The Amex Global Lounge Collection includes Amex lounges as well as Delta Sky Clubs, Plaza Premium Lounges, Priority Pass, and more. It's a network of 1,500+ lounges in more than 140 countries that American Express cardholders can access.
Visitors can enjoy exclusive dining and lounging areas, complimentary food and beverages, and sometimes even showers, spas, and children's play areas. While only two Amex cards provide unlimited access, many of the best American Express credit cards offer limited access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection.
This article explores all the ins and outs of these airport lounges, including where they are, the featured amenities, and whether they're worth visiting in the first place.
Key Takeaways
- The Amex Global Lounge Collection provides American Express credit cardholders with complimentary access to a worldwide network of airport lounges.
- The Amex Global Lounge Collection includes Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Aspire Lounges, Escape Lounges, Executive Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Priority Pass.
- Guest fees and policies vary by location, but only the primary cardholder may access and bring up to two guests into a lounge.
- The best credit card with unlimited access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection in Canada is the American Express Platinum Card.
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What is the American Express Global Lounge Collection?
As the Mastercard Travel Pass is to Mastercard and the Visa Airport Companion Program to Visa, so is the Amex Global Lounge Collection to American Express. It’s the most generous airport lounge access pass you can get with a credit card in Canada, and it’s reserved for customers of the blue and white.
Canadians with an eligible American Express product only have to show their credit and/or membership card at the front desk to gain entry for themselves and up to two guests. And with over 1,500 locations in 500+ airports and 140+ countries around the world, there’s no shortage of choice.
What’s included in the Amex Global Lounge Collection?
Almost every location in the Amex Global Lounge Collection includes 6 basic amenities:
- Comfortable dining and lounging areas
- Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Complimentary hot and cold food
- Complimentary Wi-Fi and charging stations
- Magazines, newspapers, and satellite television
- Private, semi-private, or public workstations
Some may offer specialties such as:
- Children’s play areas
- Colour printing, faxing, and photocopying services
- Conference rooms
- Family rooms
- Gluten-free and vegetarian dining options
- Live cooking stations
- Premium drinks
- Showers
- Spas
- Whiskey or wine-tasting bars
But not everyone (or everything) gets a free pass. You’ll need to respect the general lounge rules on appropriate attire, family-friendly conduct, and smoking, and keep the following rules in mind:
- Access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection depends on your credit card
- Guests not accompanied by a parent or guardian must be 18–21 or older
- Guest policies, entry fees, and pet policies vary by location
- Lounge access is subject to availability and not guaranteed
- Lounge visits are generally limited to 3 hours before a departing flight
- Not all lounges have accessible facilities
Remember: Supplementary Amex Gold or Green credit cardholders on Platinum accounts don’t have complimentary lounge access. Only supplementary Platinum credit cardholders on Platinum accounts can enter without the primary cardholder.
Amex Global Lounge Collection locations
One of the best perks of the Amex Global Lounge Collection is its near-ubiquity. Whether you’re departing a major Canadian airport or returning after a vacation across the border or overseas, chances are there’s a lounge near you.
The six airport lounge chains included in the AGLC collectively span the globe.
| Airport lounge chain | Locations in Canada | Locations in the US | International locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority Pass | 23 | 125+ | 1,500+ |
| Plaza Premium | 14 | 2 | 250+ |
| Executive Lounges | 5 | 1 | 45 |
| Delta Sky Club | 4 | 50+ | TBD |
| The Centurion Lounge | 0 | 15 | 11 |
| Escape Lounges | 0 | 15 | 6 |
| Total lounges in the Amex Global Lounge Collection | 48 | 205+ | 1,500+ |
The only major Canadian airport lounge chain not included in the Amex Global Lounge Collection is Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges – you’ll need an Aeroplan Rewards membership for that. Regardless, you won’t have any trouble finding at least 1 lounge in every major Canadian airport, including:
- Calgary (YYC)
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
- Montréal Trudeau (YUL)
- Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
- Toronto Billy Bishop (YTZ)
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
- Quebec City International Airport (YQB)
- Vancouver (YVR)
- Winnipeg International Airport (YWG)
To help you decide whether the AGLC will be useful to you, we’ve provided a detailed breakdown of all six airport lounge chains below, from biggest to smallest.
Priority Pass
Best for: Canadian couples travelling internationally
Pros:
- 23 Canadian locations
- 125+ US locations
- 1,500+ international locations
- 1 complimentary guest per visit
- No specific airline ticket or flight class required
Cons:
- $35 USD per additional guest
- Priority Pass required
- Amenities, guest policies, guest fees, and opening hours vary by location
What we love about it:
American Express is the only credit card issuer in Canada to offer its customers a complimentary Priority Pass membership. Access isn’t always unlimited, but this huge network – which includes Aspire, Executive, and Plaza Premium Lounge locations – provides the bulk of the AGLC’s value. Plus, you get discounted car rentals, meals, and transfer services with every pass.
Plaza Premium Lounges
Best for: Canadian families travelling internationally
Pros:
- 14 Canadian locations
- 250+ international locations
- 6-hour maximum stay
- 1 complimentary guest per visit
- No specific airline ticket or flight class required
Cons:
- 2 American locations
- $43–$110 CAD per additional guest
- Amenities and entry fees vary by location
What we love about it:
Plaza Premium Lounges is probably the most family-friendly chain in the Amex Collection, offering children’s play areas and family rooms at select locations. Most also provide gluten-free and vegetarian dining options. You don’t require a membership to purchase additional guest passes so you can pay for a 2–6-hour stay for the whole family.
Executive Lounges by Swissport
Best for: Canadian families travelling internationally
Pros:
- 5 Canadian locations
- 45 international locations
- 1 spouse AND 2 children (under 21) OR 1 complimentary guest per visit
- No specific airline ticket or flight class required
Cons:
- 1 US location
- Guest fees and policies vary by location
What we love about it:
Executive Lounges by Swissport includes the Aspire Lounge brand, one of the best independent airport lounges in Canada. Every pass includes delay coverage, so once you enter, you don’t have to leave until your flight arrives – even if it’s late. Pull up a chair and get comfortable in a cell phone-free quiet zone or family room (available in select locations).
Delta Sky Club
Best for: Frequent Delta flyers
Pros:
- 4 Canadian locations
- 50+ American locations
Cons:
- 1 international location
- No complimentary guests per visit
- Delta airline ticket required
- Delta Sky Club partner lounges not included
- Guest fees and policies vary by location
What we love about it:
With executive leather seats and sweeping views, Delta Sky Clubs have more of an adult vibe. The Bar offers cocktails, wines, and Starbucks coffee, while the menu leans towards café fare like cereals, muffins, and pastries for breakfast, and crudités, soups, and sandwiches for lunch.
The Centurion Lounge
Best for: Frequent flyers to the US
Pros:
- 15 US locations
- 11 international locations
- 2 complimentary guests per visit
- Free admission for children under 2
- No specific airline ticket or flight class required
Cons:
- No Canadian locations
- $30–$50 USD per additional guest
What we love about it:
Centurion Lounges stake their upscale reputations on Michelin-starred chef talent, regional cuisine, and curated cocktails and wines. Every location features distinctive architecture and decor, making them a must-visit for any traveller to the US.
Escape Lounges
Best for: Young families travelling to the UK or US
Pros:
- 15 US locations
- 6 international locations
- 2 complimentary guests per visit (US)
- Free entry for children under 2 (US)
- Free entry for children under 3 (UK)
- No specific airline ticket or flight class required
Cons:
- 0 Canadian locations
- 1 Complimentary guest per visit (UK)
- Priority Pass required (UK)
What we love about it:
Escape Lounges are cozy, warm, and family-friendly, with fresh food and smiling service. The brand sticks to the basics but aims to please so you and your family can board your flight feeling refreshed.
How to access the Amex Global Lounge Collection
To access every airport lounge in Canada, you and your guests each require a valid same-day boarding pass for a flight departing in up to three hours and at least one of the following:
- A government-issued photo ID
- A Priority Pass membership
- A valid American Express credit card
Not every Amex credit card has access to the Global Lounge Collection. To make your decision easier, we’ve rounded up the four best cards below.
American Express credit cards with unlimited lounge access
Canadian credit cardholders are lucky. While American customers must pay guest fees or qualify for complimentary guest access, Canadians can still bring in guests for free. And while American Amex cards restrict airport lounge visits, Canadian Amex cards retain unlimited access – for the most part, anyway.
There are only two American Express credit cards available in Canada with unlimited access to the entire Amex Global Collection. Sadly, the best credit card in Canada – the American Express Cobalt® Card – isn’t among them:
| Credit card | American Express Platinum® Card | The Business Platinum Card® from American Express |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Global Lounge Collection access | Yes | Yes |
| Complimentary lounge visits | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Annual fee | $799 | $799 |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 100,000 bonus points (terms) | Up to 120,000 bonus points (terms) |
| Rewards | * Up to 2 points per $1 spent on purchases * $400 in annual travel and dining credits * 11 types of insurance included | * 1.25 points per $1 spent on purchases * $200 annual travel credit * 12 types of insurance included |
On the plus side, neither of these premium credit cards has any income requirements. With enviable earning rates for American Express Membership Rewards and excellent travel insurance coverage, they’re two of the top cards for frequent travellers.
×2 Award winner 
American Express credit cards with limited airport lounge access
Amex credit cards with limited airport lounge access ask for lower annual fees than their unlimited counterparts, making them a valuable choice for infrequent travellers. You can use your complimentary lounge visits for yourself or your guests.
The Scotiabank American Express® Platinum Card allows you to collect Scene+ Points while the American Express® Gold Rewards Card sticks with Amex Membership Points. And while the latter doesn’t include any complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits, you save on the annual membership fee, with a flat rate for every visit:
| Credit card | Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card | American Express Gold Rewards Card |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access programs | * Priority Pass | * Plaza Premium Lounges * Priority Pass |
| Complimentary lounge visits | * 10 | * 4 (Plaza Premium Lounges) * 0 (Priority Pass) |
| Lounge visit fees | * $35 USD | * $43–$110 CAD * $35 USD |
| Annual fee | $399 | $250 |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 60,000 80,000 bonus points (terms) | Up to 60,000 bonus points (terms) |
| Rewards | * 2 points per $1 spent on all purchases * 12 types of insurance included * No foreign exchange fees | * Up to 2 points per $1 spent on purchases * $100 annual travel credit * 11 types of insurance included |
Is the Amex Global Lounge Collection worth it?
Travel preferences are personal, so there’s no simple answer as to whether or not the Amex Global Lounge is worth it. However, taking a moment to reflect on your travel habits can help you answer this.
- Frequent flyers: If you fly more than four or five times a year and appreciate travelling in comfort, the Lounge Collection is probably worth it. After all, two lounge visits with guests have a value of $100-$150. Factor in the food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and relaxing amenities, and you’ll see it’s worth it to find a card with access.
- Occasional travellers: If you don’t fly very often, honestly consider if you would actually use the lounges if you enrolled in Priority Pass. Do you think you would use travel insurance and concierge services? Maybe the biggest factor is availability—do you regularly fly from airports that have available lounges?
If you’re still unsure about springing for the platinum card, there may be a better solution.
Consider other credit cards with lower annual fees that offer lounge access. For instance, consider the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, which costs only $150 per year and includes six complimentary lounge passes per year with a Visa Airport Companion membership.
Travel only once or twice a year? Look for credit cards that include one-time lounge passes.
FAQ
Which airport lounges can I access with an Amex card?
American Express cardholders with access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection can visit 1,500+ lounges in 140 countries around the world, including those from the Priority Pass, Plaza Premium Lounges, Delta Sky Club, and Centurion Lounge collections.
How much does it cost to enter an Amex lounge?
It costs $30–$50 USD to enter an Amex Centurion Lounge, $43–$110 CAD to enter a Plaza Premium Lounge, and $35 USD to enter a Priority Pass lounge. Children under two are almost always free.
How can you get free airport lounge access with an Amex card?
American Express Platinum and Business Platinum cards provide unlimited access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection, while the Amex Scotiabank Platinum and Gold Rewards Cards provide anywhere from four to ten complimentary visits per year.
Do Amex lounges have showers?
While amenities and accessibility vary by location, most Amex lounges in major airports offer complimentary showers, toiletries, and towels. Some even feature "shower suites" in addition to luxurious spas and/or opportunities for wine tasting.
How can I tell if my Amex card includes lounge access?
If the name of your American Express credit card includes the word “Platinum,” this means that it provides lounge access. Otherwise, you can inquire about your eligibility at the lounge’s front desk or contact Amex customer service.
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