We’ve already covered the best credit cards with lounge access, but what about the credit cards with the most lounge access? Regardless of whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional vacationer, there’s a credit card – and a comfy lounge armchair – with your name on it.
Key Takeaways
- The 4 largest airport lounge programs in Canada are Priority Pass, DragonPass, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Maple Leaf Lounges.
- The American Express Platinum Card grants unlimited access to the highest number of Canadian and international airport lounges.
- Some Visa Infinite and Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards provide 4–6 complimentary visits to DragonPass lounges per year.
- Mastercard World and World Elite credit cards provide up to 4 complimentary visits to DragonPass lounges each year.
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The 4 biggest airport lounge networks in Canada
Airport lounges eliminate the stress and boredom of waiting for a flight. They offer staples such as complimentary food, drink, and entertainment; specialty services such as family rooms, showers, and spa treatments; and the rarest of travel commodities – peace and quiet.
The 4 largest airport lounge networks in Canada are Priority Pass, DragonPass, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Maple Leaf Lounges. Every major airport in the country features at least one lounge from one of the networks listed above.
| Airport | Priority Pass | DragonPass | Plaza Premium | Maple Leaf |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Airport (YYC) | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| Edmonton Airport (YEG) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) | 1 | |||
| Montréal Airport (YUL) | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport (YOW) | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Quebec Jean Airport (YQB) | 1 | 1 | ||
| Regina Airport (YQR) | 1 | |||
| Saskatoon Airport (YXE) | 1 | |||
| St. John’s Airport (YYT) | 1 | |||
| Toronto Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ) | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) | 7 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Vancouver Airport (YVR) | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Winnipeg Richardson Airport (YWG) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Canadian airport lounges | 23 | 27 | 14 | 20 |
| Total international airport lounges | 1,500+ | 1,300+ | 250+ | 7 |
| Total airport lounges | 1,500+ | 1,300+ | 250+ | 27 |
That’s not to say there are 3 airport lounges crammed into Toronto’s Billy Bishop City Airport, though – the largest networks overlap and include the smaller ones.
Qualifying for airport lounge access typically requires a same-day boarding pass and at least one of the following:
- A flight ticket from a specific airline
- Business or First Class
- Entry fees
- Membership
And while you could buy a Priority Pass or DragonPass membership online, there’s an even better deal. For the same annual fee (or less), you could enjoy a welcome bonus, travel perks, and complimentary airport lounge access with a premium credit card.
How to access airport lounges with your credit card
Typically, only premium credit cards include airport lounge access in their perks and benefits. Most carry high annual fees and high income requirements, so it’s worth comparing cards to see which one is best for you.
Priority Pass
Best for: Frequent flyers departing from major cities
Annual membership fee: $99–$469 USD
Pros:
- 1,500+ airport lounges in 600+ cities in 145 countries around the world
- 50,000+ rental car agency discounts
- 1,100+ private airport transfer locations
- Includes every lounge in DragonPass and Plaza Premium Lounges
- No specific airline or flight class required
Cons:
- $35 USD guest fee
- 2–3 hour visit limit
- Only included with American Express credit cards
How to get in:
If you’ve got an American Express credit card with Priority Pass, you don’t need anything else. Qualifying cards provide access to every lounge in the DragonPass and Plaza Premium Lounge network, plus they include the fabulous Amex Global Lounge Collection.
The only American Express credit cards with Priority Pass in Canada are:
| Credit card | Free annual passes | Extra pass fee | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Platinum Card | Unlimited | $35 USD | $799 |
| The Business Platinum Card from American Express | Unlimited | $35 USD | $799 |
| Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card | 10 | $35 USD | $399 |
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | 4 (to Plaza Premium Lounges in Canada) | $35 USD | $250 |
DragonPass
Best for: Frequent flyers departing from major cities
Annual membership fee: $99–$399
Pros:
- 1,300+ airport lounges in 700+ airports in 140+ countries worldwide
- Up to 20% off 1,000+ airport restaurants
- 5% off limousine bookings
- 5% off Meet & Greet services
- Includes every lounge in the Plaza Premium network
- Included in the Mastercard Travel Pass and Visa Airport Companion Program
- No specific airline or flight class required
Cons:
- $31–$35 USD per lounge visit
- 2–3 hour visit limit
- Limited passes included with credit cards
How to get in:
DragonPass supplies every complimentary airport lounge membership and pass included in select World Mastercard, Visa Infinite, World Elite Mastercard, and Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards. Unfortunately, even the top cards only provide 6 free visits per year – and you’ll have to pay for every guest you bring along.
Here are the top 5 Mastercard and Visa credit cards with DragonPass in Canada.
| Credit card | Free annual passes | Extra pass fee | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | 6 | $32 USD | $399 |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card | 6 | $32 USD | $150 |
| BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard | 4 + 1 free guest per visit | $35 USD | $150 |
| Tangerine World Mastercard | 0 | $35 USD | $0 |
Plaza Premium Lounges
Best for: Infrequent travellers to major cities
Annual membership fee: $0
Pros:
- 250+ airport lounges in 40+ airports and 20+ countries worldwide
- 20% discount with a Smart Traveller membership
- 2–6 hour visit limit
- Included in the Amex Global Lounge Collection, Priority Pass, and DragonPass
- No membership required
- No specific airline or flight class required
Cons:
- $43–$110 CAD entry fee
How to get in:
Plaza Premium Lounges charge high entrance fees but no membership fees. If you don’t have an American Express, Mastercard, or Visa credit card from the tables above, you can simply walk up to the front desk and pay for lounge access à la carte.
Maple Leaf Lounges
Best for: Frequent domestic flyers
Annual membership fee: N/A
Pros:
- 27 airport lounges in 19 airports in 8 countries worldwide
- 20 Canadian airport locations
- Award-winning airport lounges and services
Cons:
- Air Canada, Premium Rouge, or Star Alliance boarding pass required
- Only included with Aeroplan-branded credit cards
How to get in:
Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges boast the best of Canadian art, decor, and design – and the wide range of locations make them ideal for Canucks who fly domestic. They only welcome Aeroplan credit cardholders and you’ll need an Air Canada, Premium Rouge, or Star Alliance boarding pass to get in.
Here are the best Aeroplan credit cards with Maple Leaf Lounge access in Canada.
| Credit card | Free annual passes | Extra pass fee | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card | Unlimited + 1 free guest* | $59 CAD | $599 |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Unlimited + 1 free guest* | $59 CAD | $599 |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | Unlimited + 1 free guest* | $59 CAD | $599 |
* Promotional offer expires December 31, 2024
Take note: There are several other airport lounge networks in Canada, including Delta SkyClub and Desjardins Odyssey Lounge. By and large, smaller airport lounges only welcome travellers on a certain airline and/or flight class – but if there’s a credit card with access, we’ll note it in the next section.
Credit cards by airport lounge access
The creditcardGenius algorithm has 17 top picks for travel credit cards in Canada providing unlimited, limited, and paid airport lounge access. Remember, the lesser the access included in the card, the fewer the fees – and the easier it may be to get approved.
Credit cards with unlimited airport lounge access
Credit cards with unlimited airport lounge access are expensive but freeing. You’ll need at least $80,000 of personal income or $200,000 of household income to qualify – but at the airport, all you need to do is flash your card and boarding pass to get in.
Here are the 3 best credit cards with unlimited airport lounge access in Canada.
| Credit card | Lounge network | Free passes for cardholder | Free guests per visit | Additional pass fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Platinum Card | * Delta Sky Club* * Plaza Premium * Priority Pass | * Unlimited* * Unlimited * Unlimited | * 0 * 1 * 1 | * N/A * $43–$110 CAD * Varies |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card | * Maple Leaf * DragonPass | * Unlimited * 6 | * 1 * 0 | * $59 CAD * $32 USD |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | * Maple Leaf | * Unlimited | * 1 | * $49–$79 |
* Must have a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight pass
×2 Award winner 
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the American Express Platinum Card yet again. The Delta SkyClub, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Priority Pass are just 3 of the 7 airport lounge networks in the Amex Global Lounge Collection you can access as many times as you want for free. You can even bring a partner and 2 children under 21 into any Executive Lounge by Swissport at no charge!
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card gives you unlimited access to every Maple Leaf Lounge at home and abroad. An Air Canada, Premium Rouge, or Star Alliance boarding pass is required to enter – and to enjoy one checked bag, priority baggage handling, and other VIP travel perks for free.
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card includes unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges for the cardholder and a guest travelling with the cardholder. Bonus perks with Air Canada include a free first checked bag, priority airport check-in, priority boarding, and more.
Credit cards with limited airport lounge access
Credit cards with limited airport access are best suited for infrequent flyers. You don’t need a high annual income or pay a high annual fee to qualify, and you can usually spend complimentary passes on yourself or your travelling companions as you please.
Here are the best credit cards with limited airport lounge access in Canada.
| Credit card | Lounge network | Free passes | Additional pass fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card | * Plaza Premium * Priority Pass | * 10 (combined) | * $43–$110 CAD * Varies |
| BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard | * DragonPass | * 4 | * $32 USD |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card | * DragonPass * Plaza Premium | * 6 | * $32 USD |
$175 GeniusCash + Up to 
GC: $175
The Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card rewards cardholders with 10 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year, including Plaza Premium Lounges. Since it’s an American Express card, it has lower acceptance – but you only need $12,000 of personal income to qualify.
GC: $125
The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard gives you 4 passes per year that you can use with the DragonPass network fr yourself and traveling companions. Beyond those 4 visits, though, you’ll be on the hook for $32 per person per visit.
GC: $30
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card includes the Visa Airport Companion Program, which gives you 6 free lounge passes per year. It also offers 11 types of insurance coverage and a valuable perk for travellers: no foreign exchange fees on purchases not in Canadian dollars.
Credit cards with free airport lounge membership
Credit cards providing free airport lounge memberships are much more common. Given that membership fees for DragonPass and Priority Pass start at $99 USD, it’s the perfect solution for occasional travellers.
All World Elite Mastercards include free DragonPass membership – but here are the 3 best credit cards with free airport lounge membership in Canada.
| Credit card | Free membership | Lounge fees | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard | DragonPass | $35 USD | $120 |
| Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard | DragonPass | $32 USD | $0 |
| Tangerine World Mastercard | DragonPass | $35 USD | $0 |
Business credit cards with airport lounge access
A few business credit cards include airport lounge access in their list of perks. While the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Business Mastercard and RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business only provide free DragonPass membership, the rest offer unlimited and limited free lounge visits.
| Credit card | Lounge network | Free passes for cardholder | Free guests per visit | Additional pass fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Business Platinum Card from American Express | * Plaza Premium * Priority Pass | * Unlimited * Unlimited | * 1 * 1 | * $43–$110 CAD * $35 USD |
| American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card | * Maple Leaf | * Unlimited* | * 1** | * $59 CAD |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card | * DragonPass | * 6 | * 0 | * $32 USD |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business Card | * Maple Leaf | * 4 | * 0 | * N/A |
| BMO Ascend World Elite Business Mastercard | * DragonPass | * 2 | * 0 | * $35 USD |
Do you have a credit card with airport lounge access?
A credit card with airport lounge access can make you feel like a pampered, VIP jet-setter – but a large part of the experience depends on the lounge.
Have you used a credit card to get into an airport lounge? Was it easy? Was it worth it?
Share your travel stories in the comments below.
FAQ
Which credit cards let you access Air Canada lounges?
Select Aeroplan American Express and Visa credit cards include unlimited and limited free access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges.
How can you get airport lounge access for free?
You can access airport lounges for free by purchasing a Business or First Class ticket; buying a membership; or presenting select premium American Express, Mastercard World Elite, or Visa Infinite credit cards.
Do Mastercards have airport lounge access?
Select World Elite Mastercards – such as the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard – provide up to 4 complimentary passes to DragonPass lounges each year.
Does Visa have airport lounge access?
Some Visa Infinite and Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards include up to 6 complimentary visits to a DragonPass lounge per year.
How do you qualify for airport lounge access?
To qualify for an airport lounge, you typically need a same-day boarding pass and at least one of the following: a Business or First Class flight; an entry fee, a membership, or a premium credit card.
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GC: 
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