Free airport lounge access is a luxury much sought by frequent travellers. These lounges provide a respite from the crowds and noise of the airport. You can find comfortable seating, charging ports for your devices and even complimentary snacks. But the entry to these lounges is not free. This is why a number of travel credit cards in India offer complimentary lounge access as an added benefit. Here, we will talk about the best airport lounge access credit cards in India.
A number of premium and super-premium credit cards are available in the market that not only offer complimentary airport lounge access but also provide several other travel-related benefits. SBI Card, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank are among the top banks that offer some of the best credit cards for free airport lounge access in India and abroad.
Best Credit Cards for Free Airport Lounge Access- Snapshot
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Lounge Access |
| American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card | Rs. 5,000 | 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits in a year* |
| YES FIRST Preferred Credit Card | Rs. 2,500 | 4 international lounge visits and 12 domestic lounge visits in a year* |
| SBI Card ELITE | Rs. 5,000 | 6 international lounge visits and 8 domestic lounge visits in a year* |
| ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card | Rs. 3,500 | 2 international lounge visits per year and 4 domestic lounge visits per quarter* |
| HDFC Regalia Credit Card | Rs. 2,500 | 6 international lounge visits and 12 domestic lounge visits per year* |
| Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card | Rs. 3,000 | Access to participating domestic airport lounges |
| Citi PremierMiles Credit Card | Rs. 3,000 | 6 visits in a quarter under the Mastercard variant and 8 per quarter under the Visa variant |
| Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME | Rs. 2,999 | 4 International Lounge Visits and 8 domestic lounge visits in a year* |
| HDFC Bank Diners Club Premium Credit Card | Rs. 2,500 | Up to 6 free visits in a year |
| InterMiles ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card | Rs. 2,500 | 3 visits per quarter under American Express variant and 2 visits per quarter under the Visa variant |
*Terms and Conditions Apply
Please note that the above list includes cards that have moderate annual fees. There are some cards that also offer unlimited airport lounge access but they are from the super-premium category.
Jump to: Super-premium Credit Cards with Unlimited Airport Lounge Access
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
| Type of Lounge Access: Domestic and International Membership: Priority Pass Program Who can avail: Primary Cardholder Number of Free Lounge Visits in a Year: 4 visits (maximum 1 visit per quarter) to domestic airport lounges |
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers free membership to the Priority Pass Program (worth $99) under which the users can visit any of the 1,200+ participating lounges across the world. However, you should note that only the membership to the program is free; visits will attract a fee of US $32. In addition, cardholders can avail 4 complimentary visits to partner domestic lounges (Terms and Conditions Apply). Apart from the lounge access, the card also offers the following travel benefits:
- Milestone benefits are offered in the form of travel vouchers
- Welcome gift is also given in the form of 5,000 bonus membership reward points which are redeemable for vouchers worth Rs. 4,000
- 1 Membership Reward Point is given for every Rs. 50 spent
- Reward Points are valid for a period of three years from the day they are accumulated
YES FIRST Preferred Credit Card
| Type of Lounge Access: Domestic and International Membership: Priority Pass Program Who can avail: Primary Cardholder only Number of Free Lounge Visits in a Year: 4 international lounge visits (maximum 1 visit per quarter) and 12 domestic lounge visits (limited to 3 visits in a quarter) |
People looking for the best airport lounge access credit cards in India should consider YES FIRST Preferred Credit Card. Along with the complimentary Priority Pass Membership, the card also offers 4 free visits in a year to lounges around the world. For visiting beyond the 4 free ones or for guests, you will have to pay $27 + GST as the fee. 3 domestic lounge visits can also be availed in a quarter to participating 25+ lounges. Other travel benefits on this card are:
- 4 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent across all categories and 8 points on spending on domestic airlines, tour agencies and operators and on dining
- Convert reward points into JP Miles in 4:1 ratio
- A dedicated concierge service for travel and other needs
- 25% discount on movie tickets booked through BookMyShow
- Complimentary access to select golf courses in India with a free lesson and the green fee waived off
Read full review of YES FIRST Preferred Credit Card
SBI Card ELITE
| Type of Lounge Access: Domestic and International Membership: Priority Pass Program Who can avail: Primary Cardholder Number of Free Lounge Visits in a Year: 6 international lounge visits (maximum 2 visits per quarter) and 8 domestic lounge visits (limited to 2 visits per quarter) |
SBI Card ELITE is counted among the best credit cards in India because of the comprehensive benefits that it offers. With this card, you will get a free Priority Pass Membership along with 6 free international lounge visits across 1,000+ participating lounges. 2 free visits to domestic lounges can also be availed through the network provider. Some more travel benefits on this card are given below:
- Users are also entitled to a complimentary Trident Privilege Red Tier Membership
- Club Vistara Silver Membership is also offered
- Concierge service makes travel, entertainment, etc. easier for the users
- Low forex mark-up of 1.99% makes it a wonderful option for international flyers
Read full review of SBI Card ELITE
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
| Type of Lounge Access: Domestic and International Membership: Dreamfolks DragonPass Lounge Access Program Who can avail: Primary Cardholder only Number of Free Lounge Visits in a Year: 2 international lounge visits per year and 4 domestic lounge visits per quarter |
Membership to the Dreamfolks DragonPass Lounge Access Program is only offered by ICICI Bank in India on its credit cards. Their lounges are spread across 115 countries and with ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card, you can get 2 complimentary visits to any of the 450+ lounges. 2 free spa visits at domestic airports are also offered. Under the Mastercard or American Express network, 4 additional domestic lounge visits can be availed. Some more reasons why this card is considered good are:
- Shopping and travel vouchers worth Rs. 10,000 as a welcome gift
- 20,000 PAYBACK points per year
- ‘Buy One Get One’ offer on movie tickets
- 15% discount on dining at select restaurants across the country
- Up to 4 complimentary visits to select golf courses in India
Read full review of ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
HDFC Regalia Credit Card
| Type of Lounge Access: Domestic and International Membership: Priority Pass Program Who can avail: Primary and Add-on Cardholder Number of Free Lounge Visits in a Year: 6 international lounge visits per year and 12 domestic lounge visits per calendar year |
HDFC Regalia Credit Card is one of the best credit cards in India as it lets you enjoy privileges across travel and other categories. Under both Visa and Mastercard variants, you will get 12 free visits to participating lounges. The card also offers Priority Pass Membership but it is offered on making at least 4 retail transactions on the card. Primary and add-on cardholder can avail a total of 6 visits in a year. Other features of the card are:
- Complimentary Zomato Gold Membership
- 4 Reward Points for every Rs. 150 spent
- Points redemption against gifts and merchandise or convert into air miles
- Low foreign currency markup of 2% on foreign transactions
- Complimentary travel concierge services
Read Full Review of HDFC Regalia Credit Card
Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card
| Type of Lounge Access: Domestic only Membership: None Who can avail: Primary Cardholder Number of Free Lounge Visits in a Year: Unlimited access to participating domestic lounges only |
Since this card is launched in collaboration with Vistara Airlines, the lounge access is also given at participating Vistara Lounges. Click here to see the list of lounges. Other benefits on Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card are:
- Vistara Premium Economy Class ticket as a welcome gift
- 4 Club Vistara Miles for every Rs. 200 spent which can be redeemed to book Vistara Flight Tickets
- Complimentary travel insurance for loss of checked-in baggage, travel documents, etc.
- Complimentary Premium Economy class tickets as you reach spending milestones
Citi PremierMiles Credit Card
| Type of Lounge Access: Domestic only Membership: None Who can avail: Primary Cardholder Number of Free Lounge Visits in a Year: 8 free visits per quarter under Visa variant; 6 free visits per quarter under the Mastercard variant |
Despite being one of the best travel credit cards in the country, Citi PremierMiles offers only domestic lounge visits through their network partners. Depending on whether you have a Visa or Mastercard credit card, you can get free lounge access (T&C Apply). Other features of the card:
- 10,000 bonus air miles as welcome benefit
- 15% discount at select restaurants
- 10 Air Miles for every Rs. 100 spent across airlines
- Accumulated air miles never expire
- Transfer air miles to the choice of frequent flyer programs
Read Full Review of Citi PremierMiles Credit Card
Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME
| Type of Lounge Access: Domestic and International Membership: Priority Pass Program Who can avail: Primary Cardholder only Number of Free Lounge Visits in a Year: 4 International Lounge Visits per year (up to 2 per quarter) and 8 domestic lounge visits in a year (maximum 2 per quarter) |
SBI Card has recently launched a credit card with Vistara Airlines. The PRIME variant offers complimentary membership to the Priority Pass Program along with 4 free visits to international lounges per year. 2 free visits to domestic airport lounges are also offered through the network partner. Other features of the card are:
- Premium Economy Class Ticket as a welcome gift
- 4 CV points per Rs. 200 spent
- 1 Premium Economy Ticket each on reaching spending limits of Rs. 1.5 lakhs, Rs. 3 lakhs, Rs. 4.5 lakhs & Rs. 8 lakhs
- Comprehensive travel insurance cover
- Save up to 33% on select hotels and resorts
Read full review of Club Vistara SBI Credit Cards
HDFC Bank Diners Club Premium Credit Card
| Type of Lounge Access: Domestic and International Membership: None Who can avail: Primary Cardholder only Number of Free Lounge Visits in a Year: Up to 6 visits per year |
With HDFC Bank Diners Club Premium Credit Card, you can get access to Diners Club lounges up to 6 times in a year. To search the eligible airport lounges, click here. Some other benefits on this credit card are:
- 4 reward points per Rs. 100
- Concierge service round the clock
- Complimentary membership to Taj Group of Hotels as per the Tiered Guest Recognition Program
- Free travel insurance coverage
InterMiles ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card
| Type of Lounge Access: Domestic Membership: None Who can avail: Primary Cardholder only Number of Free Lounge Visits in a Year: 3 visits per quarter under the American Express variant; 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter under the Visa variant. |
The InterMiles ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card offers free domestic lounge visits under the American Express and Visa card variants. Some other benefits on this card include:
- 5,000 InterMiles as joining bonus and 2,500 InterMiles as renewal benefit
- 8 InterMiles per Rs. 100 spent
- Extra InterMiles for booking tickets through InterMiles website
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver at HPCL petrol pumps
Super-premium Credit Cards with Unlimited Free Airport Lounge Access
Only super-premium credit cards with very high annual fee offer unlimited free airport lounge access. Given below is a list of such credit cards in India. However, we suggest that you opt for a card that suits your budget, as well as other travel needs apart from lounge access.
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Lounge Access |
| HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card | Rs. 10,000 | Unlimited airport lounge access worldwide across 800+ lounges |
| YES FIRST Exclusive Credit Card | Rs. 10,000 | Unlimited international lounge access for primary and add-on member under Priority Pass Program; unlimited domestic lounge access through Mastercard |
| Citi Prestige Credit Card | Rs. 20,000 | Unlimited domestic and international lounge visits through Priority Pass for primary and add-on cardholders |
| HDFC Infinia Credit Card | Rs. 10,000 | Unlimited lounge access at 1,000+ airports through Priority Pass membership for primary and add-on cardholder |
| ICICI Emeralde Credit Card | Rs. 12,000 | Unlimited access to international airport lounges under the DreamFolks DragonPass Program and domestic lounge visit through the network provider |
We suggest that lounge access should not be the only criteria for choosing a credit card. You should look at the overall value that the card offers as compared to the fee charged. Also, you should know the amount you are ready to shell out each year towards the fee. Facilities like reward conversion into air miles, low foreign exchange mark-up fee and direct discounts on airline base fares further add to the benefits of putting travel expenses on your credit card and hence you must consider all of these.
2 Comments. Leave new
It’s very strange that at Kolkata airport, HDFC Regalia is accepted at domestic lounge but not at the international lounge! Strange. Bank should look into the issue.
IDBI PLATINUM CARD- DOES IT HAVE AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS?