Almost all airports have VIP lounges. They are real havens of peace for the most part, in which you will be able to relax:
In short, airport lounges represent an attractive advantage in the traveler’s experience. But they are often reserved for some customers:
However, most of these lounges are franchises. To boost their revenues, they sell access rights to lounge networks such as DragonPass and Priority Pass. A single lounge can even be a member of several networks.
These networks then join forces with credit card issuers to offer access to airport lounges as a“travel advantage” for cardholders.
So by choosing the right credit card for YOUR travel profile, you too can gain access to the little-known world of airport lounges!
Here, you’ll need to establish your travel profile. For example, a card allowing 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 2 main programs for accessing airport lounges:
Some 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.
In addition to credit card , it is also possible to purchase a subscription to Priority Pass. The more visits included, the more expensive it is.
Credit card benefits for airport lounges can vary. A distinction must be made between a program subscription (right to access lounge) and visits (to enter).
Many cards offer both. A subscription to a lounge program AND the possibility of free access or not.
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. Would you like unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges? Subscribe to the American Express Platinum Card® or the Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
The Visa Infinite Privilege level cards offered by CIBC / Desjardins / TD / RBC all include 6 annual accesses to DragonPass lounges. Our favorite is the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card because you’ll also get access to many Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges, free baggage and other Air Canada travel benefits.
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:
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, you have to pay. 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 use airport lounges more than 6 times a year, you’ll want to consider a Premium card.
If you travel regularly with Air Canada in North America, opt for one of the premium Aeroplan cards, such as :
These cards giveyou and one guest unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges in North America.
See our guide to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges.
If you’re a frequent traveler to the U.S., especially to cities with American Express Centurion lounges(Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, New York LGA, etc.), it’s best to have one of these 2 cards:
They’ll give you unlimited access to the lounges exclusive to American Express: the Centurion lounges.
And to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, members of the Priority Pass network.
This strategy for accessing airport lounges should help you travel more comfortably!
Remember, you can apply for two different cards to get more access to suit YOUR needs!
Our 7 recommended cards in this game plan are :
Have you just started with points and credit cards? Here are our strategies to save money on your travels!
There are several options:
The following cards give access to airport lounges:
Check in this article whether your credit card gives you access to the airport lounges at Montreal-Trudeau.
At Quebec airport, there’s only one lounge: the VIP Lounge by Club Med. Here’s our article on the subject, with photos and information.
There are three Maple Leaf lounges at Montreal, one in each of the airport’s zones (domestic, transborder and international).
There are several ways to enter an Air Canada lounge Maple Leaf Lounge. Read our article on How to access these lounges here.
There are several airport lounges at Montreal. First of all, you need to know which zone you’ll be flying from. Is it domestic (flights within Canada), transborder (flights to the USA) or international?
Read our article on How to access airport lounges at Montreal, as there are several options for each area. Bon voyage!
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