The Plaza Premium Lounge network contains over 160 lounges in 42 airports and 21 countries worldwide, offering travellers relaxation and refreshment regardless of airline. All you need to access a Plaza Premium Lounge is to pair your boarding pass with an entry fee, a membership card, or the right credit card.
Key Takeaways
- There are over 160 Plaza Premium Lounges in 42 airports worldwide, including 14 locations in Canada.
- All Plaza Premium Lounges offer complimentary beverages, food, entertainment, and seating.
- Plaza Premium Lounge admission fees in Canada range from $62 – $110 per adult traveller, $43 – $77 per child from 2 – 11, and $0 for children under 2.
- You can enter a Plaza Premium Lounge for free or at a reduced cost with a qualifying membership or credit card.
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What are Plaza Premium Lounges?
Plaza Premium Lounges are airport lounges owned and operated by the Plaza Premium Group (PPG). The PPG also runs the Plaza Premium First lounge network, the Aerotel hotel brand, various Airport Dining facilities, and the ALLWAYS VIP meet-and-greet service.
Altogether, the PPG provides airline-related services to over 20 million travellers each year.
Plaza Premium Lounge pros and cons
The Plaza Premium Lounge franchise boasts a 3-year winning streak at the Skytrax World Airline Awards in the "World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge" category. Established in 1998, the PPG has had plenty of time to perfect the premium lounge experience.
The full list of Plaza Premium Lounge amenities in Canada includes:
| Common lounge amenities | Rarer lounge amenities |
|---|---|
| * Accessible washrooms * Baby changing stations * Business centres with desktop PCs, faxing, colour printing, and photocopying services * Complimentary newspapers, magazines, and live television broadcasts * Complimentary self-serve beverages and food * Complimentary Wi-Fi and charging stations * Dedicated luggage storage areas * Exit and re-entry privileges * Premium drink selections * Flight monitors * Vegetarian and gluten-free dining options | * Full-service bars * Family rooms with children’s activities and play areas * Live cooking stations * Massages and manicures * Nursery rooms * VIP Rooms |
In addition, Plaza Premium Lounges have the following advantages:
- Accessibility: Plaza Premium Lounges are located worldwide and in every major airport in Canada.
- Affordability: Plaza Premium Lounge entry fees undercut the costs of booking a first-class ticket or qualifying for frequent flyer benefits programs.
- Family friendly: As long as they’re accompanied by an adult, children enjoy discounted admission fees.
- Flexibility: Visitors can book a 2 – 6-hour visit ahead of time or walk in, no reservations required.
- Independence: Most lounges don’t require a boarding pass from a specific airline to enter.
- Partnerships: From lounge passes to credit cards, there are plenty of ways to enjoy exclusive deals, discounts, and savings.
Of course, if the Plaza Premium Lounge collection was perfect, then you wouldn’t need a guide. Here’s how to deal with the disadvantages of visiting a Plaza Premium Lounge:
- Book ahead because the non-exclusive, first-come, first-served admission policy sometimes leads to crowds.
- Check the entry fees because not all locations cost the same.
- Hold onto your receipt because smoking isn’t permitted in the lounge, and you’ll need it for re-entry.
- Leave your pets behind because Plaza Premium Lounges may not accept pets.
- Research the amenities because not every lounge offers the same services.
- Time your visit because every lounge has different opening hours and the maximum stay is 6 hours.
Which airports have a Plaza Premium Lounge?
There are over 160 Plaza Premium Lounges in 42 airports in 21 countries across the globe.
All 5 major international airports in Canada have at least 1 Plaza Premium Lounge, with adult admission prices ranging from $62 – $110.
| Airport | Locations | Entry fees |
|---|---|---|
| Edmonton (YEG) | * Domestic and International * US Transborder | * Adults (12+): $61.92 – $100.80 * Children (2 – 11): $43 – $70.56 * Children under 2: Free |
| Montreal (YUL) | * International | * Adults (12+): $67.80 – $110.40 * Children (2 – 11): $47.48 – $77.16 * Children under 2: Free |
| Toronto (YYZ) | * Terminal 1 (Domestic, International, and US Transborder) * Terminal 3 (Domestic, International, and US Transborder) | * Adults (12+): $66.68 – $108.48 * Children (2 – 11): $46.68 – $75.96 * Children under 2: Free * Shower: $24.68 |
| Vancouver (YVR) | * Domestic Departures * Domestic Departures, Pier C * International * US Transborder | * Adults (12+): $61.92 – $100.80 * Children (2 – 11): $43 – $70.56 * Children under 2: Free |
| Winnipeg (YWG) | * Departures | * Adults (12+): $66.08 – $107.52 * Children (2 – 11): $46.24 – $75.24 * Children under 2: Free |
How to access Plaza Premium Lounges
Every Plaza Premium Lounge in Canada is located after airport security, which means you must have a same-day boarding pass to enter the appropriate terminal.
Once inside, there are 3 ways to enter a Plaza Premium Lounge:
- Pay the entry fee
- Present a valid membership card
- Present a premium credit card with lounge access
Method 1: Entry fee
Plaza Premium Lounge passes are sold in 2 – 6-hour versions. You can either book online or pay at the door – no reservations required!
But by taking the time to plan ahead, you could save up to 50% per visit. You can spend a pre-purchased pack of Plaza Premium Lounge Passes on visits for yourself, your family, or your fellow travellers in any combination and on any date. PPL passes are accepted at nearly every location and don’t require a membership to purchase.
Method 2: Membership
There are 4 major airport lounge membership programs in Canada that offer discounted or free admission to the Plaza Premium Lounge network:
| Program | Annual fees | Benefits | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| DragonPass | * Classic: $99 USD * Preferential: $259 USD * Prestige: $429 USD | * 1 free member pass * 8 free member passes * Unlimited member passes * Guests $35 USD each | All locations |
| LoungeKey | N/A – only offered through select payment cards | * Free member and guest passes depend on payment card | 63 (including all Canada and US locations) |
| Priority Pass | * Standard: $99 USD * Prestige: $469 USD | * 0 free member passes * Unlimited member passes * Guests $35 USD each | 63 (including all Canada and US locations) |
| SmartTraveller | * Free | * 20% Off Plaza Premium Lounge admission | All locations |
Method 3: Credit card
The best credit cards with lounge access tend to be travel, travel business, or premium credit cards that offer tons of perks and benefits in exchange for high annual fees.
For example, World Elite Mastercards and Visa Infinite credit cards both include select benefits from DragonPass.
Every credit payment network in Canada offers a card that lets you enter the Plaza Premium Lounge of your choice at least once for free:
| Best Lounge Access Credit Cards | Pass Program | Free PPL Passes | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card | Visa Airport Companion | Unlimited | $599 |
| BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard | Mastercard Travel Pass | 4 | $150 |
| American Express Platinum Card | Amex Global Lounge Collection | Unlimited | $799 |
Have you been to a Plaza Premium Lounge?
The Plaza Premium Lounge network is a global juggernaut that plans to double the number of locations within the next 5 years.
Have you visited a Plaza Premium Lounge – and if so, was it worth the price of admission?
FAQ
Are drinks free in Plaza Premium Lounges?
All Plaza Premium Lounges provide complimentary coffee, soft drinks, and tea, plus basic wine, beer, and spirits. Premium drinks are available at certain locations for an extra fee.
Can I bring a guest into a Plaza Premium Lounge?
Some credit cards provide a limited number of free guest passes to Plaza Premium Lounges, while DragonPass, LoungeKey, and Priority Pass members can purchase guest passes for $35 USD each.
Can anyone access a Plaza Premium Lounge?
Any traveller from any airline can access a Plaza Premium Lounge.
What’s included in a Plaza Premium Lounge?
Plaza Premium Lounges typically include complimentary beverages, food, seating, and entertainment, but some offer special services – like manicures, massages, or showers – for an extra fee.
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