility but being barred from the features that actually make it special. Much like the changes with US credit cards, the message is clear. Access is no longer enough; a new hierarchy is being built within the lounges themselves.

It feels calculated when companies provide a taste of luxury only to restrict it once you are hooked. But in a capitalist system, premium experiences eventually require a premium price tag. The era of the "free lunch" in the terminal is clearly closing.