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)
#301
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
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#302
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#303
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, BW Diamond Select
Posts: 706
Just noticed it in YVR as I walked by the MLL. It looks to be a 50/50 split between the two types of patrons.
#304
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I've heard many people get turned back over the years. Possible YMMV, especially if you really push it. Didn't YYZ get stiffer on this a while ago? I've never bothered myself, because the MLL is really no better than the Aspire lounge, so I'm wasting time clearing security twice for no benefit.
#305
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YVR stopped a few years ago. I've never successfully done it in YYZ.
But I know I've done it in YYC for a non-domestic departure, and I've never flown international from YYC.
I'd easily believe they stopped allowing it.
But I know I've done it in YYC for a non-domestic departure, and I've never flown international from YYC.
I'd easily believe they stopped allowing it.
#307
Join Date: May 2017
Location: YEG, SFO, VCA, JR JY-13
Programs: hahaha
Posts: 921
Nothing in the eligibility wording for 50K, 75K, and SE suggests that you aren't allowed...
However, on the four occasions this year alone where I've brought a guest along for on-arrival access, as I noted upthread, there were two occasions where I was denied entry. It was really annoying, and when writing in to ask for clarification they ghosted me
In my view, it's definitely allowed, just be prepared for them to act visibly confused that the on-arrival benefit exists *at all* before you throw the curveball at them that you're bringing in a guest.
However, on the four occasions this year alone where I've brought a guest along for on-arrival access, as I noted upthread, there were two occasions where I was denied entry. It was really annoying, and when writing in to ask for clarification they ghosted me
In my view, it's definitely allowed, just be prepared for them to act visibly confused that the on-arrival benefit exists *at all* before you throw the curveball at them that you're bringing in a guest.
#308
Join Date: Oct 2022
Programs: Aeroplan SE; Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 1,551
Nothing in the eligibility wording for 50K, 75K, and SE suggests that you aren't allowed...
However, on the four occasions this year alone where I've brought a guest along for on-arrival access, as I noted upthread, there were two occasions where I was denied entry. It was really annoying, and when writing in to ask for clarification they ghosted me
In my view, it's definitely allowed, just be prepared for them to act visibly confused that the on-arrival benefit exists *at all* before you throw the curveball at them that you're bringing in a guest.
However, on the four occasions this year alone where I've brought a guest along for on-arrival access, as I noted upthread, there were two occasions where I was denied entry. It was really annoying, and when writing in to ask for clarification they ghosted me
In my view, it's definitely allowed, just be prepared for them to act visibly confused that the on-arrival benefit exists *at all* before you throw the curveball at them that you're bringing in a guest.
Given what happened to you, shall we start needing to cache the official qualification criteria onto our mobile devices?
#309
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: AC 50K, WS Gold, MB Titanium, National EE, UA Silver
Posts: 237
Nothing in the eligibility wording for 50K, 75K, and SE suggests that you aren't allowed...
However, on the four occasions this year alone where I've brought a guest along for on-arrival access, as I noted upthread, there were two occasions where I was denied entry. It was really annoying, and when writing in to ask for clarification they ghosted me
In my view, it's definitely allowed, just be prepared for them to act visibly confused that the on-arrival benefit exists *at all* before you throw the curveball at them that you're bringing in a guest.
However, on the four occasions this year alone where I've brought a guest along for on-arrival access, as I noted upthread, there were two occasions where I was denied entry. It was really annoying, and when writing in to ask for clarification they ghosted me
In my view, it's definitely allowed, just be prepared for them to act visibly confused that the on-arrival benefit exists *at all* before you throw the curveball at them that you're bringing in a guest.
I know this is for sure the case for MLL on departure. I’m assuming this would carryover for the arrivals benefit as well but the lack of experience or expertise by the lounge agents is concerning.
#310
Join Date: Oct 2022
Programs: Aeroplan SE; Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 1,551
Many other airlines have much more stringent entry requirements for arrival lounges than departure lounges. However, AC does not have separate criteria for them (at least not officially).
#311
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
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Posts: 16,767
Maple Leaf Lounges are reserved for customers departing on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Express or a Star Alliance member airline. Exception: Aeroplan Super Elite, Aeroplan 75K and 50K Members as well as their qualifying guests may access the domestic Maple Leaf Lounges at airports in Canada and the U.S. upon arriving on an Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express flight.
The relevant ACPedia entry should say the same thing, so even if the agent gives you pushback about what the website says, that should confirm it.
Yes, they do. Access on arrival is only available to 50K and up. Access on departure is also available for 35K, *G, J, CC holders, pass holders, etc.
#312
Join Date: Oct 2022
Programs: Aeroplan SE; Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 1,551
I mean, in terms of family and guest policy, AC does not distinguish between departure and arrival lounges. On the other hand, many airlines do not allow guests at all for arrival lounges.
#313
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Lounge at YUL for US flights?
I have a LYS-YUL-US flight coming up soon. Once I arrive at the gate for the LGA flight, is there a Maple Leaf lounge in that area?
Last edited by Adam Smith; Oct 30, 2022 at 4:06 pm Reason: Remove off topic content
#314
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,607
In YUL there's a transborder MLL but that's the only lounge, no priority pass or oneworld/skyteam lounges in that area.
Last edited by Adam Smith; Oct 30, 2022 at 4:06 pm Reason: Remove off topic content
#315
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Thanks. I'm flying AC business class and I'm *G so it's the MLL that I want to relax in while waiting for the US flight.
Last edited by Adam Smith; Oct 30, 2022 at 4:07 pm Reason: Remove off topic content