Good morning everyone. I am sure by this point everyone and their mother has at least one Visa Infinite credit card, right? If you do and you happen to find yourself traveling through Montreal, Vancouver, or Ottawa airport, remember to check out the “Dedicated VIP security fast track lane.” My friend was flying back from Vancouver, Canada, last weekend and he saw a special security line for Visa Infinite cardmembers. He pulled out his new Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card and breezed through security. He said the line was much faster and easier than TSA PreCheck in the United States.
I couldn’t find much information about this benefit, but I stumbled onto visainfinite.ca (Canadian site – no corresponding US site) that is exclusively for “Visa Infinite Privilege cardholders.” Truth be told, I’m not sure if “Visa Infinite Privilege” is the same thing as “Visa Infinite” or if it is a higher, *more privileged* level. Does anyone know?
Fun fact, here are all the available Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Cards listed on the site:
Here are the complete terms and conditions of the “Dedicated VIP security fast track lane” benefit (I bolded all the headers and interesting tidbits):
Airport Benefits & Services – Montreal & Vancouver & Ottawa
You must be an eligible Visa Infinite® Privilege cardholder with a valid Visa Infinite® Privilege card to take advantage of the Visa Infinite® Privilege Airport Benefits & Services. Visa Infinite® Privilege Airport offer is subject to availability. Discounts and benefits are non-transferable and discounts cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Visa reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. For more information please visit www.visainfinite.ca/privilege. The Visa Infinite® Privilege Airport Benefits & Services are as follows:
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport
Dedicated VIP security fast track lane is available for Visa Infinite® Privilege cardholders only at International, Domestic and Trans-border checkpoints and Valet parking discount of 10% will be applied at point of sale (POS) when paid for with a valid Visa Infinite® Privilege card. Discount applies before taxes and cannot be combined with any other offer. The services are provided by Aéroports de Montréal and neither Visa nor The Issuer is responsible for any claims or damages arising from use of the Montreal Parking Authority services.
Vancouver International Airport
Dedicated VIP security FasTrack entrance is available for Visa Infinite® Privilege cardholders only at International, Domestic and Trans-border checkpoints. Vancouver Airport Authority FasTrack entrance generally available during peak times only & hours are subject to change. Processing times cannot be guaranteed. Valet parking discount of 20% will be applied at POS when paid for with a valid Visa Infinite® Privilege card. Discount applies before taxes and cannot be combined with any other offer. Dedicated Visa Infinite® Privilege Limo/Taxi line is available at International arrivals area (including the US) and the Domestic arrivals area. Dedicated parking spots are based on a first-come, first-serve basis, and cardholders are required to pay the regular parking rates when using the Dedicated Visa Infinite® Privilege parking spots. Ineligible or non-Visa Infinite® Privilege cardholders using the dedicated parking spots will be given a warning by the parking authority. This offer is subject to Vancouver Airport Privacy Policy. The services are provided by Vancouver Airport Authority or its operators and suppliers neither Visa nor the Issuer is responsible for any claims or damages arising from use of the Vancouver Airport Authority services.
Ottawa International Airport
Dedicated VIP Priority Lane entrance is available for Visa Infinite® Privilege cardholders at the Domestic/International checkpoint only. Processing times cannot be guaranteed. Dedicated parking spots are based on a first-come, first-serve basis and Cardholders are required to pay the regular parking rates when using the dedicated Visa Infinite® Privilege parking spots. Ineligible or non-Visa Infinite® Privilege cardholders using the dedicated parking spots will be given a warning by the parking authority. A 15% discount off standard parking fees will be available for Visa Infinite® Privilege cardholders. In order to receive the discount cardholders must receive, maintain and use their discount voucher at one of the pay-on-foot payment machines or exit gates at the P1 Parkade or P4 Long Term parking. Discount applies before taxes and cannot be combined with any other offer. This offer is subject to Ottawa Airport Terms of Use.
It is strange that the website lists the same benefit 3 different ways:
- Dedicated VIP security fast track lane (Montreal)
- Dedicated VIP security FasTrack entrance (Vancouver)
- Dedicated VIP Priority Lane entrance (Ottawa)
I assume the security lanes and process are the same at all 3 Canadian airports, but I am unable to verify that fact. For Vancouver travelers, it seems like the security lane is hit or miss based on the fact that the line is “generally available during peak times only & hours are subject to change.” That’s not very reassuring. If you are traveling through any of the above airport, check out the Visa Infinite security lane and let me know your thoughts. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Have a great day everyone!
amex platinum cardholders get their own security line in the main Air Canada terminal (2? I think) at Toronto-Pearson. I’ve used many times- it’s rocks. Applies to both US and Canadian cardholders. But 3 airports is better than 1!
Thanks Bill, that is great to know. I’ll make sure to bring my AMEX Platinum if traveling through Toronto.
Infinite Privilege in Canada is roughly equivalent to Infinite in the US.
Infinite has been around for a long time in Canada and is roughly equivalent to Signature in the US.
Looks like all the Infinite Privilege cards in Canada require a $200K CAD minimum income and charge a $399 CAD annual fee.
I wouldn’t expect this to work all the time since Infinite cards are much more common in Canada.
Gotcha, that’s very helpful. I knew Visa Infinite was more common in Canada, but I didn’t know how exclusive the Visa Infinite Privilege level was. Thanks for sharing.
Another option for shorter lines at many Canadian airports is getting the NEXUS card. It’s cheaper than Global Entry at $50 USD or CAD for 5 years, but the fee is often not covered by Global Entry/TSA Pre credit card benefits.
It includes Global Entry/TSA Pre privileges, but one must interview at designated centres in Canada or near the Canadian border. One must also meet requirements of both the US and Canada to get this.
Many Canadian airports have dedicated lines for NEXUS card holders. I think these are the same as the Infinite Privilege/Amex Platinum lines.
That is a great option if you can visit one of the participating NEXUS centers. Great deal :)
Visa Infinite Privilege is a higher tier of Visa Infinite. In Canada, Visa Infinite Privilege requires $200,000 household income.
Dang, that’s a high net worth card. Thank you for sharing.
Regular infinite cards do NOT get access to those lines
I think you are right, but my friend definitely does not have a Canadian Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card, so maybe there is some confusion by the staff at the security lanes.
I just went through Vancouver and tried to show my shaphire reserve. They told me I needed the provledge card. Must be something in Canada they give card holders like priority pass would be in the states. So maybe friend was just lucky.
I guess so, bummer it didn’t work for you.
It’s so sad that not Visa Infinite Cardholders have the access to FasTrack at YVR. It has a very high annual fee price, and it’s not that worth it. I do know that Visa Infinite and Visa Infinite Privilege are two very different programs, though. Your best bet is to apply for NEXUS and use the very, very short Crew/Nexus security line for a mere $50 CAD/USD for 5 years. It’s CHEAP!
You can’t beat that price for NEXUS :)
can someone tell me where I can find the list of airports around the world that there is a visa privilege lounge
Start researching here: https://www.visainfinite.ca/privilege/en/home.html?category=travelLink