Our Guide To The Plaza Premium Lounge In Vancouver (International)

There are 4 Plaza Premium Lounges in Vancouver Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and the brand-new International Lounge is worth at least one free visit. To access the lounge, you’ll need a valid same-day boarding pass from any airline and a paid entry fee, membership, or premium credit card.

How to access the International Plaza Premium Lounge in Vancouver

There are 4 Plaza Premium Lounges in Vancouver International Airport: two in the Domestic Concourse and one each in the International and US Transborder Concourse.

If your flight departs from the International Concourse, you’ll have to visit the International Plaza Premium Lounge in Pier D, near Gates D67 and D68. It’s open 7:30 AM – 1:30 AM PT from Sunday – Friday, and 6:30 AM – 1:30 AM PT on Saturday.

For an additional $50.32 – $84.47 CAD per adult (or $35.20 – $59.19 CAD per child), you can upgrade your lounge ticket and access Plaza Premium First. "First" is a separate, exclusive area within the lounge with enhanced dining, service, and entertainment options, and admission includes complimentary shower access.

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 International Lounge in Pier D, you’ll need to pay:

If you decide to pay for access to the exclusive Plaza Premium First area within the lounge, the ticket prices are as follows:

You can save money by taking advantage of deals like:

• 20% off with a Smart Traveller digital membership
• Up to 40% 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 $155 – $295 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 $32 – $35 USD for each 2-hour visit, which saves around 30% 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 around 30% on the regular admission cost.

DragonPass and Priority Pass member discounts do not apply to the Plaza Premium First lounge area.

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, the 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 you can use to get into the International Plaza Premium Lounge 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 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)

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 International Plaza Premium Lounge experience in Vancouver

Hours: Sunday – Friday from 7:30 AM – 1:30 AM PT and Saturday from 6:30 AM – 1:30 AM PT

Location: International Concourse, Pier D, Level 4, between Gates D67 and D68

Maximum stay: 6 hours

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

Amenities:

• Accessible facilities and washrooms
• Children’s playroom**
• Nursing room
• 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. **Not available in the Plaza Premium First area.

Atmosphere

Standard Plaza Premium Lounge. Image credit: Plaza Premium Lounge

Plaza Premium recently refreshed its approximately 10,800-square-foot International Lounge with airy colours and wood accents inspired by the West Coast’s mountains and forests. The flagship lounge allocates 136 seats for Plaza Premium guests and 115 seats for Plaza Premium First visitors, making for a total of 251 seats.

Although it’s much larger than the other Plaza Premium Lounges in YVR (and nearly double its former footprint), visitors report crowded conditions in the mornings and early afternoons. The decision to divide the lounge in two has led to a shortage of space and amenities, at least on the standard side.

If you can snag a seat, you’ll be treated to a view of the atrium, pieces by local artist Ken Prescott, and the first step in Plaza Premium Group’s $300 million expansion into Canadian and American airports.

"The ambiance was simple, and was missing essentials like USB ports etc." – Video review by “On Final Approach”

Plaza Premium First. Image credit: Plaza Premium Lounge

Comfort

Standard Plaza Premium Lounge. Image credit: Plaza Premium Lounge

To enter the lounge, look for the entrance on the atrium floor and take the stairs (or elevator) to the check-in desk on the floor above. Turn left after reception to access the standard Plaza Premium Lounge and:

• Atrium seating: A line of plush chairs with side tables and gold lamps overlook the atrium. Unfortunately, there are no charging ports unless you take a seat at the orange dining tables against the wall. Keep heading away from reception to reach the self-serve drink station and a group of 5 semi-private, mini cubicles with extendable tables.
• Corner seating: The self-serve drink station wraps around the corner; the opposite wall hosts 7 more mini cubicles and 5 pairs of dining chairs and tables if you prefer not to look out onto the atrium.
• Dining hall: Continue past the drink station and the entrance to the washrooms to reach the live cooking station. The end of the hallway terminates in a hall with floor-to-ceiling windows, dining booths, and dining chairs and tables.
• TV room: The right side of the dining area is devoted to a dozen or so chairs arranged around a wall-mounted TV.

There are just 3 washrooms available on this side of the lounge and a small playroom off the dining area.

"Decent lounge! Not amazing. It’s small and the food was okay… This just opened so I had higher hopes! Lots of comfortable seating and the staff were very nice and on top of cleaning." – Holly S., 3-star Google review

The Plaza Premium First lounge features its own washrooms and complimentary showers, as well as:

• Main dining area: A collection of green, semi-circular dining booths and faux-leather dining chairs define the dining area, where guests can enjoy white-glove table service while gazing at the mountains on the horizon.
• Atrium seating: Several quartets of leather loungers overlook the atrium, attended by gold lamps and marble side tables with charging stations.
• Bar seating: A dozen grey chairs make up the seating at the counter of the full-service bar, which offers a selection of handpicked wines and signature cocktails.
• Atrium dining area: If you prefer to people-watch, you can request a seat on the other side of the lounge and dine while looking down on the atrium.

Note the Plaza Premium First Lounge offers a nursing room, but not a playroom. If you have kids, you may want to buy admission to the regular lounge.

Plaza Premium First. Image credit: Plaza Premium Lounge

Dining

Standard Plaza Premium Lounge. Image credit: Plaza Premium Lounge

The International Lounge’s live cooking station features a rotating, seasonal menu, with options such as a noodle bar, pasta bar, and poutine station. The counter and cooler beside the live kitchen offer pastries, 3 cold side dishes and a couple of desserts, while 3 silver dishes house hot entrees and side dishes. Rounding out the offerings is a fresh fruit bowl and a couple of soup tureens.

"The food is okay. They offer noodle soup with chicken or pork. Hot food has mashed potatoes, turkey, and Brussels sprouts. Limited choice on hard alcohol." – Kaman K., 3-star Google review

While the standard lounge has limited space and a limited menu, Plaza Premium First offers both a gourmet buffet and à la carte table service. Naturally, you have the option to pair top-shelf spirits with dishes such as vegan Thai curry and crab omelettes.

Plaza Premium First. Image credit: Plaza Premium Lounge.

Entertainment

The standard Plaza Premium lounge offers the usual entertainment: complimentary Wi-Fi, e-magazines, and about 3 TVs scattered throughout the lounge. As mentioned, only the standard lounge offers a playroom for kids.

Plaza Premium First provides complimentary Wi-Fi and a pair of TVs hung over the bar, but there’s not much else to look at – just the bustling atrium of Canada’s second-largest airport and the beautiful, forested mountains of BC.

Rules and restrictions

There’s a short list of DON’Ts to remember while visiting the International Plaza Premium Lounge in Vancouver:

• 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; make sure to call ahead if you’re travelling with a furry friend.

Is the International Plaza Premium Lounge in Vancouver worth it?

While generous, the International Plaza Premium Lounge’s admission policy often leads to crowding. More guests mean less food, more mess, and even rejection at the door. We recommend timing your visit for a low-traffic period, such as the late morning, late evening, or anytime on Sunday.

"Much needed upgrade. Great food choice at the premium section but standard quality, had both breakfast and lunch servings. Lots of lounge seating available, some with great airport views, or you can have a view of people running in the terminal." – Willy C., 4-star Google review

If you’re willing to pay nearly double the admission fee, you may want to check out the other side of the lounge instead. North America’s first Plaza Premium First location offers top-notch food, drink, and service—and its staff are eager to impress.

FAQ

Can anyone access the Plaza Premium Lounge?

To enter a Plaza Premium Lounge in Vancouver, you’ll need to present a boarding pass and pay an entry fee, flash your DragonPass or Priority Pass membership, and/or present a premium credit card with free passes.

Can you use the Plaza Premium Lounge on arrival?

Only departing airline travellers are permitted in Plaza Premium Lounges.

Which airlines are using Plaza Premium Lounge?

Plaza Premium Lounges aren’t affiliated with a specific airline and are open to everybody with a valid same-day boarding pass. The only exception is the KLM/Air France lounge in Montréal-Trudeau (YUL).

Is Plaza Premium Lounge free for Amex?

You can get free access to Plaza Premium Lounge with an American Express Platinum or Business Platinum credit card. Scotiabank American Express credit cardholders also enjoy 10 free visits per year.

Can you shower at Vancouver airport?

You can shower at 7 airport lounges in Vancouver airport: the Cathay Pacific Lounge, the SkyTeam Lounge; the Plaza Premium Lounges in Piers B, D, and E; and the Domestic, International, and US Transborder Maple Leaf Lounges in Piers C, D, and E.