How does Plaza Premium access airport lounges?

Updated May 8, 2026
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Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
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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. 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:

  • Toronto YYZ

  • Vancouver YVR

  • Winnipeg YWG

  • Edmonton YEG

  • 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 Levels

    There are 3 levels of the Plaza Premium passes, valid in all lounges worldwide:

    LevelCost
    Go Global 2-visitUSD 79
    Go Global 5-visitUSD 189
    Go Global 10-visitUSD 349

    In addition, other passes are available, but for America’s Plaza Premium lounges only:

    • Canada
    • United States
    • Mexico
    • Brazil
    • Salvador
    • and Colombia

    The cost is :

    LevelCost
    Lounge Pass Americas 2-visitUSD 65
    Lounge Pass Americas 5-visitUSD 151
    Lounge Pass Americas 10-visitUSD 288

    All visits must be made within one year of purchase. Otherwise, they are lost and not refunded.

    Finally, if you’re only visiting Plaza Premium lounges in Canada, there’s a specific version for Canada: Plaza Premium Lounge – Pass Canada.

    LevelCost
    PPL Canada 5-visitUSD 151
    PPL Canada 10-visitUSD 288
    How does Plaza Premium access airport lounges? - Plaza premium access

    In addition, it is possible to purchase and reserve access directly on the Plaza Premium website.

    How does Plaza Premium access airport lounges? - Achat accès plaza premium

    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 via 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 tours. Here is the list.

    How does Plaza Premium access airport lounges? - Air France Montreal YUL Lounge

    Plaza Premium and Visa Credit Cards

    Scotiabank and CIBC offer complimentary access to Plaza Premium lounges, through affiliation with Visa Airport. Companion/DragonPass, to holders of these cards:

    You need to use the Visa Airport Companion application. Then enter your credit card number to validate your access. Once at the airport and in the lounge linked to Visa Airport Companion / DragonPass, show the person at the entrance to the airport lounge the QR code that will be displayed.

    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 10 free visits are for the cardholder and his/her guests. An additional cardholder is entitled to 4 free visits.

    Plaza Premium and Mastercard Credit Cards

    All World Elite credit cards offer DragonPass membership with the Mastercard Travel Pass, allowing access to Plaza Premium lounges. However, only 2 BMO Mastercard credit cards also offer visits:

    You need to use the Mastercard Travel Pass application. Then enter your credit card number to validate your access. Once at the airport and in the lounge linked to Mastercard Travel Pass / DragonPass, show the person at the lounge airport entrance the QR code that will be displayed.

    Another original way to access Plaza Premium lounges free of charge is with the AIR MILES loyalty program!

    With 775 Dream Miles, you get free access to lounge Plaza Premium in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Orlando, Dallas Fort Worth and Air France Lounge at Montreal.

    With a welcome offer like the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard, which gives you 3,000 miles (3,250 miles if you include the miles you earn by spending $3,000), you can get 4 free access to Plaza Premium Lounges.

    Plaza Premium and American Express Credit Cards

    Some American Express credit cards also offer access to Plaza Premium lounges.

    Here they are:

    Summary

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

    The Smart Traveller mobile application is the way to access the benefits of Plaza Premium lounges. It is available in the App Store or in Google Play.

    Bottom Line

    With knowledge of the lounge network and what each credit card has to offer, you can make the wait at the airport smoother.

    Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
    Jean-Maximilien Voisine
    Jean-Maximilien Voisine
    Jean-Maximilien Voisine is the President and Founder of Milesopedia and a leading expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel across Canada, France, and the U.S.A. Now 40 years old and a father of two, he has explored more than 100 countries—many of them alongside his wife Audrey and their children. Specializing in loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, Jean-Maximilien helps travellers unlock the full potential of their points and benefits. His mission: empower others to travel better and smarter across North America and Europe.
    All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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