Best Credit Card for Airport Lounge Access - 2025

Credit cards come with several benefits that make your travel expenses rewarding. Among various travel benefits, complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access is the most sought-after feature. This benefit helps card users to avail free access to select domestic and international airport lounges. Lounge access benefits are not limited to travel credit cards. Several debit cards and all-rounder cards also offer this feature as an additional benefit. However, the number of free lounge visits per year varies from one card to another. Read below to learn about the best complimentary airport lounge access credit cards in India.

Top 10 Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access in India

Here are the details of the top 10 credit cards with lounge access that are currently available in India:

1. Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card

• Joining fee: Rs. 5,000
• Annual fee: Rs. 5,000
• Airport lounge access benefits: Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card has a tier-based model depending on the customer’s annual spending. To reach the Silver Tier, you will have to spend Rs. 3 Lakhs or more in a year, Rs. 7.5 Lakhs or more for the Gold Tier, and Rs. 15 Lakhs or more for the Platinum Tier.
  • Complimentary domestic airport lounge visits: 8 for Silver Tier, 12 for Gold Tier, and 18 for Platinum Tier.
  • Complimentary international airport lounge visits: This international lounge access credit card offers 4 visits for the Silver Tier, 6 for the Gold Tier, and 12 for the Platinum Tier.
• Other key features:
  • 2,500 EDGE Miles as a welcome benefit on completing the first transaction within 37 days from the card issuance date.
  • Up to 5,000 EDGE Miles as a special anniversary gift on completing a year.
  • Up to 10,000 EDGE Miles on achieving the spending milestone.
  • 5 EDGE Miles on spending every Rs. 100 on travel spends (up to Rs. 2 Lakhs per month).
  • 2 EDGE Miles on spending every Rs. 100 across all other categories.
  • 1 EDGE Mile = Rs. 1. EDGE Miles can be converted to loyalty points with select airlines and hotels in a 1:2 ratio.
  • 25% off (up to Rs. 800, once per month per card) on dining at partner restaurants via EazyDiner under Dining Delights. 
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver.

2. SBI Elite Credit Card

• Joining fee: Rs. 4,999 + taxes
• Annual fee: Rs. 4,999 + taxes
• Airport lounge access benefits:
  • Complimentary domestic airport lounge visits: This is one of the best credit card for lounge access and 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits every quarter in India.
  • Complimentary international airport lounge visits: Complimentary Priority Pass Program membership worth $99 (valid for 2 years) for primary cardholders. 6 complimentary visits per calendar year to over 1000 airport lounges outside India (maximum 2 visits per quarter). 
• Other key features:
  • Welcome e-gift voucher worth Rs. 5,000 from Yatra, Hush Puppies/Bata, Pantaloons, Aditya Birla Fashion & Shoppers Stop.
  • Free movie tickets worth Rs. 6,000 every year. 
  • Up to 50,000 bonus reward points worth Rs. 12,500 per year.
  • Up to 25,000 bonus reward points on achieving milestone annual spending.
  • Spend-based reversal of annual fee on spends of Rs. 10 Lakhs.
  • 5X reward points on dining, departmental stores & grocery spending.
  • 2 reward points on spending per Rs. 100 on international transactions & all other categories, except fuel.
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver across all petrol pumps.
  • Complimentary Club Vistara Silver membership with 1 upgrade voucher & 9 Club Vistara points for spending every Rs. 100 on Vistara flights.
  • Complimentary Trident Privilege Red Tier membership with 1,000 welcome points on registration, 1,500 bonus points on first stay & additional Rs. 1,000 hotel credit on an extended night stay.
  • Lowest foreign currency markup fee of 1.99% on international usage.

3. Axis Bank Select Credit Card

• Joining fee: Rs. 3,000 (Nil for Burgundy)
• Annual fee: Rs. 3,000 (Nil for Burgundy); Waived on annual spends of Rs. 8 Lakhs in a card anniversary year
• Airport lounge access benefits:
  • This is one of the best international airport lounge access credit cards that offer up to 12 complimentary visits to international airport lounges with Priority Pass membership.
  • 2 complimentary visits to domestic airport lounges per quarter on spending Rs. 50,000 in the previous 3 months.
• Other key features:
  • 10,000 EDGE reward points (worth Rs. 2,000) on your first card transaction within the first 30 days of the card issuance. 
  • 5,000 EDGE reward points on spending Rs. 3 Lakhs in a card anniversary year.
  • Annual fee waiver on minimum annual spends of Rs. 8 Lakhs in a card anniversary year.
  • Flat Rs. 500 discount per month per user on at least Rs. 3,000 purchases on the BigBasket mobile app/ website.
  • Flat Rs. 200 discount (minimum transaction of Rs. 1,000 per order) on the Swiggy mobile app/website, twice a month. Use Code AXIS200. 
  • Priority Pass membership, BigBasket & Swiggy offers will be renewed on annual spends of Rs. 3 Lakhs.
  • 10 Axis EDGE points on spending every Rs. 200 & 2X Axis EDGE points on spending every Rs. 200 on retail shopping.
  • 6 complimentary golf rounds per year & 6 additional golf visits on spending Rs. 3 Lakhs annually.
  • Rs. 800 discount through EazyDiner with Axis Bank Dining Delight Program.
  • 1% fuel surcharge refund (up to Rs. 400/ statement cycle) on fuel purchases across all fuel stations in India. 
  • Cumulative cover of up to USD 500 for loss of travel documents & delay/loss of check-in baggage.
  • Purchase Protection up to Rs. 1 Lakh.

4. Axis Bank Miles & More World Select Credit Card

• Joining fee: Rs. 10,000 + GST
• Annual fee: Rs. 4,500 + GST
• Airport lounge access benefits:
  • This one of the best credit card for airport lounge access offers 8 visits per quarter to select airport domestic lounges on a minimum spend of Rs. 50,000 in the past 3 months.
  • 4 visits per year to 1,000+ Priority Pass airport lounges.
  • Priority Pass will be issued automatically on card activation.
  • Priority Pass lounge visits are available only for primary cardholders. Guest charges will be applicable to others.
• Other key features:
  • 15,000 award miles welcome bonus.
  • 6 award miles on spending per Rs. 200 on eligible spends.
  • 4,000 award miles as an annual bonus. 
  • Award miles never expire.
  • 30% off (maximum Rs. 1,000) at partner restaurants in India with Axis Bank Dining Delights.
  • Instant savings of up to 15% on flights & hotels through MakeMyTrip & Goibibo.
  • 10% off on orders through Swiggy & Amazon Fresh.
  • 10% off (up to Rs. 1,000) on Tira.
  • Insurance Coverage for Checked-In BaggageDelay, Baggage Delay, Checked-In Baggage Loss, Purchase Protection and Credit Shield. 

5. HDFC Infinia Credit Card Metal Edition

• Joining fee: Rs. 12,500 + applicable taxes
• Annual fee: Rs. 12,500 + applicable taxes. Waived on spending Rs. 10 Lakhs or more in the previous 12 months.
• Airport lounge access benefits:
  • It is an unlimited lounge access credit card that offers unlimited complimentary access at 1,000+ airport lounges in India and outside for primary and add-on card members using Priority Pass.
• Other key features:
  • Complimentary Club Marriott membership for the first year as a welcome benefit offering up to 20% discounts on dining and stay across the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Renewal benefit of 12,500 reward points upon fee realisation and card activation.
  • Book a 3-night stay at participating ITC hotels and pay for 2. 
  • 1+1 complimentary buffet at participating ITC hotels.
  • 5 reward points for spending every Rs. 150.
  • Up to 10 times reward points on travel and shopping spend on Smartbuy. 
  • Flat 15% extra discount on dining bills at 35,000+ restaurants.
  • Unlimited complimentary golf games at leading courses across India and select courses across the world. 
  • Unlimited complimentary golf coaching at select golf courses in India.
  • 24x7 global personal concierge.
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver across all fuel stations in India on transactions between Rs. 400 and Rs. 1 Lakh.
  • The lowest markup fee of just 2% on all foreign currency transactions.
  • Covers for Accidental Air Death worth Rs. 3 Crores and Emergency Overseas Hospitalization up to Rs. 50 Lakhs.
  • Credit Shield Cover of up to Rs. 9 Lakhs.
  • Zero credit card loss liability for any fraudulent transactions done with your card upon reporting it immediately to the 24-hour call centre of the bank. 

6. SBI Card PRIME

• Joining fee: Rs. 2,999 + taxes
• Annual fee: Rs. 2,999 + taxes; Waived on annual spending of Rs. 3 Lakhs.
• Airport lounge access benefits:
  • 4 complimentary visits per calendar year (maximum 2 per quarter) to International Priority Pass Lounges, outside India. 
  • 8 complimentary visits per calendar year (maximum 2 per quarter) to domestic lounges in India.
  • The offer is valid for primary cardholders only.
  • Call 1860 180 1290/ 39020202 (Prefix Local STD code) to get your Priority Pass.
• Other key features:
  • Welcome e-gift voucher worth Rs. 3,000 from top brands (Bata/ Hush Puppies/ Pantaloons/ Aditya Birla Fashion/ Shoppers Stop/ Yatra.com). 
  • 10 reward points on spending every Rs.100 on dining, groceries, departmental stores & movies.
  • 2 reward points on spending every Rs. 100 on all other retail categories (except fuel).
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver (Rs. 250 per month, per statement cycle) across all petrol pumps on transactions of Rs. 500 to Rs. 4,000. 
  • A Pizza Hut e-Voucher worth Rs. 1,000 on achieving milestone spends of Rs. 50,000 in a calendar quarter. 
  • E-Gift voucher worth Rs. 7,000 from Yatra.com/ Pantaloons on achieving an annual milestone spending of Rs. 5 Lakhs.
  • Complimentary Trident Privilege Red Tier Membership offering 1,000 welcome points on registration, 1,500 bonus points on the first stay & an additional Rs. 1,000 hotel credit on an extended night stay, 10% savings on bookings via the hotel website, and 10 points for spending every Rs. 100 during a stay at participating hotels. 
  • Complimentary Club Vistara Silver membership offering 1 upgrade voucher and 9 Club Vistara Points for every Rs. 100 spent on Vistara flights.
  • 20 reward points on every Rs. 100 (capped at 2000 reward points per calendar year) spent on your birthday.
  • Complimentary insurance cover against accidents and card fraud.
  • Rs. 50 Lakhs Air Accident Liability Cover.
  • Rs. 1 Lakh Credit card Fraud Liability Cover.

7. ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

• Joining fee: Rs. 12,000 for the annual plan & Rs. 1,000 for the monthly plan; Reversed on spending Rs. 10 Lakhs or above.
• Annual fee: Rs. 12,000 for the annual plan & Rs. 1,000 for the monthly plan; Reversed on spending Rs. 10 Lakhs or above. 
• Airport lounge access benefits:
  • If the customer has applied for the card on or after November 15, 2024: A complimentary Priority Pass Membership for the primary cardholder offers unlimited access to 1,400+ lounges in 145+ countries worldwide.
  • If the customer has applied for the card before November 15, 2024: A complimentary DreamFolks Membership for the primary cardholder offers unlimited access to 650+ lounges in 100+ countries.
  • Unlimited complimentary access to select lounges at airports in India.
• Other key features:
  • Buy 1 movie or non-movie ticket through BookMyShow and get up to a Rs. 750 discount on the second one (up to 4 times a month).
  • A complimentary golf round/ lesson on spending every Rs. 50,000 in the previous calendar month (up to 4 golf rounds/ lessons every month).
  • A complimentary digital shopping voucher on your birthday from Tata CLiQ worth Rs. 5,000.
  • A nominal mark-up fee of 2% on international transactions.
  • No over-limit and cash withdrawal fees.
  • Get a refund of up to Rs. 12,000 (for up to 2 transactions every year) on any flight/ hotel/ movie booking cancellation.

8. AU Bank Zenith+ Credit Card

• Joining fee: Rs. 12,000 for the annual plan & Rs. 1,000 for the monthly plan; Reversed on spending Rs. 10 Lakhs or above.
• Annual fee: Rs. 12,000 for the annual plan & Rs. 1,000 for the monthly plan; Reversed on spending Rs. 10 Lakhs or above. 
• Airport lounge access benefits:
  • Complimentary 16 access to international airport lounges using Priority Pass (limited to a maximum of 4 access per calendar quarter). 
  • Complimentary 16 access to domestic airport lounges.
• Other key features:
  • As a welcome gift, choose from a range of Luxury Brand Vouchers/ reward points worth Rs. 5,000 on card activation.
  • 1,000 reward points on minimum retail spending of Rs. 75,000 per statement cycle.
  • 5000 bonus reward points on annual/renewal membership fee payments from the second year onwards.
  • Complimentary Taj Epicure membership on minimum net retail spends of Rs. 12 Lakhs in a card anniversary year.
  • 2 reward points for every Rs. 100 on travel, dining & international spending.
  • 1 reward point for every retail spend of Rs. 100 across all merchant categories.
  • End-to-end airport VIP check-in with 4 complimentary services a year (up to 1 per quarter). To book call the concierge on 1800 210 0298 (toll-free) or 022-42320298.
  • Up to 16 complimentary buy 1 get 1 movie/event tickets (up to 4 buy 1 get 1 tickets every quarter) from BookMyShow (maximum discounts of up to Rs. 500 per ticket). 
  • 8 complimentary golf games/lessons a year (up to 2 golf rounds/lessons per quarter). 
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver (maximum Rs. 1000 per statement cycle) for fuel transactions done across all fuel stations in India. 
  • 24x7 Global Concierge Assistance at 1800 210 0298 (toll-free) or 022-42320298.
  • Air Accident Cover of up to Rs. 2 Crores, Card Liability Cover of up to Rs. 15 Lakhs, Credit Shield of up to Rs. 15 Lakhs, Purchase Protection of up to Rs. 50,000.
  • A complimentary device protection plan is available for electronics purchased with a Zenith+ credit card.

9. HSBC Premier Credit Card

• Joining fee: Rs. 12,000 (applicable after card activation).
• Annual fee: Rs. 20,000 from the next year; Not applicable for customers meeting the Premier eligibility criteria. 
• Airport lounge access benefits:
  • Unlimited access to 850+ airport lounges in India and across the world. 
  • 8 international lounge passes for your guests.
• Other key features:
  • Epicure membership with offers & benefits across Taj hotels, Taj Experiences gift card worth Rs. 12,000, and complimentary EazyDiner Prime annual membership as welcome gifts.
  • Buy 1 and get 1 offer from BookMyShow.
  • Complimentary EazyDiner Prime annual membership offering 30% off on your bill with EazyDiner (maximum up to Rs. 1,250).
  • 3 reward points for spending every Rs. 100.
  • Earned reward points will never expire.
  • Convert your money with a low foreign exchange fee of 0.99%. 
  • Emergency Services & International Travel Insurance.
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver at any pump in India on fuel spends between Rs. 400 and Rs. 4,000 per transaction. 
  • Refer a friend to unlock Rs. 5,000 worth of Amazon Vouchers. 
  • Attractive discounts at Marquee brands.
  • Learning offers with global partners like the British Council, Yousician, and eDX.
  • Overseas Education Assistance by the University Guys.
  • Health & Wellbeing with global partners like Medical Travel Companions and MedicaMap.
  • 1:1 redemption for 20+ airlines and Apple products with Imagine vouchers.

10. AU Bank Vetta Credit Card

• Joining fee: Rs. 2,999 + applicable taxes; Waived on retail spends of Rs. 40,000 within 90 days of card set up.
• Annual fee: Rs. 2,999 + applicable taxes; Waived on retail spends of Rs. 1,50,000 in the previous year. 
• Airport lounge access benefits:
  • Complimentary access at 1,000+ airport lounges in and outside India.
  • 1 complimentary visit to all participating lounges per quarter using Priority Pass. 
  • 1 complimentary airport lounge access per quarter in India using a VISA Card. 
  • Airport lounge benefits are also applicable to add-on AU Vetta credit card members within the mentioned complimentary number of visits.
• Other key features:
  • Vouchers of top brands worth Rs. 2,000 for first-time cardholders on retail spends of a minimum of Rs. 30,000 within 60 days of card setup.
  • 4 reward points on every Rs. 100 spent on departmental stores, groceries, and utility bill payments.
  • 2 reward points on every Rs. 100 spent at all other merchant categories.
  • 1 reward point on every Rs. 100 spent on rent, insurance, education, and government categories.
  • 500 bonus reward points per quarterly retail spend of Rs. 50,000.
  • Additional 1,000 bonus reward points per quarterly retail spend of Rs. 1 Lakh.
  • 1,000 bonus reward points on one retail transaction done on your birthday.
  • Rs. 1,000 worth of vouchers of top brands on retail spends of at least Rs. 2.50 Lakhs in a card anniversary year. 
  • 2 complimentary lounge access per calendar quarter at railway stations in New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kolkata (Sealdah), and Agra with VISA cards. 
  • Railway lounge benefits are also applicable to add-on AU Vetta credit card members within the mentioned complimentary number of visits.
  • 24x7 Global Concierge Assistance for booking travel, arranging a golf session, planning a perfect anniversary dinner, etc. 
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver (maximum Rs. 250 per statement cycle) on fuel transactions between Rs. 400 and Rs. 5,000 per statement cycle across all fuel stations in India.
  • Air Accident Cover worth Rs. 50 Lakhs, Credit Shield of up to Rs. 5 Lakhs, Purchase Protection of up to Rs. 25,000, and Credit Liability Cover in the event of credit card loss. 

Types of Airport Lounge Access Credit Cards

• Unlimited airport lounge access: These credit cards offer unlimited complimentary visits to domestic and/or international lounges.
• Domestic lounge access: These cards offer complimentary visits only to select domestic airport lounges.
• International lounge access: These cards offer complimentary visits only to select international airport lounges.
• Limited lounge access: These cards offer limited access to select domestic and/or international airport lounges. Such as 2 complimentary visits per quarter, 8 complimentary visits per year, etc.
• Lounge access on achieving spending threshold: These credit cards offer complimentary lounge visits only on achieving the milestone spending threshold in a quarter/year.

Best Credit Cards for International Airport Lounge Access

Best Lifetime Free Credit Cards with Lounge Access

There are no free lounge access credit cards. Most credit cards that offer lounge access come with an annual fee. The number of complimentary visits offered on the card is usually higher for the cards with a higher annual fee. However, if you only need to visit airport lounges a couple of times a year, you can go for a low annual fee card that offers 1 to 2 visits each quarter and also provides some other benefits. Also, the annual fee for some cards is completely waived on achieving the minimum annual spending threshold, making your card a lifetime free credit card with lounge access.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Credit Card with Lounge Access

Below are some key factors you must consider when choosing a credit card with lounge access:

• Number of complimentary visits: Some premier credit card offers unlimited lounge access while others have a limit on the number of free visits per year/ quarter. 
• Lounge network: How many partner lounges are there that you can access for free in India or abroad? 
• Fees: You must check whether the benefits on your card justify its annual fee, especially if you are not a frequent flyer.
• Additional benefits: If the card offers any extra benefits such as free visits for guests, priority check-in, complimentary meals, etc. 
• Spending limit: Nowadays, most credit cards offer complimentary lounge visits on achieving milestone quarterly/ annual spending limits.
• Guest access: If the card offers any guest access for free or not. 
• Insurance benefits: If the card offers any travel-related insurance benefits like air accident cover, insurance against damaged goods, etc. 

FAQs

Q. What is airport lounge access in credit cards?

Airport lounge access is a feature offered by some credit cards. With this benefit, you can get limited or unlimited free access to exclusive airport lounges across India or abroad. 

Q. Which credit card is best for airport lounge access?

Premium credit cards are the best cards for lunge access as they usually offer unlimited airport lounge access. HDFC Infinia Credit Card Metal Edition, ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card, and HSBC Premier Credit Card are some examples.

Q. How to check airport lounge access on credit card?

To check if your card offers lounge access, you can check the features of your card on the card provider’s website or the feature document received with your card.

Q. Which credit card has lounge access?

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card, SBI Elite Credit Card, Axis Bank Select Credit Card, Axis Bank Miles & More World Select Credit Card, HDFC Infinia Credit Card Metal Edition, SBI Card PRIME, ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card, AU Bank Zenith+ Credit Card, HSBC Premier Credit Card, and AU Bank Vetta Credit Card are some of the cards that offer complimentary airport lounge access.

Q. Which credit card gives free airport lounge access?

Apart from the free credit card with lounge access mentioned above, card networks like Mastercard, Visa, Mastercard, RuPay, Diners Club, and American Express also have their own airport lounge access programs, with which you can get complimentary access to partner airport lounges. Access to international airports would come in collaboration with Priority Pass, Lounge Key, Dream Folks and other providers.

Q. How to get airport lounge access with a credit card?

If you have an airport lounge access credit card, you can avail of complimentary access to participating lounges. Just show your boarding pass and credit card and the representative will swipe the card. Sometimes, a minimal fee might be charged, which is reversed.

Q. What credit cards provide airport lounge access?

Many credit cards offer complimentary airport lounge access including but not limited to SBI Elite Credit Card, Axis Bank Miles & More World Select Credit Card, HDFC Infinia Credit Card Metal Edition, ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card, AU Bank Zenith+ Credit Card, HSBC Premier Credit Card, and AU Bank Vetta Credit Card.

Q. How do I know if my credit card has airport lounge access?

You can check if your card offers free airport lounge visits on the card issuer’s website. If you are regularly availing of the lounge access benefit on your card, it is advised to keep track of it to know the available remaining free visits.

Q. Can I access the airport lounge with my wife's credit card?

Most credit cards offer free lounge visits to only primary cardholders. Some cards also offer access to add-on card members. If you are an add-on card member on your wife’s card, you must carry your own add-on card to get free access. However, some cards offer complimentary lounge visits to guests too. One such example is the HSBC Premier Credit Card which offers 8 international lounge passes for guests. In that case, you can get access using the primary cardholder’s card.