Last edit by: Bohemian1
This wiki will attempt to cover the ability to access various lounges operated by AC. Since many travellers are not familiar with the layout of Canadian airports, we will detail both physical access as well as rules.
Overview of lounges
AC has three types of lounges:
Locations & Physical Access
Lounges are in the following locations:
Notes:
Note that most of the Canadian airports used by AC have separate areas for domestic, transborder ("TB", i.e. to the US), and international flights. MLLs are often referred to based on which area of the terminal they’re in, e.g. “YYZ Dom” is the domestic lounge in YYZ, YUL Intl is the international lounge at YUL. Except when connecting from a domestic flight to a TB/international one, you can only use a lounge in the area from which your flight departs. For instance, a passenger flying from YYZ to LGA cannot use the YYZ Dom MLL as CATSA will not allow them to access the domestic wing; a passenger flying YXE-YYZ-LGA could use the YYZ Dom MLL as they will already be in the domestic area on arrival.
YYZ, YVR, and YUL have segregated international departures areas. The international MLLs cannot be accessed before domestic flights. In other locations, a "domestic" MLL can also be accessed before international flights.
Please note that while the US is a separate country, it is NOT an "international" destination in the way most Canadian airports and AC are set up. You can NEVER access the international lounges when departing on a flight to the US. (Passengers connecting in YVR between a domestic and US flight and following the connections path will enter the international departures area prior to the US area and although can physically access the international MLL, you will not be admitted and will be directed to the US area).
Lounges in transborder areas are after US customs pre-clearance, and can only be accessed by customers travelling to the US.
Access Rules
NEW Effective June 13, 2023
Access to Maple Leaf Lounges, Air Canada Cafés, and Signature Suites will be limited to three hours prior to scheduled departure time. Please note that this policy does not apply during flight connections or flight delays.
While it is not published at the time of writing this, the internal policy now exempts SEs and most passengers with reported disabilities (eg WCHR) from the three hour rule for Maple Leaf Lounges, but not the Signature Suite.
MLLs
Can be accessed for customers holding a SAME DAY DEPARTING boarding pass (for a flight operated by AC or another *A member) based on:
Domestic MLLs in Canada, and MLLs in the USA, can also be accessed by those ARRIVING on an Air Canada mainline, rouge or Express flight, for those holding 50K status and higher.
Signature Suites
Signature Suites require both (a) an eligible fare and (b) an eligible destination. Your flight must be a flight operated by Air Canada that is departing internationally from Toronto or Vancouver. It doesn’t matter whether you bought the ticket through AC or if you’re on an AC codeshare, or if your itinerary has other international connections. Unless your flight is operated by Air Canada, and is advertised as Signature Class, and is departing internationally from Toronto or Vancouver, you’re not eligible. The only exception is Emirates First Class - see below.
Eligible fares:
Eligible destinations:
NOT accessible to:
Cafés
Can be accessed by those with a departing domestic boarding pass (no arrivals benefit for the Café) based on:
While it is not published, the internal policy exempts SEs from that requirement, so you should be admitted.
LHR Arrivals Lounge
AC shares an arrivals lounge with UA at LHR, accessible to the following customers upon exiting the baggage hall in Terminal 2:
Overview of lounges
AC has three types of lounges:
- Maple Leaf Lounges (“MLLs”): essentially, regular lounges
- Café: café-style lounge with limited access and grab-and-go
- Signature Suites: essentially, only for long-haul international business class passengers
Locations & Physical Access
Lounges are in the following locations:
Notes:
- YYZ Transborder: there are 2 MLLs, a full MLL right after US CBP and a second, small MLL near the regional gates
- YYC Transborder: AC provides access to the Aspire lounge for status and J pax (no passes/credit cards)
- YTZ Café: the Café at YTZ is an Aspire lounge (accessible via Priority Pass and other programs) co-branded by AC
- EWR: the “MLL” is a co-branding of the United lounge in Terminal A; access rules are not entirely clear
Note that most of the Canadian airports used by AC have separate areas for domestic, transborder ("TB", i.e. to the US), and international flights. MLLs are often referred to based on which area of the terminal they’re in, e.g. “YYZ Dom” is the domestic lounge in YYZ, YUL Intl is the international lounge at YUL. Except when connecting from a domestic flight to a TB/international one, you can only use a lounge in the area from which your flight departs. For instance, a passenger flying from YYZ to LGA cannot use the YYZ Dom MLL as CATSA will not allow them to access the domestic wing; a passenger flying YXE-YYZ-LGA could use the YYZ Dom MLL as they will already be in the domestic area on arrival.
YYZ, YVR, and YUL have segregated international departures areas. The international MLLs cannot be accessed before domestic flights. In other locations, a "domestic" MLL can also be accessed before international flights.
Please note that while the US is a separate country, it is NOT an "international" destination in the way most Canadian airports and AC are set up. You can NEVER access the international lounges when departing on a flight to the US. (Passengers connecting in YVR between a domestic and US flight and following the connections path will enter the international departures area prior to the US area and although can physically access the international MLL, you will not be admitted and will be directed to the US area).
Lounges in transborder areas are after US customs pre-clearance, and can only be accessed by customers travelling to the US.
Access Rules
NEW Effective June 13, 2023
Access to Maple Leaf Lounges, Air Canada Cafés, and Signature Suites will be limited to three hours prior to scheduled departure time. Please note that this policy does not apply during flight connections or flight delays.
While it is not published at the time of writing this, the internal policy now exempts SEs and most passengers with reported disabilities (eg WCHR) from the three hour rule for Maple Leaf Lounges, but not the Signature Suite.
MLLs
Can be accessed for customers holding a SAME DAY DEPARTING boarding pass (for a flight operated by AC or another *A member) based on:
- Status
- Aeroplan 35K (domestic and transborder only; no guests; until June 1 2023 - no access on or after)
- Aeroplan 50K and up (spouse/partner, dependent children, and one guest)
- Star Alliance Gold (one guest)
- VA Velocity Platinum or Gold (one guest)
- Emirates SkyWards Platinum or Gold (one guest)
- Class of service:
- Business class (on AC or another *A carrier)
- Premium rouge
- Passes(passes may only be valid for certain locations, e.g. domestic/TB - Assume your pass is not valid for any International lounge)
- Given out to those with AC status
- Given out to certain credit card holders
- Purchased directly from AC as an add-on to the flight, either in advance or at the lounge
- Credit cards (no passes required, only for MLLs located within Canada and the US. No access to LHR, CDG, or FRA lounges):
- TD VIP (one guest through 31 December 2023)
- CIBC VIP (one guest through 31 December 2023)
- Amex Aeroplan Reserve cards
Domestic MLLs in Canada, and MLLs in the USA, can also be accessed by those ARRIVING on an Air Canada mainline, rouge or Express flight, for those holding 50K status and higher.
Signature Suites
Signature Suites require both (a) an eligible fare and (b) an eligible destination. Your flight must be a flight operated by Air Canada that is departing internationally from Toronto or Vancouver. It doesn’t matter whether you bought the ticket through AC or if you’re on an AC codeshare, or if your itinerary has other international connections. Unless your flight is operated by Air Canada, and is advertised as Signature Class, and is departing internationally from Toronto or Vancouver, you’re not eligible. The only exception is Emirates First Class - see below.
Eligible fares:
- Paid business class (originally booked in J, C, D, Z, or P classes)
- Business Class (Flexible) Aeroplan tickets - note that only Air Canada can ticket Flexible reward tickets; the website may incorrectly display a partner reward as Flexible
- First Class (Flexible) Aeroplan tickets when travelling on an Air Canada segment in Business Class
- Emirates First Class (one guest)
Eligible destinations:
- South America (Colombia and south)
- Europe
- Asia
- Australia and New Zealand
NOT accessible to:
- Passengers in business class on any type of upgrades (eUpgrades, Last-Minute Upgrades, bid upgrades, Star Alliance Upgrade Awards)
- Anyone booked in Business Class (Lowest) reward tickets
- Anyone booked on a reward ticket through a partner airline, e.g. United MileagePlus, Miles & More, etc
- Passengers flying internationally with Air Canada, but who are not departing on an international Air Canada flight from Toronto or Vancouver. Example, if you are arriving on an international flight, but connecting to a US or domestic flight - you will NOT have access to the suite.
Cafés
Can be accessed by those with a departing domestic boarding pass (no arrivals benefit for the Café) based on:
- Status
- Aeroplan 50K and up (spouse/partner, dependent children, and one guest)
- Star Alliance Gold (one guest)
- Emirates SkyWards Platinum or Gold (one guest)
- Class of service:
- Business class (there is no business class service from YTZ, but a business class boarding pass for the subsequent flight enables access)
- Premium rouge
- Credit cards:
- TD VIP (one guest through 31 December 2023)
- CIBC VIP (one guest through 31 December 2023)
- Amex Aeroplan Reserve cards
While it is not published, the internal policy exempts SEs from that requirement, so you should be admitted.
LHR Arrivals Lounge
AC shares an arrivals lounge with UA at LHR, accessible to the following customers upon exiting the baggage hall in Terminal 2:
- Business Class (Including upgrades to J)
- Aeroplan Super Elite (one guest) when arriving on an Air Canada flight.
AC Lounge Access - physical locations and rules (2022 onwards)
#136
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
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One thing about the chart of lounge locations... It might be confusing to someone flying YOW/YHZ/YYT-LHR, suggesting they don't have access to a MLL.
Same-ish for YYC.
It might be worth merging the cells in those rows and showing one check for both columns?
#139
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#140
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
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Per the small print in the card rules: "A Primary Cardholder and Additional Cardholder(s) are each entitled to complimentary access to any Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge located in Canada and the United States, including International Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the United States when travelling on an international itinerary. Access excludes Air Canada Signature Suites and lounges operated by third parties, such as Star Alliance member airlines. Guests of Primary Cardholders or Additional Cardholders may enter upon paying an applicable fee."
https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-ba...rivilege-card/
If you had the Amex version, you could bring a guest for free and the CIBC card has that benefit up until the end of this year.
#141
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YLW
Posts: 117
I think it might be time for AC to have a CC line and a Elite line at the MLL’s.
I have found in the last half dozen times both in YVR and YYZ there has been people in line talking to agents and it always be in relation to the lounge access with there credit card. Yesterday at YVR Dom lounge, a family of 4 were trying to access the lounge and were having a discussion how they had a credit card which allowed them access. The agent began to explain the policy and rules, and specifically inquired about the 2 adult kids who must be under the age of 24, this is where it got interesting. The parents explained “oh they are dependents that still live at home…. “ at this point the other agent had finished explaining to another guest something about credit card holders entering…. Now it was time for a few of us waiting to actually just scan our boarding passes and enter another over crowded lounge.
I have found in the last half dozen times both in YVR and YYZ there has been people in line talking to agents and it always be in relation to the lounge access with there credit card. Yesterday at YVR Dom lounge, a family of 4 were trying to access the lounge and were having a discussion how they had a credit card which allowed them access. The agent began to explain the policy and rules, and specifically inquired about the 2 adult kids who must be under the age of 24, this is where it got interesting. The parents explained “oh they are dependents that still live at home…. “ at this point the other agent had finished explaining to another guest something about credit card holders entering…. Now it was time for a few of us waiting to actually just scan our boarding passes and enter another over crowded lounge.
#142
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
A couple with a TD Visa Infinite Aeroplan card were turned away at the YYZ domestic because they were on an international itinerary. They said they were sent to this lounge by the check-in agent because their card didn't give them access to the international MLL, but the lounge agent was firm in insisting that they weren't allowing any international travellers in at all. Is that a common occurrence or was the lounge agent simply looking for an excuse to turn the couple away?
#143
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My sister was just turned away from the YVR International MLL despite flying BR9 (to TPE) in J. The agent said that BR pax had to use the Plaza Premium lounge nearby, and my sister literally FOTSG for this trip didn't press the matter further. Knowing her, she could have really used the shower at the MLL, ugh
This was around 11:30PM and knowing how empty the lounge was last week, I don't think crowding was an issue today.
This was around 11:30PM and knowing how empty the lounge was last week, I don't think crowding was an issue today.
Having said that, the PP lounge was probably an upgraded experience.
Last edited by Adam Smith; Aug 21, 2022 at 12:11 am Reason: Remove off topic content
#144
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The *A lounge finder even says you have access to the MLL or PPL.
#145
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 439
I really appreciate the wiki and I think I know the answer but I want to be sure before I give AC more money. Currently it's cheaper for me to book a multi-city from SFO to DCA, with an arrival at YVR and a layover of several hours before going YVR-YYZ-DCA. My read is they'd be issued as two tickets, but I could be wrong. I understand that on arrival in YVR I have to go through customs and baggage claim and then turn around to check back in for the domestic YVR to YYZ portion. What I'm curious about is whether I'll have access to the YVR MLL domestic since I'm taking a domestic transcon if I entertain AC's offer of buying a lounge pass. I plan to fly either business lowest to YVR or Flex/Comfort Econ, and then use eUpgrades for the YVR-YYZ portion, none of which would get me access to the MLL on its own.
#146
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: YVR, KUL
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My sister was just turned away from the YVR International MLL despite flying BR9 (to TPE) in J. The agent said that BR pax had to use the Plaza Premium lounge nearby, and my sister literally FOTSG for this trip didn't press the matter further. Knowing her, she could have really used the shower at the MLL, ugh
This was around 11:30PM and knowing how empty the lounge was last week, I don't think crowding was an issue today.
This was around 11:30PM and knowing how empty the lounge was last week, I don't think crowding was an issue today.
Not trying to defend the agent or what, given that this flies in the face of published access rules. Just trying to guess why that would've happened.
#147
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Ah, I did not realize they had these designations, I thought the MLL was only a *G designation with access for *G members flying internationally.
#148
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
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I'm a little confused about eUpgrades coming into the picture here... I figure if you've got eUpgrades you probably have status which would already get your MLL access either through lounge passes or plain status, but I digress. If you present yourself at the YVR domestic or YYZ transborder MLL with a J boarding pass, you'll be allowed in.
#149
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https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...lounges.html#/
Business Class Ticket Holders
Enjoy Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access as you wait for your Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada codeshare flight, or for a flight with one of our Star Alliance partners.
Enjoy Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access as you wait for your Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada codeshare flight, or for a flight with one of our Star Alliance partners.