Credit Cards That Offer Airport Lounge Access

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or not, having access to an airport lounge can really change your travelling experience. They are particularly advantageous when arriving at the airport early for an international flight or when dealing with multiple flight connections. Airport lounges typically provide more comfortable seating, access to complimentary drinks and foods, entertainment, luxurious restrooms, and other great amenities. 

In order to enter these lounges, you need to buy a membership or a one-time guest pass. However, a one-time guest pass can easily cost anything between $30 and $50 while an annual membership can cost between $99 and $500. A better alternative is to find the right lounge access credit card for your needs.

The Best Lounge Access Credit Cards In Canada

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is arguably one of the best travel credit cards, with an accessible annual fee, on the market. While it has an annual fee of $150, the high earn rate for Scene+ points means you’ll be able to easily earn back the $150. Especially, if you shop at grocery stores like IGA, Sobey’s, Foodland, etc.

Cardholders received 6 complimentary airport lounges visits per year with a free Visa Airport Companion Program membership (1200+ lounges).

It also offers no foreign transaction fees for online or abroad shopping. You’ll also be able to benefit from their comprehensive travel insurance package which includes insurance for medical, trip cancellation, car rental collision, and more.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card Main Features

• Annual fee: $150
• Purchase interest rate: 20.99%
• Lounge access: 6 complimentary visits per year with a free Visa Airport Companion Program membership (1200+ lounges).
• Earn rate:
  • Earn 3 Scene+ points for every $1 spent at IGA, Sobey’s, Foodland, etc.
  • Earn 2 Scene+ points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and other grocery stores.
  • Earn 2 Scene+ points for every $1 spent on eligible entertainment purchases.
  • Earn 2 Scene+ points for every $1 spent on eligible gas and transit purchases.

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CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

Consumers looking for an easy everyday credit card that comes with airport lounge access may want to consider the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card. This card comes with a manageable $139 annual fee, the cost of which is rebated for the first year. 

The point earn rate isn’t as high as some other cards, but those who charge the majority of their expense should be able to earn back the $139 fee. 

Cardholders receive 4 complimentary airport lounge visits per year with a free Visa Airport Companion Program membership (1,200+ lounges).

This card also offers a variety of travel and medical insurance as well as a rebate on one NEXUS application fee every 4 years.

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card Main Features

• Annual fee: $139 (first year rebated)
• Purchase interest rate: 20.99%
• Lounge access: 4 complimentary visits per year with a free Visa Airport Companion Program membership (1,200+ lounges).
• Earn rate:
  • Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
  • Earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, grocery stores and drug stores.
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

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BMO Ascend World Elite^®* Mastercard^®*

The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard has an annual fee of $150 but you can get the first year waived. This feature makes this credit card a great option for a wider variety of consumers looking to take advantage of airport lounge visits. 

The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard allows cardholders to earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel. Plus, 3 points per dollar spent on a variety of other expenses. This means you’ll likely be able to recoup your annual fee in year two and onward. 

This card also comes with additional benefits like travel and medical insurance. Plus it comes with 4 complimentary airport lounge visits per year with a free Mastercard Travel Pass membership provided by DragonPass.

BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard Main Features

• Annual fee: $150 (waived the first year)
• Purchase interest rate: 20.99%
• Lounge access: 4 complimentary visits per year with a free Mastercard Travel Pass membership provided by DragonPass (1300+ lounges).
• Earn rate:
  • Earn 5 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases.
  • Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible dining purchases.
  • Earn 3 points For every $1 spent on eligible entertainment purchases.
  • Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on recurring bill payments.

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TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card is a premium travel card that comes with a lot of great benefits. Avid travellers will likely find the $599 annual fee worth the cost.

You’ll earn 2 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent with Air Canada® and Air Canada Vacations. 1.5 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent on eligible grocery, gas, and drugstore purchases. All other purchases will earn you 1.25  Aeroplan points per dollar spent. 

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card also comes with a suite of travel insurance. Primary and additional cardholders can access Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in North America. Moreover, you’ll also get 6 complimentary lounge visits through the Visa Airport Companion Program provided by Dragonpass.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card Main Features

• Annual fee: $599
• Purchase interest rate: 20.99%
• Lounge access:
  • Unlimited access to select Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés.
  • 6 complimentary visits per year with a free membership to the Visa Airport Companion Program provided by Dragonpass (1200+ lounges).
• Earn rate:
  • Earn 2 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases with Air Canada® and Air Canada Vacations.
  • Earn 1.5 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases.
  • Earn 1.25 Aeroplan points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card comes with an annual fee of $399, which may be a deterrent to some consumers. But, the variety of additional benefits does make this card a good option. Benefits include exclusive experiences, airport security fast track lanes, dedicated airport parking, and extensive insurance coverage. Plus all RBC Avion Visa Cardholders can take advantage of even more exclusive perks.

Cardholders earn 1.25 Avion points for every dollar spent. These points can be redeemed for flights on any airline, vacation packages, hotels, cruises, etc. 

Finally, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card comes with 6 complimentary airport lounge visits per year with a free Visa Airport Companion Program membership.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Main Features

• Annual fee: $399
• Purchase interest rate: 20.99%
• Lounge access: 6 complimentary visits per year with a free Visa Airport Companion Program membership (1,200+ lounges).
• Earn rate:
  • Earn 1.25 Avion points for every $1 you spend.

National Bank World Elite® Mastercard®

Montreal residents and anyone who regularly flies out of the Montréal-Trudeau Airport should consider the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This card comes with an annual fee of $150.

The point earn rate is competitive compared to other credit cards that have higher annual fees. Cardholders will earn 5 points for every dollar spent on groceries and restaurants. 2 points for every dollar spent on gas and electric vehicle charging, recurring bill payments, and à la carte Travel. And 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases. 

Plus, cardholders get unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau Airport.

National Bank World Elite Mastercard Main Features

• Annual fee: $150
• Purchase interest rate: 20.99%
• Lounge access: Unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau Airport.
• Earn rate:
  • Earn up to 5 rewards points for every $1 spent on groceries and restaurants.
  • Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on gas and electric vehicle charging, recurring bill payments, and à la carte Travel. 
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

American Express® Gold Rewards Card

The American Express Gold Rewards Card has an annual fee of $250 which means it ranks in the mid-range of credit card annual fees. 

Cardholders can earn 2x the points on travel, gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases in Canada. Plus, 1x the points on all other purchases. 

Other benefits included a $100 annual travel credit and extensive travel insurance. 

Additionally, cardholders will receive 4 complimentary airport lounge visits per year to Plaza Premium Lounges.

American Express Gold Rewards Card Main Features

• Annual fee: $250
• Purchase interest rate: 20.99 %
• Lounge access: 4 complimentary visits per year to Plaza Premium Lounges.
• Earn rate:
  • Earn 2x the points on travel including eligible flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more.
  • Earn 2x the points on eligible gas, grocery & drugstore purchases in Canada.
  • Earn 1x the points on everything else.
  • 1 additional point on Amex travel online.

Looking For More American Express Credit Credits With Airport Lounge Access?

Factors To Consider When Comparing Lounge Access Credit Cards In Canada

There are a plethora of credit cards available, some of which have airport lounge access. While it may be easy to pinpoint the cards with airport lounge access, it can be difficult to determine which credit card best suits your needs and lifestyle. Depending on your spending habits and travel frequency, one card will usually provide you with more value than the other.

Travel Frequency

How often do you travel? If you travel once or twice a year, you may only need a couple of free airport lounge visits a year. Moreover, you should also consider the number and the time gap between your connecting flights. If you usually opt for flights with no stops, you won’t really need access to an airport lounge. 

Lounge Program

Is there a particular part of the world you like to travel to? Depending on the lounge program, some may not be available in that country. For example, the Air Canada Maple Leafs Lounge is only available in 17 Airports, 11 of which are in Canada. You should also evaluate what amenities are available in your most frequented travel spot as they usually differ from place to place. In general, you can expect comfier seating, complimentary food and drinks, luxurious restrooms, free Wi-Fi, massage areas, and more.

Spending and Points

In addition to the airport lounge access, you should also assess how the points system works with your spending lifestyle. Is a cash back card or a points card better for you? Would you prefer redeeming your points on a big reward or gain cash back that you can use toward anything you want? 

Annual Fee

Always calculate the annual fee you pay on your credit card versus the value you get from it. For example, a priority pass membership with 10 free lounge visits is valued at approximately $330 USD. if you can get a credit card that has a lower annual fee and roughly the same number of free lounge visits, it’s a good deal. 

Extra Perks

Most cards have additional perks that you can take advantage of. The perks are a good way to decide between two cards that are tied in terms of fees, points and airport access. For example, some credit cards will provide extra perks like an annual fee rebate or discounts on exclusive events. 

Additional Reading

What Is A CPC/ SCP Charge On A Credit Card?

How Long Does A Refund Take To Appear On Your Credit Card?

Will Multiple Small Credit Card Payments In One Billing Cycle Boost Your Credit?

Bottom Line 

Lounge access credit cards in Canada are not only cost-effective but overall more advantageous and valuable than simply purchasing a one-time guest pass. Depending on your income and spending habits one of these cards will meet your needs better than the other. Be sure to calculate your potential rewards to see which card is most worth your money.

Lounge Access Credit Cards FAQs

* BMO, TD Bank, Scotiabank, CIBC, RBC, National Bank, and American Express are not responsible for the accuracy of this information or for maintaining the content on this page. Please visit the website of the credit card provider for the most up to date information.