Airport lounge entry can remodel an in any other case gruelling layover into a soothing respite. Lounges usually provide free snacks and drinks, free Wi-Fi, snug seating, work areas, showers, sleep pods and even spa companies. It’s little marvel, then, that for a lot of frequent fliers, lounge entry is an particularly coveted bank card characteristic. Listed here are the perfect playing cards to hold with you in your subsequent journey.
Finest airport lounge entry bank cards
Get $75 Present Card Supply
Gold: Our prime choose total
Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite Card
Get 6 free passes yearly to over 1,200 lounges globally. Plus, pay no international transaction charges when overseas.
Supply ends
Might 01, 2025
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Curiosity Charges:
20.99% buy, 22.99% money advance, 22.99% stability switch
Welcome provide:
$300 worth
Earn as much as $1,300 in worth within the first 12 months, together with as much as 40,000 bonus Scene+ factors. To qualify, apply by July 1, 2025.
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Silver: Finest for luxurious perks
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Comes with limitless entry to premium Maple Leaf Lounges and over 1,200 extra lounges worldwide.
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Curiosity Charges:
20.99% buy, 22.99% money advance, 22.99% stability switch
Welcome provide:
$792 worth
Earn a welcome bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan factors if you make your first buy together with your new card. Earn an extra 35,000 Aeroplan factors if you spend $12,000 inside 180 days of Account opening. Situations Apply.
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Bronze: Finest for journey to the U.S.
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
Get 4 passes yearly to over 1,200 lounges globally. Plus, a Nexus price rebate each 4 years.
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Curiosity Charges:
20.99% buy, 22.99% money advance, 22.99% stability switch
Welcome provide:
$900 worth
Earn as much as $1,450 in worth together with a primary yr annual price rebate.
Finest lounge entry bank cards overview
Evaluate key options of widespread airport lounge entry playing cards in Canada. Maintain scrolling for our editors’ prime picks.
| Annual price | Free lounge visits per yr | Free visitor entry | Variety of lounges | Beneficial revenue | Beneficial credit score rating | Apply now (featured playing cards solely) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite |
$150 | 6 passes: Visa Airport Companion (DragonPass) | Sure | 1,200 | $60,000 per yr | 725 or larger | Go to web site |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
|
$599 | Limitless passes: Maple Leaf Lounges
6 passes: Visa Airport Companion (DragonPass) |
Sure | 23 Maple Leaf (Entry excludes Air Canada Signature Suites and lounges operated by third events, comparable to Star Alliance member airways)
1,200 |
$150,000 per yr | 680 or larger | Go to web site |
| American Specific The Platinum Card
|
$799 | Limitless passes: Amex World Lounge Assortment (Precedence Cross, Plaza Premium, Centurion) | Sure | 1,400 | None specified | 760 or larger | Go to web site |
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard |
$150 | 4 passes: Mastercard Journey Cross (DragonPass) | Sure | 1,300 | $80,000 per yr | 760 or larger | Go to web site |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
|
$139 | 4 passes: Visa Airport Companion (DragonPass) | Sure | 1,200 | $60,000 per yr | 760 or larger | Go to web site |
Rogers Purple World Elite Mastercard |
$0 | 0 passes: Mastercard Journey Cross (DragonPass) | No | 1,300 | $80,000 per yr | 725 or larger | Go to web site |
MoneySense award winners
Take a look at the professionals and cons of the highest three airport lounge entry bank cards, in addition to the perfect American Specific and no-fee card choices.
Gold: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
At a look: The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is the perfect card total for airport lounge entry. With six complimentary lounge visits a yr, this card presents essentially the most free visits amongst bank cards in a comparable price vary. For that purpose alone, the cardboard pays for itself. Including to its travel-friendly attract is the truth that it’s one of many few playing cards in Canada that doesn’t cost the everyday 2.5% international transaction (FX) price.
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Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
Annual price: $150
Welcome provide: Earn as much as $1,100 in worth within the first 12 months, together with as much as 40,000 bonus Scene+ factors. Supply ends July 1, 2025.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
| Revenue required | Private revenue of $60,000 per yr or family revenue of $100,000 per yr |
| Credit score rating | 725 or larger |
| Level worth | 1 Scene+ level = $0.01 when redeemed for journey on any airline or resort (together with Airbnbs). |
Silver: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
At a look: For Aeroplan factors collectors who need an elevated airport expertise, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege bank card generally is a nice journey companion. That is the perfect bank card to supply entry to luxurious airport lounges. It’s full of journey advantages like limitless free entry to Maple Leaf Lounges all through North America.
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TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
Annual price: $599
Welcome provide: Earn as much as $3,000 in worth together with as much as 85,000 Aeroplan factors. Situations apply.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on stability transfers, 22.99% on money advances |
| Revenue required | Private revenue of $150,000 or family revenue of $200,000 |
| Credit score rating | 680 or larger (advisable) |
| Anniversary bonus | Earn a one-time bonus of 30,000 Aeroplan factors if you spend at the very least $24,000 inside 12 months of opening the account. Situations apply. |
| Level worth | Aeroplan factors are value $0.02 on common |
Professionals
- Airport lounge entry: Get limitless entry to Maple Leaf Lounges for you and a visitor, and 6 free visits per yr to over 1,200 airport lounges.
- Journey insurance coverage: Get 31 days of protection for journey medical (for these below 65), versus the extra widespread 15-21 days. Additionally get protection for journey interruptions, flight delays, baggage, rental vehicles and extra.
- Nexus price rebate: Get pleasure from a Nexus software price rebate of as much as $100 each two years.
- Journey perks: Get precedence check-ins, boarding, baggage dealing with, airport upgrades, and airport standby. Additionally, get an annual round-trip companion cross and free checked luggage on Air Canada.
Cons
- Finest for Air Canada flyers: Finest rewards worth when redeeming for Air Canada flights. And lots of journey advantages (like precedence check-in and boarding) solely apply to flights operated by Air Canada.
- Excessive annual price: The price may be very steep even for a premium card with many perks. The extra cardholder price of $199 can also be excessive.
- Excessive revenue requirement: The necessities are very excessive in comparison with different playing cards.
Bronze: CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
At a look: The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite is the perfect airport lounge entry card for frequent travellers to the U.S. Contemplate this card for those who usually go to the U.S. for holidays, work journeys or household visits. The cardboard contains membership within the Visa Airport Companion Program and in addition provides you 4 free lounge visits per yr. Each 4 years, you get a press release credit score of as much as $100 in the direction of a Nexus software price.
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CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
Annual price: $139
Welcome provide: Earn as much as $1,450 in worth, together with a primary yr annual price rebate.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on money advances, 22.99% on stability transfers |
| Revenue required | Private revenue of $60,000 or family revenue of $100,000 |
| Credit score rating | 760 or larger |
| Level worth | 1 level= $0.01 on common |
Finest Mastercard choice: BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
At a look: In the event you’re an occasional traveller, the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard could also be a sensible choice to get you airport lounge entry. If you end up in an airport even only a few instances a yr, you’ll respect that this card presents free membership within the Mastercard Journey Cross program offered by DragonPass, with 4 free lounge passes a yr.
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BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
Annual price: $150
Welcome provide: Earn as much as 100,000 factors
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | Rates of interest: 21.99% on purchases, 23.99% on stability transfers, 23.99% on money advances |
| Revenue required | Private revenue of $80,000 or family revenue of $150,000 |
| Credit score rating | 760 or larger |
| Level worth | 1 BMO Rewards level = $0.0067 when redeemed for journey |
Finest American Specific choice: The Platinum Card
At a look: In the event you’re a frequent traveller, The Platinum Card is the best choice for you. It’s one of the vital costly premium bank cards in Canada, however the $799 annual price will get you entry to essentially the most complete and amenity-laden choice of airport lounges worldwide, together with top-tier American Specific Centurion Lounges. Relying on the lounge, cardholders could have a vast variety of free visits and may also carry one companion with them at no further price.
American Specific Platinum
Annual price: $799
Welcome provide: Earn as much as 100,000 Membership Rewards factors ($1,000 worth).
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | N/A (as a cost card, you’re required to repay your stability in full each month) |
| Revenue required | None |
| Credit score rating | 760 or larger |
| Anniversary bonus | $200 annual eating credit score to make use of at a curated record of Canada’s prime eating places. Plus, $200 annual journey credit score when reserving by American Specific Journey On-line. |
| Level worth | 1 Amex Membership Rewards level = $0.01 when redeemed with the Versatile Factors Journey Program, $0.015 on common with the Mounted Factors Journey Program, and as much as $0.02 with airline factors transfers |
Finest no price choice: Rogers Purple World Elite Mastercard
At a look: In the event you aren’t seeking to pay a hefty annual price to entry airport lounges, the Rogers Purple World Elite Mastercard is the best choice. Get entry to over 1,300 lounges worldwide for simply USD$32 per particular person per go to. Plus, get journey insurance coverage and perks like 3% money again on all U.S. greenback purchases (offsetting foreign exchange charges) and the very best base earn fee of any no-fee card in Canada.
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Rogers Purple World Elite Mastercard
Annual price: $0
Welcome provide: None presently.
Card particulars
| Rates of interest | 25.99% on purchases, 27.99% on money advances, 27.99% on stability transfers |
| Revenue required | $80,000 per yr |
| Credit score rating | 725 or larger |
Professionals
- Airport lounge entry: Complimentary membership to Mastercard Journey Cross giving entry to over 1,300 lounges for $32 USD per particular person per go to.
- Journey insurance coverage: Comes with six forms of protection, together with emergency medical, journey cancellation and automobile rental injury protection—a uncommon perk for a no-fee card.
- Offset foreign exchange charges on U.S. purchases: Earn 3% money again on all purchases made in U.S. {dollars}, each in-person and on-line, which is sufficient to offset the everyday 2.5% international transaction price charged by most bank cards.
- Excessive base fee: The 1.5% base earn fee is larger than another no-fee card in Canada. Plus, not like most playing cards, there aren’t any earnings caps.
- Buyer bonus: Rogers, Fido and Shaw clients earn an extra 0.5% on all purchases (for a complete of two%). Plus, these clients get a 1.5x redemption bonus when making use of their money again rewards to invoice funds with Rogers, Fido and Shaw.
Cons
- Flat earn fee: Different playing cards provide larger earn charges on choose classes, which may show you how to reap extra rewards, relying in your spending habits.
Airport lounge entry applications in Canada: a comparability
Questioning which lounges you may truly go to together with your lounge passes? One of the best lounge entry bank cards in Canada provide entry to a number of of the next airport lounge applications.
| Program | Variety of lounges | Bank cards with lounge entry | Key particulars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges | 16 throughout North America and Europe | Aeroplan co-branded premium bank cards | Maple Leaf Lounges can solely be utilized by clients departing on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Specific or a Star Alliance accomplice airline. |
| Plaza Premium Lounge | 250+ worldwide | N/A | Accessible for bookings by the hour, however included in DragonPass and Precedence Cross membership. |
| DragonPass | 1,300+ worldwide | World Credit cards, World Elite Credit cards (through the Mastercard Journey Cross program)
Visa Infinite, Visa Infinite Privilege playing cards (through the Visa Airport Companion program) |
Consists of entry to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada, in addition to tons of of various lounge applications worldwide.
Cardholders can often use their free passes for themselves and for a visitor, however guidelines range by lounge. |
| Precedence Cross | 1,600+ worldwide | American Specific (through the American Specific World Lounge Assortment) | Consists of entry to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada, in addition to tons of of various lounge applications worldwide.
Cardholders can often use their free passes for themselves and for a visitor, however guidelines range by lounge. |
| Centurion Lounges | 40+ worldwide | American Specific (through the American Specific World Lounge Assortment) | Centurion Lounges usually characteristic high-quality meals and elevated facilities like spa companies, nap pods and showers. |
The price of airport lounge entry in Canada
If it’s not provided as a free perk together with your bank card, you’ll should pay for airport lounge entry.
Air Canada presents three tiers of Maple Leaf Membership memberships. Prices vary from $375 to $665 per yr. Members can carry company alongside at $59 per go to per visitor. Nonetheless, Air Canada has quickly suspended the sale of memberships to Maple Leaf Membership, and there’s no indication when it should resume promoting them.
Precedence Cross memberships vary from USD$99 per yr for a Commonplace membership to USD$469 per yr for a Status membership. The previous comes with zero free lounge visits—members pay $USD35 per go to, the identical as company. In the meantime, Status members get limitless complimentary visits.
The prices of DragonPass memberships are comparable: charges vary from USD $99 per yr for a Traditional membership (which incorporates one free lounge go to) to USD$429 for a Status membership (which comes with limitless lounge entry).
For Plaza Premium lounges, you may get a cross for a set variety of visits. For instance, in Canada, you should buy a five-visit cross for USD$155. Otherwise you e book by the hour. The Plaza Premium Lounge at Toronto Pearson Airport, for instance, fees $66.68 for a two-hour go to.
If you need free airport lounge entry, your choices are extra restricted. First-class passengers could get entry as a part of their ticket advantages, and Air Canada’s Aeroplan program presents entry to Elite members who’ve reached an eligible standing stage. For frequent travellers, carrying an airport lounge bank card would be the easiest and most cost-effective technique to get this premium perk.
Are airport lounge entry bank cards value it?
Airports have a captive buyer base, and so they understand it: meals and beverage costs at airports can border on daylight theft, and it’s not laborious to spend $10 to $40 per particular person on meals and drinks. This alone may justify the price of lounge entry, the place meals, drinks, and alcohol are complimentary.
In the event you journey with a number of carry-on baggage, fly long-haul, or have a protracted layover, airport lounges are additionally a much-needed sanctuary the place you may clean up with a bathe, make amends for work, or just take a nap.
Taking a look at the price of airport lounge applications talked about above, every lounge cross included together with your bank card might be value USD$25 on common. So if you recognize you’ll use them, lounge entry bank cards are positively value it.
How to decide on a lounge entry bank card
Questioning which bank card with lounge entry presents you the perfect worth? Listed here are a few issues to contemplate when making your selection.
How regularly do you fly? Take into consideration how usually you’ll actually use the lounge passes that include a bank card. In the event you solely journey a couple of times a yr, the 4 passes provided by BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard or CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite will possible be ample. However, for those who fly greater than as soon as a month and have loads of layovers in your journeys, a card with limitless lounge entry just like the American Specific Platinum Card might be effectively definitely worth the premium.
Does the lounge program match your journey habits? Not all lounges are equal, and getting access to extra lounges doesn’t imply higher worth. As an example, on the subject of DragonPass vs Precedence Cross, each memberships embody entry to the favored Plaza Premium Lounge community in addition to extra unique airline lounges — however entry isn’t assured, particularly at busy airports or peak journey instances.
In the event you primarily fly with Air Canada and its companions round North America, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege would possibly provide higher consolation with entry to Maple Leaf Lounges.
What different journey bank card advantages do you worth? A bank card with no international transaction price just like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite can prevent a tidy sum on abroad purchases, whereas a card bundled with strong journey insurance coverage protects you towards unexpected journey hiccups.