Free airport lounge access through "Visa Airport Companion/DragonPass"???

[Reepicheep]

When I was standing in line at my TD bank branch yesterday, I saw a message on their advertising video screen indicating that my TD credit card now offers free airport lounge access. This was news to me, so I just did some research to find out the details.

It appears that this benefit is new for my credit card (TD Travel Visa), but the program (Visa Airport Companion through Dragonpass) has been available for years for numerous other BMO/CIBC/RBC/BNS/etc. credit cards. Do any of you make use of this benefit?

Alas, it appears that the Edmonton, Orlando, and LA airports are not part of this program, but Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal are. Since we often connect through one of those cities, it would be nice to hop into an airport lounge during our layover (time permitting).

Anyway, are there any posters here who could share their experiences with this program? Thanks.

 

[deedubb]

I have the Scotia Passport Visa which has a similar benefit and allows 6 lounge passes per year. It used to include the lounge at MCO, but now only includes the one in Terminal C which we never fly out of. We can use it at YYZ though. Nice perk but we rarely use it now.

 

[stevelle]

I also have the Scotia Passport Visa and make use of the passes flying out of YYZ quite a bit, also used in Vancouver, and in Edinburgh (I've already used all my 6 for the year and don't get new ones until next May). Nothing useful in MCO though because only lounge is in the terminal we rarely fly out of.

 

[Reepicheep]

Thanks for the comments. Since it won't cost me anything, I guess I have nothing to lose by registering for the benefit. Our recent travel pattern, however, usually results in a very short layover in Toronto on the way to Orlando, so it is unlikely that we'll be able to use the benefit, Oh, well...

 

[Reepicheep]

OK, another question. I just found a list on the VisaAirportCompanion website that indicates that Edmonton DOES have two lounges taking part in the program, one for domestic destinations and one for US destinations.

My question: when departing from Edmonton, would it be possible for us to use the passes in an Edmonton lounge, even though our travel had not yet commenced? I assume (hope) that this would be allowed.

 

[stevelle]

What do you mean by your travel has not yet commenced? Will you have checked in for your flight and gone through security? Then you just head to the lounge...

 

[Reepicheep]

What do you mean by your travel has not yet commenced? Will you have checked in for your flight and gone through security? Then you just head to the lounge...

Got it, thanks. I now realize it was a silly question. I'm very much looking forward to giving the Edmonton lounges a try.

 

[kuhltiffany]

I think you can search in the app for different airports and it shows you the options. It’s very helpful for flight delays, especially if you need to eat, the food and drink offerings are usually pretty good!

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

https://princeoftravel.com/guides/dragonpass/

I suggest you read the above article. Just because you have a "free" dragon pass membership, doesn't mean you get free lounge passes. You just have a free membership so you can PAY to enter the lounges. In article above, it notes which actual credit cards give out actual lounge passes.

Most credit cards offer the membership, but not the actual free passes.

 

[MyPrince&Princess]

THIS. Be very careful. I do not recommend paying for any visits to this lounge in YYZ for so many reasons. I have a CIBC infinite privilege VISA which gives me membership/access to the plaza lounge at YYZ and 6 free visits. It is nearly impossible to book for more than 2 pple at one time. You cannot get help from your CC OR the DragonPass "employees" which I am convinced work out of their basements somewhere offshore. I was able to book for 3 of my party of 5 using their website over 4 treacherous weeks of trying. Their website is garbage. As is their app. Spots and times available, but suddenly I was unable to book and times disappeared only to become available once again. I explained this to the DragonPass "employees" via several emails over and over. Sent screenshots, explained the issues. I would received a response 2-3 weeks after sending. Final response was received AFTER we got home from Europe. Long story short, I was able to book for our last 2 people ONLY by taking the route of PAYING for them, even though I had free passes from my VISA. Got to the lounge where the seats are single person couches. You can't sit with your travel companions. There are no tables. The food was disgraceful. Nachos, meatballs and pretzels. Not worth the 38 USD I paid for 2 of my travel companions. My son was sick the entire flight overseas because of the food.
Incidentally, in reference to the comment re free membership vs free passes, I have free membership with my BMO Airmiles card which requires you to BUY your visit for 38 USD. And I have free membership AND 6 passes with my VISA. If you have to pay for your visits, DO NOT DO IT. Free "membership" is essentially worthless IMO.

 

[MyPrince&Princess]

THIS. Be very careful. I do not recommend paying for any visits to this lounge in YYZ for so many reasons. I have a CIBC infinite privilege VISA which gives me membership/access to the plaza lounge at YYZ and 6 free visits. It is nearly impossible to book for more than 2 pple at one time. You cannot get help from your CC OR the DragonPass "employees" which I am convinced work out of their basements somewhere offshore. I was able to book for 3 of my party of 5 using their website over 4 treacherous weeks of trying. Their website is garbage. As is their app. Spots and times available, but suddenly I was unable to book and times disappeared only to become available once again. I explained this to the DragonPass "employees" via several emails over and over. Sent screenshots, explained the issues. I would received a response 2-3 weeks after sending. Final response was received AFTER we got home from Europe. Long story short, I was able to book for our last 2 people ONLY by taking the route of PAYING for them, even though I had free passes from my VISA. Got to the lounge where the seats are single person couches. You can't sit with your travel companions. There are no tables. The food was disgraceful. Nachos, meatballs and pretzels. Not worth the 38 USD I paid for 2 of my travel companions. My son was sick the entire flight overseas because of the food.
Incidentally, in reference to the comment re free membership vs free passes, I have free membership with my BMO Airmiles card which requires you to BUY your visit for 38 USD. And I have free membership AND 6 passes with my VISA. If you have to pay for your visits, DO NOT DO IT. Free "membership" is essentially worthless IMO.

Also, forgot to add that there is a max 2 hour limit of sitting in the lounge and they time you. We were out of there in one hour.