Best credit cards for airport lounge access 2021

Of course, you can purchase one-time access to a lounge for a bit less than half the price of a yearly unlimited access subscription, such as Priority Pass. A variety of Canadian credit cards do offer lounge privileges included with the annual fee, but there are differences around how access is granted and which ones you can visit. Some cards offer unlimited access to select airport lounges, while others offer limited access each year. Figuring out how many times you will be travelling in a year may dictate which card you choose.

In Canada, the three ways you’ll typically access airport lounges through your credit card are Priority Pass, American Express Centurion and traditional airline-specific lounges, such as Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge and the Mastercard Experience Lounges. Browse our picks below for the best credit cards for lounge access, along with annual fees and the value of their lounge benefits.

The best credit cards with airport lounge access

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card*

Scotiabank stepped up its travel offerings with the Passport Visa Infinite. With a $139 annual fee, the card offers no foreign transaction fees and a Priority Pass membership with six visits annually. Other cards in this tier typically come with fewer complimentary lounge visits. And if you consider the full retail value of these passes, the card’s annual fee essentially pays for itself. The card provides access to the 1,200 lounges in Priority Pass global network, plus the protection of premium travel insurance and a hefty sign-up bonus. 

The unique combination of lounge access, no foreign transaction fees and a comprehensive travel package makes this a great selection in the under-$150, annual-fee range, allowing you to travel in style, save on foreign spend and be protected on daily purchases. 

• Annual fee: $139
• Income requirement: $60,000, a minimum household income of $100,000 or a minimum of $250,000 in assets under management
• Sign-up bonus: Earn up to 30,000 Scotia Rewards points by making a minimum $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months
• Rewards: 2 points per $1 on grocery, entertainment, dining and transit/travel; 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Other perks: Priority Pass access with 6 visits a year; no foreign transaction fee; comprehensive travel insurance

Get more details about the Scotiabank Passport Infinite Privilege*

American Express Platinum Card

The American Express Platinum Card’s unique selling feature is access to a variety of lounges across the American Express Global Lounge Collection. These include Priority Pass, Amex’s own Centurion Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying with the carrier). This top-tier card offers unlimited access to the widest range of airport lounges, which are included with your annual fee. As a frequent lounge visitor, I can say American Express Centurion Lounge Collection runs circles around its competition with seasonal and locally inspired menus, curated wine pairings and refreshing showers.

The Platinum Card comes at a steep $699 annual fee, but along with it comes a suite of benefits, including hotel status, enhanced lounge options, premium insurance coverage and a $200 annual travel credit—which really brings the annual fee down to $499. If you know you’ll leverage the benefits (and the welcome bonus below), this is a worthwhile option.

• Annual fee: $699
• Income requirement: N/A
• Sign-up bonus: Earn up to 150,000 points. In the first six months, new cardholders can earn up to 70,000 membership rewards points after spending $6,000 in purchases and they can earn 10 times the points on eligible food and drink purchases in Canada (max. 50,000 points). And if you make a purchase between the 14 and 17 months of having the card, you’ll get an additional 30,000 points. Must apply by August 3rd, 2021.
• Rewards: 3 points per $1 on dining; 2 points per $1 on travel; 1 point per $1 on everything else
• Other perks: $200 annual travel credit; Priority Pass and American Express Centurion Lounge access; Toronto Pearson Airport priority lane; hotel status at select brands; premium medical, flight delay/cancellation and baggage insurance

Get more details about American Express Platinum*

BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege*

BMO got back into this game, launching the BMO eclipse Visa cards in November 2020. Alongside the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite, the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege card amps up the bank’s rewards credit card game.

Cardholders have access to Visa Infinite Privilege benefits—including a Priority Pass membership with six airport lounge passes a year (a total value of US$300 annually), access to the Visa Infinite Dining Series, expansive travel insurance, mobile device protection, and purchase protection and warranty. While travel may take some time to rebound for many, this card offers a great incentive to earn while building in excellent flexibility on redemptions in the meantime. 

However, the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege annual fee rings in at a hefty $499, along with a minimum annual income requirements of $150,000 (individual) or $200,000 (household). But the credit card packs some competitive earn rates, impressive airport lounge access perks and a whopping $200 “lifestyle credit” every January. That last one is free money on your card that effectively brings the annual fee down to $299.

BMO pushes past similar cards in the category with an extremely competitive earn rate, offering five times the BMO Rewards Points on purchase categories from grocery and drugstore purchases, gas, restaurants and takeout and travel and 1 point per $1 on everything else. For those who add a secondary cardholder ($99 a year per card), they increase their points earn rate by 25% for both users—another great way to earn back the $499 annual fee and then some.

• Annual fee: $499 (additional cardholder $99)
• Welcome bonus: 50,000 points (35,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, plus 15,000 points on your first anniversary)
• Earn rate: 5 points per $1 on groceries, gas, restaurants and takeout, drugstore purchases, and travel; 1 point per $1 everywhere else
• Our favourite features: $200 annual lifestyle credit to be applied on one purchase of $200 or greater every January, provided the account is open and in good standing at the time of payout; 25% points accelerator for those who add a secondary cardholder
• Additional benefits: Extensive travel insurance, purchase protection and warranty, mobile device insurance, Priority Pass with 6 visits a year, Visa Infinite Privilege priority airport access, and Visa Infinite Dining Series once enrolled through VisaInfinite.ca/privilege

Get more details about the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege*

BMO World Elite Mastercard*

The BMO World Elite Mastercard is a great credit card that offers a competitive welcome bonus (30,000 BMO Rewards oints, or a $200 value, after you spend a minimum of $3,000 in first three months of membership), no annual fee for the first year and participation in the Mastercard Airport Experiences program. Mastercard’s Airport Experiences program and lounges are run by LoungeKey and offer World Elite users access to 1,000 lounges around the globe. 

With BMO World Elite Mastercard, cardholders receive four passes to use themselves or to share with their travel companions, which is a great option if you’re not a frequent flyer but still want the flexibility of using a lounge a few times a year. The card has a $150 annual fee, and can be a great way to try out LoungeKey, and if you need more access, the cost for additional visits is US$32 per person.

• Annual fee: $150 (first year free)
• Income requirement: $80,000 individual or $150,000 household annual income required
• Sign-up bonus: Earn up to 30,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus another 10,000 points on your first anniversary (worth $200 when you pay with points)
• Rewards: 3 points per $1 on travel, dining and entertainment; 2 points per $1 on everything else
• Other perks: Participation in Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by LoungeKey; four complimentary lounge access passes per year (use by primary member or with companions); extended warranty, purchase protection and BMO World Elite travel and medical protection

Get more details about the BMO World Elite Mastercard*

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite

CIBC’s Aventura Visa Infinite card enhances your entire gate-to-gate experience through a Nexus membership rebate. The annual fee of $120 grants you access to the Priority Pass program with just four visits a year. While this is less than the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, the annual fee is $19 cheaper and you get a Nexus membership rebate for $50. 

For frequent flyers who might not need more than four lounge visits, this card is great, as the Nexus value is worth much more than $50. It allows you to use the Trusted Traveller lanes in Canadian and American PreCheck screening lanes, saving you a ton of time and potential headaches. 

• Annual fee: $120 
• Income requirement: $60,000 individual or $100,000 household annual income
• Sign-up bonus: Up to 20,000 points (15,000 points on first purchase, 5,000 points after spending $3,000 during the first 4 monthly statement periods)
• Rewards: 2 points per $1 in CIBC Rewards Centre; 1.5 points per $1 on gas, grocery and drug stores; 1 point per $1 on everything else
• Other perks: Priority Pass membership with 4 visits a year; Nexus card fee rebate ($50 value, every 4 years); out-of-province emergency travel medical insurance; flight delay and baggage insurance; purchase protection and mobile device insurance

MORE ON CANADA’S BEST CREDIT CARDS:

• Overall Best Credit Cards in Canada
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• Best Travel Insurance Credit Cards
• Best Air Miles Credit Cards
• Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards