Airport lounge access has become a regular benefit of many mid-tier credit cards with an annual fee under $200 CAD. To simplify the process for consumers and banks, the Visa Airport Companion program has stepped in as a 3rd party service to facilitate access.
It’s a sleek system that’s easy to use, and this article is designed to guide you through everything, from signing up to sipping bubbly in luxury at the start of your next vacation.
What is the Visa Airport Companion Program?
The Visa Airport Companion Program serves as an intermediary between the DragonPass Lounge Network and banks that issue Visa cards, enabling them to offer lounge access as a perk seamlessly.
If you have an eligible Visa, Visa Infinite card, or Visa Infinite Privilege card, you’ll be granted access to more than 1,200 airport lounges around the world, and some airport dining discounts at select restaurants. You can search here by airport to see which airport lounges are part of this program if you are planning ahead for your next trip.
Cardholders who enroll with the Visa Airport Companion App can use their airport lounge passes for themselves and their family or friends, making this a benefit well worth enrolling in, as it is an excellent way to start your vacation, whether you are traveling solo, with friends, or with family.
Which Visa Credit Cards Come with Free Airport Lounge Access?
There are 11 Visa credit cards issued in Canada that offer free airport lounge passes via the Visa Airport Companion Program as part of their annual fee.
| Visa Cards with Lounge Access | Number of Lounge Passes | Welcome Bonus | Other Notable Aspects | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card | 6 | 120,000 BMO Rewards | $200 Lifestyle Credit | $599 |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | 6 | 85,000 Aeroplan Points | Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge Access | $599 |
| CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card | 4 | 35,000 Aventura Points | $15,000 Income Requirement | $139 |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card | 4 | 35,000 Aventura Points | $100 Nexus Credit | $139 |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card | 6 | 80,000 Aventura | $200 Travel Credit | $499 |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card | 6 | 70,000 Avion Points | Use Points at 2 cents per point for premium cabin flights | $399 |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business Card | 6 | 40,000 Scene+ Points | No Foreign Transaction Fees | $199 |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege Card | 10 | 80,000 Scene+ Points | $250 Scene+ Travel Portal Credit | $599 |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card | 6 | 45,000 Scene+ Points | No Foreign Transaction Fees | $150 |
| TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card | 4 | 165,000 TD Rewards | $100 Expedia for TD Hotel Credit | $139 |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | 6 | 85,000 Aeroplan Points | Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge Access | $599 |
The ones that stand out to me from the above table as the most beneficial and accessible are the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, and the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card.
Often, the lowest barrier to lounge entry will be the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card, as it usually features a first-year annual fee waiver as part of the welcome bonus, plus four airport lounge passes.
The TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card earns 8x TD Rewards on purchases at Expedia for TD, plus a $100 Expedia for TD credit and TD Rewards birthday bonus.
Check out our TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card review for more information.
165,000 TD Rewards points
$7,500
$825+
$139 (FYF)
Yes
–
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card comes with no foreign transaction fees and grants primary cardholders and authorized users six complimentary airport lounge passes.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers benefits such as no foreign transaction fees and six annual complimentary airport lounge access passes.
Check out our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card review for more details.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
45,000 Scene+ points
$40,000
$600+
$150
No
Jan 1, 2026
Meanwhile, the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card has a very low income requirement of $15,000 total household income, allowing most Canadians with any income to access airport lounges via four free airport lounge passes. This card also tends to feature a first-year annual fee waiver as part of the welcome bonus, making it an even better deal.
The CIBC Aventura Gold Visa card offers benefits that include a $100 NEXUS membership credit and four annual airport lounge passes.
35,000 Aventura points
$3,000
$770+
$139 (FYF)
Yes
–
As these benefits continually change, be sure to stay up to date with our compare credit card tool, which includes an airport lounge access filter.
How to Join the Visa Airport Companion Program
If you hold an eligible credit card, the Visa Airport Companion program is best accessed through the Visa Airport Companion app, which is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for Android devices.
When you first download the app, you’ll need to set up an account. You’ll first come across some informational screens outlining the types of information you’ll be asked to provide.
After you get past the initial setup page, we hit the meat and potatoes of the sign-up process, where you provide all your credit card and personal details.
The final step of the setup process is confirming your phone number and creating a password.
After that, you’ll see all your airport lounge access entitlements!
How to Access Visa Airport Companion Airport Lounges
Accessing lounges with the Visa Airport Companion app is simple and easy. After you’ve completed setup with a credit card, simply click on the “Membership” tab at the bottom of the screen and show the QR code to the lounge staff at check-in, along with your boarding pass.
Multiple airport lounge passes can be used at once if you are traveling with family or friends. To do so, the lounge check-in attendant will have to scan your QR code again and scan your guest’s boarding pass.
What Are The Best Airport Lounges To Access With The Visa Airport Companion App?
Air Canada Cafe at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
While the Air Canada Cafe at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has some quirks, such as premium beverages carrying an extra charge, its interior design is lovely. The food is always fresh, and is usually Toronto-inspired with a fusion of cuisines.
Combine that with plenty of charging ports next to seating, and I look forward to visiting! See all the details in our review of the Air Canada Cafe at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
WestJet Elevation Lounge at Calgary International Airport (YYC)
While a picture of a lounge shower doesn’t seem like a highlight, it certainly is at a domestic lounge! Showers in airports are a level of luxury that I didn’t know existed before the world of miles and points.
You may not be able to access the shower every time you visit the WestJet Elevation Lounge at Calgary International Airport, as there are only two shower suites and they must be reserved upon entry. Additionally, table service for food and beverage is an excellent premium feature of this lounge.
Check out our review of the WestJet Elevation Lounge in Calgary for more details.
Maple Leaf Lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Much to my surprise, the Maple Leaf Lounge at San Francisco International Airport is accessible with DragonPass! Jeff was lucky to visit this lounge and ranked it high on his list of airport lounges, and thought it was unique with its outdoor terrace area. Airline lounges are typically among the best, as they have a standard to maintain for their most frequent flyers. We talk about this in Episode 9 of the Miles Ahead Podcast.
While SFO isn’t a common destination for Canadian flyers, you may find yourself there after a positioning flight.
Conclusion
Visa Airport Companion is an excellent program that simplifies lounge access for financial institutions and consumers. With an easy sign-up and lounge check-in process, travelers will love the ease of Visa Airport Companion versus the phone-in process of signing up for a Priority Pass account with Amex Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Visa Airport Companion Program, powered by DragonPass, provides airport lounge access and travel benefits to eligible Visa cardholders. Depending on your Visa card type, you can access over 1,200 lounges worldwide, along with perks like dining discounts and airport spa offers.
You can register by downloading the Visa Airport Companion app or visiting the program’s website. Enter your eligible Visa card details to create an account, then you can browse lounges, check your visit entitlements, and generate a QR code for lounge entry.
It depends on your Visa card. Premium Visa Infinite and Visa Infinite Privilege cards often include complimentary lounge visits each year, while lower-tier cards provide pay-per-visit access at a discounted rate. Check your card’s benefit guide or the app to confirm how many free entries you receive.
Daniel Burkett
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