Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access In India

Air travel in India has become quite common with the airliners competing with each other to provide best air fares to the travellers. Besides the convenience offered by air travel, delayed flights, prolonged wait times are some discomforts often experienced by frequent flyers. Just like how a railway station offers waiting rooms for passengers, airports, airliners and some third party companies provide lounges where travellers can sit and relax. However, not everybody can enjoy the service as access to certain lounges is restricted only to membership holders while others charge heftily.

One better way to get airport lounge access is by having a credit card that comes with complimentary lounge access feature. There are many credit cards that provide lounge access at select airports in India and abroad.

HDFC Credit Cards With Airport Lounge Access Feature

HDFC Bank offers the airport lounge access facility on select HDFC credit cards. The cards come with priority pass membership option, which allows the cardholders to access more than 1000 lounges in both domestic and international airports across the world. While a few cards provide free access to airport lounges, some come with limited free visits others are completely paid with complimentary membership. Cardholders can also enjoy various services provided by lounges including free internet, phone facility, refreshments, shower facility and lot more. Listed below are a few HDFC credit cards that provide lounge access.

HDFC Visa Signature Credit Card

• Provides membership to Priority Pass Programme, the largest independent airport lounge programme in India.
• Access to more than 600 exclusive airport lounges, 500 of which are VIP lounges and 100 are US lounges located in more than 100 countries and 300 cities worldwide.
• Complimentary refreshments, access to internet and conference space in the lounges.
• The Priority Pass Membership costs Rs.500 per annum
• Cost of each lounge visit will be $27, which is $99 for non-members

HDFC Business Regalia Credit Card

• Provides Priority Pass Membership
• Access to more than 1,000 airport lounges across the globe
• Add-on card holders are eligible for Priority Pass Membership benefits
• Six complimentary visits in a year to Priority Pass lounges located outside India
• The cost of single visit to a lounge is $27 plus GST in airports located in India and abroad
• Facilities inside the lounges include phones, Internet access, fax, refreshments and conference rooms.
• Lounge charges will reflect in credit card statement within 90 days of visit

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card

• Membership to exclusive lounge programme
• Unlimited access to more than 700+ lounges in both domestic and international airports worldwide
• Only primary card holder can have lounge access
• The lounges will have flight information monitors, shower facilities, entertainment, refreshments and drinks, telephone, Wi-Fi facilities.
• Get exclusive benefits on leading salons, spas, gyms, and other wellness retreats.

HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card

• Membership to Priority Pass programme and Visa/MasterCard Lounge Access programme
• Access to more than 1,000 airport lounges across the globe
• Both primary and add-on cardholders can enjoy the benefits offered by the lounges
• The Visa/MasterCard Lounge Access programme provides four complimentary visits per quarter to lounges within India

SBI Credit Cards With Airport Lounge Access Feature

SBI Card, the credit card division of State Bank of India (SBI), offers more than a few credit cards with the airport lounge access facility. While a few cards provide membership to International Priority Pass programme, others provide Visa Lounge Access membership that allows cardholders to get both complementary and paid access to airport lounges. Below is a list of SBI credit cards that offer airport lounge access.

SBI Platinum Card

• Membership to Club Vistara Silver programme and International Priority Pass Programme
• Club Vistara members will receive one complimentary lounge access and one upgrade voucher
• International Priority Pass members will get four complimentary visits per year to select international lounges outside India, subject to maximum of two visits per quarter.
• Visa/Mastercard holders will get eight complimentary visits a year to domestic lounges in India subject to a maximum of two visits per quarter.

Yatra SBI Credit Card

• Access to exclusive domestic MasterCard airport lounges within India
• Two complimentary lounge access at domestic airports per quarter
• Get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all petrol pumps across the country.

SBI Tata Croma Platinum Credit Card

• Access to premium MasterCard lounges in India
• Eight complimentary lounge visits a year to domestic MasterCard lounges in India, subject to a maximum of two visits per quarter

SBI Platinum Corporate Card

• Membership to Priority Pass Programme at an annual charge of Rs.180
• Access to 600 + international airport lounges across the globe
• Membership to Visa Lounge Access programme
• Two complimentary lounge visits per quarter at all participating airports lounges in India
• Unlimited paid access to the card members and their accompanying guests to select airport lounges in the country.

Axis Bank Credit Cards Offering Airport Lounge Access

Axis Bank Credit Cards with airport lounge access will provide both complementary and paid access to airport lounges in and outside India. Any guests accompanying the primary cardholder should pay for their visit to the lounge. There are also other cards that offer complimentary lounge visits to the family and friends of primary cardholder.

Axis Bank Miles & More World Credit Card

• Cardholders will get a complimentary membership to Priority Pass Programme and MasterCard Lounge Programme
• Under Priority Pass programme, cardholders will get paid access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide and two complimentary visits per year to priority pass lounges.
• Lounge visits will be charged on per person per visit basis.
• The lounge charges will be debited to the cardholder's credit card and will reflect in next billing statement
• Primary cardholder gets two complimentary visits per year to priority pass lounges.
• The MasterCard Lounge membership provides four complimentary lounge visits per quarter to both domestic and international airports in India.

Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card

• Cardholders will get eight complimentary lounge visits per quarter to select MasterCard lounges located in both domestic and international airports in India.

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

• Membership to Club Vistara Platinum programme
• When flying on Vistara Airlines, cardholders will get complimentary lounge access
• Unlimited complimentary priority pass lounge access to more than 900 lounges across the world

Axis Bank Signature Credit card

• Cardholders will get complimentary access to lounges in airports within India
• Membership to Priority Pass Programme, which provides access to about 700 VIP airport lounges located in over 90 countries and 275 cities
• Only primary members are allowed for complimentary access, visits by guests and add-on cardholders will be chargeable.

Indusind Bank Credit Card With Airport Lounge Access

IndusInd Bank Credit Card offer airport lounge access facility on select credit cards. Cardholders need to check the features and facilities available on their card to know the availability of the facility on their IndusInd credit card. Listed below are a few credit cards that come with airport lounge access to IndusInd Bank customers.

IndusInd Bank Platinum Aura Credit Card

• Membership to Priority Pass Programme, which provides access to more than 600 airport lounges across the world
• Travel plus programme offers waivers on lounge usage charges in airports outside India

IndusInd Bank Platinum Select Credit Card

• Complimentary membership to Priority Pass Programme, which otherwise costs $99
• Access to more than 600+ airport lounges across the globe
• Lounge charges for a maximum of eight lounge usages will be waived per year through Travel Plus Programme

IndusInd Bank Indulge Credit Card

• Cardholders will get a complimentary Standard Membership of Priority Pass programme
• Access to more than 600 lounges across the world
• Up to two complimentary lounge visits per quarter to select international lounges in and outside India.

IndusInd Bank Iconia Visa Credit Card

• Membership to American Express Lounge Programme
• Unlimited complimentary visits to domestic and International airports in Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
• Benefits applicable to both primary and add-on cardholders
• Services available at the lounges include food and beverages, free internet access and lot more

AU Bank Credit Card With Airport Lounge Access

AU Bank Vetta Credit Card

• Get one free airport lounge visit in India every calendar quarter.
• One free airport lounge visit every calendar quarter at participating airport lounges under the Priority Pass Program.
• Get ten reward points every time you spend Rs.100 on utility bills payments.
• Get a credit shield of up to Rs.2 lakh.
• With the Priority Pass Program, get one free airport lounge visit at partner lounges (every calendar quarter).
• One-year Zomato Pro Membership on spends of Rs.50,000 per month.

These are a few credit cards with the airport lounge access feature. Some cards provide the feature by default, while other credit cards require the credit cardholder to apply for certain lounge access membership programmes. Credit cardholders can check their card’s terms and conditions to know about the available features and benefits specific to their card.

How to Apply for a Credit Card with Free Lounge Access?

The credit cards with lounge access application process may differ from one bank to other. Having said that, the following are the general steps to apply for the same:

• Visit the official website of the card issuer.
• Go to the 'Cards' section to check if you are eligible for a travel card. If you are eligible, apply for the same. If not, move ahead to the next step.
• Choose a card which offers airport lounge access and click on 'Apply'.
• Check your eligibility.
• If you are eligible, your credit card application will be approved and the bank will dispatch the credit card to your registered address within two to three working days.

How to Access Airport Lounge Facilities with Your Credit Card?

The following are the steps to get the access of airport lounge facilities with your credit card:

• Visit the airport from where you are going to fly.
• Ask about the complimentary lounge access at the reception.
• Give your credit card details and complete all the formalities.
• Make the convenience fee payment and get your boarding pass stamped.
• Collect the processing fee payment and enjoy the airport lounge benefits.

FAQs on Credit Cards for Free Airport Lounge Access

1. What does lounge access cost in India?

   Prices for lounge access in India vary according on the airline, but normally start at Rs.1,000 each visit.

2. Which Indian credit cards are best for accessing airport lounges?

   The SBI ELITE credit card, HDFC Regalia First credit card, HDFC Superia credit card, and Standard Chartered Ultimate credit card are some of the best credit cards in India that grant access to airport lounges.

3. How to get access to airport lounges in India?

   There are two ways to gain access to airport lounges in India: either by paying for lounge access at Indian airports or by utilising a credit card that grants free entry.

4. Is it possible to get free access to airport lounges?

   Yes, using a credit card that offers free lounge visits makes it feasible to access airport lounges for free.

5. What does free airport lounge access mean?

   A free airport lounge pass is essentially a perk or promotion that many credit card issuers offer on particular cards. The card provides this feature for you. free or discounted access to airport lounges in affiliated national and/or international airports.

6. Which card offers the best lounge access in India in 2023?

   In order to escape the hectic airport environment, frequent travellers highly prize airport lounges. These lounges feature a number of high-end facilities, such as comfortable chairs, device charging stations, and free refreshments. 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 are just a few of the popular credit cards in India that provide lounge access.

7. What is meant by HDFC priority pass?

   In India, HDFC offers Priority Pass cards as a perk on a number of its credit cards; these cards don't even have an annual cost. An independent programme for accessing airport lounges is called Priority Pass. In its network, Priority Pass includes more than 1000 lounges. It offers free admission to affiliated airport lounges.

8. Does Visa Platinum have access to lounges?

   Yes, Visa Platinum members receive access to lounges where they may take advantage of a number of alluring lifestyle benefits and experiences, including golf, shopping, dining, and much more. Furthermore, Visa Platinum grants you access to 25 lounges across the world.

9. How long is the airport lounge open to visitors?

   A maximum of three hours may be spent at the airport lounge. Some of the extended lounges do allow access for 4 to 5 hours. You can look up the lounge's access hours if they are listed when you make your reservation.

10. How to register for MasterCard Airport Experiences?

    The MasterCard Airport Experiences is offered by LoungeKey and can be registered using the LoungeKey application or website. The registration process can be completed using the on-screen directions.

11. Can I avail Priority boarding or Express boarding benefits using the MasterCard Airport Experiences?

    No, you cannot avail the Priority boarding or Express boarding facilities using the MasterCard Airport Experiences.

12. How is the MasterCard Airport Experiences better than Priority Pass?

    Although both the MasterCard Airport Experiences and Priority Pass programs are offered by LoungeKey, the former offers additional benefits such as spa, dining, and retail offers, in addition to the airport lounge access.

13. Is there a credit card available that offers rewards points without any cap on it?

    Yes, the FinBooster: YesBank - BankBazaar Co-branded Credit Card offers reward points without any cap on it.