How to Access VIP Airport Lounges for Free?

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:

• focus if you have to work
• relax before taking your flight
• eat at the buffets
• celebrate your departure on a trip with an alcoholic beverage
• take a shower, incredibly convenient after a red-eye flight

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^® 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? Apply for the Platinum Card^® or the Business Platinum Card^® from American Express .

Let’s see which card to apply for, according to YOUR needs.

If you plan to access airport lounges less than 6 times a year, there is no need to go to expensive cards.

Our best choices are:

• Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite*: This card offers six complimentary annual visits to airport lounges, which is unmatched for a card at this annual fee level ($139)
• CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card: Four annual visits to airport lounges (if you don’t have the $60,000 income requirement for this card, opt for the CIBC Aventura^® Gold Visa* Card, which also offers four annual visits)
• BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard: Four annual visits to airport lounges.

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’s World Elite Mastercard^®: Unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal YUL. 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^®: Unlimited 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 annual visits to airport lounges

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.