American Express (AMEX) | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) | Desjardins | Priority Pass | Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) | Scotiabank | Toronto Dominion (TD)
Priority Pass in Canada (updated September 10, 2018)
In light of the one-time fee increase (from $27 to $32 for American Express cardholders), I thought it was an appropriate time to update this post. Priority Pass continues to increase their inventory, including many more restaurants added to the portfolio. There is also over 1,200 lounges worldwide (up from 1,000 last time). Furthermore, several credit cards needed an update regarding their lounge access.
This post will list the Canadian credit cards that provide a free Priority Pass membership, along with lounge access specifics.
List of Credit Cards that Offer Priority Pass Membership / Passes
For Canadians, we actually have a fair number of credit cards to choose from that give us Priority Pass lounge access. The major changes include the addition of a Scotiabank card, and the removal of the BMO cards.
Just a reminder that effective October 1, 2018, the $27 fee mentioned below for all American Express cards increases to $32.
| Credit Cards | Lounge Access |
Annual Fees |
| American Express AeroplanPlus Platinum Card | Receive free Priority Pass membership. Pay $27 USD fee for each lounge visit. | $499 |
| American Express AeroplanPlus Reserve Card | Receive free Priority Pass membership. Pay $27 USD fee for each lounge visit. | $899 |
| American Express Air Miles Reserve Card | Receive free Priority Pass membership. Receive 4 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year. Thereafter, pay $27 USD fee for each lounge visit. | $299 |
| American Express Business Platinum Card | Receive free Priority Pass membership. Unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges, along with one companion. There is a $27 USD fee for each additional guest. | $499 |
| American Express Platinum Card | Receive free Priority Pass membership. Unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges, along with one companion. There is a $27 USD fee for each additional guest. | $699 |
| CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Receive 6 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year.Receive free Priority Pass membership. Receive 6 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year. Thereafter, pay $27 USD fee for each lounge visit. | $399 |
| Desjardins Visa Odyssey Infinite Privilege | Receive 6 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year.Receive free Priority Pass membership. Receive 6 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year. Thereafter, pay $27 USD fee for each lounge visit. | $395 |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Receive 6 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year.Receive free Priority Pass membership. Receive 6 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year. Thereafter, pay $27 USD fee for each lounge visit. | $399 |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card | Receive 6 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year.Receive free Priority Pass membership. Receive 6 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year. Thereafter, pay $27 USD fee for each lounge visit. | $139 |
| Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card | Receive free Priority Pass membership. Receive 10 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year. Thereafter, pay $27 fee for each lounge visit.
Supplementary cardholder receives 4 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year. Thereafter, pay $27 fee for each lounge visit. |
$399 |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Receive 6 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year.Receive free Priority Pass membership. Receive 6 complimentary Priority Pass lounge passes per membership year. Thereafter, pay $27 USD fee for each lounge visit. | $399 |
List of Priority Pass Lounges in Canada
Below is a list of Priority Pass lounges located at Canadian airports, listed in alphabetical order.
| Airport | Lounge |
Access Limit |
| Calgary International Airport (YYC) | Concourse A – Chinook Lounge | 3 hours |
| Concourse D – Aspire Lounge International Departures | 3 hours | |
| Concourse E – Aspire Lounge Transborder Departures | 3 hours | |
| Edmonton International Airport (YEG) | Domestic-International Terminal: Plaza Premium Lounge (across from Gate 54) | No limit |
| US Transborder Terminal: Plaza Premium Lounge (USA transborder) (near Gate 88) | No limit | |
| Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) | International Terminal – National Bank World MasterCard Lounge (one level up from Gate 52) | 3 hours |
| Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) | Main Terminal: Salon Vip Lounge (near Gate 29, on level 2) | No limit |
| Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) | Terminal 1 – Plaza Premium Lounge (domestic departures, on level 3) | No limit |
| Terminal 1 – Plaza Premium Lounge (international departures, near Gate 77, on level 3) | No limit | |
| Terminal 1 – Plaza Premium Lounge (USA transborder, near Gate F82) | No limit | |
| Terminal 3 – Air France – KLM Lounge (above Gate C33) | 3 hours | |
| Terminal 3 – Plaza Premium Lounge (domestic departures, between Gates B23 and B24) | No limit | |
| Terminal 3 – Plaza Premium Lounge (international departures, elevators near Gate C32) | No limit | |
| Terminal 3 – Plaza Premium Lounge (international departures, elevators across Gate C33) | No limit | |
| Terminal 3 – Plaza Premium Lounge (USA transborder, near Gate A10) | No limit | |
| Vancouver International Airport (YVR) | Domestic Terminal – Plaza Premium Lounge (domestic departures, near Gate C29 on level 3) | 3 hours |
| Domestic Terminal – Plaza Premium Lounge (domestic departures, near Gate B15 on level 3) | No limit | |
| International Terminal – Plaza Premium Lounge (international departures, after security on level 3) | No limit | |
| International Terminal – Plaza Premium Lounge (USA departures, across Gate E87) | No limit | |
| International Terminal – SkyTeam Lounge (International Departures, near Gate 53) | No limit | |
| Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) | Main Terminal – Plaza Premium Lounge (across Gate 6) | 3 hours |
Please let me know if I missed any credit cards or lounges!
About the 3 hour limit: I have never personally had the experience of being turfed out of a lounge once I was in. Is this actually enforced? And, if so, how? Does an attendant go around to everyone and check their ID to figure out how long they’ve been in the lounge, or ???
They check your departure time. Once you are in, too much to manage to kick you out.
If the lounge is not busy they will let you in. It’s more a rule that they can use to refuse people if the lounge is full and your flight is well more than 3 hours later. I seen it happen in some lounges.
I wish they had an Ottawa Lounge.
I wish too…
Good Day Matt. For the Scotia bank Passport Visa, are the lounge passes good after you cancel the card, or only good while you own the card ? I am looking for a card , low fee, just for the passes only, so this looks like a good option, would you say? do you know if they passes are received with card, as I have 2 weeks before travel ? Are they quick, easy approval ? What are the bonus points good for ? thanks so much , Susan
I’m going to say no, if you cancel your Scotiabank credit card, your passes should also be cancelled. You may not receive the physical card in time, but if you can get the number (ask Scotiabank for it once your card is approved), you can log into the App at least. 2 weeks is extremely tight.
Just received in the mail that my CIBC Aventura visa infinite now include priority pass with 4 complementary visit.
Looks like it, very exciting to see!
Dear Matt,
Thanks for the great info. Do you know if a credit card is linked to Star Alliance Lounges?
I am not aware of any
Hi Matt
My questions regarding Priority Pass visits – 6 per year with Scotia Passport Visa Infinite : if the card is in my name with my husband as supplementary cardholder, do we both have to have Priority Pass membership. Or will he be admitted free of charge when I present my card at a lounge? Also, if my adult son is travelling with me, can he be admitted as my guest with no charge?
I believe that from the wording, only the Primary Cardholder gets the lounge passes. But the primary cardholder can use the lounge passes on a companion that is flying with him/her. Here is the wording:
Priority Pass™ membership is for the Primary Cardmember on the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite account. It includes access to airport lounges participating in the Priority Pass program. Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Unless cancelled, Priority Pass membership automatically renews on its anniversary date. Priority Pass membership will be cancelled if your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is cancelled. Lounge visits are counted on a per person per visit basis (e.g. Lounge access by a Cardmember and one accompanying guest will count as two (2) visits). The first 6 lounge visits for the primary Cardmember per 12-month cycle from date of enrolment are complimentary. Beginning with the 7th visit for the primary Cardmember, lounge visits are subject to a per person per visit charge of $27 USD (this per visit fee is subject to change by Priority Pass). For complete Priority Pass terms and conditions, please visit http://www.prioritypass.com/Conditions-of-use.cfm. Priority Pass membership and services are provided by a third party and offered through Visa Canada. The Bank of Nova Scotia and its affiliates are not responsible for Priority Pass membership and services.
Hi Matt, Thanks for the info! For CIBC card, do we have to request physical passes or do we just show our visa card at the lounge? Thanks!
You’re welcome Winnie! No physical passes, just need to use your credit card.
Awesome! Thank you Matt. 🙂
Matt, if I keep the credit card, do I get 6 free priority passes per year? Do I ever have to pay for the Priority pass membership while I keep the Scotia bank Passport Visa? In other words as long as I pay the visa $139 fee per year, I get free Priority Pass membership with 6 free passes per year with no extra cost?
Thanks Matt.
Yes, you still get the passes. And you do not need to pay the Priority Pass membership fee.