Best Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access in India 2024

Credit cards with airport lounge access is a benefit which is often underutilized by credit card users. Airport lounges are the comfort zones where you can take a rest if you reach the airport a few hours earlier than your flight. You can also gorge on awesome food while relaxing at these airport lounges. You are only charged a minimal amount as low as Rs. 2 or Rs. 25 depending on what type of card you carry, VISA or MasterCard respectively.

Top 10 Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access - Sep'24

When choosing airport lounge access credit cards, it's important to consider the fees and annual charges associated with the card. Some cards may have higher fees but offer more extensive lounge access, while others may have lower fees but more limited lounge access. It's also a good idea to consider the other benefits offered by the card, such as travel insurance, dining discounts, and fuel surcharge waivers, to determine whether the card is a good fit for your needs. Below you can compare the best credit card for lounge access:

It's important to note that the fees and annual charges listed in the table are subject to change and may vary depending on the norms of respective banks. It's always a good idea to carefully review the terms and conditions of any credit card before applying.

Different Bank Credit Cards Offering Airport Lounge Access

There are several banks who are offering some good credit cards that are both charging an annual fee and some are free too. Here’s a quick look at some of the banks and the cards that they are offering.

SBI Card Lounge Access

Choose from cards like SBI Prime, offering 8 complimentary domestic and 4 international lounge visits per year, or SBI ELITE, granting 2 domestic lounge visits every quarter. Additionally, specific cards like Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME and Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card offer exclusive lounge access benefits tailored to frequent travelers.

SBI ELITE Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs. 4999 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - e- Gift Voucher worth Rs. 5,000
• Lounge Access - 8 complimentary domestic lounge & 6 international lounge access in a year.
• Get 5X Reward Points on Dining, Departmental stores and Grocery Spends.
• Earn 2 Reward Points per Rs. 100 on all other spends, except fuel
• Earn 10,000 bonus Reward Points on achieving annual spends of Rs. 3 lakhs and 4 lakhs
• Fuel surcharge waivers.
• Dining discounts
• Free Movie tickets

SBI PRIME Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs. 2999 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - e- Gift Voucher worth Rs. 3,000
• Lounge Access - 8 complimentary visits per calendar year to Domestic Lounges and 4 complimentary visits per calendar year to International Priority Pass lounges outside India.
• Get 10 reward points on every Rs. 100 spent on dining, groceries, departmental stores and movies.
• Get Pizza Hut e-Voucher worth Rs. 1,000 on achieving spends of Rs. 50,000 in a calendar quarter.
• Waiver of Renewal Fee on annual spends of Rs. 3 Lakhs.
• E-Gift Voucher worth Rs. 7,000 from Yatra.com/Pantaloons on achieving annual spends of Rs. 5 Lakhs.
• Enjoy complimentary Trident Privilege Red Tier Membership.
• Enjoy Complimentary Club Vistara Silver membership. Get 1 Upgrade Voucher. Earn 9 Club Vistara Points for every Rs. 100 spent on Vistara flights.

Air India SBI Signature Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs. 4999 + Taxes
• Get 20,000 Reward points as a welcome gift on payment of your joining fee.
• Enjoy complimentary membership of the Air India Frequent Flyer program-Flying Returns.
• Lounge Access - 8 complimentary visits per year to Domestic VISA Lounges in India.
• Get 4 reward points on every Rs. 100 spent.
• Convert your Reward points into Air India miles. 1 Reward point is equal to 1 Air India Air mile.
• Earn upto 30 Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent on Air India tickets booked through airindia.com, airindia mobile app.

Club Vistara SBI Card Prime

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs. 2999 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - Get 1 Premium Economy ticket as an E-Gift Voucher on payment of Annual / Renewal fee.
• Lounge Access - 8 complimentary visits per year to Domestic VISA Lounges in India.
• Earn 4 CV Points (per Rs. 200 spent) on all your spends.
• Spend Rs. 75,000 within 90 days of card issuance and get 3000 bonus CV Points.
• Get 1 Premium Economy ticket each on annual spends of Rs. 1.5 lakhs, Rs. 3 lakhs, Rs. 4.5 lakhs & Rs. 8 lakhs.
• Enjoy Complimentary membership to the Priority Pass Program worth $99.
• 4 complimentary visits per calendar year to International Priority Pass Lounges, outside India (max. 2 visits per quarter).

Axis Bank Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access

Axis Bank Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access cater to the modern traveler's desire for comfort and convenience. These cards offer complimentary access to exclusive airport lounges worldwide, providing a tranquil haven from the bustling airport environment. They also boast benefits like air miles, luxury dining experiences, and fuel surcharge waivers, making travel a more rewarding and stress-free experience for frequent flyers and jet-setters alike.

Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs. 3000 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - 1 complimentary Premium Economy Class air ticket and Complimentary Club Vistara Silver membership
• Lounge Access - 8 complimentary domestic lounge access in a year.
• Earn 4 CV points for every Rs 200 spend.
• Get bonus CV points and up to 4 Premium Economy class tickets on achieving milestones.
• Insurance benefits in case of loss of baggage, flight delay etc.
• Convert purchases to EMIs

Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs. 1500 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - 1 complimentary Premium Economy Class air ticket and Complimentary Club Vistara Silver membership
• Lounge Access - 8 complimentary domestic lounge access in a year.
• Earn 2 CV points for every Rs 200 spend.
• Get bonus CV points and up to 3 Economy class tickets on achieving milestones.
• Insurance benefits in case of loss of baggage, flight delay etc.
• Convert purchases to EMIs

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs.10000 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - Choose from one complimentary* economy class flight ticket across any domestic location and any voucher worth Rs.12500 as your annual benefit.
• Lounge Benefit - Unlimited complimentary domestic and international lounge access.
• 12 Axis EDGE rewards points on every Rs. 200 spends
• Flat 15% off on stay at Oberoi Hotels.
• BookMyShow upto Rs. 500 off on 2nd ticket.
• Upto 40% discount at over 4000 restaurants across India.
• Insurance benefits, Medical concierge program, 2nd medical opinion, Preventive healthcare benefits with medical assistance
• 25000 EDGE reward points worth Rs. 5000 on spending Rs 1 lac monthly.

HDFC Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access

HDFC Bank provides an array of credit cards catering to various needs, such as travel, shopping, and lifestyle. Among these, HDFC credit cards with lounge access stand out, especially in the travel category. These cards are highly regarded for their travel-centric perks, including the sought-after complimentary lounge access feature.

HDFC Regalia Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs.2500 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - 2500 reward points on joining and renewal.
• Lounge Benefit - 8 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access in calender year under minimum spend criteria.
• Up to 20% savings on all 20,000+ restaurants bill payments done via Swiggy Dineout.
• 4 reward points every time one spends Rs. 150.
• 10,000 bonus reward points on spending Rs. 5 Lakhs and additional 5,000 Reward Points on Rs. 8 Lakhs spends in an anniversary year.

HDFC Infinia Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs.12500 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - Welcome bonus of 12,500 Reward Points and complimentary Club Marriott membership for the first year offering 20% discounts on dining and stay in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Lounge Benefit - Unlimited free lounge access for both domestic and international airports.
• Enjoy a free one-year Club Marriott membership.
• Earn 5 Reward Points for every Rs. 150 spent (excluding fuel) with the HDFC Bank Infinia Card.
• Access to 24/7 global concierge services.
• Unlimited golf at top courses in India and abroad.
• Low foreign currency markup fee of just 2%.
• Exclusive dining perks with the Good Food Trail program.
• Avail 1+1 free buffet on weekends at select ITC hotels.
• Benefit from a 2+1 free night stay at participating ITC hotels.
• Annual membership fee waived based on spending.
• Enjoy a 1% waiver on fuel surcharge at all fuel stations.

HDFC Bank Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs.1499 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - 1,499 NeuCoins on Tata Neu App
• Lounge Benefit - 8 domestic and 4 international airport lounge access per year.
• Get 10% NeuCoins on your spends on Tata Neu app.
• Get 5% NeuCoins on Tata’s partner brands and 1.5% Neu coins on other spends.
• Low foreign currency markup fee of 2%.
• 1% fuel surcharge waiver up to Rs. 500 per month.
• Spend-based waiver of the renewal fee.

HDFC Millennia Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs.1000 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - 1,000 CashPoints as a Welcome Benefit.
• Lounge Benefit - 4 domestic airport lounge access per year.
• Gift vouchers worth Rs. 1000 on spending Rs. 1 Lakh or above in a quarter
• 5% cashback at select partner online merchants, including popular e-commerce websites like Amazon and Flipkart.
• 1% cashback on all other spends except fuel, rental, and government spends
• Up to 20% discount on partner restaurants via Swiggy Dineout
• Renewal fee waiver on spending Rs. 1,00,000 in the previous year.

American Express Cards with Airport Lounge Access

American Express Cards with Airport Lounge Access offer unparalleled luxury for frequent travelers. These cards provide complimentary entry to exclusive airport lounges worldwide, ensuring a relaxing and premium experience during your journeys. 

American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs.5000 + Taxes for joining year after that Rs. 10000 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - Get a Welcome Gift of 11,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points on a minimum expenditure of Rs. 30,000 within 90 days of card issuance.
• Lounge Benefit - Complimentary access to domestic airport lounges across India. 
• 1 Membership Rewards Point for every Rs. 50 spent with the card (except fuel, insurance, utility, EMI conversions).
• Monthly Flipkart/BookMyShow or other brands vouchers as milestone benefits.
• Complimentary membership of Taj Epicure.
• 2 complimentary rounds of golf every month at 32 premium golf courses across India.
• Dining offers with complimentary membership of EazyDiner Prime.
• 24×7 American Express concierge service.
• Air accident insurance cover worth Rs. 1 crore.

American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs.3500 + Taxes for joining year after that Rs. 5000 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - 10,000 Membership Rewards Points
• Lounge Benefit - 8 domestic airport lounge access every year (max 2 per quarter)
• 1 Membership Rewards Points for every Rs. 50 spent.
• Rewards Points-based Milestone benefits on reaching milestones like expenditure of Rs. 1.9 lakh / 4 lakh in a membership year.
• Complimentary Taj Stay voucher on expenditure of Rs. 4 lakh in a membership year..
• 0% convenience fee at all HPCL fuel stations across India.

AU Finance Bank Credit Cards with Lounge Access

AU Finance Bank Credit Cards with Lounge Access offer a gateway to luxury travel experiences. Cardholders can enjoy complimentary access to select airport lounges, providing a serene escape from busy terminals. These cards blend convenience with comfort, offering a peaceful retreat with amenities to relax or work, enhancing the travel experience for both leisure and business journeys.

AU Bank Zenith Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs.7999 + Taxes
• Welcome Benefit - Receive vouchers worth Rs. 1,000 on your first POS transaction and earn 10,000 Bonus Reward Points after spending Rs. 1 Lakh. These welcome benefits apply to retail purchases made within the first sixty days of card activation.
• Lounge Benefit - 4 domestic and 2 international airport lounge access per quarter.
• Up to 20 Reward Points per Rs. 100 spent.
• Vouchers worth Rs. 1,000 on the expenditure of Rs. 2 lakh in a calendar quarter.
• Complimentary Taj Epicure membership of minimum expenditure of Rs. 8 lakh in an anniversary year.
• 2,500 Bonus Reward Points on completing one retail transaction on your birthday.
• Lower foreign currency markup fee of 1.99% of the transaction amount.
• Complimentary (limited) domestic/international airport and IRCTC lounge access.
• Spend-based waiver of joining and annual fee.

AU Bank LIT Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Lifetime Free
• Lounge Benefit - 8 domestic airport lounge access per year.
• India's first customizable credit card, allowing you to choose features as needed.
• Free 3-month memberships to Zee5, Amazon Prime, and Cult.fit.
• Earn 1 Reward Point for every Rs. 100 spent on retail transactions.
• Accelerated Reward Points up to 10X on all transactions, online and offline.
• 1% surcharge waiver on fuel transactions between Rs. 400 and Rs. 5,000.
• Up to 5% cashback on meeting spend targets in retail.
• Additional 5% cashback on travel, dining, and grocery expenses.

IDFC First Bank Cards with Lounge Access

IDFC First Bank Cards with Lounge Access provide a touch of luxury to your travels. These cards offer complimentary entry to exclusive lounges across airports, ensuring a comfortable and serene experience before flights. Ideal for both leisure and business travelers, they provide a peaceful retreat with amenities, making layovers more enjoyable and travel less stressful. Elevate your journey with these premium cards.

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Lifetime Free
• Welcome Benefit - Receive Rs. 500 in vouchers for spending Rs. 15,000 within the first 90 days of card issuance. Additionally, enjoy a 5% cashback on EMI transactions, capped at Rs. 1,000, within the first 30 days of receiving your card.
• Lounge Benefit - 16 domestic airport lounge access per year.
• Earn 10x Reward Points for every Rs. 125 spent above Rs. 25,000.
• Special birthday offer: 10x Reward Points on every Rs. 125 spent.
• 6x Reward Points for every Rs. 125 spent online.
• 3x Reward Points for every Rs. 125 on offline purchases up to Rs. 25,000.
• Competitive interest rates (0.75% – 2.99%) and low foreign currency markup (1.5%).
• Complimentary railway and airport lounge access every quarter.
• Air accident insurance cover of Rs. 1 Crore and Personal Accident Cover of Rs. 5,00,000.
• Lost card liability cover up to Rs. 50,000.
• 1% fuel surcharge waiver on all fuel purchases.

IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Lifetime Free
• Welcome Benefit - Receive Rs. 500 gift vouchers from leading brands by spending over Rs. 15,000 within the first 90 days, plus enjoy 5% cashback on your initial EMI transaction within the first 30 days.
• Lounge Benefit - 16 complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access per year.
• Earn 6x Reward Points on all online spends.
• Receive 3x Reward Points for offline spends up to Rs. 30,000.
• Get 10x Reward Points for large spends over Rs. 30,000.
• Enjoy 10x Reward Points on all transactions on your birthday.
• Low 1.5% foreign currency markup.
• Up to 2 free golf rounds monthly on spending Rs. 20,000.
• Air accident insurance cover of Rs. 1 crore and personal accident cover of Rs. 10 lakh.
• 1% waiver on fuel surcharge.

Club Vistara IDFC FIRST Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs. 4999 + GST
• Welcome Benefit - Complimentary class upgrade voucher and 1 premium economy flight ticket voucher for Air Vistara
• Lounge Benefit - 8 complimentary domestic and 4 complimentary international airport lounge access per year.
• Free Club Vistara Silver Tier membership.
• Earn up to 6 CV Points for every Rs. 200 spent.
• Gain up to 6000 bonus CV Points for spending Rs. 30,000 monthly in the first 3 months.
• Up to 5 free Premium Economy Vistara flight vouchers for meeting spend milestones.
• Free 12 annual golf lessons.
• CFAR Trip Cancellation cover up to Rs. 10,000 for flights and hotels, twice a year.
• Attractive foreign currency markup fee of 2.99% per transaction.

HSBC Bank Credit Card with Lounge Access

HSBC Credit Cards with Lounge Access offer a premium travel experience. Cardholders enjoy the luxury of relaxing in exclusive airport lounges worldwide, turning layovers into moments of comfort. 

HSBC Premier Credit Card (Metal Edition)

• Joining Fee -  Rs 12,000
• Renewal Fee - Rs 20,000
• Welcome Benefit - Taj Experience Gift Card Worth Rs 12,000
• Forex Markup as Low as 0.99%
• Lounge Benefit - Unlimited domestic & 8 international airport lounge access every year
• Earn 3 reward point for every Rs 100 spend.
• 30% off your bill with EazyDiner (up to Rs 1250)
• Epicure membership with offers and benefits across Taj hotels
• Buy 1, get 1 free offer on booking movie tickets through BookMyShow
• 1:1 redemption for 20+ airlines, and for Apple products with Imagine vouchers

HSBC Cash Back Credit Card

• Joining & Annual Fee - Rs. 999
• Welcome Benefit - Amazon voucher worth Rs. 1,000 on transaction of Rs. 10,000 in the first 30 days
• Lounge Benefit - 4 domestic airport lounge access every year
• Enjoy 10% accelerated cashback on grocery, food delivery, and dining expenses
• Get 1.5% unlimited cashback on all other transactions (with some exceptions)
• Avail of the 'Buy 2, Get 1 Free' offer on movies via BookMyShow
• Receive a Rs. 1,000 Amazon voucher as a welcome benefit
• Experience the convenience of contactless payments with VISA Wave technology

How to Avail Airport Lounge Access in India using Credit Card Benefits?

If your credit card offers airport lounge access, then simply approach the lounge staff and show your card. Your card will be swiped and a very small fee (generally Rs. 2 for VISA card and Rs. 25 for Mastercard) would be charged. You can access the lounge and enjoy the benefits like comfortable seating, dining, beverages and other refreshments.

Best Zero Fee Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access

The airport lounge is a luxurious space where travelers can relax, work, or have a meal before their flight. Access to airport lounges can significantly enhance the travel experience and make it more comfortable, especially for long layovers. In India, there are several free credit cards that offer complimentary airport lounge access to their customers. Although some of these cards are not exactly free but after a decent spending they tend to waive off your joining and renewal fee so these cards can be counted as free lounge access credit card.

AU Small Finance Bank LIT Card

The AU Small Finance Bank LIT Card is a free credit card that offers airport lounge access to its customers. Cardholders can enjoy complimentary access to select airport lounges in India, subject to availability. The card also offers other benefits such as discounts on movie tickets, dining, and fuel.

IDFC First Select Credit Card

The IDFC First Select Credit Card is a free credit card that offers airport lounge access to its customers. Cardholders can enjoy 4 complimentary Domestic airport lounge visits per quarter. The card also offers other benefits such as fuel surcharge waiver, discounts on movie tickets, and dining.

HDFC Bank VISA Signature Credit Card

The HDFC Bank VISA Signature Credit Card is another free credit card that offers airport lounge access to its customers. Cardholders can enjoy a free airport lounge. The card also offers other benefits such as three add-on cards free for your family.

Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card

The Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card is a free credit card that offers airport lounge access to its customers. Cardholders can enjoy a free lounge access visit once per quarter. The card also offers other benefits such as discounts on movie tickets, dining, and fuel.

In conclusion, these are some of the best free credit cards with airport lounge access in India. Each card has its unique features and benefits, and it's essential to choose a card that meets your specific needs and requirements. With one of these credit cards, you can enjoy a comfortable and stress-free travel experience, even during long layovers.

FAQs

What is the best credit card for lounge access in India in 2024?

Airport lounges are highly coveted by frequent travelers, providing a respite from the bustling airport atmosphere. These lounges boast a range of premium amenities, including plush seating, charging ports for your devices, and complimentary refreshments. Some of India's leading credit cards that grant lounge access include the HDFC Regalia First Credit Card, InterMiles ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card, SBI ELITE Credit Card, American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card, and the Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card, among others.

What is the Cost of Lounge Access in India?

The cost of lounge access in India varies between airlines, with prices typically starting from INR 1,000 per visit.

Is it Possible to Obtain Free Airport Lounge Access?

Yes, free airport lounge access is possible by using a credit card that provides complimentary lounge visits.

How to Acquire Airport Lounge Access in India?

There are two ways to acquire airport lounge access in India, either by using a credit card that offers complimentary lounge access or by paying for lounge access at Indian airports.

What is Complimentary Airport Lounge Access?

A complimentary airport lounge access is basically a feature or offer provided by many credit card providers on specific cards. With this feature, the card gives you. complimentary or free access to airport lounges in partner domestic and/or international airports

How long can you stay in the airport lounge?

You can stay for a maximum of 3 hours in the airport lounge. Some of the extended lounges do have 4 to 5 hours of access. You can check the access time for the lounge that appears at the time of your booking.

Does Visa Platinum have lounge access?

Yes, Visa Platinum have lounge access where you can enjoy a couple of attractive lifestyle privileges and experiences that range from golf to shopping to dining and much more. Moreover, you can access 25 lounges globally through Visa Platinum.

Is food free at airport lounges?

Free food is available at most of the domestic airport lounges in India. You can avail this facility through the prescribed credit/debit cards.

Which Indian cards allow access to international airports lounge access?

HDFC Regalia First Credit Card, InterMiles ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card, HDFC Superia Credit Card, SBI ELITE Credit Card, American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card, Jet Privilege HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card, Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card, and Axis Bank Titanium Smart Traveller Credit Card are the best Indian cards that permit access to international airports lounge.

How do I get free airport lounge access?

You cannot access the airport lounge for free. You need to avail the best credit card which offers you lounge access to both domestic and international airports.