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Part of Air Canada Aeroplan hub
GUIDE
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access rules: who gets in and who can come with you
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access is route-based: a Business or First Class ticket, Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K or 50K status, Star Alliance Gold, an eligible Aeroplan or partner credit card, Emirates Skywards or Virgin Australia status, a Chase or J.P. Morgan card, an existing Maple Leaf Club membership (purchases of Maple Leaf Club memberships are currently suspended on the cited page), or purchased access on certain fares. [1] Each route has its own eligible-flight condition, lounge list and guest allowance; the additional-guest fee stated for the premium-cabin, Aeroplan elite, Star Alliance Gold and premium-card routes is 59.00 CAD, USD, EUR or GBP, based on lounge location and subject to local taxes. [1] Air Canada invites customers to access Maple Leaf Lounges, Air Canada Cafés and Signature Suites within three hours of their scheduled departure time, or of their original departure time in the case of a flight delay, and connecting customers may join anytime while waiting for the next flight. [1]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Access is route-based, and a valid same-day ticket or boarding pass is required for a departing eligible flight. [1]
- Business and First Class ticket holders on eligible flights can use the lounge; guests pay 59.00 CAD, USD, EUR or GBP. [1]
- Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K and 50K members get a partner, one guest and up to 5 dependent children free, with an arrival exception at domestic lounges in Canada and the U.S. [1]
- Star Alliance Gold gets one same-flight guest free; additional guests pay 59.00 CAD, USD, EUR or GBP. [1]
- Aeroplan premium cards cover lounges in Canada and the U.S.; the One-Time Guest Pass covers domestic and transborder Canada plus Los Angeles, New York (LaGuardia) and Newark. [1]
- Purchased access is priced by fare and cannot be bought at the airport; Chase, Emirates and Virgin Australia routes carry separate lounge and guest terms, and the Maple Leaf Club route applies to existing memberships because purchases are currently suspended. [1]
What you can do after reading this guide
- Match a trip to the access route that covers it.
- See whether that route opens domestic, transborder, international or named-airport lounges.
- Identify the free guests and the extra-guest fee where one applies.
- Choose the fare and timing for purchased access and avoid the airport-purchase exclusion.
Who this applies to and what you need first
Maple Leaf Lounges are located in 18 airports across Canada, the United States and Europe, and Air Canada refers to 23 award-winning lounges. [1] This guide covers the Canadian English page and the routes set out there; other market versions, card annual fees and welcome offers are outside it.
At the reception desk, eligible customers must present their same-day ticket or boarding pass on a departing flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge or any Star Alliance member airline, and may also be asked for their Aeroplan Elite Status or Star Alliance Gold membership card. [1] Air Canada invites customers to access Maple Leaf Lounges, Air Canada Cafés and Signature Suites within three hours of their scheduled departure time, or of their original departure time in the case of a flight delay, and connecting customers may join anytime while waiting for the next flight. [1]
Super Elite, 75K and 50K members and their qualifying guests may use domestic Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the U.S. on arrival on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express. [1]
How do you check whether you can use a Maple Leaf Lounge?
- Confirm a same-day ticket or boarding pass for a departing flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, a Star Alliance member airline, or a codeshare partner where the route states it. [1]
- Check the cabin: Business or First Class is an access route. [1]
- Check Aeroplan status: Super Elite, 75K and 50K have their own access terms. [1]
- Check Star Alliance Gold and whether the guest is on the same flight. [1]
- For an Aeroplan business or corporate card, confirm the One-Time Guest Pass and the departure area. [1]
- For an Aeroplan premium card, link the card to the Aeroplan account, add the Aeroplan number to the booking, then present the same-day ticket. [1]
- Check Emirates Skywards, Virgin Australia Velocity, Chase, J.P. Morgan or an existing Maple Leaf Club membership if one applies; purchases of Maple Leaf Club memberships are currently suspended. [1]
- If no route applies, check whether the fare is Premium Economy, Latitude, comfort or Flex, and buy access during booking or at least 24 hours ahead. [1]
- Before travel, confirm the named lounge, guest count, fee currency and local taxes. [1]
Who can enter, on which flights, and with how many guests
| Who qualifies | Eligible flights and lounges | Free guests | Guest fee or purchase price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business and First Class ticket holders | Valid same-day ticket or boarding pass for a flight with Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, or a codeshare or Star Alliance partner; Maple Leaf Lounges. Emirates Business or First Class departure: international lounges at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Montréal-Trudeau (YUL). [1] | Guests join for a fee. [1] | 59.00 CAD, USD, EUR or GBP; currency based on lounge location and subject to local taxes. [1] |
| Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K and 50K members | Aeroplan number and valid same-day ticket or boarding pass for a flight with Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, a codeshare or Star Alliance partner; Maple Leaf Lounges. Arrival on those Air Canada flights: domestic lounges in Canada and the U.S. Emirates Business or First Class departure: international lounges at YYZ and YUL. [1] | Partner, one guest and up to 5 dependent children; dependent children under 25, in the family unit and financially dependent, with proof of age possible. [1] | Additional guests: 59.00 CAD, USD, EUR or GBP; currency based on lounge location and subject to local taxes. [1] |
| Star Alliance Gold members | Star Alliance Gold membership card and valid same-day ticket or boarding pass for a flight with Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, a codeshare or Star Alliance partner; Maple Leaf Lounges. [1] | One same-flight guest free. [1] | Additional guests: 59.00 CAD, USD, EUR or GBP; currency based on lounge location and subject to local taxes. [1] |
| Aeroplan business and corporate cardholders using a One-Time Guest Pass | Primary or secondary holder of TD Aeroplan Visa Business, CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business or American Express Aeroplan Corporate card, using a One-Time Guest Pass. Flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or under the Air Canada Express banner; domestic and transborder departure areas in Canadian airports; Los Angeles, New York (LaGuardia) and Newark; international departure areas excluded. [1] | The pass admits the primary or secondary cardholder, or a guest accompanied by the qualified cardholder; no separate guest fee stated. [1] | Not stated. [1] |
| Aeroplan premium cardholders | Primary or secondary holder of an eligible Aeroplan premium card: TD or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, American Express Aeroplan Reserve, Business Reserve or Corporate Reserve. Same-day ticket for a flight marketed or operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Express or any Star Alliance member airline; any lounge in Canada (domestic, transborder and international) or the U.S. [1] | No standing free-guest allowance stated. [1] | Additional guests: 59.00 CAD, USD, EUR or GBP; currency based on lounge location and subject to local taxes. [1] |
| Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum members | Travelling between Canada and Dubai International Airport (DXB), or on a connection to or from Canada and DXB, on any flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Express or Emirates; all lounges (domestic, transborder and international) at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Montréal-Trudeau (YUL). [1] | Not stated. [1] | Not stated. [1] |
| Virgin Australia Velocity and Business class | Velocity Gold, Platinum and Beyond VIP departing on any flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Express or Virgin Australia in any class; Virgin Australia Business class departing on any flight operated by Virgin Australia; all lounges in Canada, the U.S. and international airports, and the AC Café. [1] | Not stated. [1] | Not stated. [1] |
| Purchased access by fare | Premium Economy, Latitude, comfort or Flex fare; buy Maple Leaf Lounge access during booking or by updating the reservation at least 24 hours ahead; cannot be bought at the airport on the day of travel. [1] | Not stated. [1] | Premium Economy: $49.00; Latitude: $49.00; comfort: $59.00; Flex: $79.00. [1] |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business and J.P. Morgan Reserve members | Primary Chase Sapphire Reserve and J.P. Morgan Reserve cardmembers and authorized users; primary Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business cardmembers. Card and eligible departing same-day boarding pass for a flight operated by Air Canada or a Star Alliance member airline, for the cardholder and guests. Maple Leaf Lounge and Air Canada Café access at participating locations only; the page states that Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers and their guests are not eligible at Montréal (YUL) Maple Leaf Lounges. [1] | Each cardmember can invite one guest at no charge. [1] | Additional guests: 59.00 CAD in Canada, 59.00 USD in the U.S., 59.00 EUR in the E.U. and 59.00 GBP in the U.K.; fees subject to change and other taxes, fees and charges may apply. [1] |
| Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members | Existing memberships only; purchases of Maple Leaf Club memberships are currently suspended. Club Canada members can visit any of the 16 Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada; North America Plus members have access to more than 60 lounges in Canada, the U.S. and Europe; Worldwide members can choose from more than 210 lounges around the world. [1] | Worldwide members may be accompanied by one guest; no guest allowance stated for the Canada or North America Plus tiers. [1] | Not stated. [1] |
Worked example
Suppose an Aeroplan 50K member departs Toronto Pearson (YYZ) on Air Canada with a partner, one guest and two dependent children under 25 in the same family unit and financially dependent. On the Aeroplan elite route, the member, partner, one guest and up to five dependent children enter free; a further guest would pay 59.00 CAD, USD, EUR or GBP by lounge location, subject to local taxes. [1] If the same member arrives at a domestic Maple Leaf Lounge in Canada or the U.S. on an Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express flight, the arrival exception applies. [1] A Star Alliance Gold member instead gets one same-flight guest free and pays the stated fee for additional guests. [1]
Common reasons it fails
- No same-day ticket or boarding pass for a departing eligible flight. [1]
- The flight is not operated by an eligible carrier or Star Alliance member airline where the route requires it. [1]
- Arrival access is attempted at a domestic lounge without the Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K or 50K arrival exception. [1]
- A One-Time Guest Pass is used in an international departure area of a Canadian airport. [1]
- A Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmember or guest tries to use a Montréal (YUL) Maple Leaf Lounge. [1]
- Purchased access is requested at the airport on the day of travel. [1]
- A Maple Leaf Club membership is purchased; the page says purchases are currently suspended. [1]
- More free guests are brought than the route allows, or the Star Alliance Gold free guest is not on the same flight. [1]
- A minor is not accompanied by an adult lounge guest. [1]
Exceptions and limits
- Super Elite, 75K and 50K members and qualifying guests may access domestic Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the U.S. on arrival on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express. [1]
- Air Canada invites customers to access Maple Leaf Lounges, Air Canada Cafés and Signature Suites within three hours of their scheduled departure time, or of their original departure time in the case of a flight delay; connecting customers may join anytime while waiting for the next flight. [1]
- Limited-time offer: eligible Aeroplan premium cardholders can invite one guest travelling on the same flight at no extra charge; the page gives no end date. [1]
- The Aeroplan business and corporate One-Time Guest Pass excludes international departure areas in Canadian airports. [1]
- Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers and their guests are not eligible at Montréal (YUL) Maple Leaf Lounges. [1]
- Purchased access must be bought during booking or at least 24 hours ahead; it cannot be bought at the airport on the day of travel. [1]
- Maple Leaf Club membership route applies to existing memberships; purchases of Maple Leaf Club memberships are currently suspended. [1]
- Guest and lounge fees are non-transferable, non-refundable and subject to change; currency depends on lounge location and local taxes apply. [1]
- For the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business and J.P. Morgan Reserve route, access is dependent on available capacity in the lounge, and the benefit may be modified or canceled at any time without notice. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a Maple Leaf Club membership to get in?
No. The cited page says purchases of Maple Leaf Club memberships are currently suspended; the membership route applies to existing memberships. [1]
How many guests can I bring?
It depends on the route: Business and First Class ticket holders pay for guests; Super Elite, 75K and 50K members get a partner, one guest and up to five dependent children; Star Alliance Gold gets one same-flight guest free; Chase cardmembers can invite one guest; Maple Leaf Club Worldwide members may be accompanied by one guest. [1]
How much is an extra guest?
Where the page states a guest fee, it is 59.00 CAD, USD, EUR or GBP by lounge location, subject to local taxes. [1]
Can I use the lounge on arrival?
Only Super Elite, 75K and 50K members and qualifying guests have the stated arrival exception, at domestic lounges in Canada and the U.S. on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express. [1]
Can I buy access at the airport?
No. Purchased access must be arranged during booking or at least 24 hours ahead, and cannot be bought at the airport on the day of travel. [1]
Is entry guaranteed on the Chase Sapphire Reserve or J.P. Morgan Reserve route?
No. The page states for that route that access is dependent on available capacity in the lounge, and that the benefit may be modified or canceled at any time without notice. [1]
Next step and official entry points
Start with the official Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges page for lounge locations, hours and the current terms; confirm card-specific terms on the TD, CIBC or American Express pages linked there. [1]
Sources
- Air Canada — Maple Leaf Lounges. Air Canada; page: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges; language en. Accessed 18 October 2026.