The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the top-tier travel rewards cards in the U.S., offering standout benefits for frequent flyers. Among its premium perks: access to Chase Sapphire Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and now—select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges.
This lounge access was added in late 2024 and has since been upgraded to include complimentary guest entry, making it one of the card’s most valuable and underappreciated features.
In this post, TheMilesAcademy breaks down how the Air Canada lounge access works, which locations are included, and what you need to enter—plus why this benefit might be more useful than you think.
Access Air Canada Lounges with the Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you hold the personal Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you’re eligible to access participating Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges when flying Air Canada or a Star Alliance partner. This perk also extends to authorized users on your account.
It’s important to note that this benefit is not available with the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ card—only the personal version qualifies.
We’ll walk through which lounges you can access, guest policy details, and what you’ll need to show at the door.
Which Air Canada Lounges Can You Access?
Thanks to Chase’s partnership with Air Canada, Sapphire Reserve cardholders can enter most (but not all) Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges around the world.
In the United States:
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Terminal 6
- New York LaGuardia (LGA) – Terminal B, Eastern Concourse
- San Francisco (SFO) – Terminal 2
In Europe:
- Frankfurt (FRA) – Maple Leaf Lounge
- London Heathrow (LHR) – Maple Leaf Lounge
In Canada:
- Calgary (YYC)
- Edmonton (YEG)
- Halifax (YHZ)
- Ottawa (YOW)
- Regina (YQR)
- St. John’s (YYT)
- Saskatoon (YXE)
- Toronto Pearson (YYZ) – Multiple lounges including the main Maple Leaf Lounge, Maple Leaf Lounge Express, and Air Canada Café (Note: Signature Suite not included)
- Toronto Billy Bishop (YTZ) – Aspire | Air Canada Café
- Vancouver (YVR) – Maple Leaf Lounge (excludes Signature Suite)
- Winnipeg (YWG)
Currently, Montreal (YUL) lounges are excluded from this benefit—this is a notable gap in coverage, especially for transatlantic travelers.
Some airports offer different lounges for domestic, transborder, and international flights. Lounge access will depend on your departure terminal and flight type.
Can You Bring Guests into Air Canada Lounges?
Yes, and this is a major update: Sapphire Reserve cardholders can bring one guest for free when accessing Air Canada lounges. This applies whether you’re the primary cardholder or an authorized user.
Want to bring additional guests? You’ll need to pay the following per-person entry fees:
- $59 CAD – Lounges in Canada
- $59 USD – Lounges in the U.S.
- €59 EUR – Lounges in the EU
- £59 GBP – Lounges in the U.K.
All guest entries are subject to lounge availability and capacity. It’s always a good idea to check the specific lounge rules before arriving, especially during peak travel periods.
What Airline Do You Need to Be Flying?
To use this benefit, you must present both:
- A valid Chase Sapphire Reserve card (or authorized user card)
- A same-day boarding pass for a flight operated by Air Canada or any other Star Alliance airline
You’re allowed to enter the lounge up to three hours before your scheduled departure. If you’re connecting, access is permitted even earlier, depending on your layover and terminal access.
This flexibility makes it easy to enjoy Air Canada lounge access whether you’re starting your journey or connecting through a hub.
Why This Lounge Perk Is Often Overlooked
While many travelers know about Priority Pass or the Chase Sapphire Lounges, Air Canada lounge access often flies under the radar. But it’s a valuable benefit—especially now that complimentary guest entry is included.
This perk is a huge win if you travel:
- Within Canada
- Between Canada and the U.S.
- On United Airlines domestically (yes, access applies even on United flights, as long as it’s part of Star Alliance)
In many cases, Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges offer a better experience than the United Club or standard Priority Pass lounges. Think quieter spaces, better seating, and more premium food and drink options.
If you’re a frequent flyer or even an occasional traveler passing through a participating airport, this perk can seriously upgrade your pre-flight experience.
Enjoy Air Canada Lounges with the Right Travel Card
The Chase Sapphire Reserve gives you access to a strong network of Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada, the U.S., and Europe when flying with Air Canada or a Star Alliance partner. You can bring one guest for free, and authorized users also get this benefit.
If you fly through airports like Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, or London Heathrow, this perk can make your trip more comfortable and efficient. Maple Leaf Lounges typically offer a better experience than many Priority Pass or United Club lounges.
To take advantage of this benefit and other premium travel features, consider applying for the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It’s a solid choice for frequent flyers who want more value every time they travel.
Apply now for the Chase Sapphire Reserve and start using your card to access better lounges on your next trip.
