Best Credit Cards with Free Airport Lounge Access for Canadians

airport-lounge-cathay-hong-kong-featured-image

When I was traveling for my racing career, airport lounges seemed like this faraway land made of pure unobtanium. I still remember the first time I entered a Plaza Premium Lounge and paid my $40 entry fee on a debit card, far before my days of entering the world of miles and points.

Needless to say, the savvy Canadian traveler does not need to pay for airport lounge access as it comes as a benefit on many travel-oriented credit cards. With that in mind, let’s look at the value of airport lounge access and the best credit cards in Canada that offer complimentary airport lounge access.

The Value of Free Airport Lounge Access

Access to airport lounges as a credit card benefit is becoming increasingly common as financial institutions look for perks to keep their customers happy. Airport lounges offer a quieter space where passengers can relax as they sip beverages and enjoy a hot meal, all for no additional cost. Depending on the lounge, showers may be available, which are an absolute treat after 10+ hours on a plane.

It’s important to note that not all airport lounges are created equal, but they are almost always better than simply sitting in the terminal and paying for food and drink. Some offer little more than basic food and drink options, whereas others offer extensive cocktail menus, showers, sleeping rooms, and more.

On the whole, if you are spending any time in an airport in the near future, having access to an airport lounge can improve your experience significantly.

Is Holding a Credit Card with Free Airport Lounge Access Worth It?

Absolutely, complimentary airport lounge access is a benefit I wouldn’t go without and since it is a benefit offered on so many credit cards, it is absolutely obtainable even for the less frequent traveler.

At a minimum, you can expect some hot food and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages all for no cost. Certain lounges even have bartenders and special craft cocktail menus, making visiting an airport lounge an elevated experience. From time to time there may be an additional charge for premium alcoholic selections, but there is always a free option of beer, wine, and well spirits.

Ultimately, if you compare what you can receive for free to having a hot meal and a pint of beer in a terminal restaurant, it can save upwards of $30 per person, per visit!

Lounges will also have fast and reliable WiFi available. If the airport you’re flying out of doesn’t have a free WiFi program, this can be a lifesaver. 

As I alluded to above, not all lounges are created equal. Even within the same “brand” of lounges like Air Canada’s series of Maple Leaf Lounges, your experience can vary greatly. If there is any trend to follow, international departure lounges always tend to be in the upper echelon of quality compared to their domestic counterparts.

Best Credit Cards with Free Airport Lounge Access

Canadians are lucky to have several cards that offer airport lounge access, and in some cases, unlimited lounge access for the cardholder and their guest(s). The credit cards listed below range from having reasonable annual fees to high premium annual fees, making it possible for every Canadian to find a card that works for them.

Let’s take a look at some of the best credit card options available in the Canadian market that include complimentary airport lounge access as a benefit.

American Express Platinum Card & American Express Business Platinum Card

If you travel frequently and are interested in always having access to an airport lounge no matter where you go, the best option is either the American Express Platinum card or the American Express Business Platinum card. Full stop, these are two of the best credit cards for airport lounge access in Canada.

The American Express Platinum series of cards have access to the greatest diversity of airport lounges, and thus, are a great option if you are looking for one card to hold for all your lounge access needs. These cards offer unlimited access to airport lounges, and as a result, either of these is a very valuable credit card to have in your wallet. Not to mention, these cards are two of the best American Express cards in Canada.

American Express Business Platinum Card

The American Express Business Platinum card earns Membership Rewards points and offers cardholders benefits including complimentary access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, a $100 NEXUS membership credit, an annual $200 travel credit, and more.

BONUS
120,000 Membership Rewards
MINSPEND
$15,000
NET VALUE
$1,841+
ANNUAL FEE
$799
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY

Not only can you access the coveted American Express Centurion lounges, but you also have access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection which offers access to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries. 

Most lounges allow the cardholder plus one guest to enter. However, it’s advised to always check entry requirements before promising a free glass of bubbly to your travel companion. You can check all of the entry information at this link.

american express global lounge collection partners

The Plaza Premium Lounges are the most useful partner in this program for domestic Canadian travelers. This franchise has locations in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Toronto, they also operate the Air France Lounge in Montreal.

For Canadians that frequent south of the border, flying Delta is incentivized by offering access to their Sky Clubs no matter what type of ticket you purchase. However, if you’re at an airport with a Centurion lounge, such as the Denver Centurion Lounge or Las Vegas Centurion Lounge, those will generally be much nicer and should often be your lounge of choice.

Finally, both of these cards offer complimentary Priority Pass membership. This grants access to priority pass lounges, often for both the primary cardholder and a guest. Cardholders can enroll in this benefit by using Amex live chat or calling in and can refer to the Priority Pass website to determine what lounges they are eligible to visit in addition to entry requirements.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card & CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card

Visa Infinite Privilege cards come with a host of benefits, the co-branded Aeroplan ones are perhaps the most powerful. Both the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card come with unlimited access to North American Maple Leaf Lounges when flying with Air Canada, which is why they’re a favorite amongst points and miles enthusiasts.

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege Card

The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* card earns Aeroplan points and offers cardholders a variety of Air Canada benefits including priority boarding, free checked baggage, and Maple Leaf lounge access.

Check out our TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card review for more details.

BONUS
75,000 Aeroplan
MINSPEND
$24,000
NET VALUE
$976+
ANNUAL FEE
$599
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY
Sep 3, 2024

It’s important to note, that these are premium cards, and as a result, command some of the highest annual fees in Canada. But they also come with some other benefits, including free checked baggage on Air Canada flights, priority check-in and boarding, and a hefty bonus of Aeroplan points upon signup.

cibc and td visa infinite aeroplan privilege credit cards
These cards also come with six visits to lounges that are a part of the DragonPass lounge program.

Maple Leaf Lounges are on a significant upswing after being somewhat disappointing during the pandemic. With new food and drink options and showers returning to service, I have been pleasantly surprised by my recent experiences. 

Reed visited the Vancouver Transborder Maple Leaf Lounge at the end of 2022, I also visited this lounge shortly before that. I encountered a missed connection and spent 6 hours at the airport. It would have been much more expensive and far less comfortable without the lounge access.

For a more in-depth look at Maple Leaf lounge access, check out our guide to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges.

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card & CIBC Aventura Gold Card

Two of the more accessible credit cards with airport lounge access are the CIBC Aventura Gold card and the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card, thanks to their reasonable annual fees.

Card members will receive four annual complimentary airport lounge passes, which makes these cards great for a traveler who takes one or two trips per year and wants to access airport lounges, without paying a high annual fee.

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card earns Aventura points and offers cardholders benefits including a $100 NEXUS statement credit and four complimentary airport lounge passes annually.

Check out our CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card review for more details.

BONUS
45,000 Aventura
MINSPEND
$3,000
NET VALUE
$990+
ANNUAL FEE
$139 (FYF)
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege card also provides six complimentary airport lounge access vouchers but at a much higher annual fee than its counterparts. If you are simply focused on lounge access, there are better options available when considering lounge access versus the annual fee ratio. 

If you do find yourself interested in a CIBC Aventura credit card, all three of these cards often have strong welcome bonuses and CIBC Aventura points are easy to redeem.

The CIBC Aventura credit cards provide passes for lounges within the DragonPass lounge program, which has a decent footprint in Canada as they partner with Plaza Premium lounges and a few airline lounges, such as the SkyTeam Lounge in YVR. If you are flying out of Edmonton, the Plaza Premium Lounge at Edmonton International Airport is actually a solid offering as well.

skyteam lounge vancouver international
SkyTeam Lounge – Vancouver International Terminal

If you have one of these cards, check out our Definitive Guide to DragonPass lounge access so your next trip can start more comfortably.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card easily takes the cake for the best “mid-tier” card with lounge access. Not only does it offer a superior total of six free visits to an airport lounge, but it also offers no foreign transaction fees. In my previous article on the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards, I named this card the best one-card solution, and I stand by it.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card earns Scene+ Rewards points and offers cardholders benefits such as no foreign transaction fees and six complimentary airport lounge access passes annually.

Check out our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card review for more details.

In 2024, we awarded this card as the Best Foreign Transaction Credit Card.

BONUS
35,000 Scene+
MINSPEND
$40,000
NET VALUE
$200+
ANNUAL FEE
$150
FOREX FEES
No
EXPIRY
Oct 31, 2024

If you’re interested in miles and points but don’t want to cannonball into the deep end, this card will give you a glimpse of a better travel experience with a minor commitment. Not to mention, this card has a consistently strong welcome bonus, and Scene+ Rewards are super easy to redeem towards any travel purchase of your choice at a rate of 1 cent per point.

National Bank World Elite Mastercard

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard offers unlimited access to only one airport lounge in Canada, but it is an all-around great card with phenomenal insurance coverage and an easy-to-use annual $150 travel credit. It’s also one of the few cards that offer a 5x category bonus on grocery and dining, albeit only up to $2,500 per month.

National Bank World Elite Mastercard

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard earns À la Carte Rewards points and offers cardholders benefits such as $150 in annual travel credits and access to the National Bank VIP lounge in the YUL International terminal. Due to its stellar travel insurance and purchase protection benefits, we deemed this card the Best Overall Insurance Credit Card of 2024.

Check out our National Bank World Elite Mastercard review for more details.

BONUS
0 À la carte Rewards
MINSPEND
$0
NET VALUE
$-150+
ANNUAL FEE
$150
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY

The card is generally considered a long-term keeper as it is one of the best credit cards for travel insurance on award flight bookings. If you charge the taxes and fees of your points ticket to this card, its comprehensive travel insurance will cover you, which is rare to find in Canada.

The lounge access for this card is niche, as it only allows access to the National Bank lounge in the international terminal of the Montreal-Trudeau Airport (YUL). Access is granted for the cardholder, one guest, and two children under the age of 12.

With that being said, the card has an easy-to-use $150 annual travel credit and a $150 annual fee, holding this card year after year means free lounge visits and access to excellent travel insurance coverage, which is quite valuable.

national bank lounge montreal airport international terminal
National Bank Lounge – Montreal Airport International Terminal

If Montreal is your home airport or you find yourself traveling internationally from there often, this card may be worth picking up so you can indulge in the complimentary lounge access whenever you are departing internationally.

BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard

Another darkhorse on this list is the flagship BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard which comes with 4 complimentary DragonPass Lounge visits included in the annual fee.

Apply Now Learn More Earn $75 in FlyerFunds upon approval.
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard

The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard earns BMO Rewards points and provides cardholders with four complimentary airport lounge passes annually.

BONUS
90,000 BMO Rewards
MINSPEND
$30,000
NET VALUE
$603+
ANNUAL FEE
$150 (FYF)
FOREX FEES
Yes
EXPIRY
Nov 30, 2024

While the BMO Rewards program has its flaws being a fixed value currency at  0.67 cents per point, this is the Mastercard with the best lounge access in Canada.

Like the National Bank Mastercard, the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard also has some of the best travel insurance on the market. If you’re looking for a good and simple credit card solution that offers complimentary airport lounge access and earns rewards on purchases at Costco, this card may appeal to you!

Conclusion

Airport lounges are a nice escape away from the hustle and bustle of an airport terminal. While there are options to pay for entry, we like to use our dollars for more trips in the future. And besides, who doesn’t love more free stuff?! We highly recommend all travelers hold at least one credit card that provides airport lounge access as an easy way to make your travel experience much better.

There is a wide variety of credit card options for Canadians who are interested in this benefit, and as a result, everyone should be able to find a credit card that offers lounge access at a price that is right for them. When considering your next credit card, always check in advance if complimentary airport lounge access is included as part of the benefits!

Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest way to see if your credit card offers complimentary airport lounges access is to head to your financial institution’s landing page and read through the benefits offered on your credit card.

If your card does offer this benefit, ensure you understand the rules and restrictions surrounding how to access airport lounges and which ones you are able to visit.

If the welcome bonus outweighs the annual fee cost and you have an immediate use case for that welcome bonus, yes! However, long term there’s not much point in doubling up on lounge access unless you regularly travel with a bigger group or as a family where all travelers may not have access to cards with complimentary airport lounge access as a benefit.

Daniel Burkett

Daniel Burkett

Contributor at Frugal Flyer
Daniel entered the Miles and Points game in 2021 and has taken the “make up for lost time” mentality. After spending five years travelling for work and paying no attention to loyalty programs, some say Daniel is out for Points Revenge. With his desire to maximize every point available, he hopes to share the knowledge gained with more travellers to prevent the same mistakes he made.

Previous

Review: W Bangkok

Reduce Carrier Surcharges on British Airways & Oneworld Redemptions

Next

Leave a Comment

All comments are moderated according to our comment policy. Your email address will NOT be published.


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 comments on “Best Credit Cards with Free Airport Lounge Access for Canadians

  1. For a family of four 2 adults and 2 kids making three travel per year
    will it make sense to have the platinum + the additional platinum ?

    Reply