The Visa Airport Companion program provides complimentary airport lounge access to eligible Visa cardholders and their guests. It grants access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide through the LoungeKey network, where travellers can enjoy amenities like comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverages, Wi-Fi, and business facilities.
Available on select premium Visa cards, the program grants access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide through the LoungeKey network. While some cards – including a few of Visa's very best cards – provide unlimited access, others offer a set number of annual visits.
The following guide offers all the details you need to decide whether this credit card benefit can help make layovers and pre-flight waiting more comfortable for you.
Key Takeaways
- The Visa Airport Companion Program provides select Visa credit cardholders with a free DragonPass membership and up to 6 free lounge visits per year.
- Most credit cards with the Visa Airport Companion Program have high income requirements and annual fees.
- The Visa Airport Companion perk is worth $99 – $290 USD or more.
- The best credit card with the Visa Airport Companion is the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card.
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What is the Visa Airport Companion Program?
The Visa Airport Companion Program is the Visa equivalent of the Mastercard Travel Pass or Amex Global Lounge Collection – complimentary membership giving cardholders free or discounted access to 1,300+ airport lounges around the world. Enroll your credit card and you’ll unlock savings at lounges, restaurants, and stores in 9 major Canadian airports.
The Visa Airport Companion Program is a perk reserved for Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards and select Visa Infinite and Visa credit cards. You’ll find it among the benefits of 16 premium credit cards in Canada, although not all include free lounge passes.
Visa Airport Companion Program overview
| The Visa Airport Companion Program | |
|---|---|
| Perk Type | Airport lounge access program |
| Provider | Visa |
| Cost | Free |
| Value | $99+ – $290+ USD |
- 1,300+ airport lounges in the Visa Airport Companion Program network
- 16 Canadian credit cards with the Visa Airport Companion Program
- Includes up to 6 free airport lounge visits
- $150,000 personal or $200,000 household income required for Visa Infinite Privilege cards
- $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income required for Visa Infinite cards
- High annual fees for most cards
- Not all cards include free airport lounge visits
How the Visa Airport Companion Program works
You must enroll your Visa credit card in the Visa Airport Companion Program before you can enjoy the benefits. First, head to the VAC website, enter your credit card information, and create an account. Congratulations: you’ve just saved $99 USD on the standard annual DragonPass membership fee!
Next, download the Visa Airport Companion app for Android or iOS and find an airport lounge, restaurant, or store you want to visit.
How to get airport lounge access with the Visa Airport Companion Program
The Visa Airport Companion Program is powered by DragonPass. To get into a DragonPass lounge, find the reception desk and present:
- An eligible and enrolled Visa credit card
- A digital membership card AND QR code on the Visa Airport Companion app or website
- A printed or e-mailed e-certificate listing your digital membership information AND a QR code
If there are at least 48 hours between you and your flight, you can also pre-book access online. Use the mobile app or website to book a timeslot for you and up to 6 guests, but be warned – you may be refused entry if you arrive too early or more than an hour late.
Any in-person or walk-in visits you make will be deducted from the free lounge visits on your account. If you need to buy another visit for yourself or a guest, it’ll cost $32 USD, saving you $3 USD off the usual entry price. Online pre-booking fees may also apply.
Airport lounges included in the Visa Airport Companion Program
The DragonPass airport lounge network encompasses 1,300+ locations around the world. Prepare to enjoy unlimited complimentary food, drink, and snacks in:
- 509 Asian airports, including Tokyo (NRT), Hong Kong (HKG), and Seoul (ICN)
- 158 European airports, including Frankfurt (FRA), Heathrow (LHR), Munich (MUC), and Zurich (ZRH)
- 64 African airports, including Cape Town (CPT), Johannesburg (JNB and HLA), and Marrakech (RAK)
- 26 U.S. airports, including Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Dallas (DFW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Washington (IAD), San Francisco (SFO), and New York (JFK and LGA)
- 11 Oceania airports, including Christchurch (CHC), Melbourne (MEL), and Sydney (SYD)
- 9 Canadian airports, including every Plaza Premium Lounge location in Toronto (YTZ and YYZ), Montreal (YUL), and Vancouver (YVR)
Keep in mind:
- Lounge access may be restricted to international travellers – not domestic or transborder flyers
- There are few Dragonpass lounges in the US and none in Chicago-O'hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), or Los Angeles (LAX)
- You must follow the lounge’s code of conduct during your visit
If you get the chance, pay a visit to the Pearl Lounge in Bahrain. It’s a sumptuously decorated oasis, the winner of a 5-star SKYTRAX rating, and the best DragonPass airport lounge in the world.
Some airport lounges may not accept a credit card as proof of membership. Be prepared by downloading a copy of your membership and QR code for use offline.
How to get airport dining offers
Getting up to 25% off your meal at the airport is easier than getting lounge access. Simply open up the VAC app or website and search the name of the airport to pull up a list of offers. Select the offer you want and present the QR code to the restaurant to scan; there are over 50 locations in Canada to choose from.
How to get airport retail offers
The last VAC membership benefit is 10% – 20% off a minimum purchase of $25 – $150 at certain airport stores. The selection includes Lolë, Herschel, and The Loop Duty-Free – but the best offer is 35% off any bottle of wine from the Vin Room in Calgary (YYC).
Once again, you’ll have to redeem the offer by finding it on the VAC app or website, tapping it, and showing the QR code to the cashier.
How to get the Visa Airport Companion Program
Canadians have the choice of 16 credit cards with the Visa Airport Companion Program: 8 Visa Infinite Privilege cards, 7 Visa Infinite cards, and one Gold Visa card.
The 4 best Visa Airport Companion credit cards in Canada offer 4 – 6 free passes per year.
| Credit card | Welcome bonus | Annual fee | Free lounge visits | Income requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Up to 120,000 bonus points (terms) | $599 | 6 | $150K personal or $200K household |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card | Up to 45,000 bonus points, first year annual fee waived† (terms) | $139 | 4 | $60K personal or $100K household |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card |  $30 GeniusCash + 35,000 bonus points (terms) | $150 | 6 | $60K personal or $100K household |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $175 GeniusCash + Up to 80,000 bonus points (terms) | $599 | 6 | $150K personal or $200K household |
| CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card | Up to 45,000 bonus points, first year annual fee rebate (terms) | $139 | 4 | $60K personal or $100K household |
1. Best Visa Airport Companion credit card in Canada
Lounge access: 6 free lounge visits per year
Rewards:
- 5x BMO Rewards points for every $1 spent on travel, dining, gas, groceries, and drugstores
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
A card with a $599 annual fee has to deliver something special, and the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card doesn’t disappoint. It includes a $200 annual lifestyle credit and all the luxuries of the Visa Infinite Privilege program, like automatic Diamond Status at Sandman hotels.
Redeem your BMO Rewards points on travel and you can also look forward to 6 free airport lounge visits, priority security clearance, and parking discounts at major Canadian airports.
Pros:
- $200 annual lifestyle credit
- 12 types of insurance included
- 25% bonus points for adding an authorized user
- Visa Infinite Privilege benefits
Cons:
- $150,000 personal or $200,000 household income required
2. Best value Visa Airport Companion credit card
Lounge access: 4 free lounge visits per year
Rewards:
- 2 points per $1 spent on travel booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre
- 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, EV charging, and drugstores
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
For $599, you can earn Aventura Rewards, visit 4 airport lounges for free, and experience the Visa Infinite program with the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card. Said benefits include 24/7 concierge services, and access to exclusive dining events, plus a complimentary room upgrade, daily breakfast, and more at 900+ hotels.
Pros:
- $100 NEXUS fee rebate every 4 years
- 12 types of insurance included
- Up to 10 cents per litre at JOURNIE gas stations
- $0 transfer and cash advance fees to 120+ countries
- Visa Infinite benefits
Cons:
- $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income required
3. Best no foreign exchange fees Visa Airport Companion credit card
GC: $30
Lounge access: 6 free lounge visits per year
Rewards:
- 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and more
- 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent on groceries, restaurants, entertainment, and daily transit
- 1 Scene+ point per $1 on all other purchases
With 6 airport lounge visits per year and no foreign exchange fees, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is the perfect card for travelling shopaholics. If you prefer a staycation, you can also choose to redeem your Scene+ points on groceries, restaurants, and movie tickets at a rate of 1 cent per point.
Pros:
- 11 types of insurance included
- 0.00% foreign exchange fee
- Automatic Avis Preferred Plus membership status
- Visa Infinite benefits
Cons:
- $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income required
- Lower rewards than other Visa Infinite cards
Want a super-premium option? The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card has a high annual fee and steep income requirements, but it includes 6 complimentary lounge passes per year, priority security, discounted parking, and a generous travel credit.
GC: $175
4. Best low-income Visa Airport Companion credit card
Lounge access: 4 free lounge visits per year
Rewards:
- 2 points per $1 spent on travel booked through the CIBC Rewards Centre
- 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, EV charging, and drugstores
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
The CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card earns points for being the only non-premium Visa credit card on this list. Not only does it include 4 free airport lounge visits per year, but it also requires no more than $15,000 in household income. Although its rewards and Visa Airport Companion benefits match those of the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card, it lacks insurance coverage and Visa Infinite benefits.
Pros:
- $15,000 household income required
- $100 NEXUS fee rebate every 4 years
- Up to 10 cents per litre at JOURNIE gas stations
- $0 transfer and cash advance fees to 120+ countries
- Visa Airport Companion Program benefits
Cons:
- Only 10 types of insurance included
- No Visa Infinite benefits
- Same annual fee as premium version
FAQ
Does Visa have airport lounge access?
Visa credit cardholders with the Visa Airport Companion Program enjoy a complimentary membership to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide and up to 6 free visits per year.
Which Visa Airport Companion membership has six free lounge visits per year?
In Canada, every Visa Infinite Privilege credit card (and the 2 personal and business Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite cards) provides 6 free airport lounge visits per year.
Does Visa Infinite have airport lounge access in Canada?
Visa Infinite credit cards with the Visa Airport Companion Program include up to 6 free visits per year to lounges within 9 major Canadian airports.
Did Airport Companion replace Priority Pass?
Visa switched its airport lounge membership provider from Priority Pass to DragonPass in 2021.
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