In anticipation of our ultimate guide to VIP airport lounges coming soon, here’s how 6 different types of access work very concretely. These 6 excellent cards are among the best that offer free lounge access, but their lounge access benefits are not identical at all.
Here are the details in infographic format for the 6 cards, with many more details (and many more cards) to come very soon.
American Express Platinum Card
Airport lounge access: American Express Global Lounge Collection (including Priority Pass)

We have a complete guide to the Amex Platinum airport lounge benefit with all the details.
Benefits of the American Express Platinum Card:
- Best lounge access (unlimited and for the largest network)
- Luxury benefits such as automatic hotel elite status
- Huge welcome bonus of ≈ $652
- Lucrative points with unlimited value (≈ $652 can become $2000+)
- Credit that reimburses your NEXUS subscription to avoid airport queues
- $200 travel credit that can be cashed in on Day 1 (so net fee is $599, not $799)
- $200 dining credit at luxury restaurants
- No minimum income requirement
- Excellent insurance
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card
Airport lounge access: Visa Airport Companion by DragonPass

We have a complete guide to the TD First Class Travel airport lounge benefit with all the details.
Benefits of the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card:
- Highest welcome bonus ever seen in Canada for simple points
- Simple points that can be redeemed for any trip at a fixed value
- Very low minimum spending requirements (giving you 20.5% back with the bonus)
- Excellent insurance
BMO Ascend World Elite MasterCard
Airport lounge access: Mastercard Travel Pass by DragonPass

Benefits of the BMO Ascend World Elite MasterCard:
- Best Mastercard with lounge access (so it’s accepted at Costco)
- Simple points that can be used for any trip booked on any website
- Free welcome bonus of $330
- One of the best earn rates for travel (3.33%), even if it’s not that important
- Excellent insurance
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
Airport lounge access: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges (North America)

We have a complete guide to the Air Canada airport lounge benefit with all the details.
Benefits of the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card:
- Unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges (widest coverage in Canada)
- Priority boarding (and other luxury benefits) on Air Canada
- Free checked bags on Air Canada (for 8 companions too)
- Free full-size carry-ons on Air Canada (even in basic economy fare class)
- Discounts on flights booked with points (on Air Canada, not partners)
- Accelerator for those with Air Canada Aeroplan elite status
- Lucrative points with unlimited value (≈ $442 can become $1,000)
- Credit that reimburses your NEXUS subscription to avoid airport queues
- No minimum income requirement
- Excellent insurance
American Express Gold Rewards Card
Airport lounge access: Plaza Premium (Canada)

Benefits of the American Express Gold Rewards Card:
- $100 travel credit that can be cashed in on Day 1 (so net fee is $150, not $250)
- No minimum income requirement
- Largest welcome bonus in Canada right now (except for premium cards)
- 8 lounge passes in the 1st year of your card (4 in 2025 and 4 in 2026)
- Lucrative points with unlimited value (≈ $930 can become $2,000)
- Credit that reimburses your NEXUS subscription to avoid airport queues
- Excellent insurance
Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card
Airport lounge access: Priority Pass

Benefits of the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card:
- More lounge passes than any other card in Canada (except cards with unlimited access)
- New increased welcome bonus (highest ever seen for this card)
- No foreign transaction fees (savings of 2.5%)
- Simple points that can be used for any trip on any website
- Low minimum income requirement
- Excellent insurance
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