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, long before my days of entering the world of miles and points.
Paying for access to lounges can sometimes be worth it, but it can add up if you are a frequent traveler or are flying with family or friends. 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 credit cards in Canada.
With that in mind, let’s look at the value that an airport lounge can add to your next vacation and the best credit cards with airport lounge access in Canada for September 2026 that Canadians can consider adding to their wallet.
The Best Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access in Canada
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 cards that include airport lounge access as a benefit.
American Express Platinum Card: Unlimited Airport Lounge Access
If you travel frequently and are interested in always having access to an airport lounge no matter where you travel, the undisputed best credit card to add to your wallet is the American Express Platinum Card.
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.
100,000 Membership Rewards points
$10,000
$2,000+
$799
Yes
–
The American Express Platinum Card grants extensive airport lounge access and thus is a great option if you are looking for one card to hold for all your lounge access needs. This card offers unlimited access to airport lounges, and as a result, it is a very valuable credit card to have in your wallet if you are a frequent traveller.
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 1,550 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.
The Plaza Premium Lounges are the most useful partner in this program for domestic Canadian travelers. While this franchise has locations in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Toronto, they also operate the Air France Lounge in Montreal.
For Canadians who 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, this card also offers a complimentary Priority Pass membership. Priority Pass Membership 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.
If you operate a small business and are looking for a card similar to the American Express Platinum card, the American Express Business Platinum Card is an excellent and comparable option.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card: Six Lounge Passes
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card, also often referred to as the best travel credit card for Canadians, easily takes the cake for the best and most accessible credit card with free airport lounge access, as it offers a total of six airport lounge passes.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card is one of Canada’s best all-around travel cards, offering no foreign transaction fees and six complimentary airport lounge passes through the Visa Airport Companion Program.
Scene+ points are easy to earn on everyday spending and can be redeemed flexibly for travel, groceries, and more, making it a strong everyday carry for travellers who want simplicity and real value for $150 per year.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
35,000 Scene+ points
$40,000
$475+
$150
No
Nov 1, 2026
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. Plus, throw in the no foreign transaction fees benefit, and you are looking at an ultra-competitive credit card that punches far above its annual fee cost.
Not to mention, this card has a welcome bonus of 35,000 Scene+ points. Scene+ points are super easy to redeem towards any travel purchase of your choice at a rate of 1 cent per point, so this is a loyalty program that is definitely worth participating in.
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card: Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge Access
There are a few premium Aeroplan credit cards in Canada that 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. Our favorite pick of the bunch is the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card as it has no minimum income requirements, making it accessible to anyone who is willing to pay a higher annual fee.
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve card offers complimentary Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge™* access, priority airport services, and a free first checked bag for up to eight travel companions.
Frequent Air Canada flyers will also appreciate the annual worldwide companion pass earned at $25,000 in spend and the ability to earn Status Qualifying Credits towards Aeroplan elite status.
85,000 Aeroplan points
$10,000
$1,785+
$599
Yes
–
While this card does command a higher annual fee, as a premium card it also comes with additional valuable benefits, including free checked baggage on Air Canada flights, priority check-in and boarding, and a hefty bonus of Aeroplan points upon sign-up.
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.
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is not the only option available, as the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card and the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card also offer complimentary access to Maple Leaf Lounges. For a more in-depth look at Maple Leaf Lounge access, including how to access them and what to expect during your visit, check out our guide to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges.
Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card: Ten Lounge Passes
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express card offers 10 complimentary airport lounge passes annually that can be used at Priority Pass airport lounges and Plaza Premium airport lounges.
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card offers 10 complimentary annual airport lounge passes through Priority Pass and Plaza Premium, no foreign transaction fees, and a notably low 9.99% purchase and cash advance interest rate.
Cardholders also benefit from access to American Express Offers for additional savings at retailers, restaurants, and travel, rounding out a strong premium package for frequent travellers who occasionally may carry a balance.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
100,000 Scene+ points
$10,000
$1,200+
$399
No
Nov 1, 2026
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express card also has no foreign transaction fees plus a welcome bonus of 100,000 Scene+ Rewards points which can absolutely make it worth adding this premium credit card to your wallet. Read our review of the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card for everything you need to know about this premium travel card.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card: Ten Lounge Passes
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege card is another premium card on this list that comes with ten annual airport lounge passes.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card delivers an annual $250 travel credit redeemable through Scene+ Travel, 10 complimentary airport lounge passes via the Dragonpass network, and no foreign transaction fees.
Additional perks include a complimentary Avis Presidents Club membership and automatic Sandman RSVP Diamond status, which can make this premium travel credit card worth it for frequent travelers.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
80,000 Scene+ points
$20,000
$1,000+
$599
No
Nov 1, 2026
The ten airport lounge passes are issued via the Visa Airport Companion program, meaning they can be used at over 1,300 lounges worldwide that are part of the DragonPass Lounge Network. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege card also comes with a $250 travel credit per membership year and charges no foreign transaction fees, a major benefit for travelers. Read our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card review for more details.
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card: Four Lounge Passes
One of the more accessible credit cards with airport lounge access is the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card, thanks to its reasonable annual fees that are often waived in the first year as part of the welcome offer. The CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card is a nearly identical option that has a lower annual income requirement.
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card offers benefits that include a $100 NEXUS statement credit and four annual airport lounge passes.
35,000 Aventura points
$3,000
$770+
$139 (FYF)
Yes
–
Individuals who hold either the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite or Gold card will receive four annual complimentary lounge visits, 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. These lounge passes are issued via the Visa Airport Companion Program and are good at more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
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.
If you have one of these cards, check out our Definitive Guide to DragonPass lounge access so your next trip can start more comfortably.
National Bank World Elite Mastercard: Flagship Lounge Access in Montreal
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, even on award flights.
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard offers benefits that include an annual $150 travel credit and access to the National Bank VIP airport lounge in the Montreal Airport International terminal.
0 À la carte Rewards
$0
$0+
$150
Yes
–
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.
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: Four Lounge Passes
Another dark horse on this list is the flagship BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard, which comes with 4 complimentary DragonPass Lounge visits included in the annual fee.
The BMO Ascend World Elite®* Mastercard®* earns 5x BMO Rewards on eligible travel purchases and offers four airport lounge passes annually, plus up to a $200 NEXUS membership credit*.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
115,000 BMO Rewards points
$20,000
$971+
$150 (FYF)
Yes
Oct 31, 2026
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 World Elite 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!
Read our BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard review for all the details.
Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege Card: Six Lounge Passes
The Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege Card comes with six free airport lounge passes per year as part of the Visa Airport Companion Program.
The Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege Card earns 2% cash back on ALL eligible purchases. The card comes with no foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access via Visa Airport Companion. The annual fee can be waived for Premium or Generation Wealthsimple clients, or by making an eligible direct deposit each month.
$0 cash back
$0
$0+
$240
No
–
While this card does have an annual fee of $240, the annual fee can be waived for Premium or Generation Wealthsimple clients, or by making an eligible direct deposit each month.
The Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege card also offers no foreign exchange fees as a benefit, making it a powerful card to keep in your wallet during your travels.
Summary of the Best Credit Cards in Canada with Airport Lounge Access
We’ve compiled a comparison list of the best credit cards in Canada that offer airport lounge access as a benefit, sorted by the value offered by the welcome bonus and the exclusive FlyerFunds Rebate available when applying through Frugal Flyer.
| Credit Card | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
120,000 Membership Rewards points Estimated value: $2,400 |
|
 |
100,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $2,100 |
|
 |
100,000 Membership Rewards points Estimated value: $2,000 |
|
 |
80,000 Aventura points Estimated value: $1,760 |
|
 |
100,000 Scene+ points and $200 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $1,200 Ends Nov 1, 2026 |
|
 |
80,000 Scene+ points and $200 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $1,000 Ends Nov 1, 2026 |
|
 |
115,000 BMO Rewards points and $200 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $971 Ends Oct 31, 2026 |
|
 |
35,000 Aventura points Estimated value: $770 |
|
 |
35,000 Scene+ points and $125 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $475 Ends Nov 1, 2026 |
|
 |
None Estimated value: $0 |
|
 |
None Estimated value: $0 |
|
The Benefits of Airport Lounges & Are They Worth It?
Those travelers who have had the opportunity to experience airport lounges during their travels know that visiting these lounges is a far more desirable option than sitting in the terminal while waiting for their flight.
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. Some offer little more than basic food and drink options, whereas others offer extensive cocktail menus, showers, sleeping rooms, and more. Ultimately, it depends on the individual lounge and brand that the lounge is under, but even the least desirable lounges are still better than waiting in the terminal.
On the whole, if you are spending any time in an airport in the near future, having access to airport lounge programs can improve your experience significantly.
If you ask any member of the Frugal Flyer team, complimentary airport lounge access is a benefit that they all value greatly. Since it is a benefit offered on so many Canadian credit cards, accessing airport lounges for free is absolutely obtainable even for the less frequent traveler.
When it comes to airport lounges, at a minimum, you can expect 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.
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.
We covered everything you need to know about airport lounges’ value and how you can access them in Episode 9 of Miles Ahead: How to Lounge in Airport Luxury. Give it a listen if you want to learn more about airport lounges.
Conclusion
Airport lounges are a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of an airport terminal. While there are options to pay for entry, we would like to use our dollars for more trips in the future. And besides, who doesn’t love more free stuff?! We highly recommend that all travelers hold at least one credit card that provides airport lounge access as an easy way to improve their travel experience.
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!
Daniel Burkett
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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 ?
You could also consider adding an authorized user to the card to gain additional access.