The best credit cards for airport lounge access in Canada
Choose from a solid selection of credit cards that feature airport lounge access as part of their perks.
6 annual passes to over 1,200 lounges globally. Plus pay no forex fees when abroad.
4 annual passes to 1,300 lounges globally.
Unlimited access to over 1,300 lounges globally (including premium centurion lounges). Plus get a $200 annual travel credit.
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Best airport lounge access credit cards in Canada
Airport lounge access can transform an otherwise gruelling layover into a relaxing respite. Lounges may offer free snacks and drinks (including complimentary alcoholic beverages), free Wi-Fi, plentiful comfortable seating, dedicated work areas, showers, sleep pods and even spa services. It’s little wonder, then, that for many frequent fliers, lounge access is an especially coveted credit card feature. Let’s look at the lounge access cards that currently top the category in Canada.
| Card | Number of lounge visits |
|---|---|
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Annual Fee: $150 | 6 annual passes to 1,200+ lounges globally with Visa Airport Companion |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege* Annual Fee: $599 | Unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges in North America Plus, 6 annual passes to 1,200+ lounges with Visa Airport Companion |
| American Express The Platinum Card Annual Fee: $799 | Unlimited access to 1,400+ lounges with Amex Global Lounge Collection |
| BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard* Annual Fee: $150 | 4 annual passes to 1,300+ lounges with DragonPass |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Annual Fee: $139 | 4 annual passes to 1,200+ lounges globally with Visa Airport Companion |
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Your options for accessing airport lounges in Canada
Airport lounge access generally comes at cost. You can either buy access to a network of lounges—for example, annual passes to Maple Leaf Lounges start at $375 per year—or purchase hourly passes directly from a single lounge (for example, the Plaza Premium Lounge at Toronto Pearson Airport charges $59 for two hours and $96 for six hours). If you want free lounge access, your options are more limited. First-class passengers may get access as part of their ticket benefits, and Air Canada’s Aeroplan program offers access to Elite members who have reached an eligible status level. For frequent travellers, carrying an airport lounge credit card may be the simplest and most cost-effective way to get this premium perk.
—MoneySense editors
Best overall airport lounge access credit card
At a glance: With six complimentary airport lounge visits a year, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers the most free visits among credit cards in a comparable fee range. For that reason alone, the card pays for itself. Adding to its travel-friendly allure is the fact that it’s one of the few cards in Canada that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction (FX) fee. Other cards typically charge 2.5% on purchases made in a foreign currency.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $150
- 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys stores
- 2 points per $1 on groceries, dining, entertainment and transit
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
- Pay no FX fees on foreign purchases
Welcome offer: earn up to $1,100 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points. To qualify, apply by October 31, 2024.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | $60,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel on any airline or hotel (including AirBnBs). |
Pros
- Receive complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program membership, which includes six free lounge visits per year, the most free visits of any travel credit card in a similar fee range.
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases made in non-Canadian currency.
- It’s one of the few cards that don’t make you book travel through a proprietary booking site in order to redeem points. While you can book with Scene+ Travel, you can also book travel online or with any travel agency and still redeem Scene+ points to cover the cost of your trip
Cons
- The highest earn rate of 3 Scene+ points is only available at a few grocery retailers.
- No mobile device insurance coverage.
- Scene+ points have a lower value when redeemed for gift cards or merchandise than when used for grocery purchases and travel.
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Best luxury airport lounge access card
At a glance: For Aeroplan points collectors who want an elevated airport experience, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege credit card can be a great travel companion. It’s packed with travel benefits like unlimited free access for you and a guest to Maple Leaf Lounges throughout North America.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
Annual fee: $599
- 2 Aeroplan points per $1 on direct purchases with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
- 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on eligible gas, grocery, travel and dining purchases
- 1.25 points per $1 spent everywhere else
Welcome offer: You can earn a welcome bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card; Earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 180 days of Account opening. Conditions apply. Account must be approved by September 3, 2024.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers, 22.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | Personal income of $150,000 or household income of $200,000 |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Anniversary bonus | Earn 30,000 Aeroplan points when you spend at least $24,000 within 12 months of opening the account. Conditions apply. |
| Point value | Aeroplan points are worth $0.02 on average. |
Pros
- Includes unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges for you and a guest as well as six free visits per year to over 1,200 lounges with its included DragonPass membership.
- Take advantage of a Nexus fee rebate of up to $100 every two years.
- Comes packed with generous travel-friendly perks like priority boarding and upgrades, as well as a companion pass.
- The included travel insurance is robust—with coverage for the first 31 days of your trip if you are under 65, as opposed to the more common 15-21 days. You also get flight delay/ trip cancellation coverage, common carrier and rental car accident insurance.
Cons
- To qualify, you’ll need a high personal or household income.
- Even for a premium card with tons of perks, the annual fee is high, at $599.
- Many of the travel benefits (like priority check-in and priority boarding) only apply to flights operated by Air Canada.
Best airport lounge access card for frequent travellers
At a glance: It’s one of the most expensive premium credit cards in Canada, but the $799 annual fee gets you access to the most comprehensive and amenity-laden selection of airport lounges worldwide, including top-tier American Express Centurion Lounges. Depending on the lounge, cardholders may have an unlimited number of free visits and can also bring one companion with them at no additional cost.
American Express Platinum
Annual fee: $799
- 2 points per $1 on dining and food delivery
- 2 points per $1 on travel, plus 1 additional point on purchases booked through Amex Travel Online
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
Welcome offer: earn up to 100,000 rewards points ($1,000 value). Conditions apply.
Card details
| Interest rates | N/A (as a charge card, you’re required to pay off your balance in full every month) |
| Income required | None |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
| Anniversary bonus | $200 annual dining credit to use at a curated list of Canada’s top restaurants. Plus, $200 annual travel credit when booking through American Express Travel Online. |
| Point value | 1 Amex Membership Rewards point = $0.01 when redeemed with the Flexible Points Travel Program, $0.015 on average with the Fixed Points Travel Program, and up to $0.02 with airline points transfers. |
Pros
- The card gives you access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection, which is the largest airport lounge collection available, featuring more than 1,300 lounges in over 140 countries. Lounges include American Express Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium and Delta Sky lounges.
- Get a $200 credit that can be redeemed towards a travel purchase made via American Express Travel Online.
- When staying at eligible Fine Hotels + Resorts, enjoy extras like guaranteed late check-out and complimentary daily breakfast for two.
Cons
- Comes with one of the highest annual fees in Canada.
- The travel medical insurance is somewhat lacklustre for such a high annual fee—it only covers you for up to 15 consecutive days (other cards offer 20 days or more) and doesn’t offer any insurance to those who are 65 or older.
- American Express isn’t as widely accepted by retailers in Canada as Visa and Mastercard.
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Best airport lounge access card for occasional travel
At a glance: If you find yourself in an airport even just a few times a year, you’ll appreciate that the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard offers free membership in the Mastercard Travel Pass program provided by DragonPass, plus four free passes a year.
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $150
- 5 points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases
- 3 points per $1 on dining, entertainment, and recurring bill payments
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
Welcome offer: You can earn up to 100,000 points
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances, 23.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
| Point value | 1 BMO Rewards point = $0.0067 when redeemed for travel. |
Pros
- Comes with free membership in the Mastercard Travel Pass program provided by DragonPass, as well as four free passes a year.
- Solid selection of travel insurance that includes travel medical, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, and delayed and lost baggage insurance.
- BMO Rewards has one of the most flexible redemption programs in the country, and you can redeem points for travel purchases without buying from a specific provider.
Cons
- To qualify, you’ll need an annual personal income of $80,000 or a household income of $150,000.
- The card’s base earn rate of 1 BMO point per dollar comes out to a return of 0.67%, which is considerably lower than 1 % return offered by most comparable cards on generic purchases that don’t fall under a bonus category.
Best airport lounge access card for travelling to the U.S.
At a glance: If you frequently cross the border to the U.S. for vacations, work trips or family visits, consider the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite. The card includes membership in the Visa Airport Companion Program and also gives you four free lounge visits a year. Every four years, you get a statement credit of up to $100 towards a Nexus application fee.
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $139
- 2 points per $1 spent on travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre
- 1.5 points per $1 on gas, groceries and drugstores
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
Welcome offer: You can earn up to $1,400 in value including a first year annual fee rebate.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000 |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
| Point value | 1 point= $0.01 on average. |
Pros
- Includes a free membership to the Visa Airport Companion Program managed by DragonPass, as well as four free lounge visits per year.
- Flexible rewards program that allows you to redeem points for travel, merchandise, gift cards, mortgage payments and more.
- Save up to 10 cents/litre on gas at eligible gas stations if you link your card with Journie Rewards, a loyalty program that helps you earn points at Pioneer, Fasgas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.
Cons
- To get the highest earn rate of 2 points for every $1 spent, you must make a travel purchase via the CIBC Rewards Centre.
- The value of points decreases when they’re not used for travel.
- There is an $80,000 cap on the 1.5-point earn rate, after which you’ll only get 1 point per $1 spent on groceries, gas and drugstore purchases.
Our methodology: How we determine the best cards
The MoneySense editorial team selects the best credit cards by assessing the value they provide to Canadians across various categories. Our best credit cards for airport lounge access ranking is based on an extensive list of card details and features—with a focus on those that matter to air travellers—including the number of airport lounge visits, annual fees, interest rates, welcome offers, rewards earn rates and redemption options, annual income requirements and perks. We have also considered the pros and cons of each card to help you determine which ones best suit your financial needs. Our rankings are an unbiased source of information for Canadians. The addition of links from affiliate partners has no bearing on the results. Read more about how MoneySense makes money.
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Airport lounge access programs in Canada
| Program | Key details |
|---|---|
| DragonPass Number of lounges: More than 1,200 worldwide | In 2022, DragonPass took over the airport lounge programs for Visa and Mastercard; in Canada, the programs are now respectively called the Visa Airport Companion Program and Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass. The program includes access to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada, as well as hundreds of different lounge programs worldwide. Lounges feature snacks and beverages, free Wi-Fi, showers and business centres. Cardholders can usually use their free passes for themselves and for a guest, but specific rules vary by lounge. |
| Maple Leaf Lounges Number of lounges: 16 across North America and Europe | Amenities include cell-free quiet zones, snacks and beverages, free Wi-Fi and showers. Maple Leaf Lounges can only be used by customers departing on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Express or a Star Alliance partner airline. |
| Centurion Lounges Number of lounges: More than 40 worldwide | Centurion Lounges typically feature high-quality meals (designed by award-winning chefs) and beverages (and may even feature a signature cocktail), free high-speed Wi-Fi, plush seating and dedicated working areas. Some feature elevated amenities like spa services, nap pods and showers. Centurion Lounges are often part of The American Express Global Lounge Collection that features more than 1,300 airport lounges in over 140 countries. |
How to get free access to airport lounges in Canada
Several travel credit cards offer access to airport lounges for cardholders. Depending on the credit card, you can get a certain number of lounge visits every year in specific countries around the world. If you want to get free unlimited access to airport lounges, consider a credit card like the American Express Platinum Card which includes the American Express Global Lounge Collection. The card comes with a fairly large annual fee, like most credit cards with airport lounge access, but the card’s rewards and benefits may outweigh the fee if you are a frequent flier and value the ability to visit airport lounges when you’re traveling.
DragonPass vs. Priority Pass: Which should you choose?
DragonPass and Priority Pass are third-party lounge access membership providers. Up until 2022, Priority Pass was the primary partner for most Mastercard and Visa airport lounge programs. However, DragonPass has become the partner of choice for most credit card lounge access programs for cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite. You can still access the Priority Pass program with the American Express Platinum Card, however.
Frequently asked questions
Several different credit cards give you access to airport lounges. Select Mastercards provide membership to the Mastercard Travel Pass program, and some Visa cards offer membership to the Visa Airport Companion Program. Both Visa’s and Mastercard’s airport lounge programs are provided by DragonPass, which features access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide. The American Express Platinum card gives cardholders access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection, the largest lounge collection available.
As airport lounge access is an especially desirable perk, credit card providers generally make it obvious on their websites if they offer airport lounge access. Often, this perk is listed under “travel benefits.” The best way to make sure is to contact your provider directly and ask if it provides airport lounge access, and if any free visits are included. Note that some credit card providers give a free membership to a lounge program but don’t include any free visits. Lounge visits can cost upwards of USD$32 each, even with a membership.
More of Canada’s best credit cards:
- Canada’s best credit cards
- Canada’s best instant approval credit cards
- Canada’s best no fee credit cards
- Canada’s best credit cards for people with bad credit
- Canada’s best travel credit cards
- Canada’s best cash back credit cards
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