American Specific Canada lately introduced that beginning in 2027, The Platinum Card® and Enterprise Platinum Card® will not embody limitless lounge visits at Plaza Premium and Precedence Go community.
Whereas the change doesn’t kick in till January 1, 2027, now’s time to discover different playing cards that preserve you flying in consolation.
Airport lounges stay the most effective methods to show journey downtime into an satisfying a part of the journey. A quiet seat, free meals and drinks, perhaps even a bathe earlier than an extended flight. When you get used to it, it’s onerous to return.
There are just a few alternative ways to entry these areas, together with paying money or being an elite member of an airline loyalty program; nevertheless, one of many best methods to take pleasure in these airport oases is by holding an eligible bank card that comes with complimentary lounge entry.
On this article, we’ll have a look at the very best bank cards for airport lounge entry, providing you with some nice choices to raise your expertise to your subsequent adventures.
Why Is Lounge Entry So Precious?
Airport lounges provide greater than only a comfortable chair. They flip journey downtime into precise rest. As an alternative of trying to find an outlet close to a loud gate, you possibly can take pleasure in a quieter house with free Wi-Fi, meals, and drinks.
For those who’re ready out a delay or an extended connection, lounges are price their weight in snacks. Many even embody showers, nap rooms, and enterprise areas — a lifesaver earlier than or after long-haul flights.
Some even cater to arriving passengers, providing you with a spot to clean up and relaxation a bit earlier than heading into town. This may be extraordinarily worthwhile when you might have a red-eye flight and land early morning and you might want to kill time till you possibly can test in at your resort.
Plus, with the price of airport meals creeping larger yearly, the complimentary snacks and drinks alone can offset a lot of a bank card’s annual charge over time.
With that in thoughts, let’s check out which Canadian bank cards provide the very best methods to unlock this consolation, from limitless entry (for now) to versatile passes for infrequent travellers.
Canada’s Greatest Credit score Playing cards for Lounge Entry
Listed here are our picks for the very best bank cards with lounge entry in Canada.
1. Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
If there’s one card that balances accessibility, affordability, and world lounge entry, it’s the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card.
Cardholders get six complimentary visits per 12 months by the Visa Airport Companion Program, powered by DragonPass, unlocking entry to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide.
Playing cards that supply lounge perks on this tier usually embody solely 4 visits per 12 months, so the additional two visits provide you with a bit extra flexibility, particularly in case you have a layover in your technique to that dream vacation spot.
Past lounges, this card’s no overseas transaction charges can prevent 2.5% on each buy made overseas or in overseas foreign money — a uncommon and worthwhile perk in Canada. Pair that with a strong journey insurance coverage bundle and versatile Scene+ factors, and also you’ve bought a card that simply pays for itself.
With a $150 annual charge† (usually rebated for the primary 12 months), the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card delivers premium perks with out the ultra-premium value. It’s a sensible, well-rounded selection for frequent travellers who worth consolation, financial savings, and flexibility in a single bundle.
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
- Earn 35,000 Scene+ factors upon spending $2,000 within the first three months
- Earn an extra 10,000 Scene+ factors upon spending $40,000 yearly
- Earn 2x Scene+ factors on groceries, eating, leisure, and transit
- Plus, earn 3x Scene+ factors on grocery purchases at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, and FreshCo
- Visa Airport Companion membership with six free lounge visits per 12 months
- Redeem factors for a press release credit score towards any journey expense
- Minimal earnings: $60,000 private or $100,000 family
- Annual charge: $150
2. The Platinum Card® and Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Specific
The Platinum Card® and Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Specific have lengthy been the gold customary for airport lounge entry in Canada, and for good purpose.
However with current modifications on the horizon, they’ve now slipped to the quantity two spot on our listing.
Each playing cards provide complimentary, limitless entry to Plaza Premium, Precedence Go, American Specific Centurion, Delta Sky Membership® lounges, and extra by the American Specific World Lounge Assortment™.
Nonetheless, beginning January 1, 2027, Amex will start limiting complimentary entry to six visits per 12 months. To regain limitless entry, you have to to spend $20,000 yearly, which generally is a important alternative value, particularly when those self same purchases might earn much more rewards on playing cards that supply larger multipliers for groceries, eating, or journey.
Nonetheless, there’s loads to like. Each playing cards embody a $200 annual journey credit score, intensive journey insurance coverage, and computerized Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold standing.
You’ll additionally take pleasure in entry to Amex Tremendous Motels & Resorts, which affords upgrades, late checkout, every day breakfast for 2, and a US$100 property credit score at over 1,000 luxurious inns worldwide.
As ultra-premium playing cards, each have a excessive annual charge of $799 (all figures in CAD), however this charge is partially offset by the $200 annual journey credit score that’s supplied by every card, ostensibly bringing the respective annual charges down by $200.
Plus, each playing cards usually provide robust welcome bonuses of the dear and versatile Membership Rewards factors, which may help justify the excessive annual charge (no less than within the first 12 months).
At $799 per 12 months, the Platinum playing cards stay a wonderful selection for frequent travellers who worth premium service and world consolation.
And because the modifications don’t take impact till 2027, it’s price making use of now to lock in a full 12 months of limitless lounge entry, particularly in case you have massive journey plans arising.
American Specific Private and Enterprise PlatinumCards
3. Premium Aeroplan Credit score Playing cards (CIBC, TD, and American Specific)
Maple Leaf Lounges are Air Canada’s airport lounge providing and exist in 17 airports throughout Canada, the US, and Europe.
For frequent Air Canada flyers, the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, and American Specific Aeroplan® Reserve Card are the go-to choices for consolation and comfort from check-in to boarding.
All three playing cards present limitless Maple Leaf Lounge entry for you and a visitor inside North America. A significant perk in case you recurrently fly Air Canada or one among its Star Alliance companions.
You’ll additionally take pleasure in precedence airport companies†, free first checked baggage† for you and as much as eight companions, and most popular pricing on Aeroplan flight rewards, providing you with a lift each on the bottom and within the air.
Whereas the advantages are largely related throughout these playing cards, the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card earns a slight edge due to its $200 NEXUS software charge rebate, which offsets the appliance or renewal value for trusted-traveller screening, an awesome time-saver for frequent flyers.
Moreover, the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card and the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card additionally provide six complimentary passes by the Visa Airport Companion Program.
It’s a wonderful different while you’re travelling by airports with out a Maple Leaf Lounge. The American Specific Aeroplan® Reserve Card, in the meantime, focuses on a streamlined premium expertise, providing lounge entry straight by Air Canada and Precedence airport companies at choose airports.
At $599 per 12 months†, these playing cards sit firmly within the premium class, however their mixture of limitless Maple Leaf Lounge entry, precedence perks, and robust Aeroplan incomes potential make them ultimate companions for loyal Air Canada travellers.
For those who fly domestically or throughout North America a number of occasions a 12 months, one among these playing cards might simply elevate each journey — and make these lengthy layovers far more satisfying.
4. TD® First Class Journey® Visa Infinite* Card
The TD First Class Journey® Visa Infinite* Card is a strong all-rounder that quietly delivers a variety of worth for its mid-tier value level.
You’ll get six complimentary lounge visits every year by the Visa Airport Companion Program, a helpful perk that’s uncommon amongst playing cards at this degree.
You’ll additionally obtain a $100 annual journey credit score while you guide by Expedia for TD, serving to to offset a part of the annual charge or cowl some journey bills.
The place this card actually shines proper now could be its traditionally excessive welcome bonus, making it a wonderful selection for travellers trying to begin robust of their first 12 months.
You’ll earn TD Rewards factors, which might be redeemed for journey booked by Expedia for TD or any exterior journey buy at a set charge of 0.44 cents per level utilizing the new Pay Off Purchases function, a easy and versatile technique to redeem your factors.
Along with lounge entry, you’ll get robust journey insurance coverage, Visa Infinite advantages, and accelerated earn charges on journey, eating, and recurring payments. For the typical traveller, this card gives a pleasant stability of perks and affordability.
For those who’re on the lookout for an accessible method so as to add lounge entry and some premium touches to your journeys, the TD First Class Journey Visa Infinite is likely one of the most rewarding decisions in its class — particularly given the elevated provide at the moment obtainable.
TD First Class Journey® Visa Infinite* Card
- Earn 20,000 TD Rewards Factors upon making your first buy†
- Earn 145,000 TD Rewards Factors upon spending $7,500 inside 180 days of account opening†
- Plus, earn a Birthday Bonus of as much as 10,000 TD Rewards Factors†
- Plus, earn 8x TD Rewards Factors† on eligible journey purchases while you guide by Expedia® for TD†
- Get an annual TD Journey Credit score† of $100 while you guide by Expedia® for TD†
- Use your rewards for any journey bookings obtainable on Expedia® for TD†
- 4 complimentary lounge visits by the Visa Airport Companion Program†
- Minimal earnings: $60,000 private or $100,000 family
- Annual charge: $139, rebated for the primary 12 months†
- Provide efficient as of September 4, 2025†
5. CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card
The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card is a wonderful selection for travellers who need dependable lounge entry and versatile journey rewards with out committing to a excessive annual charge.
This card comes with 4 complimentary lounge visits per membership 12 months for you and any friends by the Visa Airport Companion Program†, which can be utilized at 1,200+ lounges globally inside the DragonPass community.
The cardboard solely prices an annual charge of $139,† and that is usually waived or rebated for the primary 12 months. The cardboard additionally earns Aventura Factors, which you need to use to assist cowl journey prices.
Given {that a} lounge go to usually prices in extra of $50 (USD) per go to, this a really strong card to hold even in case you’re simply trying to take pleasure in just a few free lounge visits every year and earn a pleasant stack of Aventura Factors.
CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card
- Earn 15,000 CIBC Aventura Factors after making your first buy†
- Earn 30,000 CIBC Aventura Factors after spending $3,000 within the first 4 month-to-month assertion intervals†
- Earn 2x CIBC Aventura Factors on all purchases by the CIBC Rewards Centre†
- Earn 1.5x CIBC Aventura Factors on eligible gasoline, groceries, EV charging, and drugstore purchases†
- 4 complimentary lounge visits per 12 months with the Visa Airport Companion Program†
- NEXUS software charge rebate of as much as $200 (CAD)†
- 12-month Skip+ free trial and different unique advantages while you hyperlink your CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card with Skip†
- Minimal earnings: $60,000 private or $100,000 family†
- Annual charge: $139 (rebated for the primary 12 months)†
Honourable Point out: WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡
WestJet is Canada’s second largest airline after Air Canada, making it a frequent selection for Canadians flying inside the nation and to pick out places overseas.
For those who discover that you just usually fly with WestJet, notably by WestJet’s residence airport in Calgary, and also you’re keen on lounge entry, try the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡.
Though the cardboard doesn’t listing lounge passes as a part of its perks and advantages, by holding the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡, you’ll earn an annual companion voucher you can then select to transform into 4 lounge vouchers in case you received’t in any other case use it.
These 4 lounge vouchers are legitimate to be used by the cardholder and accompanied friends†, and might be redeemed at WestJet’s Elevation Lounge in Calgary and companion lounges (the total listing of eligible places might be discovered on WestJet’s web site).†
The WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡ has an annual charge of $119† (quickly to be elevated to $139) and usually comes with a powerful welcome bonus of WestJet factors that can be utilized to pay for the bottom fare, Different ATC, seat choice charges, and baggage charges of any WestJet flight, in addition to a free checked bag on WestJet flights.†
For those who primarily fly domestically or by Calgary, changing your companion voucher into lounge passes can simply improve your journey expertise, particularly when mixed with WestJet’s rising listing of companion lounges.
WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercardǂ
- Earn 25,000 WestJet factors upon making your first buy†
- Then, earn an extra 20,000 WestJet factors upon spending $5,000 within the first three months†
- Obtain an annual companion voucher for discounted journey on WestJet flights, with a co-pay beginning at $119 plus taxes and charges†
- Standing Elevate as much as 50 occasions per 12 months and earn standing with out flying†
- Free first checked bag for the first cardholder and as much as eight friends on the identical reservation†
- WestJet factors by no means expire
- Minimal earnings: $80,000 private or $150,000 family
- Annual charge: $119
Conclusion
Airport lounges are a good way to raise your journey expertise with added consolation and conveniences.
By selecting the best bank card so as to add to your pockets, you possibly can simply choose up free entry to lounges around the globe, along with different compelling travel-focused perks and advantages.
With the Amex Platinum modifications coming in 2027, now’s a sensible time to re-evaluate your choices. And for many travellers, the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card stands out as the very best total selection, providing six annual lounge visits, no overseas transaction charges, and wonderful on a regular basis worth with out the premium price ticket.
Whichever card you select, investing in lounge entry means smoother, extra satisfying journey from the second you arrive on the airport.
† Phrases and situations apply. Please seek advice from the cardboard issuer’s web site for up-to-date data. Cheap efforts are made to take care of accuracy of knowledge.
