Capital One Lounge at New York JFK: The Issuer’s Impressive Flagship Location
by Krish Patel
Capital One is claiming its brand new JFK lounge to be their flagship location. The credit card issuer has been part of the airport lounge game for several years now, and most recently debuted an outpost in JFK’s Terminal 4. Additionally, the Capital One Lounge in New York offers several unique amenities such as an in-lounge bodega, cheesemonger, and flashy bar. If you’re passing through the Big Apple, then the Capital One Lounge is definitely worth a visit.
Capital One Lounge Hours, Location, and Access
The Capital One Lounge at JFK is open 24/7 and located in the airport’s Terminal 4. Its entrance can be found on the main departure level right between concourses A and B. This is the same terminal where you’ll also find a Chase Sapphire Lounge, American Express Centurion Lounge, and a Delta Sky Club. Perhaps, there’s a little competition from Chase, Amex, and Delta Air Lines?
Cardholders of the Capital One Venture X ($395 annual fee) can gain complimentary lounge access and is the primary method by which most travelers will get in. Note that starting in February, authorized users will no longer receive free lounge access through the card, nor will complimentary guests be able to join a Venture X cardholder. Instead, primary cardholders can pay a fee of $125 each year for each authorized user to receive Capital One Lounge access.
Additionally, Business Class passengers traveling with Singapore Airlines will be able to use the lounge thanks to a new partnership with Capital one and Singapore Airlines. If you don’t have a Capital One card or SQ Business Class ticket, you can still get in by paying the lounge entrance fee of $90 per person, which is what I did.
Capital One Lounge JFK Seating, Layout, and Ambiance
Immediately once I entered, I was mesmerized by the curated artwork and home-like decorations situated on the shelves adjacent to the front desk. The lighting and bright, vivid colors blend together to create a visually appealing environment for lounge guests.
Side note: Don’t forget to grab a complimentary dark chocolate as you walk in!
Along the entrance corridor, you’ll also find several seating nooks paired with local artwork and two-top dining tables. They make for a nice place to relax or catch up on work if you prefer to stay near the entrance. However, for the most ornate furniture options, I highly suggest that you venture towards the front of the lounge.
Situated at the end of the corridor is the lounge’s signature red chandelier decked out in red and silver crystals, which pay tribute to the Capital One branding. There is a plethora of couches arranged beneath the central chandelier, as well as bright lighting and plants. The soft, cozy textures and vivid golden finishes seamlessly blend together to create a lounge environment pleasing to the eyes and also help make the space feel more inviting.
Found directly to the left of the central lounging area is a dedicated seating space meant for working and relaxation. You’ll be able to enjoy sweeping views of the action going on at Terminal 4, especially during the day when there’s plenty of natural light.
In front of the flagship cocktail bar is another spacious area to sit. You’ll find plenty of side table space and outlets for charging, making it possible to get work done from most places in the lounge. I’m a huge fan of the trendy design of the lounging area adjacent to the bar. Cool touches such as reflective mirrors on the ceiling and a bright sconce-lit chandelier help elevate the ambiance to a level that’s virtually nonexistent in many other lounges.
Connecting the two seating areas is a long corridor lined with blue bar chairs and individual pink recliners. Along the hallway, you’ll find a refreshment station and a set of bathrooms.
Capital One Lounge JFK Food and Drink
A core focus for Capital One in its airport lounges is to serve fresh food and drinks. Of course, the issuer’s outpost at JFK is no exception. No matter where you’re sitting in the lounge, you can order warm á la carte dishes to your seat by scanning a bar code for the online menu.
In the main seating area, which can be found to the left of the entrance, guests can help themselves to delicious delectable bites from the buffet. The buffet consists of colorful individually plated dishes that utilize fresh ingredients and are crafted by local chefs. In case you’re craving something sweet, there are delicious cookies and brownie squares for dessert.
Drinks such as lemonade, soda, and sparkling water are all available on tap. Various drink stations throughout the lounge also offer coffee, chai lattes, and cold brew.
Two unique food offerings in this lounge are the bodega and cheesemonger. At the bodega, you can order freshly made coffee and bagels from Ess-a-Bagel. Of course, there are also food items you can grab for a takeaway from the lounge, as well as bags and plastic cutlery. The grab-and-go food offerings are a signature staple of all Capital One Lounges.
The cheesemonger serves cheeses from Murray’s Cheese Shop in New York City. During my time in the lounge, the cheesemonger was closed. However, the curator was kind enough to let me try one of the remaining samples, which was delicious. Based on the cheeses you select, you’ll be offered crackers and jams that pair along.
Capital One Lounge JFK Amenities
As is the case with several new airport lounges across the country, this one is pretty light when it comes down to the amenities. There is a family room that features a baby-changing pad and diapers. You’ll find the parents room right next to the restrooms.
There aren’t any phone booths or workstations, but you will find a set of private rooms, which are bookable on a first come-first-serve basis.
You’ll find seven sleek all-gender bathrooms, all of which feature a large mirror, dark blue accents, and bright glazed walls. One of the bathrooms even doubles as a shower suite, but I can only imagine how long the line would be during the afternoon and evening hours.
Overall Thoughts
Capital One’s Lounge at JFK is a wonderful edition to the airport lounge battle within Terminal 4. Several amenities such as a cheesemonger, bodega, and the well-appointed seating areas make this a credit card lounge that’s worth a visit if you have the Venture X. Personally, I’ve visited other lounges in Terminal 4, but none of the airline clubs and credit card branded lounges come close to Capital One’s offering in the Big Apple (aside from the Business Class-only Delta One Lounge). If you’re passing through JFK, then this is a lounge worth visiting.