Credit cards aren't just for paying bills; they come with cool perks that make travel better. One awesome benefit is getting into Airport lounges. Instead of waiting at the gate, you can chill in a lounge with free food, comfy seats, and even spa treatments. But, usually, you have to pay to get in. That's where travel credit cards in India come in. They give you free access to lounges, so you don't have to pay. Check out some of The best credit cards for this perk and pick the one that suits you best:
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Lounge Access |
|---|---|---|
| SBI Elite Credit Card | Rs. 4,999 | Up to 6 complimentary international airport lounge visits and up to 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits in a year |
| HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card | Rs. 2,500 | 12 complimentary lounge visits to airports in India and abroad for primary and add-on card members |
| Axis Bank Select Credit Card | Rs. 3,000 | Up to 6 complimentary international airport lounge visits and up to 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits in a year |
| SBI Prime Credit Card | Rs. 2,999 | Up to 4 complimentary visits to Priority Pass Lounges outside India and up to 8 complimentary lounge visits within India in a year |
| YES FIRST Preferred Credit Card | Rs. 999 | Up to 4 complimentary international lounge visits in a year and up to 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits in a year |
Check out our top picks for credit cards with great lounge access. These cards give you plenty of visits to both domestic and international lounges without hefty annual fees or tricky spending conditions. Keep in mind that these aren't just for travel – lounge access is a bonus across different card types. Also, there's a list of super-premium cards that offer unlimited lounge access for both main and additional cardholders. If you want to see that list, click here.
The SBI Elite Credit Card is awesome for airport lounge access in India, and it's not just about that. You get cool perks in many areas. Besides being a top choice for lounges, it gives you a lot of rewards and doesn't charge much for foreign transactions, just 1.99%. Yes, there's an annual fee of Rs. 4,999, but if you use all the benefits, it's totally worth it.
Similar to HDFC Regalia, The HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card comes with perks spanning various categories such as shopping, travel, and rewards. This card provides access to lounges through Diners Club. If you're looking for a card that rewards you well and offers numerous benefits at a reasonable annual fee, you might want to check out this credit card with lounge access.
The Axis Bank Select Credit Card is all about lifestyle perks, giving you benefits on movies, groceries, dining, and beyond. You earn solid reward points on every purchase, and there are bonus points waiting for you when you hit spending milestones. While there's an annual fee of Rs. 3,000, it's waived for Axis Bank's Burgundy Clients, making it a great deal for them.
The SBI Prime Credit Card is a top choice for airport lounge access in India, covering both international and domestic lounges. On top of that, you can rake in up to 10 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent with this card. Priced at an annual fee of Rs. 2,999, it comes loaded with travel perks, including a free Club Vistara Silver Membership, Trident Privilege Red Tier Membership, and more. Don't overlook the impressive milestone benefits that come with this card.
The YES First Preferred Credit Card is a well-loved choice with lounge access, packing in perks for travel, shopping, dining, golf, and more. With every purchase, users can rack up significant reward points, which can be used for flights, hotels, movies, or converted into Air Miles. Notably, the card also boasts a low foreign exchange mark-up fee of 1.75%, making it a smart option for those who frequently travel internationally.
When picking a credit card with lounge access, consider the following:
Not every credit card comes with complimentary airport lounge access.
2. Domestic vs. International:Some cards grant access only to domestic lounges, while others cover both international and domestic.
3. Visit Limits:Many cards have a cap on the number of lounge visits. Super-premium cards might offer unlimited access.
4. Spending Milestones:For some cards, you get free lounge access only after reaching specific spending targets within a set timeframe.
5. Membership vs. Visits:Some cards give you memberships to programs like Priority Pass, but the visits may not always be free.
6. Primary Cardholder Only:Complimentary visits are often for the primary cardholder, not additional cardholders.
Keeping these points in mind will help you find the credit card with lounge access that best fits your travel needs.
Usually, only the really expensive super-fancy credit cards with high annual fees let you access airport lounges anytime for free. Here's a list of some of the best ones for international travel. But, it's a good idea to choose a card that fits your budget and matches your other travel requirements, not just for the 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 |
| 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 |
| HDFC Infinia Credit Card | Rs. 10,000 | Unlimited lounge access at 1,000+ airports through Priority Pass membership for primary and add-on cardholder |
| Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card | Rs. 50,000 | Unlimited international lounge access for primary and add-on member under Priority Pass Program; unlimited domestic lounge visits |
| Axis Magnus Credit Card | Rs. 10,000 | Unlimited complimentary international lounge visits with Priority Pass with 8 additional guest visits per year and unlimited visits to domestic airport lounges |
If you want a credit card with a low annual fee that still gives you a few visits to domestic lounges each year, here's a list of cards that might be just what you're looking for. We've picked ones with an annual fee of Rs. 1,000 or less, and they come with some good perks for the fee you pay.
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Lounge Access |
|---|---|---|
| HDFC Millennia Credit Card | Rs. 1,000 | 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per calendar year (2 per quarter) |
| Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card | Rs. 500 | 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year |
| Axis Ace Credit Card | Rs. 499 | 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits in a year |
| Kotak Mojo Platinum Credit Card | Rs. 1,000 | 8 complimentary visits in a year within India to domestic and international terminals both (2 visits per quarter) |
| YES Prosperity Edge Credit Card | Rs. 399 | 1 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter |
When picking a credit card, don't make lounge access the only thing you look at. Check out the overall value compared to the annual fee. Figure out how much you're willing to pay each year. Things like turning your rewards into Air Miles, a low fee for spending in foreign countries, and getting discounts directly on airline ticket prices make using your credit card for travel even more worthwhile. So, look at all these factors before deciding.
Usually, no. Many cards provide complimentary lounge access only to the primary cardholder. If your card does allow access for additional cardholders, remember that you need to have the add-on card with you to enjoy free access.
Priority Pass is like a club that lets you into airport lounges worldwide. To join, you usually pay $99. But having a membership doesn't mean your visits are free. You still need to pay for the services in the lounge. Some credit cards give you a Priority Pass membership, but whether they include free visits or not varies.
After free visits are exhausted, you will have to pay the regular rates that are applicable to the chosen airport lounge.
The number of free lounge visits varies from card to card. Some super-premium credit cards also give unlimited free lounge visits for primary and add-on cardholders.
Complimentary amenities at airport lounges include snacks and beverages, alcohol, WiFi, power outlets for gadgets, conference rooms, restrooms, etc. The facilities also vary from one card to another.
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Top Credit Cards in India