Airport lounges: How Does the DragonPass Airport Lounge Program Work?

Updated Jul 2, 2024
Fact checked by
Alexandrine Bertrand
Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand
A passionate solo traveler, Alexandrine is an expert on loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Avios, AIR MILES, Flying Blue and Marriott Bonvoy. With a budget-conscious approach, she helps travelers maximize their points and miles for low-cost, off-the-beaten-path getaways. A food lover, she enjoys discovering the local flavors and culinary traditions that enrich her adventures.
All posts by Alexandrine Bertrand
National Bank YUL Lounge
To the point Here's how the DragonPass program works, allowing access to airport lounges with your credit card.

How Does the DragonPass Program Work?

DragonPass is one of the largest airport lounge networks in the world with over 1,300 accessible lounge.

In Canada, DragonPass lounges can be found at the following airports:

  • Montreal (YUL)
  • Quebec (YQB)
  • Toronto (YYZ)
  • Vancouver (YVR)
  • Winnipeg (YWG)
  • Edmonton (YEG)
  • Calgary (YYC)

For example, at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, two airport lounge are linked to the DragonPass program:

DragonPass Membership Levels

There are three official levels of the DragonPass program:

  • Classic (US$99) : the first visit is free, and then you pay for each visit you make and for those of your guests;
  • Standard Plus (US$219) : 8 visits are offered each year of membership, but you will have to pay for your guests’ access as well as from the 9th visit ;
  • Prestige (US$399) : you have unlimited access to all the lounges, but you have to pay for your guests’ access.
DragonPass Membership

Access to airport lounges is useful for frequent travelers who may not have status with their airline but want to be able to relax in the lounge before their flight.

In this case, it’s possible to subscribe directly to DragonPass.

However, we advise less frequent travelers to check out the free offers available with some credit cards!

Memberships Offering DragonPass by Credit Card

DragonPass and Mastercard Credit Cards

Mastercard offers free DragonPass subscription to holders of World and World Elite credit cards such as the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® or the MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®. However, you’ll have to pay for each entry.

The only Mastercard credit card in Canada to offer both a DragonPass subscription AND 4 free accesses per membership year is the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard®*.

DragonPass and Visa Credit Cards

Eligible Visa credit cards must be enrolled through the DragonPass / Visa Airport Companion site.

Then, free visits are granted per year of membership.

For example, if you register your card on September 15, 2022, you will have until September 14, 2023 to use all your free visits. All additional visits will cost $32 USD. Then, from September 15, 2023, your free visits will reset. Please note that any unused visits do not carry over from year to year.

One free visit = one person (adult or child over 2, depending on the lounge) enters free of charge.

If the number of travellers exceeds the number of free visits on the credit card, you will have to pay for entry. For example, if the credit card offers 4 free visits and you’re a family of 5, the fifth person will cost $32 USD .

Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards

With Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards, such as the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card or the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card, you get free DragonPass membership and 6 free visits per membership year.

Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card

With the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, you get a free subscription to DragonPass and 6 free airport lounge visits per year.

We recommend this credit card for international travel: with this card, you will not pay any conversion fees for foreign currency transactions.

CIBC Aventura Cards

With the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card and CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card, you get the DragonPass membership plus 4 free annual lounge visits!

DragonPass Code QR

Summary

Here is a summary of the credit cards discussed in this article for access to DragonPass lounges:

Number of annual visits Annual fee Comments
Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card 6 $139 There may be promotions that waive the annual fee for your first year of membership.

CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card

4

$139

$139

There may be promotions that waive the annual fee for your first year of membership.
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card 6 $599 Also offers unlimited access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges
RBC® Avion® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card 6 $399 Add an authorized user ($99) and they will also get six free visits
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card 6 $499 Add an authorized user ($99) and they will also get six free visits

Mobile Application

Finally, don’t forget to download the DragonPass mobile app for iOS or DragonPass for Android. This will give you access to your DragonPass digital membership card with a QR code, which is very handy when traveling!

DragonPass App

How to get free access with Mastercard Travel Pass

For DragonPass memberships obtained through Mastercard card, use the Mastercard Travel Experiences app with iOS or with Google Play.

You can view all the airports available to you on this Mastercard Travel Pass page.

Enter your credit card number to validate your access. Once at the airport and in the lounge linked to Mastercard Travel Experiences / DragonPass, show the person at the entrance to the airport lounge the QR code that will be displayed.

How to get free access with Visa Airport Companion

For DragonPass subscriptions obtained through a Visa card, the Visa Airport Companion app is available with iOS or with Google Play.

You can view all the airports available to you on this Visa Airport Companion page.

Enter your credit card number to validate your access. Once at the airport and in the lounge connected to Visa Airport Companion / DragonPass, show the person at the entrance to the airport lounge the QR code that will be displayed.

Access to Airport Restaurants with DragonPass

Airport lounge access can be redeemed for a restaurant credit associated with DragonPass, as in the Priority Pass program. However, the list of restaurants linked to DragonPass is more limited than with the Priority Pass.

Most of them are located in Beijing, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo (Haneda), Boston, San Francisco and New York (JFK).

While you’re waiting, you can take advantage of discounts of up to 20% off or offers from many airport restaurants.

Bottom Line

It is always nice to spend time in a lounge rather than in the hectic atmosphere of the airport. We regularly use this advantage during our travels and you can find these experiences in some of our articles:

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien, President and Founder of Milesopedia, is a recognized expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel in Canada and France. Approaching forty and a father of two, he has travelled to over 100 countries, half of them with his children and his wife, Audrey. Specializing in top loyalty programs like Aeroplan, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, he guides travellers to maximize their benefits across North America and Europe.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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