How does Plaza Premium access airport lounges?
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:
- Montreal YUL
- Air France/KLM lounge operated by Plaza Premium (international zone)
Toronto YYZ
- Plaza Premium Lounge (International, Terminal 1)
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Cross-border, Terminal 1)
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic, Terminal 1)
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic, Terminal 3)
- Salon Plaza Premium (International, L8 Terminal 3)
- Salon Plaza Premium (International, L6 Terminal 3)
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Cross-border, Terminal 3)
Vancouver YVR
- Salon Plaza Premium (Domestic)
- Salon Plaza Premium (International)
- Salon Plaza Premium (Cross-border)
- Plaza Premium Room (Domestic, Pier C)
Winnipeg YWG
- Plaza Premium Room (Departures)
Edmonton YEG
- Salon Plaza Premium (Cross-border)
- Salon Plaza Premium (Domestic and International)
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:
| Level | Cost |
| Go Global 2-visit | USD 79 |
| Go Global 5-visit | USD 189 |
| Go Global 10-visit | USD 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 :
| Level | Cost |
| Lounge Pass Americas 2-visit | USD 65 |
| Lounge Pass Americas 5-visit | USD 151 |
| Lounge Pass Americas 10-visit | USD 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.
| Level | Cost |
| PPL Canada 5-visit | USD 151 |
| PPL Canada 10-visit | USD 288 |
In addition, it is possible to purchase and reserve access directly on the Plaza Premium website.
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.
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:
- CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card4 free visits per year
- CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card4 free visits per year
- Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport: 6 free visits per year
- Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card10 free visits per year
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.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $399 | |||
| $150 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
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:
- BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard: 4 free visits per year
- BMO Rewards® World Elite®* Business Mastercard: 2 free visits per year
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.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
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:
- American Express Platinum Card®Unlimited access, free of charge for the main holder and one guest (additional guests may be charged). Same for an additional Platinum cardholder.
- Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressUnlimited access, free of charge for the main holder and one guest (additional guests may be charged). The same applies to an additional Corporate Platinum cardholder.
- American Express® Gold Rewards Card 4 free visits per calendar year for the primary cardholder to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada only. Paying for additional visits. Not available to holders of an additional Gold Card.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $799 | |||
| $799 | |||
| $250 |
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.
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