Airport Lounges: How to Access the Lounges at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport?

Updated Apr 12, 2025
Fact checked by
Caroline Tremblay
Caroline Tremblay Caroline Tremblay
Caroline, a loyalty program specialist, helps families maximize their points to travel more frequently and affordably. With expertise in Disney, AIR MILES, and Costco, she travels the world with her partner and two children through rewards. Passionate about the latest in loyalty programs, Caroline shares tips to help you earn more points and turn your travel dreams into reality.
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Une femme avec une valise attend devant un panneau d'affichage des départs à l'aéroport
To the point Find out how to access the lounges at Montreal-Trudeau international airport.

Montreal-Trudeau International Airport has 4 distinct sections:

  1. Domestic (flights within Canada)
  2. International (all international flights except USA and Canada)
  3. Cross-border (flights to the United States)
  4. Public (before security)

The separation is at the border of the green and orange zones. This has an impact on access to the Montreal-Trudeau airport lounges, as travellers cannot move from one area to another.

Access to the airport lounges at Montreal-Trudeau is divided according to your destination. For example, you can’t use the lounges in the International zone if you’re flying within Canada in the Domestic zone.

Zone Access restricted to
Domestic (flights within Canada)

Maple Leaf Lounge

Air Canada Café

Cross-border (flights to the U.S.)

Maple Leaf Lounge

Salon Odyssée Desjardins

International

Maple Leaf Lounge

Salon Odyssée Desjardins

National Bank Lounge

Air France KLM Lounge

You can see these 4 zones on the diagram below.

Map-salons-zone-YUL

Airport lounges - Domestic Zone of Montreal Airport

In the domestic section (flights to Canada only) of Montreal-Trudeau Airport, there is only one lounge and one Café: Air Canada’s Maple Leaf lounge and Air Canada Café, located between gates 1 & 3.

Salon feuille erable cafe air canada

The Air Canada Café is on the first floor, and the Maple Leaf Lounge is on the upper floor, directly above.

Yul Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge

The ways to access this Lounge and this Café are similar and numerous. Read all the details in our article on how to access an Air Canada lounge Maple Leaf.

You need to have a Business Class ticket, a high Aeroplan Elite status, or a specific Aeroplan credit card. Check if there is a seat icon in the top right corner of the QR code on your boarding pass.

acces salon ybg

To enter lounge, simply scan your paper or mobile boarding pass at the lounge reception desk or at the digital kiosks at the entrance to the Café.

To access this Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge and Air Canada Café with a credit card, you have several options.

The American Express, CIBC Aeroplan, and TD Aeroplan cards listed below offer unlimited access to all Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés at Montreal-Trudeau Airport. The flight ticket can be an Aeroplan reward or a paid ticket on Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners. Additionally, the primary or secondary cardholder can bring one guest for free to the lounge. If there is a second guest or more, the cost is $59 per person.

Before you travel, make sure your credit card is linked to your Aeroplan profile.

Card Conditions of access Number of annual accesses
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card Airline ticket
Air Canada
Air Canada Rouge
Air Canada Express
or partners
Unlimited access
for primary or secondary cardholder and one guest
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card Airline ticket
Air Canada
Air Canada Rouge
Air Canada Express
or partners
Unlimited access
for cardholder or secondary cardholder and one guest
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card Airline ticket
Air Canada
Air Canada Rouge
Air Canada Express
or partners
Unlimited access
for cardholder or secondary cardholder and one guest
CIBC® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Airline ticket
Air Canada
Air Canada Rouge
Air Canada Express
or partners
Unlimited access
for cardholder or secondary cardholder and one guest

Airport Lounges - Access for Children to the Maple Leaf Lounge

For Aeroplan Elite 50K, 75K and Super Elite members, up to 5 of the member’s children under the age of 24 may enter free of charge.

Otherwise, children aged 0 to 1 have free access. For 2 years and over, they are considered guests. If the number of guests is more than one, there will be a $59 charge for each child entering lounge.

Airport Lounges - Transborder Zone of Montreal Airport

In the transborder section (flights to the United States), there are:

Airport Lounges - Maple Leaf Lounge in the Transborder Zone

Access to the Maple Leaf Lounge in the transborder zone is exactly the same as for the Maple Leaf Lounge in the domestic zone. Click here to explore your entry options with Aeroplan credit cards, as described above. Additionally, read all the details in our article on how to access an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge.

You need to have a Business Class ticket, a high Aeroplan Elite status, or a specific Aeroplan credit card. Check if there is a seat icon in the top right corner of the QR code on your boarding pass.

ord transfrontalier

When entering a lounge, passengers simply scan their paper or mobile boarding pass at reception.

Airport Lounges - Access for Children to the Transborder Maple Leaf Lounge

For Aeroplan Elite 50K, 75K and Super Elite members, up to 5 of the member’s children under the age of 24 may enter free of charge.

Otherwise, children aged 0 to 1 have free access. For 2 years and over, they are considered guests. If the number of guests is more than one, there will be a $59 charge for each child entering lounge.

Airport Lounges - Desjardins Odyssey Lounge in the Transborder Zone

Since March 2024, the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge has been open at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport and is located near Gate 76.

It is available to holders of the following Desjardins credit cards:

Card Conditions of access Number of annual accesses
Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege Airline ticket
to the United States
12 accesses
per year, then 50% discount from the 13th access onwards
Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard Airline ticket
to the United States
8 accesses
per year, then 50% discount from the 9th access onwards

The Odyssey Gold Visa card

The Prestige Platinum Card

The Platinum Visa card

Airline ticket
to the United States
50% discount
on admission ($42)

*Platinum Prestige and Platinum Visa Desjardins cards are no longer available to new subscribers, but some former cardholders may still have them.

There are other credit cards that provide access to the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge! Since it comes under the DragonPass banner, members and holders of certain credit cards can access it, for example:

Airport Lounges - Access for Children at the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge

Children aged 0 to 2 are admitted free of charge to the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge.

Between ages 3 and 11, they count as one admission and the cost is $26, if you no longer have free access. For those aged 12 and over, the cost is $42.

Airport Lounges - International Zone of Montreal Airport

In the international section (international flights except in Canada and the USA), there are:

Airport Lounges - Maple Leaf Lounge in the International Zone

Access to the Maple Leaf Lounge in the international zone is exactly the same as the Maple Leaf Lounge in the domestic and transborder zones above. Read all the details in our article on how to access an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge.

You need to have a Business Class ticket, a high Aeroplan Elite status, or a specific Aeroplan credit card. Check if there is a seat icon in the top right corner of the QR code on your boarding pass.

cdg salon feuille erable

When entering a lounge, passengers simply scan their paper or mobile boarding pass at reception.

Airport Lounges - Access for Children at the International Maple Leaf Lounge

For Aeroplan Elite 50K, 75K and Super Elite members, up to 5 of the member’s children under the age of 24 may enter free of charge.

Otherwise, children aged 0 to 1 have free access. For 2 years and over, they are considered guests. If the number of guests is more than one, there will be a $59 charge for each child entering lounge.

Airport Lounges - Desjardins Odyssey Lounge in the International Zone

The Desjardins Odyssey Lounge is accessible to holders of the following Desjardins credit cards:

Card Conditions of access Number of annual accesses
Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege Airline ticket
to international destinations
12 accesses
per year, then 50% discount from the 13th access onwards
Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard Airline ticket
to international destinations
8 accesses
per year, then 50% discount from the 9th access onwards

The Odyssey Gold Visa card

The Prestige Platinum Card

The Platinum Visa card

Airline ticket
to international destinations
50% discount
on admission ($42)

*Platinum Prestige and Platinum Visa Desjardins cards are no longer available to new subscribers, but some former cardholders may still have them.

Airport Lounges - Access for Children at the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge

Children aged 0 to 2 are admitted free of charge to the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge.

Between ages 3 and 11, they count as one admission and the cost is $26, if you no longer have free access. For those aged 12 and over, the cost is $42.

Airport Lounges - National Bank Lounge in the International Zone

The National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau Airport can be accessed in a variety of ways with :

Simply present the National Bank World Elite Mastercard at the entrance or the QR code of your subscription (DragonPass, Priority Pass) to gain direct access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau Airport.

Please note that if lounge is very busy, priority entry will be given to National Bank World Elite Mastercard holders.

Here are the eligible cards:

Card Conditions of access Number of annual accesses
National Bank World Elite Mastercard Airline ticket
international
Unlimited access
for cardholder
& one guest & 2 children aged 12 and under
American Express Platinum Card® Airline ticket
international
Unlimited access
for cardholder
& one guest
& 2 children under 2 years of age
Business Platinum Card® from American Express Airline ticket
international
Unlimited access
for cardholder
& one guest
& 2 children under 2 years of age
CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card Airline ticket
international
4 free annual accesses
with the DragonPass/Airport Companion Visa network
CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card Airline ticket
international
4 free annual accesses
with the DragonPass/Airport Companion Visa network
Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport Airline ticket
international
6 free annual accesses
with the DragonPass/Visa Airport Companion network
Scotiabank Visa Infinite Preferred Passport Card Airline ticket
international
10 free annual accesses
with the DragonPass/Visa Airport Companion network
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard Airline ticket
international
4 free annual accesses
with the DragonPass/Visa Airport Companion network
Visa Infinite Privilege cards
(CIBC, BMO, Desjardins, RBC, TD…)
Airline ticket
international
6 free annual accesses
with the DragonPass/Visa Airport Companion network
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card Airline ticket
international
10 free annual passes
with the PriorityPass network

Once you’ve exceeded the number of free annual accesses, you can still enter an airport lounge, but at a cost of USD 32 per person.

Airport Lounges - Access for Children at the National Bank Lounge

Children aged 0 and 1 are admitted free of charge to the National Bank Lounge. From the age of 2, they count as one admission and use your credit card’s DragonPass or PriorityPass access.

If the number of guests is exceeded, or if you no longer have free access, admission for children aged 2 to 12 costs $40.24 plus tax. For those aged 13 and over, the cost is $63.24 plus tax. If you’re a National Bank customer, you’ll receive a 25% discount on these rates.

Airport Lounges - Air France KLM Lounge in the International Zone

Available to passengers travelling in business class with Air France-KLM on international flights, you can also enter with certain credit cards available in Canada.

Attention: In this Air FranceKLM lounge, entry priority is given to Air France Business Class ticket holders. Even if there is space in the lounge, entry may be denied if you wish to enter only with a DragonPass, Priority Pass, or Plaza Premium access.

With a credit card, this very modern lounge airport is accessible with:

The following credit cards are eligible for admission to the Air France KLM lounge:

Card Conditions of access Number of annual accesses
American Express Platinum Card® Airline ticket
international
Unlimited access
for cardholder
& one guest
& 2 children under 2 years of age
Business Platinum Card® from American Express Airline ticket
international
Unlimited access
for cardholder
& one guest
& 2 children under 2 years of age
American Express® Gold Rewards Card Airline ticket
international
4 free annual accesses
with the Plaza Premium network
CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card Airline ticket
international
4 free annual accesses
with the DragonPass/Airport Companion Visa network
CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card Airline ticket
international
4 free annual accesses
with the DragonPass/Airport Companion Visa network
Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport Airline ticket
international
6 free annual accesses
with the DragonPass/Visa Airport Companion network
Scotiabank Visa Infinite Preferred Passport Card Airline ticket
international
10 free annual accesses
with the DragonPass/Visa Airport Companion network
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard Airline ticket
international
4 free annual accesses
with the DragonPass/Mastercard Travel Pass network
Visa Infinite Privilege cards
(CIBC, BMO, Desjardins, RBC, TD…)
Airline ticket
international
6 free annual accesses
with the DragonPass/Visa Airport Companion network
Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card Airline ticket
international
10 free annual passes
with the PriorityPass network

When you exceed the number of free annual accesses, you can still enter the lounge, but at a cost of USD 32 per person.

What’s more, the DragonPass network will give you access to lounge with a World or World Elite Mastercard. Please verify your eligibility on the Mastercard Travel Pass website before departing; you may have the free membership, but you might need to pay for your entry at a cost of USD 32. The only Mastercard in Canada to offer both a DragonPass subscription AND 4 free accesses is the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard.

Airport Lounges - Access for Children at the Air France KLM Lounge

A 0- or 1-year-old child enters free of charge.

If the child has a Business class ticket on Air France/KLM, he or she enters the lounge free of charge.

From the age of 2, a child entering with an American Express Platinum card may enter if he or she is the guest. If the number of guests is more than 2, they will have to pay a reduced rate to enter.

For DragonPass and PriorityPass networks, a child aged 2 and over counts as one access.

Bottom Line

Remember: one access = one person entering lounge. So for a family of four, this will count as four accesses.

It is also important to note that a minor child entering an airport lounge must be accompanied by an adult. If tehy are alone, the underage child will not be allowed to enter by law, as alcohol is served.

To make sure you can access lounge wherever you go, the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card and the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card will be your best allies.

In fact, they’re the only ones to offer access to the Maple Leaf lounges in all 3 sections of the airport (provided you travel with Air Canada or one of its Star Alliance partners).

How do I access the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge? Where is the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau Airport?

To access the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge near gate 63 and the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge in the transborder area near gate 76, you must have your same-day boarding pass and be a holder of a valid Desjardins credit card.

    • Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege (12 free accesses per year)
    • Odyssey World Elite MasterCard (8 free accesses per year)
    • Odyssey Visa Gold (50% discount)
    • Platinum Rserve and Platinum (50% discount)

To see all the amenities, schedules and photos, read our article on the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge.

How can I access a VIP lounge at Montreal-Trudeau Airport?

You need a specific credit card or a subscription to an airport network. See all the ways to access it for free above.

Which Visa, CIBC or Mastercard World Elite bank or credit card gives me access to an airport lounge at YUL?

Only a handful of the 200 credit cards in Canada provide access to this service. Please see the article above for all the easy ways to get there, as it all depends on your boarding area.

How to access an Air Canada Lounge?

Read the instructions above to find out how to access a Maple Leaf Lounge or check our article on how to gain access.

What is the best VIP airport lounge at Montreal-Trudeau airport?

One of the questions we get asked the most on our Facebook group is which is the best lounge airport lounge at Montreal YUL? Many like the Air France KLM Lounge and the National Bank Lounge.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
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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