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Credit cards with airport lounge access in Canada
Compare airport lounge programs in Canada and find the best credit card with lounge access for you.
The best way to get free airport lounge access when you travel is to get a credit card that gives you a number of free lounge visits per year. Find out more about the benefits of different airport lounge programs in Canada and compare credit cards with lounge access to find the best one for your needs.
Compare credit cards with lounge access in Canada
What is an airport lounge?
An airport lounge is a designated space in an airport that gives you a place to relax and unwind before your flight. Getting access to airport lounges can be very expensive and is often reserved for those who pay a hefty fee or have a first or business class ticket. That said, you may be able to access an airport lounge for free if you have this perk on your credit card.
Many airport lounges come with free food and drinks (including alcoholic beverages) as well as Wi-Fi and Internet stations. A select few come with extra benefits such as showers, conference rooms for meetings, pre-flight massages, printing stations and a host of other perks. The benefits you get will depend on which lounge you visit and where.
How can I access an airport lounge?
You can access an airport lounge in a number of different ways and each method will cost a different amount:
- Purchase a lounge membership. You can buy a membership to bring down the cost of every lounge visit. For example, if you spend $150 on an annual membership, the price of your lounge access might go from $70 per visit down to $20 per visit.
- Purchase a day pass. You may be able to purchase a day pass for some lounges for between $50 and $200. This will give you access to everything that members get but you’ll pay a higher price upfront.
- Show a business or first class ticket. You’ll usually be able to get into an airline lounge for free if you’re travelling on a first class or business class ticket. You just need to check in with your airline ahead of time to find out the details.
- Have a premium credit card with lounge access. Getting a premium credit card with lounge access can give you a free membership to lounge programs such as Priority Pass or LoungeKey, as well as complimentary free lounge visits every year.
Which credit card has the best airport lounge access?
The credit card with the best airport lounge access will depend on how much you want to spend on your annual fee.
- Low fee credit cards with lounge access. These offer a general lounge membership which means you can access the lounge for a discounted rate but you won’t get any free passes to enter.
- Best cards: Tangerine World Mastercard or Brim World Mastercard
- Premium credit cards with lounge access. You’ll get between 1 and 10 free passes per year to enter select airport lounges for free. After that, you’ll pay a discounted rate to enter in most cases.
- Elite travel credit cards. These cards provide unlimited lounge access all year round, and may even allow you to bring a guest in for free or at a discounted rate.
- Best cards: The Platinum Card from American Express
How can I access my lounge with a credit card?
You’ll need to follow these steps to access the airport lounge of your choice with a credit card:
- Enrol for the lounge access program that’s affiliated with your credit card (or just have your credit card on you for some programs).
- Make sure that the name on your card matches the name on your boarding pass when you book travel.
- Find out which lounges you’re eligible to enter before visiting the airport if possible.
- Visit the lounge in person on your day of travel and show your membership card or credit card to the front desk agent along with your boarding pass.
- Use the complimentary visit you get with your credit card or pay the required fee to access the lounge.
Can I use my family’s credit card for lounge access?
You won’t usually be able to use a family credit card to get lounge access in most cases. This is because lounge access is typically reserved for the primary cardholder. The only card that seems to offer lounge passes for supplementary cardholders is the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card.
That said, you may be able to get access to an airport lounge with some programs if you enter as a guest with the primary cardholder. You’ll just need to check the rules for your program in advance as some programs allow members to enter with guests while others require every person to pay separately or have their own valid entry pass.
Airport lounge programs in Canada
Find out more about the major airport lounge programs in Canada in the table below.
| Lounge program | Number of lounges worldwide | Lounge benefits (varies by location) | Fee for extra visits with membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge | 210 worldwide | Cell-free quiet zone Free food and drink Free alcoholic beverages Newspapers and television Complimentary Wi-Fi Showers Business centres | Between $20 and $36 for guests |
| Priority Pass Lounges | 1,300+ | Free food and drink Free alcoholic beverages Airport dining, retail and spa discounts Massage and sleeping rooms Streamlined mobile app | US$32 for members US$32 for guests |
| The American Express Global Lounge Collection | 1,300+ | Free food and drink Free alcoholic beverages Newspapers and television Complimentary Wi-Fi | Varies by lounge |
| LoungeKey | 1,000+ | Free food and drink Free alcoholic beverages Newspapers and television Complimentary Wi-Fi Airport dining, retail and spa discounts | US$32 for members US$32 for guests |
Lounge access credit cards by provider
You can sign up for a lounge access credit card with several providers. These include big banks, digital banks and private companies.
Big Five banks
The Big Five banks offer the largest selection of lounge access credit cards to choose from.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Lounge | Number of free visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card | $150 | Priority Pass | 6 per year |
| Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card | $399 | Priority Pass | 10 per year for primary cardholders, plus 4 for supplementary cardholders |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | $399 | Priority Pass | 6 per year |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | $119 | Westjet partner lounges | 4 per year (if you trade in a flight companion pass) |
| BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard | $150 (waived for the first year) | Loungekey | 4 per year |
| BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard | $120 (waived for the first year) | Loungekey | 2 per year |
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege | $499 | Priority Pass | 6 per year |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card | $139 (waived for the first year) | Priority Pass | 4 per year |
| CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card | $139 (waived for the first year) | Priority Pass | 4 per year |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $599 (with annual fee rebate up to $139 if you have a CIBC Smart Plus Account) | Maple Leaf Lounge and Priority Pass | Unlimited access to select Maple Leaf Lounges and 6 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $599 | Maple Leaf Lounge access | Unlimited access to select Maple Leaf Lounges for primary and supplementary cardholders |
Smaller banks
| Credit card | Annual fee | Lounge | Number of free visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC World Elite Mastercard | $149 | LoungeKey | $100 annual travel enhancement credit that can be put towards lounge visits |
| Rogers World Elite Mastercard | $0 | LoungeKey | No free visits but discounted access to LoungeKey lounges (only US$32 to enter) |
Digital banks
Digital banks tend to stay out of the credit card space for the most part. That said, there are a handful of credit cards offering lounge access with digital banks.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Lounge | Number of free visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tangerine World Mastercard | $0 | LoungeKey | No free visits but discounted access to LoungeKey lounges (only US$32 to enter) |
| Brim World Mastercard | $99 | LoungeKey | No free visits but discounted access to LoungeKey lounges (only US$32 to enter) |
| Brim World Elite Mastercard | $199 (waived for the first year) | LoungeKey | No free visits but discounted access to LoungeKey lounges (only US$32 to enter) |
Other financial institutions
If you tend to shop regularly at the same stores, you might want to check out these loyalty-brand prepaid credit cards.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Lounge | Number of free visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card from American Express | $699 | Amex Global Lounge Collection | Unlimited access to over 1,200 airport lounges across 130 countries |
| American Express AIR MILES Reserve Credit Card | $299 | Priority Pass | 4 per year |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | $599 | Maple Leaf Lounge and Priority Pass | Unlimited access to select Maple Leaf Lounges and discounted access to Priority Pass lounges |
| Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard | $130 | Desjardins Odyssey Lounge | 8 per year to the Desjardins Odyssey Montreal lounge (excludes US flights) |
Some of the Best Airline lounges in Canadian airports and the cards that get you in
While we’ve picked some of the most popular lounges in airports across Canada, these credit cards can typically get you into hundreds of airport lounges worldwide.
| Lounge | Credit card | Cost | Cost to access without card | Open to those without card? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air France KLM Lounge (Terminal 3) Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport | Discounted access only. Get a discounted Priority Pass membership for US$65/year and pay $32 per lounge visit | N/A | Yes, but must meet other criteria such as having elite status or premium airline tickets | |
| SkyTeam Lounge (International Terminal) Vancouver International Airport | Six free visits per year, US$27 thereafter | N/A | Yes, but must meet other criteria such as having elite status or premium airline tickets, or being a Lounge Club or SkyTeam member | |
| Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic-International Terminal) Edmonton International Airport | Ten free visits per year, US$32 thereafter | US$40 to $64 for two to six hours | Yes | |
| Plaza Premium Lounge Winnipeg J.A. Richardson International Airport | Ten free visits per year, US$32 thereafter | US$40 to $64 for two to six hours | Yes | |
| Aspire Lounge Calgary International Airport | Unlimited access | Not listed | Yes | |
| Salon VIP Lounge Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport | Unlimited access | $35 | Yes |
How to compare airport lounge access credit cards
You can compare a number of features to find the best airport lounge access credit card for you.
- Monthly or annual fees. Some lounge access cards come with no fees while others will charge high annual fees. Look for the card that will give you the most lounge access for the smallest fee possible.
- Interest rates. Many lounge access credit cards come with regular interest rates while others charge upwards of 30% on purchases if you don’t pay your balance in full each month. Make sure you check your rates before you sign on for a card.
- Number of lounge visits. Find out how many visits you’ll get for free with your credit card and make sure this matches up with your travel plans. For many low or no fee cards, you’ll usually need to pay for lounge visits at a discounted rate.
- Other travel perks. Some lounge access credit cards come with airport perks such as a free companion pass, NEXUS rebates, travel credits, priority boarding and free checked baggage. Find the one that has the best variety of perks you’ll actually use.
- Return on rewards. You’ll want to make sure that you get a high return on rewards along with a decent amount of lounge access if you’re paying a high annual fee. Most cards come with frequent flyer miles or points (but not cashback).
- Benefits. The other benefits on offer with a lounge access card can make or break your decision to sign up. Look for a card that offers comprehensive travel insurance (including travel medical) and no foreign transaction fees to get the most bang for your buck.
- Provider. When deciding on a prepaid credit card, you can choose from many providers. Look for a card with a company you trust and make sure the rewards are tailored to your lifestyle.
How to apply for a lounge access credit card
You can follow these steps to apply for an airport lounge access credit card:
- Compare lounge access credit cards. Compare credit cards from a number of providers to find the one with the best mix of rewards and benefits for your needs.
- Apply for the card of your choice. Apply for the credit card of your choice by visiting the main site of the provider you’re interested in.
- Fill out application details. Fill out personal details such as your full name, address, email and phone number to start your application.
- Click submit. Once you’re ready to apply, click submit on your application or call your credit card provider to apply over the phone.
- Wait for your card to arrive. When your application is approved, your provider should send your card out in the mail or allow you to pick it up at a branch location.
How to maximize your credit card’s travel rewards
Besides getting airport lounge access, travel credit cards usually come with other discounts on travel you can access once you’ve built up enough points. Consider using these tips to help you maximize your rewards earning potential.
- Earn the signup bonus. First, choose a credit card that offers a signup bonus. The bigger the bonus, the better. Use your card to pay for everything you possibly can within the bonus qualifying period.
- Maximize spending in the highest-earning categories. If your travel card offers higher rewards on specific types of purchases, use your card for those purchases as much as possible. For example, if your card pays double points on restaurant purchases, pay for meals with it each time you dine out.
- Book with the airline directly. You may be used to using Expedia or Orbitz to book your travel at the lowest prices. However, many travel credit cards won’t pay miles on purchases made through online travel sites. Instead, book your flight directly through the airline to earn rewards on your flight purchase.
- Reach elite status. Miles you earn within an airline’s travel rewards program increase the opportunity to reach elite status. Generally, as your status increases, you’ll earn more miles per flight. “Elite” miles aren’t always redeemable for flights, but they can help you reach a higher rewards status that provides you with additional perks like free first-class upgrades, priority boarding, bonus miles and more.
Bottom line
Airport lounge access credit cards can come in handy when you want to travel in comfort. These cards often come with a high price tag but they typically offer a number of other travel perks and benefits to make up for the high annual fee. Find out more about how lounge access credit cards work and compare cards to find the best fit for your unique personal situation.
Frequently asked questions about credit cards with lounge access
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