Guide: How to Get Free Airport Lounge Access

In almost all airports there are VIP lounge. They are real havens of peace for the most part, in which you will be able to relax:

• Eat and drink for free at the buffet;
• Relax before your flight;
• Concentrate if you have to work;
• Celebrate your departure on a trip with a little alcohol;
• or take a shower, particularly useful after an overnight flight.

In short, airport lounges represent an attractive advantage in the traveler’s experience. They are often reserved for a certain clientele:

• Frequent flyers of an airline (such as Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges)
• high-end bank / Credit union customers

In short, airport lounges represent an attractive advantage in the traveler’s experience. But they are often reserved for some customers:

• Frequent flyers of an airline (such as Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges)
• High-end clients of a bank/credit union (such as the National Bank Lounge or the Odyssey Desjardins Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau YUL)

However, most of these lounges are franchisees. To increase their revenue, they sell access rights to lounge networks such as DragonPass and Priority Pass. A single airport lounge can even be a member of several networks.

These networks then partner with credit card issuers to offer access to airport lounges as a “travel benefit” for cardholders.

So, by choosing the right credit card according to YOUR travel profile, you too can access the unknown world of airport lounge!

Also, use the LoungeBuddy app to help track all the airport lounge access available to you!

Here, you will have to establish your traveler’s profile. For example, a card with unlimited access to airport lounges for two people is not relevant when you only travel solo once or twice a year.

In Canada, there are two main airport lounge programs:

• Priority Pass
• DragonPass

Certain Visa and Mastercard credit cards issued in Canada are part of the DragonPass network.

Some American Express cards, such as the American Express^MD Gold Rewards Card, are part of the Priority Pass network.

Airport lounge benefits for credit cards may vary. A distinction must be made between a program subscription (Right to enter the Lounge) and visits (to enter the lounges).

Many cards offer both. A subscription to a lounge program AND the ability to access.

Many credit cards offer free or paid access to airport lounges.

Some will only offer you a Priority Pass or DragonPass membership, but you will have to pay for each visit.

For others, they will include between 4 and 10 visits per year. Want unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges? Subscribe to the Platinum Card^MD from American Express or the Business Platinum Card^MD from American Express.

If you plan to use airport lounges less than 6 times a year, there’s no need to go for expensive cards.

Our best choices are:

• Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card: this card offers 6 free annual airport lounge accesses, which is unmatched for a card at this fee level ($139)
• CIBC Aventura^MD Visa Infinite* Card: 4 free annual airport lounge accesses (for annual income up to $59,999, opt for the CIBC Aventura^MD Gold Visa* Card, which offers the same with 4 annual accesses).
• BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard: 4 free annual airport lounge accesses.

One free visit = one free entry (adult or child over 2, depending on the lounge).

If the number of free visits on the credit card exceeds the number of people travelling, you have to pay for entry. So if the credit card gives 4 free visits and you’re a family of 5, the fifth person will cost US$32.

If you plan to access airport lounges more than 6 times a year, you’ll have to apply for high-end cards.

Our best choices are:

• National Bank World Elite Mastercard^®: Free unlimited access to the National Bank of Montreal lounge. If you regularly fly internationally from Montreal, this is the card for you. You, an accompanying traveller and up to two children will have free access.
• Platinum Card^MD from American Express: unlimited free access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide. This is the card for frequent travellers and offers the most options for accessing airport lounges.
• Scotiabank Platinum American Express^® Card: 10 free airport lounge passes per year

If you travel regularly with Air Canada in North America, choose one of the premium Aeroplan cards such as :

• TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card
• American Express^®* Aeroplan^® Reserve Card
• American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Business Reserve Card

With these cards, you will gain unlimited access for you and one guest to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in North America.

See our guide to accessing Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges.

If you regularly travel to the United States, and especially to the cities where American Express Centurion lounges are located (Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, New York LGA, etc.), it is best to have one of these 2 cards:

• American Express Platinum Card^®
• Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

They will give you unlimited access to American Express’ exclusive Centurion Lounges.

As well as over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide that are members of the Priority Pass network.