Best Air Lounge Access Cards
Convenience and comfort are now synonymous with access to private airport lounges in the world of frequent travel and opulent experiences. Having a credit card that allows access to these lounges has become essential for travelers who appreciate first-rate facilities, leisure, and customized services. We will examine three premium flight lounge access cards in this extensive guide: the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite, Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite and the Platinum Card from American Express. We’ll explore their features, advantages, loyalty schemes, and applicability for various traveler types.
1 – The Platinum Credit Card from American Express
In the travel industry, the American Express Platinum Card is more than simply a credit card—it’s a representation of luxury and status. Sought after by discriminating travelers, this card is renowned for its luxurious benefits and exclusive experiences. It provides a range of advantages aimed at improving every facet of the travel experience, such as access to exclusive airport lounges. The unlimited access to airport lounges throughout the globe that comes with The Platinum Card is one of its most alluring benefits.
Key Features
- Lounge Access: Enjoy unlimited access to over 1,200 airport lounges globally, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing pre-flight experience.
- Rewards Program: Earn 70,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases in the first three months of Card Membership.
- Annual Credits: Receive $200 annual dining credit to use in the best restaurants in Canada and $200 annual travel credit to use in your next adventures.
- Exclusive Events: Access special events, dining experiences, and exclusive offers through American Express Experiences.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extensive lounge network with premium amenities.
- Annual credits for dining and travel.
- Exclusive events and experiences for cardholders.
Cons
- High annual fee ($799) may be prohibitive for some.
- Limited airline-specific benefits compared to co-branded airline cards.
Product details
- Annual Fee: $799
- Rewards Rate: Earn Membership Rewards Points on purchases, including:
2 points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada. 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel.
1 additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 spent on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made through American Express Travel. 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Intro Offer: Receive 70,000 points after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months of Card Membership.
2 – Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
A premium travel credit card, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is designed to provide outstanding travel rewards and privileges to its customers. It serves those who travel often and appreciate ease, flexibility, and value-added benefits. Get a complimentary Priority Pass membership, which entitles you to six complimentary visits annually to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide. Before your flight, unwind in luxury and take advantage of free refreshments, drinks, Wi-Fi, and more. Get Scene+ points for every purchase, with faster earning rates available for qualifying categories including daily transportation, eating out, grocery shopping, and entertainment. Redeem points for gift cards, retail, vacation, and other items, giving cardholders flexibility and value.
Key Features
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: One of the standout features of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is its elimination of foreign transaction fees. Cardholders can make purchases abroad without incurring additional fees, saving money on currency conversion.
- Travel Insurance: Enjoy comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and rental car collision insurance.
- Priority Pass Membership: Receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership with six free visits per year to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide. Relax in comfort before your flight with complimentary snacks, beverages, Wi-Fi, and more.
- Rewards Program: Earn up to $1,300+ in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene + points, with accelerated earning rates on travel, groceries, and dining. Redeem points for travel, merchandise, gift cards, and more, offering flexibility and value.
- First annual fee waived: you can enjoy the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Benefits without paying an annual fee. For the first year, this charge is waived, it offers more freedom and flexibility for their cardholders. From the second year, the annual fee will be $150.
- Visa Infinite Benefits: Enjoy exclusive Visa Infinite benefits, including concierge services, luxury hotel privileges, dining experiences, and special offers.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Comprehensive travel insurance coverage.
- Priority Pass membership with airport lounge access.
- Flexible rewards program with valuable redemption options.
Cons
- Annual fee ($150) from the second year of card membership
- Need at least a good to excellent credit score to apply for
Product details
- Annual Fee: $150
- Interest Rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances
- Rewards Rate: Earn 1x to 3x points on every $1 in purchases
3 – CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
A flexible credit card for travel, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card offers its customers special privileges in addition to worthwhile rewards. This card provides flexibility, convenience, and benefits that improve your travel experiences, whether you’re purchasing hotels, flights, or activities. With this card you can enjoy up to 4 complimentary lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program.
Get Aventura Points on all purchases, including petrol, groceries, and qualifying travel via the CIBC Rewards Center, where you may earn points at a faster rate. Redeem points for a variety of products, services, travel, hotels, gift cards, and more, providing value and flexibility. Take advantage of full travel insurance coverage, which includes collision/loss damage insurance for rental cars, emergency medical coverage, flight delay insurance, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Travelers may travel with peace of mind thanks to this coverage.
Key Features
- Aventura Rewards Program: Earn Aventura Points on every purchase, with accelerated earning rates on travel, dining, entertainment, and groceries. Redeem points for flights, hotels, merchandise, gift cards, and more, offering flexibility and value.
- Travel Insurance: Enjoy comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, emergency medical insurance, flight delay insurance, and auto rental collision/loss damage insurance.
- Lounge access: enjoy 4 complimentary lounge visits per year with the Visa Airport Companion Program.
- Mobile Device Insurance: Receive mobile device insurance coverage for your smartphone or tablet, providing peace of mind against theft, loss, or damage.
- Visa Infinite Benefits: Enjoy exclusive Visa Infinite benefits, including concierge services, luxury hotel privileges, dining experiences, and special offers.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Flexible rewards program with valuable redemption options.
- Comprehensive travel insurance coverage.
- Mobile device insurance coverage.
- Visa Infinite benefits and airport lounge access.
Cons
- Annual fee ($139) may be a consideration for some.
- Few rewards outside of the airline rewards chart.
Product details
- Annual Fee: $139 (first year rebated for primary cardholder)
- Additional Cards: $50 each for up to 3 additional cards
- Interest Rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances (non-Quebec residents), 21.99% on cash advances (Quebec residents)
Comparing Cards
When comparing the three cards—The Platinum Card from American Express, Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, and CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card—several key factors come into play.
Annual Fees
First, when it comes to annual fees, the American Express Platinum Card stands out as having a much higher price of $799 when compared to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card ($150) and the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card ($139)
Lounge Access
The largest network of airport lounges is provided by The Platinum Card from American Express, which grants access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide. While the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card grants access to 4 airport lounge visits per year via Visa Airport Companion Program, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card gives a complimentary Priority Pass membership with six free visits per year to over 1,200 lounges globally.
Rewards Program
In terms of reward schemes, the American Express Platinum Card comes with an initial incentive of 70,000 Membership benefits points in addition to regular benefits on purchases. The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers substantial redemption possibilities along with enhanced earning rates on grocery, dining, and travel. With faster earning rates on dining, travel, entertainment, and grocery, the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card gives Aventura Points on every transaction.
Travel Insurance
All three cards provide extensive coverage in terms of travel insurance. Emergency medical insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance are features shared by the American Express Platinum Card and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card. The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card also provides these benefits in addition to collision/loss damage insurance for rental cars.
The best card depends on your individual preferences, travel habits, and willingness to pay annual fees. If extensive lounge access and premium rewards are top priorities, The Platinum Card from American Express might be the best choice. For those seeking a lower annual fee with decent lounge access and rewards, Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card could be more suitable. Conversely, if prioritizing a lower annual fee with good travel benefits and rewards, CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card might be the better option.