Have a World Elite Mastercard? Under Mastercard Airport Experiences by LoungeKey, World Elite Mastercard lounge access did not include access to Plaza Premium lounges, as they withdrew from both the Priority Pass and LoungeKey programs.
Plaza Premium lounges operate an extensive array of airport lounges across Canada, second only to Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges.
But thanks to the new and improved Mastercard Travel Pass operated by DragonPass, World Elite Mastercard cardholders refined their access. Here how.
Never miss an amazing deal again + get our bonus 250+ page eBook for FREE. Join 50,000 other Canadians who receive our weekly newsletter – learn more.
Expanded airport lounge access for Mastercard World Elite cardholders
World Elite Mastercard airport lounge access is being expanded thanks to DragonPass.
As a result of the move, Mastercard will bolster its airport lounge repertoire to 1,300 lounges around the world, including spa and dining options. In addition, with Plaza Premium lounges in the network, Mastercard’s domestic airport lounge impact in Canada will expand to 21 lounges across the country.
It also means that what was once called Mastercard Airport Experiences is now called Mastercard Travel Pass.
Other than that, not much will change for World Elite Mastercard holders and those who have other Mastercards that also include airport lounge access. The annual fee for access will be covered by virtue of being a Mastercard customer and the per visit fee to DragonPass airport lounges will still be discounted to US$32.
This move by Mastercard comes on the heels of the credit card company discontinuing its relationship with Priority Pass in 2021. At the time, Premium Plaza Lounges were part of the Priority Pass network, so Canadian cardholders lost out. It wasn’t long after that announcement that Premium Plaza Lounges announced a new partnership with DragonPass, so now with this move, World Elite Mastercard holders finally have access to the experience Plaza Premium Lounges provide.
What do Plaza Premium Lounges have to offer?
With lounges in Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Winnipeg, as well as many other major cities around the world, Plaza Premium Lounges offer the following:
- food (including vegetarian options),
- alcoholic beverages,
- free telephone and WiFi access,
- charging stations,
- TV channels, and
- on-demand flight information.
All of it is in a very regal and upscale environment.
What are your World Elite Mastercard options?
All World Elite Mastercards and some World Mastercards, include airport lounge access, so you will be able to take advantage of Mastercard’s full suite of 1,300 lounges across the globe, including the 21 Plaza Premium Lounges in Canada.
If you’re looking to get in on this action, you can try applying for the
GC: $125
$125 GeniusCash + Up to 
The card by itself still has plenty of benefits, including the following:
- 5 points per $1 spent on travel
- 3 points per $1 spent on dining, entertainment, and recurring bills
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
It also comes with all the typical benefits that come with World Elite status. Along with 4 free airport lounge access passes (the most of any available World Elite Mastercard), you get one of a kind experiences and free airport WiFi, along with 14 types of insurance, including the following:
BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®* Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.Extended Warranty 1 year Purchase Protection 90 days Travel Accident $500,000 Emergency Medical Term 21 days Emergency Medical Maximum Coverage $5,000,000 Trip Cancellation $1,500 Trip Interruption $2,000 Flight Delay $500 Baggage Delay $500 Lost or Stolen Baggage $500 Personal Effects $750 Hotel Burglary $1,000 Rental Car Theft & Damage Yes Rental Car Accident $200,000 Rental Car Personal Effects $1,000
Keep in mind though that World Elite Mastercards have high income requirements. You typically have to bring home $80,000 in personal annual income and $150,000 in household annual income, so these are not for the faint of heart.
If you want to take a look at more World Elite Mastercard options, check out our Best World and World Elite Mastercards. You won’t get any free passes, but at least the membership is included for free.
The
It offers a Mastercard Travel Pass membership, but has no free passes.
However, it does come with an annual $150 travel enhancement credit. One of the things it can be used for is accessing airport lounges. On top of that, National Bank runs their own airport lounge in the international departures area at the Montreal-Trudeau airport. And if you have this card, you’ll get unlimited access to it.
Lastly, there’s a business credit card that offers access with the
It comes with a Mastercard Travel Pass membership and 2 free passes.
If you want to take a look at more World Elite Mastercard options, check out our Best World and World Elite Mastercards. You won’t get any free passes, but at least the membership is included for free.
Your thoughts on Mastercard Travel Pass
Are you happy about the switch Mastercard is making from LoungeKey to DragonPass for airport lounge access? Are you excited about access to Plaza Premium Lounges as a result and are you in the market, or do you already have, a World Elite Mastercard?
Let us know in the comments below!
FAQ
What is Mastercard Travel Pass?
Mastercard Travel Pass is a credit card lounge access program for all World Elite Mastercards and select World Mastercards. World Elite Mastercard lounge access is provided by DragonPass.
Does Mastercard Travel Pass offer access to Plaza Premium Lounges?
Plaza Premium lounges can be accessed through Mastercard Travel Pass, as they are part of the DragonPass network.
What is the best Mastercard to access Mastercard Travel Pass lounges?
The best Mastercard for Mastercard Travel Pass is the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard. It comes with 4 free passes to Mastercard Travel Pass lounges, more than other World Elite Mastercards.
creditcardGenius is the only tool that compares 126+ features of 226 Canadian credit cards using math-based ratings and rankings that respond to your needs, instantly. Take our quiz and see which of Canada's 226 cards is for you.
GC: 
Comments
Leave a comment
Required fields are marked with *. Your email address will not be published.
Showing 8 comments