Airport Lounge Access and Credit Cards

In Canada, several airport lounges are accessible with select credit cards, whether through direct partnerships with financial institutions such as Desjardins or National Bank, or through lounge programs like Priority Pass and DragonPass. Travel quickly becomes far more comfortable when you have airport lounge access before your flight. For a full comparison, see The Best Credit Cards for Airport VIP Lounge Access. Updated as of June 2026.

Air Canada has also just opened a new lounge: the Air Canada Café in Quebec (YQB).

Depending on your departure airport, the type of credit card you hold, and how often you travel, airport lounge access may be unlimited, include a set number of complimentary visits per year, or be offered at a preferred rate. To help you navigate your options, here’s a structured overview of the main airport lounges in Canada and the credit cards that provide lounge access in Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Airport Lounge Access Credit Card Canada – How Can You Access Airport Lounges with a Credit Card?

There are several ways to access an airport lounge with a credit card in Canada.

You can do so by using:

A credit card that partners directly with multiple airport lounges
A credit card that includes a Priority Pass membership through participating lounge programs
A credit card with a DragonPass subscription
A credit card from the bank associated with the lounge
An airline credit card that provides access to its associated airport lounges

Priority Pass and DragonPass are the two most popular airport lounge networks for accessing airport lounges worldwide.

A single airport lounge can often be accessed in multiple ways. For example, the National Bank Lounge at YUL, Montreal-Trudeau International Airport offers airport lounge access through several different credit card and lounge program options:

Holders of a National Bank World Elite Mastercard
Through the DragonPass network
Through the Priority Pass network

Avis : Salon Air France Montréal-Trudeau YUL - Salon Air France Montreal Carte de crédit salon aéroport

Here are Canada’s three main airport hubs and the different ways to get airport lounge access at each one.

Airport Lounges in Montreal (YUL)

Montreal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) features several airport lounges that are accessible with select credit cards. Whether you’re traveling in economy or business class, you can significantly enhance your airport experience by enjoying lounge access that includes food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and a comfortable place to relax before your flight.

Here are the main airport lounges in Montreal and the credit cards that provide access to them.

Airport Lounge Access Credit Card Canada – National Bank Lounge (YUL)

Upon entering the National Bank Lounge, the atmosphere immediately contrasts with the bustle of the terminal. The space is bright, thoughtfully designed, and equally suited for getting work done or simply unwinding before boarding. The buffet typically features a selection of simple yet high-quality dishes, complemented by a self-serve bar that’s especially appreciated by travellers at the end of the day.

What truly sets this airport lounge apart is its balance between functionality and comfort: easily accessible power outlets, quieter areas for focus, and armchairs that clearly invite relaxation. For frequent travellers departing from Montreal, it quickly becomes a reassuring go-to spot that transforms waiting time into a genuinely pleasant experience.

This lounge is accessible in several ways, depending on the credit card held.

Salons d’aéroport : Visa rejoint DragonPass - Salon Bnc Featured 2 Carte de crédit salon aéroport

Airport Lounge Access Credit Card Canada – Credit Cards That Provide Access to the National Bank Lounge

National Bank World Elite Mastercard (unlimited priority access)
American Express Platinum Card^® and Business Platinum Card^® from American Express (unlimited via direct access or via Priority Pass)
Cards eligible for the DragonPass network (Visa Infinite Privilege and certain World Elite Mastercards)

For travellers based in Montreal, this National Bank World Elite Mastercard can be especially strategic, since it gives priority entry when the lounge is busy.

ExclusiveCompare

National Bank World Elite^® Mastercard^®

National Bank NBC RewardsFirst-Year Annual Fee Rebate

Annual fee: $0 $150No annual fee the first year
Our valuation: $150Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: First Year Annual Fee Rebate

With Milesopedia, take advantage of an exclusive offer: your first-year annual fees are refunded with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This offer is exclusively available on the Milesopedia network, from June 30 to November 4, 2026.

Refund of the first-year annual fee (a $150 value) for the primary cardholder. This fee is charged to your new card account, then refunded as a credit on your statement within five months of opening your account, provided it remains open and in good standing.

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card offered by NBC.

With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:

5 points per dollar for groceries and restaurants
2 points per dollar on gas and electric recharge purchases
2 points per dollar on recurring bills
2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
1 point per dollar for all other purchases

And since it’s an NBC mycredit Mastercard, you can use it at Costco.

With this card, you have access to a $150 annual travel credit that you can use in any of these categories:

Airport parking
Baggage fees
Seat selection
Access to airport lounges
Airline ticket upgrades

What’s more, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.

Finally, Milesopedia has named the National Bank World Elite Mastercard as the Best Travel Credit Card in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Legal

^® Mastercard and World Elite are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. National Bank is an authorized user.

^® The À LA CARTE REWARDS logo is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.

^® NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA LOUNGE is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.

^® À LA CARTE REWARDS PLAN is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.

^® Apple Pay is a registered trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple Inc. is not a sponsor of or participant in National Bank Mobile Banking Solutions.

^® Google Pay is a registered trademark of Google LLC. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Inc. Permissions.

^TM À LA CARTE TRAVEL is a trademark of National Bank of Canada. The À la carte Travel agency is owned by Transat Distribution Canada Inc. and holds a Quebec permit (No. 753141).

^TM À LA CARTE REWARDS is a trademark of National Bank of Canada.

^® THE TOTAL, THE CONNECTED and NATIONAL BANK are registered trademarks of National Bank of Canada.

* Mastercard^® World Elite^®

The National Bank^® World Elite^® Mastercard^® credit card was voted best Mastercard credit card by Milesopedia in 2026, 2025 and 2024.

The National Bank^® World Elite^® Mastercard^® credit card was voted best travel credit card by Milesopedia in 2026, 2025 and 2024.

Every year, Milesopedia reviews credit card offers from major financial institutions and establishes its Ranking based on over 150 criteria such as fees, welcome offer, minimum income required, number of points per category, account credits, insurance, airport lounge access, etc.

Certain restrictions apply. For more information, see the Rewards Plan section or the Plan Rules applicable to point accumulation.
Grace period:
No interest is charged on purchases made during the month if the cardholder pays the full balance of their account within twenty-one (21) days of the statement date. This grace period does not apply to cash advances and balance transfers. Minimum payment: if your account balance is less than $10, you must pay the balance in full. If you reside in the province of Quebec, your minimum payment is 5% of your account balance plus any overdue amount, or $10, whichever is greater. If you reside outside Quebec, your minimum payment is 2.5% of the credit card account balance plus any overdue amount, or $10, whichever is greater. Account statement: an account statement is sent monthly.
Table of examples of credit fees calculated over a 30-day period

Annual interest rate $500 $3,000

22.49% $9.24 $55.45

20.99% $8.63 $51.76

13.2% $5.53 $33.16

9.2% $3.78 $22.68

*Variable interest rate in effect as of September 1, 2021.
Balance transfers and cash advances are subject to National Bank credit approval. Each amount transferred cannot be less than $250.
Exclusive to World Elite Mastercard cardholders. Presentation of the physical credit card and boarding pass is required to access the lounge.
The National Bank^® Lounge is accessible to customers traveling on international flights only (excluding flights to Canada and the United States).
You benefit from free and unlimited access with one guest and two children aged 12 and under.
Until July 31, 2026 (date subject to change), customers can enter the National Bank Lounge three hours before their flight departure time. From August 1, 2026 (date subject to change), access will be authorized for a maximum duration of 2 hours (3 hours for customers who hold a Private Banking 1859^® World Elite^® Mastercard^® credit card).
National Bank customers who are not World Elite ^® Mastercard ^® cardholders can also access the current lounge based on current rates and benefit from a 25 % discount on these rates :
63,24 $ taxes included for adults (excluding discount)
$40.24 taxes included for children aged 2 to 12 (excluding discount)
free for children under 2 (excluding discount)
The entry fee is subject to change without notice and is the responsibility of the lounge operator.
Subject to providing the required supporting documents in the manner and within the prescribed timeframe. Certain conditions may apply. Only the primary cardholder of a National Bank World Elite Mastercard (Cardholder) whose account is in good standing can request a « Travel Fee Reimbursement ». « Account in good standing » means an account linked to the credit card that does not violate the Credit Card Agreement in any way and on which no restrictions apply. For example, and without limitation, the associated annual fees must have been paid in full. The maximum reimbursement of $150 can be requested from January 1 to December 31 of each year.
Eligible expenses are:
airport parking
baggage fees
seat selection
airport lounge access worldwide
airline ticket upgrades
A reimbursement request must be made within 60 days of the purchase date. Travel expenses must be charged to the National Bank World Elite Mastercard credit card account. The maximum reimbursement of $150 is applicable per account. Please allow up to 7 business days for the reimbursement to be processed from the date your request is submitted. National Bank reserves the right to request additional supporting documents for validation purposes (e.g., invoices). You must keep all receipts and supporting documents for a period of 12 months from the date you made your reimbursement request. An unused reimbursement in one year cannot be carried over to the next year. You can make your request online at rewards.nbc.ca or by calling 1-800-341-8083 (toll-free) for an agent to assist you with your travel fee reimbursement request.
Point accumulation on grocery and restaurant spending depends on the total gross monthly amount charged to the credit card account, across all categories. Earn 5 points per dollar spent on eligible grocery and restaurant purchases. The 5 points per dollar accumulation is valid for the first $2,500 of gross monthly purchases charged to the account. Beyond this amount, eligible grocery and restaurant spending will earn 2 points per dollar. The calculation of the gross monthly purchase amount is based on monthly billing. A grocery purchase means a purchase made at a merchant whose primary business is selling food, such as a grocery store, delicatessen, supermarket, fruit store, or specialty food store. Meal kit subscriptions and meal delivery services are eligible. Therefore, this definition excludes, among others, retail stores and big-box stores whose primary business is selling non-food items. Some merchants may sell products or services identical or similar to those of eligible merchants, or are separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified by Mastercard in different categories. Purchases made from other merchants only earn base reward points. A restaurant purchase means a purchase made at a restaurant, including quick-service restaurants, bars, discotheques, nightclubs, and taverns. To view the full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the À la carte Rewards Plan^® terms and conditions document.
These protections apply if the purchases or rental are paid for in part with the card before departure, except, if applicable, for out-of-province medical-hospital insurance for which it is not necessary to charge the purchase of an à la carte trip and for baggage delay protection where the full cost of transport must have been charged to the card. All these protections apply to the primary cardholder, their spouse and/or their dependent children when they (spouse and dependent children) travel with the cardholder. Extended warranties apply to most new items purchased with the card, in Canada or abroad, provided the manufacturer’s warranty exists and is valid in Canada. Certain conditions, limitations and restrictions apply. For more information and details regarding your insurance coverage, please consult the insurance certificate linked to your card.
Subject to credit approval by National Bank.
Certain conditions apply. Visit mastercard.ca for more information. See all credit card terms and conditions.
To earn 2 points per dollar spent, you must pay for your gas or electric charging purchases at a gas station or certain big-box stores. Some merchants may sell products or services identical or similar to those of eligible merchants, or are separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified by Mastercard in different categories. Purchases made from other merchants only earn base reward points. To view the full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the À la carte Rewards Plan^® terms and conditions document.
Recurring bill payments are defined as payments made monthly or regularly that are automatically charged by the merchant to your National Bank World Elite Mastercard. Not all merchants offer recurring payments, and not all recurring payments are considered recurring bill payments. Therefore, some payments may not qualify for accelerated reward points.
To earn 2 points per dollar spent, you must pay for your eligible purchases through the À la carte Travel^TM agency section of our À la carte Rewards^TM site.
For example, if you spend $400 monthly on groceries, $200 on gas, $100 on recurring bills and $150 on other purchases, the $850 spent will generate 2,750 points, broken down as follows: 2,000 points for grocery spending (since the total gross monthly amount is $850, which is less than $2,500), 400 points for gas spending, 200 points for recurring bills and 150 points for other purchases.
Insurance up to $1,000 in case of breakage, loss or theft of mobile devices for a maximum period of 2 years following the date of purchase. Subject to purchasing the device with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard or a phone service subscription paid by recurring payments from your National Bank Platinum Mastercard starting September 1, 2022. For all conditions, please consult the insurance certificate linked to your card.

Annual interest rate	$500	$3,000
22.49%	$9.24	$55.45
20.99%	$8.63	$51.76
13.2%	$5.53	$33.16
9.2%	$3.78	$22.68

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$80,000

Household$150,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xRestaurants
5xGroceries
2xTravel
2xBills & recurring payments
2xGas & EV
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$778

2nd Year Value$923

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$400

Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 60 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Trip CancellationUp to $2,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Travel AccidentIncluded

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+2 years

Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Airport Lounge Access Credit Card Canada – Desjardins Odyssee Lounge Montreal (YUL)

The Desjardins Odyssey Lounge is made up of two VIP lounges at Montreal-Trudeau (YUL). The first is in the international area, near Gate 63; the second is in the transborder area, near Gate 76. They are mainly intended for Desjardins members, but are also accessible through certain partner networks.

The Desjardins Odyssey lounge offers a mini buffet (hot meals, soups, salads, fruit, and snacks), a bar, Wi-Fi, and USB charging outlets. Each visit covers the 3 hours before your flight, and no reservation is required. For paying visitors, admission is $42 for ages 12+ and $26 for ages 3 to 11; children under 3 get in free.

Montréal-Trudeau YUL : Ouverture du Salon Odyssée Desjardins - Plaza Premium Lounge (Transfrontalier) - salon desjardins transfrontalier visuel ADMTL Carte de crédit salon aéroport -

Airport Lounge Access Credit Card Canada – Credit Cards That Provide Access to the Desjardins Odyssee Lounge

Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege (12 free visits per year)
Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard (8 free visits per year)
Desjardins Odyssey Gold Visa (50% off the entry fee)
Certain Visa Infinite and Visa Infinite Privilege cards (for the transborder lounge)
Certain World Elite Mastercards (for the transborder lounge)

For Desjardins members who often travel from Montreal, these cards quickly pay for their annual fees thanks to the included visits. In fact, the Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege Card offers 12 free visits per year to the Odyssey lounge—one of the most generous offers for a lounge at YUL.

Compare

Desjardins Odyssey^® World Elite^® Mastercard

Desjardins Bonidollars Desjardins

Annual fee: $130
Welcome offer: No current welcome offer

The Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard is a credit card that offers BONUSDOLLARS.

With this card, you can earn:

3% in BONUSDOLLARS for your purchases in the Grocery category (up to $10,000 in annual purchases – beyond that, the earn rate decreases to 1%)
3% in BONUSDOLLARS for your purchases in the Restaurant category (up to $6,000 in annual purchases – beyond that, the earn rate decreases to 1%)
2% in BONUSDOLLARS for your purchases in the Entertainment, Travel, and Public Transportation categories
1% in BONUSDOLLARS for your other purchases

In addition, this card offers several purchase insurances:

90 days purchase insurance
One year extended warranty
Mobile Device Insurance

As well as comprehensive travel insurance.