Our Guide To The Plaza Premium Lounge In Toronto (Terminal 3, Domestic)

The Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge in Toronto Pearson Airport, located in Terminal 3, is smaller than usual and often full of visitors. It offers the standard amenities, including workstations, hot meals, and a self-serve bar.

Visitors can access this lounge area with a valid same-day boarding pass from any airline, along with a paid entry fee, membership, or premium credit card. We recommend using one of the top lounge credit cards to maximize your experience.

The guide below provides further details on how to access this Plaza Premium Lounge, describes the space and amenities, and offers tips on determining whether a visit is worthwhile for you.

How to access the Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 3 in Toronto

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

• The Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 3 (the subject of this article) is located on Level 2 near Gates B22 and B24. It’s open Monday – Sunday from 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM ET.
• The International Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 3 is accessible by elevator on Level 2 near Gate C32 and is open every day from 5:30 AM – 12:59 AM ET.
• The US Transborder Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 3 is located on Level 2 near Gate A10 and is open every day from 5:30 AM – 7:00 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 Domestic Lounge in Terminal 3, you’ll need to pay:

But 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 2 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 5 – 10 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.

Take 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 $32 – $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

No matter your preferred credit card issuer, 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. Depending on how many complimentary visits remain on your card, you could get in for free.

Here are the premium credit cards in Canada that 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	$150 GeniusCash + Up to 100,000 115,000 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	$80 GeniusCash + 50,000 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 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	None	6 ($32 USD per additional pass)

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 Terminal 3, Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge experience

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Location: Terminal 3, Level 2, near Gates B22 and B24

Maximum stay: 6 hours

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

Amenities:

• Complimentary food and drink
• Flight monitors
• PC workstations
• Televisions with satellite broadcasts
• Vegetarian and gluten-free dining options available upon request
• Wi-Fi and charging stations

Atmosphere

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Occupying 4,800 square feet and with seating for 90, the Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 3 is on the small side. It’s also light on amenities – there’s no shower or bar available.

Compared to the International PPL in the same terminal, the domestic lounge’s furniture is quite dated. We might have been able to forgive the fact that the sofa chairs and carpet are showing their age if they didn’t also show a lack of care and cleaning.

"This is probably the worst lounge I have experienced. It’s tired, dirty, and the selection of food is terrible. Spend your money in one of the restaurants. You’ll have better service, better food and definitely a much better atmosphere." —Photraveller, 1-star Trip Advisor review

Comfort

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The lounge has a triangular layout, with one corner pointed at the front desk. After passing reception, you can head either left or right to find a seat.

• Massage chairs: There are 2 paid massage chairs in the area around the reception desk.
• Workstations: 4 Small desks on the left each offer a computer workstation with access to the internet and a fax/photocopier/printer.
• Dining area: On the right, past the buffet, is the main dining area. There are about 30 seats at the table in the middle, on the long vinyl banquette against the wall, or at the counter near the window.
• Window seating area: The far side of the lounge from the front desk is dominated by floor-to-ceiling windows and 18 pairs of sofa chairs positioned to enjoy the view.

In keeping with its small size, the Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge is often full. Guests also complain about the lack of working outlets and USB chargers.

"I've been to many lounges over the years and find them to always be a better option than waiting in the public areas. This time is an exception to that. Hot food isn't hot, cold drinks are room temperature, power charging plugs not working and it's absolutely filthy and run down. I'm shocked and disappointed to have used one of my few free passes on this lounge." —Tanya Landry, 1-star Google review

Dining

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The breakfast spread at the Domestic lounge is heavy on carbs – expect to find bagels, bread, and muffins sharing space with beans, eggs, and sausages. The counter behind the island only has space for 4 hot plates at lunch and dinner (such as meatballs, rice, or soup), which diners can pair with 2-4 trays of cold salads and sides.

If you’re looking for the bar, check the reception area. You’ll find a self-service station with two choices of red, two choices of white, two beers, and 5 basic spirits.

So the selection is limited, but what about the quality? Well, it seems to depend on the day’s traffic. Customers during peak hours complained of cold food, while those who visited in the early morning reported acceptable an acceptable quality and quantity.

"The lounge is outdated, food choices and portions are small and limited… The only good thing really, is the free drinks! Oh, the nachos and salsa are really good too." —Chris, 2-star Google review

Entertainment

The Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge provides guests with a choice of 2 television screens and a rack of magazines and newspapers by the front desk. If you’re lucky enough to snag a seat by the windows, you can also enjoy watching planes on the tarmac.

Rules and restrictions

There’s a short list of DON’Ts to remember while visiting the Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 3 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 a pair of headphones

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

Is the Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 3 in Toronto worth it?

The Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 3 suffers from a lack of space and a high volume of traffic, which both contribute to its disrepair, uncleanliness, and lack of quality food. Using a free lounge pass and timing your visit during off-peak hours can help but if you have to spend either time or money to get it, it’s not worth it.

"This lounge needs an update. The fabric chairs are stained and quite worn. The food was good. It’s questionable if the experience was worth the premium charged to enter." —Lisa V., 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.