DragonPass is a program that provides access to lounges at partner airports around the world. Here’s how it works and how you to take advantage of it, using your credit card.
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:
For example, at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, two airport lounge are linked to the DragonPass program:
There are three official levels of the DragonPass program:
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!
Beyond the “official” DragonPass subscription levels, there are also “unofficial” levels offered by some credit cards.
Please note: You will still need to register your eligible credit card with one of the sites below in order to get a membership number and activate your account.
Afterwards, all you have to do is present your credit card at the entrance of the lounge.
Please note that some DragonPass lounges may not be accessible with Priceless Travel and Visa Airport Companion.
Some credit cards feature DragonPass as a benefit, but not all offers are the same. They can offer a free subscription to DragonPass, but after that, you’ll have to payUS$32 for each visit .
However, some credit cards offer membership AND some complimentary visits. Here is the list.
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®*.
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 .
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.
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.
With the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card and CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card, you get the DragonPass membership plus 4 free annual lounge visits!
Here is a summary of the credit cards discussed in this article for access to DragonPass lounges:
CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card
CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card
$139
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!
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.
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.
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.
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:
Savings are here (if you don’t see the sign-up form, please click here):
