Visa Airport Companion Review [2024]: Better than priority pass?

Everyone knows that airports can be pretty unpleasant places to be. While flipping through travel guides like Fodors and Lonely Planet, you're often so overwhelmed by the possibilities that you forget the stress of navigating through airports.

Once you've passed through security, there's nothing worse than getting to your gate only to discover all the seats are occupied. Wouldn't it be great to have free access to a spacious and comfortable lounge?

Here's where Visa Airport Companion comes to the rescue! The Visa Airport Companion program allows eligible Visa cardholders in Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean to access lounges in 450+ airports worldwide. You can also use it at little to no additional cost. 

If that sounds like something that might interest you, read my review of Visa Airport Companion for the inside scoop!

What is Visa Airport Companion?

As the name implies, Visa Airport Companion is a program eligible Visa cardholders can sign-up for, allowing them to access domestic and international airport lounges in 140 countries. It uses the DragonPass network, enabling you to access 1300+ lounges worldwide!

Alongside the Visa Airport Companion site, there's also the Visa Airport Companion app. You can find it on the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store. 

Who's eligible for Visa Airport Companion?

To enroll in Visa Airport Companion, you must first enter your card details on the website. This info will then be used to check your card's eligibility for the program. 

But not all Visa cards are created equally. At the time of writing, only Visa Infinite cards come with the Visa Airport Companion membership. Other travel Visa cards only offer a set number of complimentary lounge visits.

Consult the full list of eligible Canadian Visa cards offering the Visa Airport Companion benefit for more info. 

What are the benefits of Visa Airport Companion?

In addition to access to lounges, Visa Airport Companion also enables you to take advantage of discounts within the airport. At restaurants or retail providers, for example. Plus, access to private Wi-Fi networks and transportation services. 

While the Companion program does give you access to airport lounges, it's important to know that access is limited. Most cardholders will be allowed up to 4-6 lounge accesses a year free of charge. If you exceed your complimentary visits, you'll be charged per visit to the card on file. 

How to enroll in Visa Airport Companion

If you have an eligible Visa card, there are two ways you can enroll in the Airport Companion program. You can either go through the website or the Visa Airport Companion app. 

In both cases, select "Sign Up with Visa card" and enter your card details in the secure form. From there, you'll be prompted to enter your personal information and create a password. Once you've successfully enrolled, you'll receive a Welcome email with more info.

Where can I use Visa Airport Companion?

As the Visa Airport Companion program is partially based in Canada, it has several airport lounges where your passes can be redeemed locally. 

Currently, the program offers lounge access in the following Canadian airports:

• Toronto
• Vancouver
• Montreal
• Ottawa
• Calgary
• Winnipeg
• Quebec City
• Edmonton

It also extends to international lounges in airports around the world. Although, there are very few lounge options at airports within the US. Check the up-to-date eligible airport list to find the exact airports where the program will grant you lounge access. 

How does lounge access work?

Once you've enrolled with your card, you'll want to start using those free lounge access passes! The easiest way to access a lounge is by having the Visa Airport Companion app downloaded on your phone. Using it, you can access your Membership QR code in the app. Then show this at the lounge information desk to gain access.

If the app is inaccessible to you, or you're worried your phone might play up on you while you travel, you can even download your Membership QR code in advance. Log into your account online or in the app, then download your Membership card. You can now email it to yourself, so you always have access. 

As a final resort, you can also show the Visa debit or credit card you used to register at the lounge to gain access. Be advised that some lounges may not allow this option, however. You can also check on the Visa Airport Companion site to see if any given lounge will allow this kind of access in advance. 

Visa Airport Companion vs. Priority Pass

Visa Airport Companion is just one of many programs that offer airport lounge access. Another big name in the game is Priority Pass. 

Which one is the better option, you ask?

Firstly, Visa Airport Companion requires you to be an eligible Visa cardholder. Priority Pass is available to anyone but does levy a membership fee for joining. That said, an annual joining fee and subsequent lounge visit fees are applied to your membership. 

In contrast, many Visa bank accounts eligible for the Visa Airport Companion program levy a higher annual fee than this, even though lounge access is free. So you might want to weigh up your options if you're thinking of switching banks to get your hands on a Visa card and the Visa Airport Companion perks.

That said, both programs do offer discounted restaurant opportunities within airports. However, the Visa Airport Companion comes out on top with retail discounts as well.

Ultimately, the major difference between the two programs is that anyone can join Priority Pass regardless of their nationality or what credit cards they possess. In contrast, the Visa Airport Companion Program requires you to maintain certain Canadian, Latin American, and Caribbean registered Visa cards to use its services. 

So if you're not from these parts or bank internationally, signing up for a Visa Airport Companion membership may be out of the question. While there are many similarities between the two programs, Priority Pass is slightly more accessible, while Visa Airport Companion is cheaper. 

Is Visa Airport Companion worth it?

If you have an eligible Visa card, it's definitely worth it to sign up for the Visa Airport Companion program. It comes at no additional cost and allows you entry into around 4-6 airport lounges during your membership year for free. Whether you're a regular traveler or not, that's a pretty nice perk to have!

That being said, if you only fly once a year or so, signing up for membership is optional. While having lounge access on-hand anytime is nice, you do need to consider your fees for your Visa card, especially if you got one solely to sign up for the Visa Airport Companion membership.

My Rating: 4.1/5 

Pros:

• 4-6 free lounge accesses per year.
• Easy to enroll
• Mobile App
• Restaurant and retail discounts
• Available in airports worldwide

Cons:

• Only available to Canadian Visa cardholders
• Must have an eligible Visa card
• Limited access to US airport lounges

Hit the airport lounges on your next trip!

Whether you use the Visa Airport Companion program to treat yourself to a lounge visit or not, we want your travels to go smoothly. One of the surefire ways to make that happen is by being prepared and planning ahead with Pilot!