To the point
Here's how the Plaza Premium program works, offering access to partner airport lounges with your credit card.
Plaza Premium is a program that provides access to partner airport lounges around the world. Here’s how it works and how you can get in for free, using your credit card.
How does the Plaza Premium program work?
Plaza Premium is a network of airport lounges worldwide with over 250 accessible lounges.
In Canada, Plaza Premium Lounges are located at the following airports
- Montreal YUL
- Air France/KLM lounge operated by Plaza Premium (international zone)
- Toronto YYZ
- Plaza Premium Lounge (International, Terminal 1)
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Transborder, Terminal 1)
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic, Terminal 1)
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic, Terminal 3)
- Salon Plaza Premium (International, L8 Terminal 3)
- Salon Plaza Premium (International, L6 Terminal 3)
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Transborder, Terminal 3)
- Vancouver YVR
- Salon Plaza Premium (Domestic)
- Salon Plaza Premium (International)
- Salon Plaza Premium (Transborder)
- Plaza Premium Room (Domestic, Pier C)
- Winnipeg YWG
- Plaza Premium Room (Departures)
- Edmonton YEG
- Salon Plaza Premium (Transborder)
- Salon Plaza Premium (Domestic and International)
In the rest of the world, the lounges are located mainly in Asia, but also in the United States, Europe and Oceania.
Plaza Premium Program Access Passes
There are three levels of the Plaza Premium passes, valid in all worldwide lounges:
| Level | Cost |
| Go Global 2-visit | 79 USD |
| Go Global 5-visit | 189 USD |
| Go Global 10-visit | 349 USD |
In addition, other passes are available, but for Plaza Premium lounges in America only:
- Canada
- United States
- Mexico
- Brazil
- El Salvador
- and Colombia
The cost is :
| Level | Cost |
| Lounge Pass Americas 2-visit | 65 USD |
| Lounge Pass Americas 5-visit | 151 USD |
| Lounge Pass Americas 10-visit | 288 USD |
All visits must be made within one year of purchase. Otherwise, they are lost and not refunded.
Finally, if you are only visiting Plaza Premium Lounges in Canada, there is a specific version for Canada: Plaza Premium Lounge – Canada Pass.
| Level | Cost |
| PPL Canada 5-visit | 151 USD |
| PPL Canada 10-visit | 288 USD |
In addition, it is possible to purchase and reserve access directly on the Plaza Premium website.
Access to airport lounges is helpful for travellers, who may not have an Elite status with their airline, but want to relax before their flight in the lounge.
However, we recommend checking out the free offers available with credit cards!
Plaza Premium Credit Card Subscription
In addition to these access passes purchased with Plaza Premium, there is “unofficial” access to these lounges through credit cards.
You only need to present certain credit cards at the entrance of the salon.
Some credit cards offer Plaza Premium membership AND free visits. Here they are below.
Plaza Premium and Visa Credit Cards
Scotiabank and CIBC offer complimentary access to the Plaza Premium Lounges for these cardholders:
- CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card: 4 complimentary visits per year.
- CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card: 4 complimentary visits per year
- Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card 6 complimentary visits per year
- Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card: 10 complimentary visits per year
All you have to do is show one of these two credit cards at the entrance counter of the salon to enter. The year is counted from the date of joining the program.
Please note that complimentary VISA credit card visits are only for the primary cardholder and one accompanying person.
For the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card, the ten complimentary visits are for the Cardmember and his/her guests. An additional Cardmember will receive four complimentary visits.
Plaza Premium and Mastercard Credit Cards
While all World Elite credit cards offer DragonPass membership for access to Plaza Premium Lounges, only certain BMO Mastercard credit cards also offer complimentary visits:
- BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard: 4 complimentary visits per year
- BMO World Elite®* Business Mastercard®*: 2 complimentary visits per year
All you have to do is show one of these two credit cards at the entrance counter of the salon to enter. The year is counted from the date of joining the program.
Plaza Premium and American Express Credit Cards
Some American Express credit cards also offer access to Plaza Premium Lounges.
Here they are:
- American Express Platinum Card®: Unlimited Complimentary access for the primary cardholder and one guest (fee for additional guests). Same for an additional Platinum cardholder.
- Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Unlimited Complimentary access for the primary cardholder and one guest (paid for additional guests). The same applies to an additional Business Platinum cardholder.
- American Express® Gold Rewards Card: 4 complimentary visits per calendar year for the primary cardholder to Plaza Premium Lounges in Canada only. Paying for additional visits. Not available to Supplementary Gold Cardholders.
Summary
Here is a summary of the credit cards discussed in this article for access to Plaza Premium Lounges:
Mobile application
The Smart Traveller mobile app is the way to access the benefits of Plaza Premium lounges. It is available in the App Store or in Google Play.
In addition, the LoungeBuddy app is owned by American Express, which is connected to the Plaza Premium airport lounge network. Therefore, it is possible to purchase Plaza Premium lounge access on LoungeBuddy with an American Express card only.
Bottom line
With the knowledge of the lounge network and what each credit card has to offer, we can make the wait at the airport smoother.
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
