Airport lounge access is the pinnacle of credit card travel perks, but not all lounge access is created equal.
All the cards on our list include lounge access, but the types of lounges, how many passes you get and where they’re available are some of the factors that contributed to where they rank on this list.
From basic comforts to absolute luxury, we’ve compared the best lounge access credit cards by annual fees, welcome offers, points programs and insurance packages to help you find the best one to suit your financial life and travel plans.
1
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
Welcome Bonus
40,000 Scene+ points
Annual Fee
$150 (waived in the first year)
Regular APR
20.99%
2
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
Welcome Bonus
Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points†
Annual Fee
$599
Regular APR (Purchases) / Regular APR (Cash Advances)
20.99% / 22.99%
3
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Welcome Bonus
Up to 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points
Annual Fee
$799
Regular APR
30% due in full or 21.99% (flexible payment option)†
When determining a rating for individual credit cards, the Forbes Advisor Canada editorial team factors in an exhaustive list of data points. With airport lounge access credit cards, the scoring model used takes into account factors such as, but not limited to, the actual lounge access specifics, cash-back rates and categories, fees, welcome bonuses and other rewards and features. Keep in mind, what may be best for some people might not be right for you. Conduct informed research before deciding which cards will best help you achieve your financial goals.
A premium travel card perfect for frequent flyers seeking luxury and comfort. With full access to Maple Leaf Lounges and six complimentary visits to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, and the convenience of priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling, this card truly takes flying to new heights.
Rewards: Earn 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, and travel & dining. Get 2 Aeroplan points per dollar spent directly with Air Canada, and 1.25 points per dollar spent on all other purchases. Double your points at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands, including Starbucks, LCBO, and Amazon.
Welcome Offer: Get up to 90,000 Aeroplan points (worth up to $1,800 in travel value) and a free first checked bag for two travellers on round-trip flights with Air Canada, a value of $120. Spend $3,000 in the first three months to get 60,000 points and spend $6,000 in the first six months to earn an additional 30,000 points.
Annual Fee: $599 (but you can get an annual fee rebate of $139 with a CIBC Smart Plus Account).
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card offers a host of benefits, including worldwide companion passes, excellent travel insurance including emergency travel medical, travel accident, trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage insurance, and rental car insurance. You’ll also get purchase security, extended protection insurance, and mobile device insurance. However, its high annual fee of $599 and income requirements may put it out of reach for some. Know that the annual worldwide companion pass requires a minimum spend of $25,000 per year, and the full welcome bonus is only truly realized—renew the card and get your final 30,000 points.
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CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege is an excellent travel rewards card for those who want to earn points quickly for exclusive travel perks. You can accumulate points faster with an impressive welcome bonus and generous earn rates, making travel more accessible.
Rewards: You can earn 3 points for every dollar spent on travel through the CIBC Rewards Center and 2 points for every dollar spent on dining, entertainment, gas, transportation, electric vehicle charging, and groceries. For all other purchases, you can earn 1.25 points for every dollar spent.
Welcome Offer: Get a welcome bonus of 80,000 Aventura points (up to $1,600 in travel value) when you spend $3,000 within the first four months of account opening. The final 30,000 Aventura points of the welcome bonus can only be unlocked after one year with the card.
Annual Fee: The annual fee for this card is $499, but you can receive an annual fee rebate of up to $139 with a CIBC Smart Plus account.
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege includes 6 complimentary visits at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, two NEXUS application fee rebates, and a $200 annual travel credit (so your annual fee is actually $299). With a full suite of insurance coverage, including emergency medical and extended warranty coverage, it protects its members well. However, this card does have some drawbacks, like the high annual fee and income requirements. You also lose some flexibility in having to book travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre. Oh, and no free first checked baggage? A minor detail, but lacking “privilege.”
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BMO’s elite travel card gives you airport perks like 6 complimentary airport lounge access passes, a general welcome offer to get you flying right away, and the luxury that comes along with Visa’s Infinite Privilege program.
Welcome offer: Get up to 90,000 points. You get 50,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first three months and unlock the remaining 40,000 when you spend at least $100,000 in the first year (that’s just over $8,000 per month).
Annual fee: $499 (you can apply annual $200 lifestyle credit to it, though)
Rewards: You can earn 5 times the BMO rewards points on everyday purchases like groceries, restaurants, drugstores and, of course, your VIP travel experiences. You’ll also get 1 point for every dollar you spend elsewhere.
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: While this card gives you lounge membership to airport lounge programs, it doesn’t include Maple Leaf Lounges. However, you also get a Visa Airport Companion membership (valued at $250) to give you and your partner or travel companion to share in the airport lounge benefits. You’ll also get other airport benefits like priority security lanes, airport parking and valet service discounts. You’ll need a minimum income of $150,000, though.
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Get airport lounge access without the airport lounge fees with an affordable credit card loaded with quality travel insurance.
Rewards: Earn 2 points for every dollar spent on travel with CIBC’s rewards centre, 1.5 points for every dollar on gas, EV charging, groceries, and drudge stores, and 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else.
Welcome Offer: Earn up to 60,000 Aventura Points (up to $1,200 in travel value): 15,000 Aventura Points after making your first purchase, 20,000 Aventura Points after spending $3,000 or more in net purchases in the first 4 monthly statement periods and 25,000 Aventura Points after having at least $6,000 in net purchases posted to your account in the first 4 monthly statement periods. Terms and conditions apply. This offer is not available to residents of Quebec.
Annual Fee: $139 (one time annual fee rebate of $139)
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card is all about accessing luxury travel for less. You get airport lounge access, a NEXUS fee rebate, and the same great travel insurance as the elite travel credit cards, without paying an annual fee in the first year. You don’t get Maple Leaf lounge access, but CIBC gives you LoungeKey opening the doors to airport lounges around the world. The only dilemma is the subpar welcome offer, but it’s enough points to fly to any location in Canada or the continental U.S. for one person.
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A travel credit card with 6 complimentary airport lounge access visits, no foreign exchange fees, and great earn rates for a low annual fee make this card another great option for anyone meeting their $60,000 minimum annual income requirement.
Rewards: Earn 3 Scene+ points for every dollar you spend at Sobey’s and its associated branded stores, and 2 Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on daily transit, dining out, and entertainment tickets.
Welcome Offer: To get 35,000 Scene+ points, you need to spend at least $1,000 in everyday purchases in your first three months—that’ll give you 25,000. The other 10,000 Scene+ points come when you spend at least $40,000 annually (just over $3,000 per month).
Annual Fee: $150 (supplementary cards are free)
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Six complimentary visits to airport lounges make this card pretty sweet. Throw in the no foreign exchange fees and comprehensive insurance benefits all for a fee of $150 makes this a card worth having in your wallet. With any other card on this list, if you spend $6,000 abroad, the foreign exchange fees add up to $150. However, if you don’t shop at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, or Foodland, you won’t earn as fast (not that we’re complaining about the 2 points at other grocery stores).
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Elite travel is unlocked with unlimited access to Maple Leaf lounges (for you and a guest) and six lounge visits for each card holder at more than 1,200 other airport lounges is great, but there’s more. Priority airport services (think boarding, baggage handling, standby and airport upgrades), an every-four-years NEXUS application fee rebate and an annual round-trip companion pass, what’s not to love (other than the annual fee)?
Rewards: Earn 2 Aeroplan Points for every dollar spent on Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®), 1.5 points for every dollar spent on gas, groceries, travel and dining purchases and 1.25 points for every dollar spent on all other purchases made with your card.
Welcome Offer: Earn a welcome bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card. Earn an additional 40,000 Aeroplan points† when you spend $10,000 within 180 days of Account opening. Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $15,000 within 12 months of Account opening.† Terms and conditions Apply. Not available for residents of Quebec. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.
Annual Fee: $599
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: If you’re looking at premium credit cards that come with lounge membership, this is your ticket to VIP travel. An annual round-trip companion pass for $99 (plus fees, etc.), extensive insurance, NEXUS rebate every four years, priority airport services like boarding, baggage handling, airport standby and airport upgrades, and unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges for you and a guest and an additional six lounge visits at global airport lounges—it’s hard to beat it. Of course, to travel like this, you can also afford the high annual fee and minimum personal income requirement of $150,000. Starbucks loved this card so much that you can earn 50% more Aeroplan points and Starbucks stars to boot.
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AMEX always makes the list of premium credit cards and here’s why: access to airport lounges around the world, concierge services, travel coverage and a fantastic welcome offer.
Rewards: Earn 2 Membership rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and food delivery, 2 points per dollar on eligible travel, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Welcome Offer: New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 70,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Plus, earn 30,000 points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of Cardmembership.
Annual Fee: $799
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: It’s a charge card, so not only are you paying a $799 annual fee, you’ll also be charged a 30% annual interest rate for not paying off your card in full every month. That said, 100,000 membership points transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan points and you unlock access to them in the first three months (after $10,00 spent). It has a full suite of insurance options, unlimited global lounge access, and hotel, dining, and entertainment benefits as well.
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At 5 points for every dollar spent on travel, 4 free airport lounge passes per year, and excellent travel and medical coverage (even if you charge a portion of your trip to the card), it’s a great card for worry-free travel.
Rewards: For every dollar you spend on the card, you earn 5 points on travel purchases, 3 points on groceries, dining and event tickets and 1 point on all other purchases.
Welcome Offer: 60,000 points in the first year. 30,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months and 2,500 points for each subsequent month in which you spend at least $2,000 on the card for up to 12 months.
Annual Fee: $150 (waived in the first year)
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The strongest part of this card is the insurance you can access for a partial charge of your travel to the card (e.g., taxes and fees of your trip). While the four annual complimentary lounge passes (4 solos, or 2 as a couple) and complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi membership are nice, the high spending requirement for the remaining 30,000 points doesn’t draw us in. Though, with no annual fee in the first year, it may be worth it for the insurance package alone.
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For Avioners with high incomes and the desire for a single credit card, RBC’s premium travel credit card’s unique uniform 1.25 points per dollar spent, may suit your needs.
Rewards: You’ll earn 1.25 the points for every dollar you spend across the board, regardless of category.
Welcome Offer: Get up to 70,000 Avion points. Get 35,000 Avion points on approval, 20,000 Avion points after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months and a one-time 15,000 point anniversary bonus after 12 months of opening an account. Apply by November 25, 2024.
Annual Fee: $399
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: With six annual complimentary airport lounge visits to DragonPass lounges, priority airport services like fast-tracking security in Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto’s Billy Bishop airports, and one of the best insurance packages, including 31 days of emergency medical travel insurance, RBC’s card for best lounge access is simple and straightforward with all the perks and benefits of Visa’s Infinite Privilege program.
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A less-expensive, but feature-rich sister card of AMEX’s The Platinum, this is a go-to solution for those who want to stay with American Express but not pay the high-end annual fee.
Rewards: You get 2 points per dollar spent on gas, groceries, drugstores, and travel purchases and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.
Welcome Offer: Get up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points; New Cardmembers earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points in each monthly billing period when you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card, this could add up to 60,000 points in a year. That’s up to $600 towards your next vacation.
Annual Fee: $250 (annual travel credit can be applied to reduce the fee)
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: For $250 (or $150 if you apply the annual travel credit), this card unlocks a lot of membership rewards points, a solid earn rate, and four complimentary visits to Plaza Premium Lounges, it’s a decent card. You’ll also get a Priority Pass membership, but you’ll have to pay to enter, which hurts this card’s reputation among the best lounge access cards. The insurance coverage takes a step back but still maintains emergency medical insurance, just not for as many days. While I applaud the relaunch of an iconic product with the rose gold metal option, if I can’t confidently flash it and walk into an airport lounge, then I’m not totally sold.
Airport lounge access is a popular credit card perk with frequent flyers as it gives cardholders admittance to airport lounges around the world. Airport lounges provide travellers with a break from travel chaos, offering food, drinks, comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi and even premium amenities such as showers, sleep pods and even spas. While it’s possible to purchase a membership to an airport lounge program, perhaps the easiest way to access an airport lounge is with your credit card. The terms of access vary depending on the card: some offer unlimited access each year while others offer a number of complimentary visits, usually four or six visits each membership year.
If you’re looking for the best credit card for airport lounge access, you’ll want to consider what that means to you. Check which lounge programs are available at the airport you fly from most often. You may also want to consider what amenities these airport lounge programs offer and if the pass (or passes) you may get each year allow you to bring any guests or if you’ll have to pay extra on top of the membership to the program.
There are many ways to get airport lounge access.
Many credit cards include airport lounge access, but “access” can mean different things, depending on the program. Some only include a complimentary membership and then you have to pay for entry to the actual airport lounge. Others include a membership with a number (or unlimited amount) of free entries to the airport lounges. In some cases, your credit card can offer free lounge access for both you and a guest as well.
Here are some notable credit card airport lounge programs:
You can purchase an annual membership to a lounge program of your choice.
For example, DragonPass offers memberships starting at $99 US.
The most straightforward way to get lounge access is this one. You can purchase a day pass for your date of travel. However, this strategy may not give you the best value overall.
Not all airport lounges are the same, and they’re not operated by the same companies either. An airport lounge can exist via several different operators, such as:
This would be an airport lounge affiliated with the airline you’re flying with. For example, Air Canada offers lounges called Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges at airports across Canada for its customers and/or Aeroplan credit card holders.
American Express has a line of airport lounges, called the American Express Global Lounge Collection. They currently offer 1,300 airport lounges in 140 countries.
Capital One is another credit card company that offers airport lounges. There are currently three Capital One Lounges: the first is in the Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas, the second opened at Dulles International Airport (IAD) in September 2023 and the third opened in Denver International Airport (DEN) as of November 2023. Capital One is expected to open more airport lounges in 2024.
Chase is a U.S. bank that offers airport lounges, with their latest opening in Boston.
A Priority Pass membership gives you access to over 1,300 airport lounges across the world. Many credit cards include this membership and free entry up to a limit.
DragonPass is another airport lounge membership that allows access to over 1,300 airport lounges across the world.
DragonPass and Priority Pass are both programs that provide access to lounges at partner airports worldwide. While Priority Pass is perhaps more widely known, since 2022 DragonPass offers access to the Plaza Premium lounges in Canada (among others) and has become the partner of choice for Visa and Mastercard cards, including the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard. While the lounge offerings are similar between cards, not every airport lounge is included in both programs. For example, with Priority Pass, the only lounge currently available at Toronto Lester B. Pearson Airport (YYZ) is in Terminal 1 and is only for flights to the U.S. With DragonPass, however, there are eight lounges available, including ones in Terminal 3 for international and domestic flights, and Terminal 1 for domestic, international and transborder flights. All things being equal, choosing between programs may come down to what airports (and lounges) you frequent the most.
The number of lounge passes differs between credit cards, with some offering free membership to a lounge but requiring purchase of passes above a certain limit. However, the American Express Platinum Card offers free unlimited access to over 1,300 airport lounges through The American Express Global Lounge Collection. If you’re a frequent flyer, the card’s hefty annual fee may be worth it for the free lounge access. The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege card offers unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge visits and six free visits worldwide through the Visa Airport Companion Program.
Short answer: it depends. Many credit cards that give access to the more premium airport lounges come with a steep annual fee. Consider how often you travel and compare the annual fee to how much you would pay out of pocket for airport lounge access without the credit card membership. You should also take into account the other useful perks, like the travel insurance, cash back and rewards points that may be offered by that particular credit card.
It really depends on your personal preferences. For instance, the TD Aeroplan Infinite Privilege Visa Card gives you complimentary membership into the Visa Airport Companion Program by DragonPass, including six complimentary passes per year to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, but American Express’s The Platinum Card gives you unlimited access to 1,300 lounges worldwide. You’ll also need to compare annual fees, insurance packages, and welcome offers to truly know which one suits you best. Sometimes, you’ll need to meet minimum income requirements, a high monthly minimum spend and have an excellent credit score.
Credit cards with airport lounge access earn their worth if you’re a frequent traveller who values comfort and convenience. Escape the crowds and noise of the terminal, enjoy complimentary food and drinks and take advantage of other amenities like showers, workspaces, Wi-Fi and sometimes even sleep pods. Plus, some of these credit cards offer additional benefits like priority boarding, baggage fee waivers and travel credits. However, there is often a higher annual fee with this type of card, so weigh your options if you don’t travel much or are OK sitting at the gate.
There are many credit cards on our list offering airport lounge access to their cardholders. Check out the Mastercard Travel Pass Program, the Visa Airport Companion Program (both powered by DragonPass and providing access to more than 1,200 airport lounges globally), and finally the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which is the largest collection of airport lounges available worldwide at more than 1,300.
Mastercard’s Travel Pass program powered by DragonPass provides access to airport lounges worldwide with eligible World or World Elite Mastercard credit cards, including the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard and the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard.
The following Visa credit cards offer lounge access: CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege (six free visits), CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege (six free visits), BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege (six free visits), CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite (four free visits), Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite (six free visits), TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege (unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge visits and six free other lounge visits) and RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege (six free visits).
All the credit cards on this list offer either a number of complimentary visits or unlimited access to select airport lounges. Some credit cards that boast airport lounge access only offer a complimentary membership to the program, with cardholders still having to pay either a discounted fee or the full fee upon lounge entry.
If you use airport lounge access frequently, it may be worth it, or at least worth switching to a card that allows unlimited access to airport lounges.
Typically, you can stay two to three hours before your departure in the airport lounge.
It depends. Each credit card on this list offers a number of complimentary visits and some credit cards offer unlimited access. Plus, even after you exhaust your complimentary passes, you can pay for the privilege of accessing as many airport lounges as you want, thanks to your complimentary membership to an airport lounge program.
It depends on the specific lounge, but most include complimentary entertainment, coffee, tea, snacks, alcoholic beverages, electronic device charging and Wi-Fi.
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