Our Guide To The Plaza Premium Lounge In Toronto (Terminal 1, Transborder)

There are six Plaza Premium Lounges in Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), including the US Transborder Lounge in Terminal 1. While it offers plenty of comforts and conveniences, it's a popular space and shows the effects of use.

Visitors can access the lounge with a same-day boarding pass from any airline and a paid entry fee, membership, or premium credit card. Using one of the top lounge access credit cards will help maximize your experience – for example, American Express Platinum Card cardholders can shower for free.

This guide can help you decide whether you should visit this Toronto airport lounge by describing the space, explaining how to access it, and more

How to access the Transborder Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 in Toronto

There are 6 Plaza Premium Lounges in Toronto Pearson Airport, one for each Domestic, International, and US Transborder zone in Terminals 1 and 3. If your flight departs from Terminal 1, you have a choice of 3 lounges after passing security:

• The Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 is located on Level 3 and is open Monday – Sunday from 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM ET.
• The International Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 is accessible by the elevator on Level 2 near Gate E77 (look for the circular logo next to "3"). It’s open every day from 5:30 AM – 11:59 PM ET.
• The US Transborder Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 (the subject of this article) is located on Level 2 near Gates F53 and F55 and open every day from 5:30 AM – 9:00 PM ET.

Once you reach the front desk, you’ll need to present a valid, same-day boarding pass issued by any airline and one of the following:

Entry fee

Plaza Premium Lounge fees vary depending on the location, the length of your stay, and your age. To access the Transborder Lounge in Terminal 1, you’ll need to pay:

You can save money by taking advantage of deals like:

• 20% off with a Smart Traveller digital membership
• Up to 33% off with a Plaza Premium Lounge Pass Americas, which grants two 3-hour visits at any lounge in North or South America for $80 USD
• Up to 50% off with a PPL Pass Canada, which grants five to ten 3-hour visits to any lounge in Canada for $157 – $300 USD

You can reserve your seat in a lounge up to a year in advance by using the online booking, or book entry for a group of 10 or more at least 1 week in advance. Make sure to bring a printed copy of your booking confirmation email to the lounge to smooth your entry.

Note: PPL Passes are shareable, transferable, and valid for up to 12 months after purchase.

Membership

DragonPass members can access every Plaza Premium Lounge in Canada for free with unlimited or complimentary lounge visits. If you’re out of free passes, you’ll need to pay $31 – $35 USD for each 2-hour visit, which saves 37% off the admission price.

Priority Pass members can also access every Plaza Premium Lounge in Canada by using the unlimited or limited complimentary lounge access included in their membership. À la carte or guest lounge access costs $35 USD per 2-hour visit, saving you 28% on regular admission.

Credit cards with Plaza Premium Lounge access

Whether you prefer American Express, Mastercard, or Visa, you have several options for getting access to airport lounges with your credit card.

The cheapest method is to flash a card with the Amex Global Lounge Collection, Mastercard Travel Pass, or the Visa Airport Companion Program (which both use DragonPass). Depending on how many complimentary visits remain on your card, you could get in for free.

There are a total of 10 premium credit cards in Canada you can use to get into the Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 for free:

Credit card	Annual fee	Welcome bonus	Free Plaza Premium Lounge visits
American Express Platinum Card	$799	Up to 100,000 bonus points (terms)	Unlimited ($35 per additional guest)
Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card	$399	Up to 60,000 80,000 bonus points (terms)	10 ($35 USD per additional pass)
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard	$150	$125 GeniusCash + Up to 90,000 100,000 bonus points, first year free (terms)	4 + 4 ($35 USD per additional pass)
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege	$399	Up to 70,000 bonus points (terms)	6 ($32 USD per additional pass)
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card	$599	Up to 85,000 bonus points (terms)	6 ($32 USD per additional pass)
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card	$150	$100 GeniusCash + 35,000 bonus points (terms)	6 ($32 USD per additional pass)
American Express Gold Rewards Card	$250	Up to 60,000 bonus points (terms)	4 (Canadian lounges only, $35 USD per additional pass)
CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card	$139	Up to 45,000 bonus points, first year annual fee rebate (terms)	4 ($32 USD per additional pass)
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card	$139	Up to 45,000 bonus points, first year annual fee waived† (terms)	4 ($32 USD per additional pass)
Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege	$395		6 ($32 USD per additional pass)

The best credit cards with lounge access tend to be expensive. For example, a Visa Infinite Privilege or World Elite Mastercard credit card provides more free lounge passes per year than one from the Visa Infinite or World Mastercard lineup.

But even if you don’t get a free visit, cards like the Tangerine Money-Back World Mastercard, MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard, and the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard have their place. All 3 include a free DragonPass membership, which you can use to enter the lounge for $32 USD – $35 USD per guest.

If you need a business credit card, check out The Business Platinum Card from American Express for unlimited access, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card for 6 annual free visits, or the BMO Ascend World Elite Business Mastercard for 2 annual free visits.

The Transborder Plaza Premium Lounge (Terminal 1) experience in Toronto

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 5:30 AM – 9:00 PM ET

Location: Terminal 1, US Departures, Level 2, near Gate F53 and F55

Maximum stay: 6 hours

Payment forms accepted: Alipay, American Express, Mastercard, PayPal, WeChat Pay, Visa

Amenities:

• Accessible facilities and washrooms
• Baby-changing stations
• Complimentary food and drink
• Flight monitors
• Premium bar service*
• Showers*
• Televisions with satellite broadcasts
• Vegetarian and gluten-free dining options available upon request
• Wi-Fi and charging stations

* Available at additional cost.

Atmosphere

Renovated in 2019, the US Transborder Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 struggles to use its small space efficiently. There are only 66 seats – and for comparison, the Domestic and International Plaza Premium Lounges in the same terminal seat nearly twice as many guests.

The seats – which fill quickly during peak hours – show the unflattering results of constant, heavy traffic, including rips, scuffs, and duct-taped patches.

"While the ambiance tries to evoke a sense of luxury, the state of the couches and chairs contradicts this. Many seating options were stained or visibly worn out, signalling a dire need for refurbishment. And while the food was good, the variety was somewhat lacking, making it monotonous for frequent travellers." —Saied, 3-star Google review

Comfort

The Transborder lounge in Terminal 1 resembles a long, narrow rectangle. Pass the reception desk at the rough midway point, look left and right, and you’ll see all it has to offer:

• Bar: Located just past reception, the bar seats 7 at the counter and 4 – 5 against the opposite wall.
• Main sitting area: Turn left at the bar and you’ll find a collection of 8 sofa chairs and 10 semi-private cubicle chairs with extendable worktables, in-seat outlets, and charging stations facing each other across a narrow aisle.
• Dining hall: Turn right at the bar to enter a 30-seat dining area just after the buffet.
• The shower room: For $22 CAD, you can wash away your pre-flight jitters for up to 30 minutes. Toiletries and towels are free, as is the shower if you’re an Amex Platinum cardholder.

In keeping with its small footprint, the lounge has only 4 washroom stalls. Be wary of tripping over the bags and suitcases that travellers tend to leave on the ground.

"Went in with my family. It was extremely crowded. They have some independent seating nooks and some open seating, but it was so crowded together. Plus there was nowhere for people to stow bags, so they were putting them on other chairs that could be used for sitting, or else they would be blocking pathways." —Syh, 1-star Trip Advisor review

Dining

As elsewhere, the size of the lounge affects what the staff can offer. Cold options are limited to bread, pasta, salad, and sandwiches, with hot foods like meatballs and vegetables in short supply. Many travellers complain of empty trays; the only things in constant supply are cereals and pretzels.

While the lounge offers alcoholic drinks, you must grab them from the bartender when they have a spare moment. Non-alcoholic beverages are located just around the corner from the food station and include juice, coffee, soft drinks, and tea, with bottled water at a premium.

Diner beware: your ability to request a specialty meal (such as dairy or gluten-free) depends on getting the attention of the kitchen staff, who seem overworked as it is.

"Very limited seating, very limited food offerings, and very limited service. Myself and my partner were waiting at the bar for a drink; we waited until our flight was called for boarding and nobody was there to serve, nor were they around to clean up anything left by previous patrons." –—Derian, 2-star Google review

Entertainment

There are 5 TVs throughout the lounge – 2 at the bar, 2 in the main sitting area, and 1 at the back of the dining hall. You can also find reading materials in the main sitting area.

Rules and restrictions

There’s a short list of DON’Ts to remember while visiting the Transborder Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 in Toronto:

• DON’T bring outside food or beverages
• DON’T carry food or beverages outside
• DON’T dress inappropriately
• DON’T leave minors unattended
• DON’T smoke
• DON’T watch videos or listen to music without headphones

The admission of pets and service animals is subject to the lounge’s discretion. Be sure to call ahead if you’re travelling with a furry friend.

Is the US Transborder Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 in Toronto worth it?

Unless you can secure a complimentary visit during low-traffic hours, the US Transborder Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 is not worth the entry price.

The cramped setting affects everything from food selection and quality to cleanliness and repair. If you’re headed south of the border, we’d recommend waiting to board at a nearby restaurant.

"I went here for a 5-hour layover at YYZ. First of all, the staff was friendly and hardworking, and the food available was good. But the facility was very small, cramped, and pretty rundown. Good luck getting in and then good luck getting a spot. If you’re claustrophobic, don’t go." – DenJ777, 2-star Trip Advisor review

FAQ

How do I get into the Plaza Premium Lounge in Toronto?

To enter the Plaza Premium Lounge in Toronto Pearson, you’ll need to present a boarding pass and pay an entry fee ($66.68 – $108.48 CAD per adult and $46.68 – $75.96 CAD per child), flash your DragonPass or Priority Pass membership, and/or present a premium credit card with free passes.

What’s included in the Plaza Premium Lounge?

Plaza Premium Lounges include unlimited hot and cold food, drinks, and snacks; self-serve coffee, soft drinks, and tea; plus a selection of house beer, spirits, and wine.

How many Plaza Premium Lounges are in Toronto airport?

There are 6 Plaza Premium Lounges in Toronto airport, one in each of the Domestic, US Transborder, and US Transborder departure zones in Terminals 1 and 3.

Is the Plaza Premium Lounge free for Amex cardholders?

American Express Platinum and Business Platinum credit cardholders enjoy free, unlimited access to Plaza Premium Lounges, while Scotiabank Amex cardholders get 10 free visits per year.

What’s the best lounge at Toronto Pearson?

The best lounge in YYZ is the über-exclusive Air Canada Signature Suite, where premium flyers enjoy fine dining, svelte interior décor, and a rarefied atmosphere.