To the point
Some VISA credit cardholders will continue to be able to access Plaza Premium lounges through DragonPass.
The saga about airport lounges continues! After the partnership between Plaza Premium and Priority Pass ended on July 1, 2021, 15 lounges immediately became inaccessible to Priority Pass members.
However, Visa Canada has just announced that it has entered into a temporary partnership with DragonPass (the new Plaza Premium partner network replacing Priority Pass).
This means that some Visa credit cardholders will continue to have access Plaza Premium lounges until June 30, 2022.
Visa* Global Airport Lounge Access
As a counterpart to Mastercard’s LoungeKey, Visa has created the Visa* Global Airport Lounge Access. And it is this Program that has partnered with DragonPass.
Cardholders do not need to enroll in this Program. From July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, simply present your Eligible Visa Card at participating Plaza Premium Lounges to take advantage of this Program.
You can search for lounges on this page. For example, at Montreal-Trudeau, it is the Air France lounge (international departures).
Eligible Visa credit cards
In Canada, 8 Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards offer 6 complimentary visits to airport lounges:
- BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
- TD®Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
- CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
- CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
- Desjardins Odyssey® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
- RBC® Avion® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
- RBC® Avion® Visa Infinite Privilege* for Private Banking
- Vancity enviro™ Visa Infinite Privilege* card
Here are the current welcome offers for some of these cards:
Also, the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card is the only “Infinite” card to offer 6 complimentary visits to airport lounges. And there is a great offer for this card right now.
Finally, two CIBC Visa “Infinite” cards offer 4 complimentary visits to airport lounges:
How to track lounge visits
On your first visit to a Plaza Premium lounge, a unique login and DragonPass profile will be created. You will then be able to follow the number of visits available (this will also be indicated when you enter the lounge).
If you have used all the visits available via your Visa credit card, each additional visit will be charged at US$32 directly to your credit card.
Double-dip!
With this new partnership between Visa and Plaza Premium via DragonPass, credit cardholders will be able to double-dip until June 30, 2022 :
- 4 to 6 complimentary visits to Priority Pass lounges
- 4 to 6 complimentary visits to Plaza Premium lounges
This is the case, for example, for Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Cardholders or TD®Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Cardholders, who will enjoy up to 12 complimentary airport lounge visits during this period!
CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Cardholders will also receive up to 8 complimentary visits!
Conclusion
So, for one year – between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022 – Visa credit cardholders will not be left behind and will still be able to access Plaza Premium lounges.
No doubt, by that time, Visa will make this solution permanent (or find another) so that credit cards offering access to airport lounges can retain their value.
It is also important to note that American Express is not affected by the termination of the relationship between Priority Pass and Plaza Premium. The Platinum Card® and the Business Platinum Card® from American Express can continue to access Plaza Premium lounges by showing their Card. And that’s it.
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
