16 Best Credit Cards With Lounge Access – How to Apply for One?
A lounge access credit card is a type of credit card that provides cardholders with access to airport lounges. These lounges are private, exclusive areas in airports where travellers can relax and enjoy various amenities. Depending on the card and the lounge network, cardholders may get to access lounges for free, or for a reduced fee. However, to choose the best credit cards with lounge access, it’s important to compare the costs and benefits, like annual fees and interest rates.
Check out our list of 10 best credit cards for lounge access, their features, benefits and other details, and select the card that fits your requirement.
16 Best Credit Cards with Lounge Access 2023
- HDFC Bank Infinia Credit card
- SBI ELITE credit card
- Citi Prestige Credit Card
- American Express Platinum Credit Card
- HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card
- Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
- Bank of Baroda Eterna credit card
- ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
- HDFC Regalia First Credit Card
- Pioneer Heritage Metal Credit Card
- Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card
- Yatra SBI Credit Card
- JetPrivilege HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card
- Intermiles ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
- HDFC Superia Credit Card
- HDFC Miles and More World Credit Card
16 Best Credit Card with Airport Lounge Access in India 2023
Here is a list of best credit cards with lounge access 2023:
| Credit Card | Fee |
| HDFC Bank Infinia Metal Edition Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹12,500+ taxes Annual fee: ₹12,500 |
| SBI ELITE Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹4,999+taxes Annual fee: ₹4,999+taxes (2nd year onwards) |
| Citi Prestige Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹20,000+taxes Annual fee: ₹20,000+taxes |
| American Express Platinum Card | Joining fee: ₹60,000+taxes Annual fee: ₹60,000+taxes (2nd year onwards) |
| HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹10,000 + additional taxes Annual fee: 10,000 + applicable taxes (waived off for spending ₹5 lakh in a year) |
| Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹10,000 Annual fee: ₹10,000 |
| Bank of Baroda Eterna Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹2,499 along with GST Annual fee: ₹2,499 along with GST |
| ICICI Bank Emerald Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹12,000+GST Annual fee: ₹12,000+GST |
| HDFC Regalia First Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹1,000 and taxes Annual fee: ₹1,000 and applicable taxes |
| IndusInd Bank Pioneer Heritage Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹90,000 Annual fee: ₹25,000 (waived if the cardholder spends at least ₹10 lakh in a year |
| Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹10,000 Annual fee: ₹10,000 |
| Yatra SBI Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹499 with additional taxes Annual fee: ₹499 and additional taxes (waved off if spend exceeds ₹1 lakh in the previous year) |
| InterMiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹1,000 Annual fee: ₹1,000 (waived off for expenses of ₹2.5 lakh in the previous year) |
| Intermiles ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹5,000 Annual fee: ₹5,000 |
| HDFC Superia Airline Credit Card | Joining fee: Free upon spending ₹15,000 within 90 days of the card’s issuance Annual fee: Free upon spending ₹75,000 in a year |
| HDFC All Miles Credit Card | Joining fee: ₹1,000 (waived off for spending ₹15,000 in a year Annual fee: ₹1,000 (waived off for ₹1 lakh spending in the previous year) |
Also Read
Credit Cards with International Lounge Access
1. HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card Metal Edition
- Available by invitation only.
- Unlimited airport lounge access anywhere in the world for both primary and supplementary cardholders.
- For every ₹150 spent, get 5 reward points.
- Complimentary personal concierge service provided.
- Welcome Gifts: Club Marriott membership for FREE for a year, which includes 20% discount on stay and dining across the Asia-Pacific region +12,500 reward points on card activation and payment of fees.
- Overseas hospitalisation cover of up to ₹50 Lakh in case of an emergency.
- The Joining Fee is ₹12,500 (Exclusive of taxes).
2. SBI ELITE Credit Card
- Get a gift voucher of ₹5,000 on signing up.
- Experience complimentary domestic and international lounge visits.
- Discounted rates on hotel bookings, and get free movie tickets and shopping vouchers among others.
- 5X reward points on grocery, dining, and department store spends. Additionally, for every ₹100 spent on other categories, get 2 Reward Points (Not inclusive of fuel expenses).
- Fraud liability protection of ₹1,00,000 on your credit card for FREE.
- The joining fee is ₹4999+taxes.
3. Citi Prestige Credit Card
- Both primary and supplementary cardholders get FREE access to over 1,300 Priority Pass airport lounges worldwide.
- On joining, get 2,500 reward points for FREE. Plus, enjoy special benefits worth ₹10,000 from ITC Hotel or Taj Group per year.
- 2 reward points for every ₹100 spent abroad and 1 reward point for every ₹100 spent in India.
- Enjoy fraud protection worth ₹10,00,000 for FREE.
- Get protection against air accidents with a personal insurance cover of ₹5 Crore.
4. American Express Platinum Credit Card
- Get access to best-in-class airport lounges globally.
- Get exclusive benefits of up to ₹44,500 on hotel bookings.
- Protection and insurance benefits of up to ₹20,000.
- Experience the exclusive Platinum Concierge service.
- Complimentary VIP-only event invitations.
- The joining fee is ₹60,000 plus taxes.
Credit Cards with Domestic Lounge Access
1. HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card
- This credit card gives you FREE access to over 1,000 airport lounges in India.
- Get up to 10X rewards on SmartBuy purchases and up to 2X rewards on weekend dining.
- Enjoy fraud liability cover of ₹9 lakh.
- Accidental air insurance cover of ₹2 crore.
- The joining fee is ₹10000 plus taxes.
2. Axis Bank Magnus Credit card
- Unlimited access to select domestic airport lounges.
- 8 complimentary VIP services at airports.
- Annual benefit includes one Tata CLiQ voucher of ₹10,000 and a domestic flight ticket for FREE
- 20% discount at 4,000+ restaurants in India
- 12 Axis EDGE REWARDS points per spend of ₹200 and 5X rewards on travel spends made on TRAVEL EDGE.
- Dedicated concierge service available for FREE.
- The joining fee is ₹10,000+ GST.
3. Bank of Baroda Eterna Credit Card
- Unlimited FREE access to domestic lounges.
- Indulgent domestic airport spa experience for FREE.
- Earn 10,000 bonus reward points by spending ₹50,000 within the first 2 months and 20,000 bonus points by spending ₹5 Lakh within a year
- Get 15 reward points on every ₹100 spent on international transactions, travel, online shopping, dining, and more.
- FREE personal insurance cover of up to ₹1 Crore for loss of life in an air accident.
- The joining fee is ₹2499 + taxes.
4. ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
- Unlimited FREE access to domestic and international lounges.
- A maximum of 4 ICICI Rewards Points on every retail spend of ₹100 except fuel, and 1 point for every ₹100 spent on utilities and insurance
- Fraud liability insurance of ₹50,000 and a personal cover of ₹3 crore on death due to air accident.
- Up to 4 golfing lessons or rounds per month on every spend of ₹50,000 in the previous month.
- Concierge service available any time during the day
- From 15th February, 2023 onwards, a cardholder will get a special Tata CLiQ voucher on their birthday.
- For the annual membership plan, the joining fee is ₹12000 plus taxes.
How to Apply for a Credit Card with Free Lounge Access?
The application process for credit cards with lounge access may vary from one bank to another. However, here’s a basic guide to get you started:
- Step 1: Go to the card issuers’ website or app and log in
- Step 2: Visit the ‘Cards’ section to check if you’re pre-qualified for a travel card. If yes, apply for your preferred card. If not, proceed to the next step.
- Step 3: Select a card that offers airport lounge access and click apply.
- Step 4: Check your eligibility.
- Step 5: If you’re eligible, your application will be approved and the bank will send the card to your registered address within a few days.
How to Access Airport Lounge Facilities With Your Card?
Here are some basic steps:
- Step 1: Visit the airport from where you are going to fly.
- Step 2: Go to the reception and ask about complimentary lounge access.
- Step 3: Provide your credit card details and complete the formalities.
- Step 4: Pay the convenience fee, if any and get your boarding pass stamped.
- Step 6: Collect your processing fee receipt (if applicable) and experience the airport lounge benefits.
Final Word
Now that you know what some of the best credit cards with lounge access in 2023 are, you can choose a card that is affordable, offers excellent benefits and travel convenience, and most importantly meets your credit and financial goals.
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FAQs
Yes, availing of a credit card with lounge access is worthwhile as it helps frequent fliers save up money and gives discounts on flight tickets and other notable facilities. Furthermore, passengers get to reap the benefits of insurance cover.
No, you cannot use the same credit card twice to access the same airport lounge. You can swipe for two different lounges at the same airport. However, you need to wait for some hours if you want to do so.
No, the primary cardholder can only use the airport credit card. Even the lounge will scrutinise the cardholder’s name for ensuring safety and security. However, there are certain credit cards which allow family members to get the privilege of the lounge.
You can easily check the complementary visits allowance by heading to the online account or app linked with your credit card and clicking on the ‘Complimentary visits’ section. Furthermore, you can conveniently reach the customer service team to know everything related to complimentary visits.
Priority pass is one of the top independent airport lounge access programs that allows flyers to relax and refresh in any network lounges available across the globe. Priority pass has ties with airport lounges and lets passengers access numerous affiliated airport lounges across the globe regardless of which air service you have opted for.
You can either get free access to airport lounges by collecting enough miles or points on your credit card. Or you may apply for the best credit cards with free lounge access.
There are many premium credit cards that give you complimentary access to lounges at domestic and international airports. Some of the best ones are:
• American Express Platinum Card
• Citibank Prestige Platinum Card
• SBI ELITE Credit Card
• Citi Prestige Credit Card
• Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
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This article has been prepared on the basis of internal data, publicly available information and other sources believed to be reliable. The information contained in this article is for general purposes only and not a complete disclosure of every material fact. It should not be construed as investment advice to any party. The article does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the information, and disclaims all liabilities, losses and damages arising out of the use of this information. Readers shall be fully liable/responsible for any decision taken on the basis of this article.
