Airport lounge entry can remodel an in any other case gruelling layover into a soothing respite. Lounges usually provide free snacks and drinks, free Wi-Fi, snug seating, work areas, showers, sleep pods and even spa providers. It’s little marvel, then, that for a lot of frequent fliers, lounge entry is an particularly coveted bank card function. Listed here are one of the best playing cards to hold with you in your subsequent journey.
Greatest airport lounge entry bank cards
Get $75 Present Card Provide
Gold: Our prime decide general
Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite Card
Get 6 free passes yearly to over 1,200 lounges globally. Plus, pay no international transaction charges when overseas.
Provide ends
Could 01, 2025
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Curiosity Charges:
20.99% buy, 22.99% money advance, 22.99% steadiness switch
Welcome provide:
$300 worth
Earn as much as $1,300 in worth within the first 12 months, together with as much as 40,000 bonus Scene+ factors. To qualify, apply by July 1, 2025.
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Silver: Greatest for luxurious perks
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Comes with limitless entry to premium Maple Leaf Lounges and over 1,200 extra lounges worldwide.
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Curiosity Charges:
20.99% buy, 22.99% money advance, 22.99% steadiness switch
Welcome provide:
$792 worth
Earn a welcome bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan factors once you make your first buy together with your new card. Earn a further 35,000 Aeroplan factors once you spend $12,000 inside 180 days of Account opening. Circumstances Apply.
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Bronze: Greatest for journey to the U.S.
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
Get 4 passes yearly to over 1,200 lounges globally. Plus, a Nexus price rebate each 4 years.
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Curiosity Charges:
20.99% buy, 22.99% money advance, 22.99% steadiness switch
Welcome provide:
$900 worth
Earn as much as $1,450 in worth together with a primary yr annual price rebate.
Greatest lounge entry bank cards overview
Examine key options of standard airport lounge entry playing cards in Canada. Maintain scrolling for our editors’ prime picks.
| Annual price | Free lounge visits per yr | Free visitor entry | Variety of lounges | Advisable earnings | Advisable credit score rating | Apply now (featured playing cards solely) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite |
$150 | 6 passes: Visa Airport Companion (DragonPass) | Sure | 1,200 | $60,000 per yr | 725 or larger | Go to site |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
|
$599 | Limitless passes: Maple Leaf Lounges
6 passes: Visa Airport Companion (DragonPass) |
Sure | 23 Maple Leaf (Entry excludes Air Canada Signature Suites and lounges operated by third events, akin to Star Alliance member airways)
1,200 |
$150,000 per yr | 680 or larger | Go to site |
| American Express The Platinum Card
|
$799 | Limitless passes: Amex International Lounge Assortment (Precedence Move, Plaza Premium, Centurion) | Sure | 1,400 | None specified | 760 or larger | Go to site |
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard |
$150 | 4 passes: Mastercard Journey Move (DragonPass) | Sure | 1,300 | $80,000 per yr | 760 or larger | Go to site |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
|
$139 | 4 passes: Visa Airport Companion (DragonPass) | Sure | 1,200 | $60,000 per yr | 760 or larger | Go to site |
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard |
$0 | 0 passes: Mastercard Journey Move (DragonPass) | No | 1,300 | $80,000 per yr | 725 or larger | Go to site |
MoneySense award winners
Take a look at the professionals and cons of the highest three airport lounge entry bank cards, in addition to one of the best American Specific and no-fee card choices.
Gold: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
At a look: The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is one of the best card general for airport lounge entry. With six complimentary lounge visits a yr, this card presents probably the most free visits amongst bank cards in a comparable price vary. For that cause alone, the cardboard pays for itself. Including to its travel-friendly attract is the truth that it’s one of many few playing cards in Canada that doesn’t cost the standard 2.5% foreign transaction (FX) fee.
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Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
Annual price: $150
Welcome provide: Earn as much as $1,100 in worth within the first 12 months, together with as much as 40,000 bonus Scene+ factors. Provide ends July 1, 2025.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on steadiness transfers |
| Earnings required | Private earnings of $60,000 per yr or family earnings of $100,000 per yr |
| Credit score rating | 725 or larger |
| Level worth | 1 Scene+ level = $0.01 when redeemed for journey on any airline or lodge (together with Airbnbs). |
Silver: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
At a look: For Aeroplan points collectors who need an elevated airport expertise, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege bank card is usually a nice journey companion. That is one of the best bank card to supply entry to luxurious airport lounges. It’s full of journey advantages like limitless free entry to Maple Leaf Lounges all through North America.
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TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
Annual price: $599
Welcome provide: Earn as much as $3,000 in worth together with as much as 85,000 Aeroplan factors. Circumstances apply.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on steadiness transfers, 22.99% on money advances |
| Earnings required | Private earnings of $150,000 or family earnings of $200,000 |
| Credit score rating | 680 or larger (really useful) |
| Anniversary bonus | Earn a one-time bonus of 30,000 Aeroplan factors once you spend at the least $24,000 inside 12 months of opening the account. Circumstances apply. |
| Level worth | Aeroplan factors are value $0.02 on common |
Execs
- Airport lounge entry: Get limitless entry to Maple Leaf Lounges for you and a visitor, and 6 free visits per yr to over 1,200 airport lounges.
- Journey insurance coverage: Get 31 days of protection for journey medical (for these beneath 65), versus the extra frequent 15-21 days. Additionally get protection for journey interruptions, flight delays, baggage, rental vehicles and extra.
- Nexus price rebate: Take pleasure in a Nexus utility price rebate of as much as $100 each two years.
- Journey perks: Get precedence check-ins, boarding, baggage dealing with, airport upgrades, and airport standby. Additionally, get an annual round-trip companion go and free checked baggage on Air Canada.
Cons
- Greatest for Air Canada flyers: Greatest rewards worth when redeeming for Air Canada flights. And plenty of journey advantages (like precedence check-in and boarding) solely apply to flights operated by Air Canada.
- Excessive annual price: The price may be very steep even for a premium card with many perks. The extra cardholder price of $199 can also be excessive.
- Excessive earnings requirement: The necessities are very excessive in comparison with different playing cards.
Bronze: CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
At a look: The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite is one of the best airport lounge entry card for frequent travellers to the U.S. Take into account this card for those who usually go to the U.S. for holidays, work journeys or household visits. The cardboard consists of membership within the Visa Airport Companion Program and likewise provides you 4 free lounge visits per yr. Each 4 years, you get an announcement credit score of as much as $100 in the direction of a Nexus utility price.
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CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
Annual price: $139
Welcome provide: Earn as much as $1,450 in worth, together with a primary yr annual price rebate.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on steadiness transfers |
| Earnings required | Private earnings of $60,000 or family earnings of $100,000 |
| Credit score rating | 760 or larger |
| Level worth | 1 level= $0.01 on common |
Greatest Mastercard possibility: BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
At a look: For those who’re an occasional traveller, the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard could also be a sensible choice to get you airport lounge entry. If you end up in an airport even only a few occasions a yr, you’ll admire that this card presents free membership within the Mastercard Journey Move program offered by DragonPass, with 4 free lounge passes a yr.
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BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
Annual price: $150
Welcome provide: Earn as much as 100,000 factors
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | Rates of interest: 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on steadiness transfers, 23.99% on money advances |
| Earnings required | Private earnings of $80,000 or family earnings of $150,000 |
| Credit score rating | 760 or larger |
| Level worth | 1 BMO Rewards level = $0.0067 when redeemed for journey |
Greatest American Specific possibility: The Platinum Card
At a look: For those who’re a frequent traveller, The Platinum Card is the most suitable choice for you. It’s some of the costly premium bank cards in Canada, however the $799 annual price will get you entry to probably the most complete and amenity-laden choice of airport lounges worldwide, together with top-tier American Specific Centurion Lounges. Relying on the lounge, cardholders could have a vast variety of free visits and also can convey one companion with them at no further price.
American Specific Platinum
Annual price: $799
Welcome provide: Earn as much as 100,000 Membership Rewards factors ($1,000 worth).
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | N/A (as a cost card, you’re required to repay your steadiness in full each month) |
| Earnings required | None |
| Credit score rating | 760 or larger |
| Anniversary bonus | $200 annual eating credit score to make use of at a curated record of Canada’s prime eating places. Plus, $200 annual journey credit score when reserving by American Specific Journey On-line. |
| Level worth | 1 Amex Membership Rewards level = $0.01 when redeemed with the Versatile Factors Journey Program, $0.015 on common with the Mounted Factors Journey Program, and as much as $0.02 with airline factors transfers |
Greatest no price possibility: Rogers Crimson World Elite Mastercard
At a look: For those who aren’t seeking to pay a hefty annual price to entry airport lounges, the Rogers Crimson World Elite Mastercard is the most suitable choice. Get entry to over 1,300 lounges worldwide for simply USD$32 per particular person per go to. Plus, get journey insurance coverage and perks like 3% money again on all U.S. greenback purchases (offsetting foreign exchange charges) and the very best base earn charge of any no-fee card in Canada.
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Rogers Crimson World Elite Mastercard
Annual price: $0
Welcome provide: None right now.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 25.99% on purchases, 27.99% on money advances, 27.99% on steadiness transfers |
| Earnings required | $80,000 per yr |
| Credit score rating | 725 or larger |
Execs
- Airport lounge entry: Complimentary membership to Mastercard Journey Move giving entry to over 1,300 lounges for $32 USD per particular person per go to.
- Journey insurance coverage: Comes with six varieties of protection, together with emergency medical, journey cancellation and automobile rental injury protection—a uncommon perk for a no-fee card.
- Offset foreign exchange charges on U.S. purchases: Earn 3% money again on all purchases made in U.S. {dollars}, each in-person and on-line, which is sufficient to offset the standard 2.5% international transaction price charged by most bank cards.
- Excessive base charge: The 1.5% base earn charge is larger than another no-fee card in Canada. Plus, not like most playing cards, there aren’t any earnings caps.
- Buyer bonus: Rogers, Fido and Shaw clients earn a further 0.5% on all purchases (for a complete of two%). Plus, these clients get a 1.5x redemption bonus when making use of their money again rewards to invoice funds with Rogers, Fido and Shaw.
Cons
- Flat earn charge: Different playing cards provide larger earn charges on choose classes, which might show you how to reap extra rewards, relying in your spending habits.
Airport lounge entry applications in Canada: a comparability
Questioning which lounges you may truly go to together with your lounge passes? The most effective lounge entry bank cards in Canada provide entry to a number of of the next airport lounge applications.
| Program | Variety of lounges | Bank cards with lounge entry | Key particulars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges | 16 throughout North America and Europe | Aeroplan co-branded premium bank cards | Maple Leaf Lounges can solely be utilized by clients departing on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Specific or a Star Alliance accomplice airline. |
| Plaza Premium Lounge | 250+ worldwide | N/A | Obtainable for bookings by the hour, however included in DragonPass and Precedence Move membership. |
| DragonPass | 1,300+ worldwide | World Credit cards, World Elite Credit cards (through the Mastercard Journey Move program)
Visa Infinite, Visa Infinite Privilege playing cards (through the Visa Airport Companion program) |
Contains entry to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada, in addition to lots of of various lounge applications worldwide.
Cardholders can normally use their free passes for themselves and for a visitor, however guidelines fluctuate by lounge. |
| Precedence Move | 1,600+ worldwide | American Specific (through the American Specific International Lounge Assortment) | Contains entry to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada, in addition to lots of of various lounge applications worldwide.
Cardholders can normally use their free passes for themselves and for a visitor, however guidelines fluctuate by lounge. |
| Centurion Lounges | 40+ worldwide | American Specific (through the American Specific International Lounge Assortment) | Centurion Lounges usually function high-quality meals and elevated facilities like spa providers, nap pods and showers. |
The price of airport lounge entry in Canada
If it’s not provided as a free perk together with your bank card, you’ll need to pay for airport lounge entry.
Air Canada presents three tiers of Maple Leaf Club memberships. Prices vary from $375 to $665 per yr. Members can convey visitors alongside at $59 per go to per visitor. Nonetheless, Air Canada has temporarily suspended the sale of memberships to Maple Leaf Membership, and there’s no indication when it is going to resume promoting them.
Priority Pass memberships vary from USD$99 per yr for a Customary membership to USD$469 per yr for a Status membership. The previous comes with zero free lounge visits—members pay $USD35 per go to, the identical as visitors. In the meantime, Status members get limitless complimentary visits.
The prices of DragonPass memberships are comparable: charges vary from USD $99 per yr for a Traditional membership (which incorporates one free lounge go to) to USD$429 for a Status membership (which comes with limitless lounge entry).
For Plaza Premium lounges, you may get a go for a set variety of visits. For instance, in Canada, you should purchase a five-visit go for USD$155. Otherwise you ebook by the hour. The Plaza Premium Lounge at Toronto Pearson Airport, for instance, costs $66.68 for a two-hour go to.
In order for you free airport lounge entry, your choices are extra restricted. First-class passengers could get entry as a part of their ticket advantages, and Air Canada’s Aeroplan program presents entry to Elite members who’ve reached an eligible standing stage. For frequent travellers, carrying an airport lounge bank card will be the easiest and most cost-effective approach to get this premium perk.
Are airport lounge entry bank cards value it?
Airports have a captive buyer base, and so they comprehend it: meals and beverage costs at airports can border on daylight theft, and it’s not onerous to spend $10 to $40 per particular person on meals and drinks. This alone might justify the price of lounge entry, the place meals, drinks, and alcohol are complimentary.
For those who journey with lots of carry-on baggage, fly long-haul, or have an extended layover, airport lounges are additionally a much-needed sanctuary the place you may clean up with a bathe, atone for work, or just take a nap.
Taking a look at the price of airport lounge applications talked about above, every lounge go included together with your bank card could possibly be value USD$25 on common. So if you already know you’ll use them, lounge entry bank cards are undoubtedly value it.
How to decide on a lounge entry bank card
Questioning which bank card with lounge entry presents you one of the best worth? Listed here are a few issues to think about when making your selection.
How ceaselessly do you fly? Take into consideration how usually you’ll actually use the lounge passes that include a bank card. For those who solely journey a few times a yr, the 4 passes provided by BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard or CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite will probably be ample. Alternatively, for those who fly greater than as soon as a month and have loads of layovers in your journeys, a card with limitless lounge entry just like the American Express Platinum Card could possibly be nicely definitely worth the premium.
Does the lounge program match your journey habits? Not all lounges are equal, and accessing extra lounges doesn’t imply better worth. For example, in terms of DragonPass vs Precedence Move, each memberships embrace entry to the favored Plaza Premium Lounge community in addition to extra unique airline lounges — however entry isn’t assured, particularly at busy airports or peak journey occasions.
For those who primarily fly with Air Canada and its companions round North America, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege may provide better consolation with entry to Maple Leaf Lounges.
What different journey bank card advantages do you worth? A bank card with no international transaction price just like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite can prevent a tidy sum on abroad purchases, whereas a card bundled with solid travel insurance protects you in opposition to unexpected journey hiccups.