Airport lounge access can transform an otherwise gruelling layover into a relaxing respite. Lounges typically offer free snacks and drinks, free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, work areas, showers, sleep pods and even spa services. It’s little wonder, then, that for many frequent fliers, lounge access is an especially coveted credit card feature. Here are the best cards to carry with you on your next trip.
Best airport lounge access credit cards
Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite Card
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
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Best lounge access credit cards overview
Compare key features of popular airport lounge access cards in Canada. Keep scrolling for our editors’ top picks.
| Annual fee | Free lounge visits per year | Free guest access | Number of lounges | Recommended income | Recommended credit score | Apply now (featured cards only) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | $150 | 6 passes: Visa Airport Companion (DragonPass) | Yes | 1,200 | $60,000 per year | 725 or higher | Go to site |
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege | $599 | Unlimited passes: Maple Leaf Lounges 6 passes: Visa Airport Companion (DragonPass) | Yes | 23 Maple Leaf (Access excludes Air Canada Signature Suites and lounges operated by third parties, such as Star Alliance member airlines) 1,200 | $150,000 per year | 680 or higher | Go to site |
American Express The Platinum Card | $799 | Unlimited passes: Amex Global Lounge Collection (Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Centurion) | Yes | 1,400 | None specified | 760 or higher | Go to site |
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard | $150 | 4 passes: Mastercard Travel Pass (DragonPass) | Yes | 1,300 | $80,000 per year | 760 or higher | Go to site |
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite | $139 | 4 passes: Visa Airport Companion (DragonPass) | Yes | 1,200 | $60,000 per year | 760 or higher | Go to site |
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard | $0 | 0 passes: Mastercard Travel Pass (DragonPass) | No | 1,300 | $80,000 per year | 725 or higher | Go to site |
MoneySense award winners
Check out the pros and cons of the top three airport lounge access credit cards, as well as the best American Express and no-fee card options.
The MoneySense editorial team selects the best credit cards by assessing the value they provide to Canadians across various categories. Our best credit cards for airport lounge access ranking is based on a few key criteria, such as the number of airport lounge visits and types of airport lounge, annual fees, reward earn rates and other perks. Our rankings are an unbiased source of information for Canadians. The addition of links from affiliate partners has no bearing on the results. Read more about how MoneySense makes money.
Gold: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
At a glance: The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is the best card overall for airport lounge access. With six complimentary lounge visits a year, this card offers the most free visits among credit cards in a comparable fee range. For that reason alone, the card pays for itself. Adding to its travel-friendly allure is the fact that it’s one of the few cards in Canada that doesn’t charge the typical 2.5% foreign transaction (FX) fee.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $150
- 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys stores
- 2 points per $1 on groceries, dining, entertainment and transit
- 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,100 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends July 1, 2025.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $60,000 per year or household income of $100,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
| Point value | 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel on any airline or hotel (including Airbnbs). |
Pros
- Airport lounge access: The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is the only no forex fee card in Canada to also offer airport lounge access. You’ll get a complimentary Priority Pass membership with six free airport lounge visits per year; that’s the most lounge passes available on a card with an annual fee below $200.
- No FX fees: You won’t be charged the typical 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases in a foreign currency.
- Travel insurance: Get emergency medical insurance for up to 25 days (for those under 65 years of age), plus trip cancellation, flight delay, lost baggage, rental car insurance and more.
- Easy travel bookings: One of the few cards that doesn’t make you book travel through a proprietary booking site in order to redeem points. While you can book with Scene+ Travel, you can also book travel online or with any travel agency and still redeem Scene+ points to cover the cost of your trip.
- Visa Infinite benefits: Benefit from the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Infinite Dining series, and complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership.
Cons
- Low rewards for premium card: The earn rate for certain spending categories like dining and entertainment is low compared to other cards, and there are limited categories for earning reward max rate on purchases.
- Consistent point values: Travel points are always worth one cent per point.
- Non-transferable points: You can’t transfer points to other airline rewards programs.
Silver: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
At a glance: For Aeroplan points collectors who want an elevated airport experience, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege credit card can be a great travel companion. This is the best credit card to offer access to luxury airport lounges. It’s packed with travel benefits like unlimited free access to Maple Leaf Lounges throughout North America.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
Annual fee: $599
- 2 Aeroplan points per $1 on direct purchases with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
- 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on eligible gas, grocery, travel and dining purchases
- 1.25 points per $1 spent everywhere else
Welcome offer: Earn up to $3,000 in value including up to 85,000 Aeroplan points. Conditions apply.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers, 22.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | Personal income of $150,000 or household income of $200,000 |
| Credit score | 680 or higher (recommended) |
| Anniversary bonus | Earn a one-time bonus of 30,000 Aeroplan points when you spend at least $24,000 within 12 months of opening the account. Conditions apply. |
| Point value | Aeroplan points are worth $0.02 on average |
Pros
- Airport lounge access: Get unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges for you and a guest, and six free visits per year to over 1,200 airport lounges.
- Travel insurance: Get 31 days of coverage for travel medical (for those under 65), as opposed to the more common 15-21 days. Also get coverage for trip interruptions, flight delays, baggage, rental cars and more.
- Nexus fee rebate: Enjoy a Nexus application fee rebate of up to $100 every two years.
- Travel perks: Get priority check-ins, boarding, baggage handling, airport upgrades, and airport standby. Also, get an annual round-trip companion pass and free checked bags on Air Canada.
Cons
- Best for Air Canada flyers: Best rewards value when redeeming for Air Canada flights. And many travel benefits (like priority check-in and boarding) only apply to flights operated by Air Canada.
- High annual fee: The fee is very steep even for a premium card with many perks. The additional cardholder fee of $199 is also high.
- High income requirement: The requirements are very high compared to other cards.
Bronze: CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
At a glance: The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite is the best airport lounge access card for frequent travellers to the U.S. Consider this card if you often visit the U.S. for vacations, work trips or family visits. The card includes membership in the Visa Airport Companion Program and also gives you four free lounge visits per year. Every four years, you get a statement credit of up to $100 towards a Nexus application fee.
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $139
- 2 points per $1 spent on travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre
- 1.5 points per $1 on gas, groceries and drugstores
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
Welcome offer: Earn up to $1,450 in value, including a first year annual fee rebate.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000 |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
| Point value | 1 point= $0.01 on average |
Pros
- Airport lounge access: Includes a free Visa Airport Companion Program membership offering four free visits at over 1,200 lounges per year.
- Insurance coverage: Enjoy a comprehensive travel insurance package as well as mobile device coverage.
- Nexus fee rebate: Get an application fee rebate of up to $100 every 4 years.
- Annual fee rebate: Get a rebate for the primary cardholder and all authorized users for the first year.
- Fuel savings: Save up to 10 cents per litre with Journie Rewards at Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron stations.
Cons
- Limited earning: Difficult to earn on daily spending, with the highest earn rate of 2 points per $1 spent only on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
- Limited redemptions: The value of points decreases when they’re not used for travel, and you’ll have to use the CIBC Rewards Centre to book travel with your points, whereas other cards allow using other providers and platforms to get the most value.
- Earning cap: There’s an $80,000 cap on the 1.5-point earn rate, after which you only get 1 point per $1 on groceries, gas and drugstore purchases.
Best Mastercard option: BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
At a glance: If you’re an occasional traveller, the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard may be a good choice to get you airport lounge access. If you find yourself in an airport even just a few times a year, you’ll appreciate that this card offers free membership in the Mastercard Travel Pass program provided by DragonPass, with four free lounge passes a year.
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $150
- 5 points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases
- 3 points per $1 on dining, entertainment, and recurring bill payments
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
Welcome offer: Earn up to 100,000 points
Card details
| Interest rates | Interest rates: 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on balance transfers, 23.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
| Point value | 1 BMO Rewards point = $0.0067 when redeemed for travel |
Pros
- Airport lounge access: Comes with free membership in the Mastercard Travel Pass program provided by DragonPass, as well as four free lounge passes a year.
- Travel insurance: Get coverage for travel medical, trip cancellations/interruptions, and delayed/lost baggage.
- Flexible redemptions: BMO Rewards is one of the most flexible programs in the country, and you can redeem points for travel purchases without buying from a specific provider.
Cons
- Low base earn rate: The card’s base earn rate of 1 BMO point per dollar comes out to a return of 0.67%, which is considerably lower than the 1% return offered by most comparable cards on purchases outside of bonus categories.
Best American Express option: The Platinum Card
At a glance: If you’re a frequent traveller, The Platinum Card is the best option for you. It’s one of the most expensive premium credit cards in Canada, but the $799 annual fee gets you access to the most comprehensive and amenity-laden selection of airport lounges worldwide, including top-tier American Express Centurion Lounges. Depending on the lounge, cardholders may have an unlimited number of free visits and can also bring one companion with them at no additional cost.
American Express Platinum
Annual fee: $799
- 2 points per $1 on dining and food delivery
- 2 points per $1 on travel, plus 1 additional point on purchases booked through Amex Travel Online
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
Welcome offer: Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points ($1,000 value).
Card details
| Interest rates | N/A (as a charge card, you’re required to pay off your balance in full every month) |
| Income required | None |
| Credit score | 760 or higher |
| Anniversary bonus | $200 annual dining credit to use at a curated list of Canada’s top restaurants. Plus, $200 annual travel credit when booking through American Express Travel Online. |
| Point value | 1 Amex Membership Rewards point = $0.01 when redeemed with the Flexible Points Travel Program, $0.015 on average with the Fixed Points Travel Program, and up to $0.02 with airline points transfers |
Pros
- Airport lounge access: Get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which is the largest airport lounge collection available, featuring more than 1,400 lounges in over 140 countries. Lounges include American Express Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium and Delta Sky lounges.
- Travel credit: Get a $200 credit that can be redeemed towards a travel purchase made via American Express Travel Online.
- Travel perks: When staying at eligible Fine Hotels + Resorts, enjoy extras like guaranteed late check-out and complimentary daily breakfast for two.
Cons
- High annual fee: Comes with one of the highest annual fees in Canada.
- Mediocre travel medical insurance: The travel medical coverage is lacklustre for such a high annual fee—it only covers you for up to 15 consecutive days (other cards offer 20 days or more) and doesn’t offer any insurance to those who are 65 or older.
- Amex acceptance: American Express isn’t as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard.
Best no fee option: Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
At a glance: If you aren’t looking to pay a hefty annual fee to access airport lounges, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is the best option. Get access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide for just USD$32 per person per visit. Plus, get travel insurance and perks like 3% cash back on all U.S. dollar purchases (offsetting forex fees) and the highest base earn rate of any no-fee card in Canada.
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
- 3% cash back on all U.S. dollar purchases
- 1.5% on all other purchases (2% for Rogers, Fido and Shaw customers)
Welcome offer: None at this time.
Card details
| Interest rates | 25.99% on purchases, 27.99% on cash advances, 27.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | $80,000 per year |
| Credit score | 725 or higher |
Pros
- Airport lounge access: Complimentary membership to Mastercard Travel Pass giving access to over 1,300 lounges for $32 USD per person per visit.
- Travel insurance: Comes with six types of coverage, including emergency medical, trip cancellation and car rental damage coverage—a rare perk for a no-fee card.
- Offset forex fees on U.S. purchases: Earn 3% cash back on all purchases made in U.S. dollars, both in-person and online, which is enough to offset the typical 2.5% foreign transaction fee charged by most credit cards.
- High base rate: The 1.5% base earn rate is higher than any other no-fee card in Canada. Plus, unlike most cards, there are no earnings caps.
- Customer bonus: Rogers, Fido and Shaw customers earn an additional 0.5% on all purchases (for a total of 2%). Plus, these customers get a 1.5x redemption bonus when applying their cash back rewards to bill payments with Rogers, Fido and Shaw.
Cons
- Flat earn rate: Other cards offer higher earn rates on select categories, which could help you reap more rewards, depending on your spending habits.
Airport lounge access programs in Canada: a comparison
Wondering which lounges you can actually visit with your lounge passes? The best lounge access credit cards in Canada offer access to one or more of the following airport lounge programs.
| Program | Number of lounges | Credit cards with lounge access | Key details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges | 16 across North America and Europe | Aeroplan co-branded premium credit cards | Maple Leaf Lounges can only be used by customers departing on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Express or a Star Alliance partner airline. |
| Plaza Premium Lounge | 250+ worldwide | N/A | Available for bookings by the hour, but included in DragonPass and Priority Pass membership. |
| DragonPass | 1,300+ worldwide | World Mastercards, World Elite Mastercards (via the Mastercard Travel Pass program) Visa Infinite, Visa Infinite Privilege cards (via the Visa Airport Companion program) | Includes access to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada, as well as hundreds of different lounge programs worldwide. Cardholders can usually use their free passes for themselves and for a guest, but rules vary by lounge. |
| Priority Pass | 1,600+ worldwide | American Express (via the American Express Global Lounge Collection) | Includes access to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada, as well as hundreds of different lounge programs worldwide. Cardholders can usually use their free passes for themselves and for a guest, but rules vary by lounge. |
| Centurion Lounges | 40+ worldwide | American Express (via the American Express Global Lounge Collection) | Centurion Lounges typically feature high-quality meals and elevated amenities like spa services, nap pods and showers. |
The cost of airport lounge access in Canada
If it’s not offered as a free perk with your credit card, you’ll have to pay for airport lounge access.
Air Canada offers three tiers of Maple Leaf Club memberships. Costs range from $375 to $665 per year. Members can bring guests along at $59 per visit per guest. However, Air Canada has temporarily suspended the sale of memberships to Maple Leaf Club, and there is no indication when it will resume selling them.
Priority Pass memberships range from USD$99 per year for a Standard membership to USD$469 per year for a Prestige membership. The former comes with zero free lounge visits—members pay $USD35 per visit, the same as guests. Meanwhile, Prestige members get unlimited complimentary visits.
The costs of DragonPass memberships are similar: fees range from USD $99 per year for a Classic membership (which includes one free lounge visit) to USD$429 for a Prestige membership (which comes with unlimited lounge access).
For Plaza Premium lounges, you can get a pass for a set number of visits. For example, in Canada, you can buy a five-visit pass for USD$155. Or you book by the hour. The Plaza Premium Lounge at Toronto Pearson Airport, for example, charges $66.68 for a two-hour visit.
If you want free airport lounge access, your options are more limited. First-class passengers may get access as part of their ticket benefits, and Air Canada’s Aeroplan program offers access to Elite members who have reached an eligible status level. For frequent travellers, carrying an airport lounge credit card may be the simplest and most cost-effective way to get this premium perk.
Are airport lounge access credit cards worth it?
Airports have a captive customer base, and they know it: food and beverage prices at airports can border on daylight robbery, and it’s not hard to spend $10 to $40 per person on food and drinks. This alone could justify the cost of lounge access, where food, drinks, and alcohol are complimentary.
If you travel with a lot of carry-on baggage, fly long-haul, or have a long layover, airport lounges are also a much-needed sanctuary where you can freshen up with a shower, catch up on work, or simply take a nap.
Looking at the cost of airport lounge programs mentioned above, each lounge pass included with your credit card could be worth USD$25 on average. So if you know you’ll use them, lounge access credit cards are definitely worth it.
How to choose a lounge access credit card
Wondering which credit card with lounge access offers you the best value? Here are a couple of things to consider when making your choice.
How frequently do you fly? Think about how often you’ll really use the lounge passes that come with a credit card. If you only travel once or twice a year, the 4 passes offered by BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard or CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite will likely be sufficient. On the other hand, if you fly more than once a month and have plenty of layovers on your trips, a card with unlimited lounge access like the American Express Platinum Card could be well worth the premium.
Does the lounge program match your travel habits? Not all lounges are equal, and having access to more lounges doesn’t mean greater value. For instance, when it comes to DragonPass vs Priority Pass, both memberships include access to the popular Plaza Premium Lounge network as well as more exclusive airline lounges — but access isn’t guaranteed, especially at busy airports or peak travel times.
If you mainly fly with Air Canada and its partners around North America, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege might offer greater comfort with access to Maple Leaf Lounges.
What other travel credit card benefits do you value? A credit card with no foreign transaction fee like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite can save you a tidy sum on overseas purchases, while a card bundled with solid travel insurance protects you against unforeseen travel hiccups.
Frequently asked questions
Several travel credit cards offer access to airport lounges for cardholders. Depending on the credit card, you can get a certain number of lounge visits every year in specific regions or worldwide. If you want free unlimited access to airport lounges, consider a credit card like the American Express Platinum Card which includes the American Express Global Lounge Collection. The card comes with a fairly large annual fee, but the rewards and benefits may outweigh the fee if you’re a frequent flier and value the ability to visit airport lounges when you’re travelling.
Select Mastercards provide membership to the Mastercard Travel Pass program, and some Visa cards offer membership to the Visa Airport Companion Program. Both Visa’s and Mastercard’s airport lounge programs are provided by DragonPass, which features access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide. The American Express Platinum card gives cardholders access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection, the largest lounge collection available. American Express cards are the only credit cards with Priority Pass in Canada.
As airport lounge access is an especially desirable perk, credit card providers generally make it obvious on their websites if they offer airport lounge access. Often, this perk is listed under “travel benefits.” The best way to make sure is to contact your provider directly and ask if it provides airport lounge access, and if any free visits are included. Note that some travel credit cards give a free membership to a lounge program but don’t include any free visits. Lounge visits can cost upwards of USD$32 each, even with a membership.
When it comes to both quantity and quality, the American Express Platinum Card offers the most comprehensive airport lounge access in Canada. For its annual fee of $799, it includes more than 1,400 lounges at more than 500 airports in 140 countries. Cardholders get unlimited access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Plaza Premium, Priority Pass, American Express Centurion (which are considered by many to be the most luxurious lounges in the world), and Delta Sky Club lounges, among others. Note also that many of the lounges allow you to bring up to two companions with you at no charge (other lounge access programs typically count guest visits against the cardholder’s allotted free visits).
Without buying a First or Business class air ticket on Air Canada, only premium Aeroplan co-branded credit cards give you access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges. These include the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card and American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.
No — credit cards with no annual fee tend to offer only the basic perks, so expect to pay an annual fee to enjoy lounge access. That said, the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard currently offers a first year annual fee waiver as part of its welcome offer.
