I love relaxing in an airport lounge before a flight, and free access to airport lounges is one of the best perks offered by several premium credit cards in Canada.
In this guide, I examine what it involves, including its pros and cons, the different airport lounge programs available in Canada, and the best travel credit cards that provide access to lounges.
Key Takeaways
- Airport lounge access is a perk offered by a few premium credit cards from Amex, Scotiabank, BMO, and CIBC.
- There are three main airport lounge programs in Canada: the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges, DragonPass, and the Amex Global Lounge Collection.
- Before applying for a lounge access credit card in Canada, there are pros and cons to consider.
Best Lounge Access Credit Cards in Canada
Here are nine of the best travel cards in Canada that include airport lounge access along with several other travel perks:
1. Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
Best for no FX fees and travel perks
Annual fee: $150
Rewards: Earn 3x Scene+ points on eligible grocery purchases, 2x pts. on dining, entertainment and transit, and 1x pts. on everything else.
Welcome offer: Up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points and no annual fee for the first year.
Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: $60,000
Recommended credit score:
Very Good
On Scotiabank’s website
With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, you can access the Visa Airport Companion Program. You get six free visits to airport lounges annually, and there are over 1,200 lounges worldwide, including Plaza Premium Lounges.
To apply for the card, you need a minimum income of $60,000 or a minimum family income of $100,000. The fee is $150 annually, and the APR on purchases is 20.99% and on cash advances is 22.99%.
Other perks include no FX fees and the ability to earn Scene+ points. In addition, you will get 3x points at various grocery stores and 2x on dining, entertainment, and daily transit.
2. Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card
Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card
Top premium credit card for airline lounge access
Annual fee: $399
Rewards: Earn 2X Scene+ points on all eligible purchases and 3X points on travel purchased via Scene+ Travel.
Welcome offer: Earn up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points.
Interest rates: 9.99% on both purchases and cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: $12,000
Recommended credit score:
Very Good
On Scotiabank’s website
This is another favourite card that gives you 10 free visits to airport lounges each year in the Priority Pass and Plaza Premium programs. You can enter with a travel companion, but they take up one of your free visits.
The annual fee is $399, with a low interest rate of 9.99% on purchases and cash advances.
You can also earn 2x Scene+ points on all eligible purchases, and it has no FX fees, access to premium concierge services, and travel insurance coverage.
3. BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
Good BMO travel credit card
Annual fee: $150
Rewards: Earn BMO Rewards points on every purchase you make with the card.
Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases and 23.99% for advances for non-Quebec residents, and 21.99% for Quebec residents.
Minimum income requirement: $80,000 for the primary cardholders or $150,000 for a household.
Recommended credit score:
Good
On BMO’s website
Get free membership of Mastercard Travel Pass lounges with four free passes each year with this card.
You will need a minimum personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 to apply, and the APR is 20.99% on purchases and 23.99% on cash advances.
You can also earn 5x BMO Rewards points on travel purchases and 3x points on entertainment, dining, and recurring bills. In addition, you can redeem points for discounts on travel purchases. It also includes travel insurance coverage.
4. The Platinum Card by American Express
American Express Platinum Card
Top credit card for VIP perks
Annual fee: $799 (and $250 annual fee for additional cards)
Rewards: Earn 2x Membership Rewards Points on dining and food delivery, 2x pts. on travel and 1x pts. on everything else.
Interest rates: Variable (charge card)
Minimum income requirement: N/A
Recommended credit score:
Very Good
On Amex’s website
The Platinum Card includes unlimited access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, with over 1,300 airport lounges in 140 countries.
It has an annual fee of $799, and you can earn Amex points on all purchases, including 2x points on dining and food delivery and 2x points on travel.
It also comes with a $200 annual travel credit, a $200 annual dining credit, and complimentary benefits at selected hotels and resorts, making it an excellent option for travellers.
5. Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
Best travel credit card in Canada
Annual fee: $120
Rewards: Earn up to 6x Scene+ points on groceries, 5x pts. on dining, food delivery, & entertainment, 3x pts. on gas, and 1x pts. on everything else.
Welcome offer: Get up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first 12 months.
Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: $12,000
Recommended credit score:
Good
On Scotiabank’s website
Get a discount on Priority Pass membership and access over 1,200 airport lounges with this card.
The annual fee is $120, and the APR is 20.99% for purchases and 22.99% for cash advances.
You will earn 6x Scene+ points at Sobeys, Safeway, and other grocery stores, 5x points on dining and entertainment, and 3x points on gas, transit, and streaming services.
It also has no FX fees and includes other benefits like complimentary concierge services and Amex Offers.
6. BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege
Excellent travel rewards card
Annual fee: $499
Rewards: Earn 5x rewards points for every $1 you spend on dining, groceries, gas, travel, and drugstore purchases. Earn 25% more points on all purchases when you add an additional card user. Receive a $200 annual lifestyle credit.
Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases and 23.99% for cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents).
Minimum income requirement: $150,000 minimum income and $200,000 household income.
Recommended credit score:
Good
On BMO’s website
This credit card gives you Visa Airport Companion membership with six free annual airport lounge visits.
The annual fee is $499, and you need a personal income of $150,000 or a household income of $200,000 to apply. It also has an APR of 20.99% for purchases and 23.99% for cash advances.
Earn 5x BMO Rewards points for every $1 spent on groceries, dining, gas, travel, and drugstore purchases, and you can use points to get discounts on spending.
This card also includes travel insurance coverage, a $200 annual lifestyle credit, and other Visa Infinite privileges, including a priority security lane.
7. CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
Great for travel insurance
Annual fee: $139
Rewards: Earn 2 points on every $1 spent on travel purchases.
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: A minimum annual individual income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000.
Recommended credit score:
Good or better
On CIBC’s website
With this card, you can access the Visa Airport Companion Program with four complimentary lounge visits each year.
You need a personal income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000 to apply, and it costs $139 per year. The APR is 20.99% for purchases and 22.99% for cash advances.
You can also earn Aventura Points when you spend on this card. You’ll get 2 points for every $1 spent on travel via the CIBC Rewards Centre, 1.5 points on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, and drugstores, and 1 point for everything else.
You can redeem points for flights and hotels or pay down your credit card balance, and you will also get access to Visa Infinite Exclusive Offers.
Learn more about CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card.
8. American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
Premium travel credit card
Annual fee: $599
Rewards: Earn 3 points per $1 spent on Air Canada purchases. Earn 2 points per $1 spent on dining. Earn 1.25 points per $1 spent on everything else.
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: No minimum income requirements.
Recommended credit score:
Good
On Amex’s website
The benefits of this card are focused on Air Canada, including access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in North America for you and a guest, as well as Priority Pass access with over 1,200 lounges.
The annual fee is $599, and the APR is 20.99% for purchases.
You can also earn Aeroplan points when you spend using this card. This includes earning up to 3x points on Air Canada purchases, 2x points on dining and delivery, and 1.25x points on everything else.
It also comes with perks, including priority check-in and boarding for you and up to eight companions, travel insurance coverage, and more.
Learn more about the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card in this explainer.
9. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
You can access Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the United States with this credit card.
The fee is $599 annually, with an APR of 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances. There is also a minimum income requirement of $150,000 or a minimum household income of $200,000 to apply.
You can also earn Aeroplan points when you spend on the card, including two points for every $1 spent with Air Canada. You can also access Priority Airport Services, including priority boarding and baggage handling.
Airport Lounge Access Programs in Canada
There are several airport lounge access programs in Canada. Here are three of the most important:
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges
This is Air Canada’s airport lounge program. It provides access to 16 lounges in Europe and North America, including at Toronto Pearson International Airport, which I can personally confirm is excellent.
The lounges can only be used by departing customers flying with Air Canada or Star Alliance partners.
Inside, you’ll find quiet zones, food and drink, free WiFi, showers, relaxing seating, and more so you can relax before your flight.
DragonPass
DragonPass provides Visa and Mastercard airport lounge access programs. It includes the Visa Airport Companion Program and Mastercard Travel Pass.
The program includes access to different lounges, including Plaza Premium lounges across Canada and other programs worldwide, like Aspire Lounges. There are over 1,200 worldwide.
Facilities vary, but the lounges typically include showers, free WiFi, business centres, snacks and drinks.
Amex Global Lounge Collection
American Express offers the Amex Global Lounge Collection. It includes access to several lounge programs, including Centurion Lounges, International American Express Lounges, Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, Delta Sky Club Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, and Lufthansa Lounges.
Centurion Lounges are premium lounges, but they are only for a select few card holders, and not everyone can access them.
Methodology:
I chose the best cards on this list based on several factors, primarily the access they provide to airport lounges in Canada and worldwide. I also looked at other factors like annual fees, interest rates, application requirements, and other rewards and perks.
What is a Lounge Access Credit Card?
A lounge access credit card is a card that includes access to airport lounges as one of its perks.
Airport lounges can make a trip more relaxing by providing somewhere to unwind, grab a drink, or even shower, making them a very popular feature on credit cards.
Several cards include this feature, including the nine best cards listed above. But the access they provide varies. There are different airport lounge programs, and you may be restricted to a set number of visits each year.
Advantages of Travel Credit Cards
- Earn points for discounts on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.
- Get complimentary access to airport lounges around the world.
- Premium perks are often included, like travel insurance coverage and hotel upgrades.
- You can often redeem points for other non-travel-related purchases.
- Many cards come with no FX fees.
Downsides of Travel Credit Cards
- Premium travel cards often have high annual fees.
- Some may come with restrictions on how you redeem your rewards.
- There are often limits on the number of free airport lounge visits.
- The rewards may not be worth it unless you travel regularly.
How to Choose a Travel Credit Card for Lounge Access
If you are especially interested in a travel card that includes lounge access, I’d first recommend exploring the different cards available.
Look at which airport lounges are included in the program. If you frequently travel via a particular airport, you’ll want to ensure you can use a lounge there.
Also, consider how many visits you are permitted. For example, you may be restricted to six free visits a year, or it may be unlimited. Choose your card based on how many times you expect to use the lounge.
Then, there are other factors to consider, including the annual fee, additional rewards and perks included, interest rate, and other standard features of the card, all of which can help you make a decision.
How to Apply for a Travel Credit Card
Applying for a travel credit card is a straightforward process. First, make sure you qualify for the card in question. There may be a minimum income requirement, and you will likely need a good credit score.
When you have chosen your card, you can normally apply online. Some have immediate approval, and you will usually need to provide a form of ID and your personal details.
You may prefer to apply at your local bank branch. In this case, you may need to book an appointment, but it depends on the bank. You may also be able to apply over the phone.
Once your application has been approved, you will receive your card, and you can start using it to earn points and get access to airport lounges when you travel.
Should You Get a Travel Credit Card?
Whether you should get a travel credit card or not depends on how often you travel. If you are constantly jetting off to new places, a travel card can make good sense. You can use the perks to make your travel experience more enjoyable.
Free airport lounge access is just one of the perks offered. You may also get discounts on rental cars and hotels, travel insurance coverage, free miles, and more.
Your decision may depend on the cost of the card. Many premium cards have annual fees of a few hundred dollars. If you can save more than the annual fee, applying for a travel card can be a good idea.
FAQs
It depends on the card, but many premium Visa travel credit cards include airport lounge access as one of the perks.
If you have a credit card that provides airport lounge access as one of the perks, you can often access the lounges for free when you travel.
You can use an airport lounge if it is included as a perk on your travel credit card, even if you are travelling economy.
Many people find that airport lounges help them to relax and prepare for their flight in comfort, which makes them worth it.
The most premium airport lounge access program is the American Express Centurion Program. However, other programs like DragonPass provide access to hundreds of lounges globally and are very popular.
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