We love airport lounges at Frugal Flyer. All of us look forward to kicking off a vacation with an alcoholic beverage in hand and a few bites to eat, all at no cost to us, thanks to credit card benefits, of course.
When it comes to complimentary airport lounge access, the American Express Global Lounge Collection is the best lounge program out there for Canadians. It offers unlimited access to over 1,550 airport lounges worldwide, often for both the cardholder and a guest.
Let’s take a look at the American Express Global Lounge Collection, the most comprehensive lounge program available to premium credit card holders in North America.
What is the American Express Global Lounge Collection?
The American Express Global Lounge Collection is a collection of airport lounges, spanning over 1,550 airport lounges in over 140 countries, with unlimited free visits for the cardholder and a minimum of one guest (guesting privileges vary by lounge). This lounge program, in our eyes, is the best option for many travelers, as it is easy to find a lounge you can access without much planning at the majority of airports around the world.
Needless to say, it is a safe bet to assume that in every bigger airport, at least one lounge will be included in this program. With this in mind, if you have access to this program, you should always be able to find an airport lounge that you can visit in advance of your next flight.
Airport Lounges Included in the Global Lounge Collection
The Amex Global Lounge Collection program does not consist of just one brand, but instead, is a combination of many different airport lounge brands.
Most notably, access to American Express Centurion Lounges is included in the program. These are some of the best lounges available as a credit card benefit, and absolutely worth prioritizing if you find yourself at an airport that offers one of these lounges.
Frugal Flyer writer Daniel has been able to visit a couple of Centurion lounge locations over his travels, including the Denver Centurion and Las Vegas Centurion, and they are well worth the visit.
Individuals who have access to the Global Lounge Collection can also access the Priority Pass lounge program. Enrollment is required, but this opens up another massive chunk of airport lounges with over 1,300 locations worldwide. Priority Pass access is pretty strong, and having this program as part of the broader collection is a massive benefit. Upon enrolling, you will receive a unique Priority Pass card and account number that can be used for lounge access.
Plaza Premium airport lounges are also included in the program, which should be of great interest to many travelers. Plaza Premium lounges are typically middle-of-the-road in quality, but are located in many of the bigger airports and suffice for a stop for food and drink. As I am Edmonton-based, I personally find value in being able to start every trip with a visit to the Plaza Premium Lounge at Edmonton International Airport.
Finally, other airport lounge brands that are encompassed within the program include international American Express lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Lufthansa Lounges, Escape Lounges, Airspace Lounges, and Swissport Executive Lounges. These are fewer and further between, but still a positive addition for the added variety and options.
If you are curious about what participating lounges are available at a specific airport, visit the American Express Global Lounge Collection page here. Simply enter your airport code or city to find a list of lounges, in addition to access and guesting requirements.
How to Access the American Express Global Lounge Collection
A common theme with airport lounge access is that it is often available as a perk on many credit cards. This has become a much more prominent perk in recent years as travelers look to make their travel experience more comfortable, premium, and overall more enjoyable.
It’s no different with the American Express Global Lounge Collection, as the only way to gain access is by holding one of two premium American Express credit card products, coupled with a same-day boarding pass. Coincidentally, not only are these two of the best credit cards for airport lounge access in Canada, but they also offer even more value beyond lounge access, as I’ll touch on later.
Credit Cards that Offer American Express Global Lounge Collection Access
There are two credit cards that grant unrestricted access to airport lounges within the Global Lounge Collection program: the American Express Platinum Card & the American Express Business Platinum Card.
American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card is the preferred option for Canadians who are looking to unlock access to the wide range of airport lounges within the Global Lounge Collection program.
The American Express Platinum Card is a premium card offering a $200 travel credit and $200 dining credit. From access to participating airport lounges and special benefits at participating fine hotels around the world, to exclusive events and elevated service, experience the world with the many benefits of Platinum.
See our American Express Platinum Card Review for an in-depth indepth review of this card.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
100,000 Membership Rewards points
$10,000
$2,125+
$799
Yes
–
Not only does this card offer the most generous airport lounge access in Canada, but it also has an annual $200 travel credit and an annual $200 dining credit. Not to mention, this card also grants instant Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status, in addition to access to the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts program.
American Express Business Platinum Card
The American Express Business Platinum Card is the other option for individuals who are looking to gain access to the global lounge collection. While it is a business credit card, you can qualify for a business credit card as a sole proprietor, so it is within the reach of many Canadians.
The American Express Business Platinum Card is a premium card that offers benefits including a $200 travel credit, airport lounge access, a $100 NEXUS membership credit, and more.
See our American Express Business Platinum Card Review for an in-depth review of this card.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
120,000 Membership Rewards points
$15,000
$2,550+
$799
Yes
–
While the airport lounge access is the biggest draw of the American Express Business Platinum Card, it also offers an annual $200 travel credit, an annual $200 Dell credit, an annual $300 Indeed credit, monthly wireless credits, a NEXUS credit, and more. For the right cardholder, this card drives a ton of value beyond the welcome bonus and airport lounge access.
Similar to the American Express Platinum Card, this card also offers instant Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy elite status, in addition to access to the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts program.
Conclusion
The American Express Global Lounge Collection program is a fantastic all-in-one solution if you are looking for one credit card that can provide you with unrestricted access to the majority of airport lounges across the globe.
While both the American Express Platinum & Business Platinum cards command high annual fees, the lounge collection alone makes it worth it, even more so when combined with the high welcome bonuses and other perks these cards offer. If you travel often and want unrestricted airport lounge access, consider adding one of the American Express Platinum cards to your wallet!
Josh Bandura
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