Review: Aspire Amex Lounge Domestic Zone at Montreal-Trudeau (YUL)

The Aspire AMEX Domestic Zone Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau is located very close to Starbucks and YUL Pizza, between gates 1 and 2. After clearing security, head right, and when you see Starbucks, go behind the coffee shop to find the lounge entrance.

The lounge is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

There are several ways to access the lounge. For the Aspire AMEX Lounge Domestic Zone, the preferred method is by holding the American Express Platinum Card^®, the American Express Business Platinum Card^®, or the American Express Centurion Card, as cardholders receive priority access.

Priority Pass and DragonPass/Visa Airport Companion members also have access to the lounge.

Additionally, to compensate for the closure and renovations of the Maple Leaf Lounge in the domestic zone, Aeroplan members with Elite 50K, 75K, and Super Elite status are entitled to free entry.

The Aspire Amex lounge at YUL is a large, open-plan space with a central bar that gives it a Montreal restaurant feel, and windows that provide a direct view of the tarmac.

The space includes the following facilities:

• Free high-speed Wi-Fi
• International power sockets and USB ports
• Different seating options for eating, resting, or working
• Flight information screens
• International newspapers and magazines

Due to its limited space, there are no washrooms inside the Aspire Amex Lounge.

The Aspire AMEX Lounge in the domestic zone offers two options: a Grab & Go section located right next to the reception, and an à la carte dining area that takes up almost the entire lounge. During my visit at 4:30 p.m., the Grab & Go section appeared to offer only coffee; I was later informed that this area is mainly open and stocked with items for travellers in the morning.

The à la carte restaurant concept inside a lounge is a first at Montreal airport, providing an elevated and more gourmet experience. Orders are placed using a unique QR code at your table, which gives you access to the full menu featuring appetizers, several main courses, desserts, and a bar service with various cocktails and sparkling wines.

Saint-Henri brand coffee is also available for self-service.

Once your order is placed, dishes are prepared in the open kitchen, cocktails are crafted at the bar, and everything is served directly to your table, creating a true restaurant atmosphere.

When I visited on a Tuesday around 4:30 p.m., the lounge wasn’t at full capacity, so I was assigned a table immediately without having to wait.

To order from the QR code menu, you must connect to the lounge’s Wi-Fi. The process won’t work if a VPN or iCloud Private Relay is interfering with your IP address, which caused me a bit of trouble for about five minutes at the start.

I was finally able to place my order from the options available on the online menu, and it took about 15 to 20 minutes to receive my cocktail and dishes. Since the lounge operates without a buffet, you shouldn’t be in a rush. Only coffee is available for self-service in this area.

The food and cocktail were high quality and matched the refined atmosphere of the lounge. My only recommendation is to avoid visiting the Aspire AMEX Lounge if you are in a hurry and the Grab & Go section isn’t open; the à la carte area, which replaces the typical airport lounge buffet, isn’t ideal for grabbing a quick bite or snacks, at least based on my afternoon visit.

That said, the lounge’s design offers a very pleasant space in which to rest before a flight, and definitely an enhanced experience.

Do you have an international flight? Check out the new Aspire lounge in the international zone at YUL, which has just opened its doors. Make sure you get there early, there was a 35-minute wait for this one when I was at the airport.