Canada’s Finest Credit score Playing cards for Lounge Entry

American Categorical Canada just lately introduced that beginning in 2027, The Platinum Card^® and Enterprise Platinum Card^® will now 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 an excellent time to discover different playing cards that maintain you flying in consolation.

Airport lounges stay among the best methods to show journey downtime into an pleasurable 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 other ways to entry these areas, together with paying money or being an elite member of an airline loyalty program; nonetheless, one of many best methods to get pleasure from these airport oases is by holding an eligible bank card that comes with complimentary lounge entry.

On this article, we’ll take a look at the most effective 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 Beneficial?

Airport lounges supply greater than only a comfortable chair. They flip journey downtime into precise leisure. As an alternative of trying to find an outlet close to a loud gate, you possibly can get pleasure from a quieter area with free Wi-Fi, meals, and drinks.

Should you’re ready out a delay or an extended connection, lounges are value 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 precious when you’ve gotten a red-eye flight and land early morning and you could kill time till you possibly can test in at your resort.

Plus, with the price of airport meals creeping greater yearly, the complimentary snacks and drinks alone can offset a lot of a bank card’s annual price over time.

With that in thoughts, let’s check out which Canadian bank cards supply the most effective methods to unlock this consolation, from limitless entry (for now) to versatile passes for infrequent travellers.

Canada’s Finest Credit score Playing cards for Lounge Entry

Listed here are our picks for the most effective bank cards with lounge entry in Canada.

2. The Platinum Card® and Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Categorical

The Platinum Card® and Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Categorical have lengthy been the gold customary for airport lounge entry in Canada, and for good cause.

However with latest adjustments on the horizon, they’ve now slipped to the quantity two spot on our checklist.

Each playing cards supply complimentary, limitless entry to Plaza Premium, Precedence Go, American Categorical Centurion, Delta Sky Membership® lounges, and extra by way of the American Categorical 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 will want to spend $20,000 yearly, which could be a vital alternative price, particularly when those self same purchases may earn way more rewards on playing cards that provide greater multipliers for groceries, eating, or journey.

Nonetheless, there’s loads to like. Each playing cards embody a $200 annual journey credit score, in depth journey insurance coverage, and computerized Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold standing.

You’ll additionally get pleasure from entry to Amex Nice Inns & Resorts, which affords upgrades, late checkout, day by day breakfast for 2, and a US$100 property credit score at over 1,000 luxurious accommodations worldwide.

As ultra-premium playing cards, each have a excessive annual price of $799 (all figures in CAD), however this price is partially offset by the $200 annual journey credit score that’s provided by every card, ostensibly bringing the respective annual charges down by $200.

Plus, each playing cards usually supply sturdy welcome bonuses of the precious and versatile Membership Rewards factors, which might help justify the excessive annual price (at the least within the first 12 months).

At $799 per 12 months, the Platinum playing cards stay a wonderful alternative for frequent travellers who worth premium service and international consolation.

And for the reason that adjustments don’t take impact till 2027, it’s value making use of now to lock in a full 12 months of limitless lounge entry, particularly you probably have massive journey plans arising.

3. Premium Aeroplan Credit score Playing cards (CIBC, TD, and American Categorical)

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 Categorical 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 serious perk for those who often fly Air Canada or certainly one of its Star Alliance companions.

You’ll additionally get pleasure from precedence airport companies†, free first checked luggage† for you and as much as eight companions, and most well-liked 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 utility price rebate, which offsets the applying or renewal price for trusted-traveller screening, an important time-saver for frequent flyers.

Moreover, the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card and the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card additionally supply six complimentary passes by way of the Visa Airport Companion Program.

It’s a wonderful various while you’re travelling by way of airports with out a Maple Leaf Lounge. The American Categorical Aeroplan® Reserve Card, in the meantime, focuses on a streamlined premium expertise, providing lounge entry straight by way of 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 powerful Aeroplan incomes potential make them very best companions for loyal Air Canada travellers.

Should you fly domestically or throughout North America a number of instances a 12 months, certainly one of these playing cards may simply elevate each journey — and make these lengthy layovers way more pleasurable.

4. TD® First Class Journey® Visa Infinite* Card

The TD First Class Journey^® Visa Infinite^* Card is a stable all-rounder that quietly delivers numerous worth for its mid-tier value level.

You’ll get six complimentary lounge visits annually by way of the Visa Airport Companion Program, a useful perk that’s uncommon amongst playing cards at this stage.

You’ll additionally obtain a $100 annual journey credit score while you e-book by way of Expedia for TD, serving to to offset a part of the annual price or cowl some journey bills.

The place this card actually shines proper now’s its traditionally excessive welcome bonus, making it a wonderful alternative for travellers trying to begin sturdy of their first 12 months.

You’ll earn TD Rewards factors, which may be redeemed for journey booked by way of Expedia for TD or any exterior journey buy at a set fee of 0.44 cents per level utilizing the new Pay Off Purchases function, a easy and versatile approach to redeem your factors.

Along with lounge entry, you’ll get sturdy journey insurance coverage, Visa Infinite advantages, and accelerated earn charges on journey, eating, and recurring payments. For the typical traveller, this card supplies a pleasant steadiness of perks and affordability.

Should you’re searching for an accessible means so as to add lounge entry and some premium touches to your journeys, the TD First Class Journey Visa Infinite is without doubt one of the most rewarding selections in its class — particularly given the elevated supply presently accessible.

5. CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card

The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card is a superb alternative for travellers who need dependable lounge entry and versatile journey rewards with out committing to a excessive annual price.

This card comes with 4 complimentary lounge visits per membership 12 months for you and any visitors by way of the Visa Airport Companion Program†, which can be utilized at 1,200+ lounges globally throughout the DragonPass community.

The cardboard solely expenses an annual price of $139,† and that is typically waived or rebated for the primary 12 months. The cardboard additionally earns Aventura Factors, which you should use to assist cowl journey prices.

Given {that a} lounge go to typically prices in extra of $50 (USD) per go to, this a really stable card to hold even for those who’re simply trying to get pleasure from just a few free lounge visits annually and earn a pleasant stack of Aventura Factors.

Honourable Point out: WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡

WestJet is Canada’s second largest airline after Air Canada, making it a frequent alternative for Canadians flying throughout the nation and to pick areas overseas.

Should you discover that you simply typically fly with WestJet, significantly by way of WestJet’s house airport in Calgary, and also you’re desirous about lounge entry, try the WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡.

Though the cardboard doesn’t checklist 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 that you may then select to transform into 4 lounge vouchers for those who received’t in any other case use it.

These 4 lounge vouchers are legitimate to be used by the cardholder and accompanied visitors^†, and may be redeemed at WestJet’s Elevation Lounge in Calgary and accomplice lounges (the complete checklist of eligible areas may be discovered on WestJet’s web site).^†

The WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ has an annual price of $119† (quickly to be elevated to $139) and usually comes with a robust 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.†

Should you primarily fly domestically or by way of Calgary, changing your companion voucher into lounge passes can simply improve your journey expertise, particularly when mixed with WestJet’s rising checklist of accomplice lounges.

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 all over the world, along with different compelling travel-focused perks and advantages.

With the Amex Platinum adjustments 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 most effective total alternative, providing six annual lounge visits, no international transaction charges, and glorious on a regular basis worth with out the premium price ticket.

Whichever card you select, investing in lounge entry means smoother, extra pleasurable journey from the second you arrive on the airport.

† Phrases and circumstances apply. Please consult with the cardboard issuer’s web site for up-to-date data. Affordable efforts are made to take care of accuracy of knowledge.