Best Airport Lounge Access Credit Cards In India For 2024
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The luxury of having access to a lounge during the long waiting hours at an airport is truly a blessing. Forbes Advisor India thoroughly examined the features of nearly 100 credit cards that offer airport lounge access and compiled a list of the best credit cards designed to efficiently cater to the needs of travelers. In addition to lounge access, these cards offer various other luxuries, enhancing the experience of luxurious travel.
- Featured Partners
- Best Credit Cards With Airport Lounge Access in India
- Infinia Credit Card
- Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
- Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card
- Pioneer Heritage Metal Credit Card
- The American Express® Platinum Card
- Methodology of Choosing Credit Card with Airport Lounge Access
- How Does Airport Lounge Access Work?
- Which Airport Lounge Access Credit Card is Right For You?
- Benefits of Airport Lounge Access Credit Cards
- Bottom Line
Featured Partners
1
IndusInd Legend Credit Card
Annual Fee
INR 9,999 + GST
Welcome Benefits
Complimentary Stay at Oberoi Chain of Hotels.
Features
Explore 600+ lounges worldwide, Get Lounge Access up to 8 visits/year, and relish a 1.8% discount on international transaction fees.
2
Standard Chartered Bank Rewards Credit Card
Fees
No joining fees. Second-year annual fees waived with INR 1,50,000+ spends in the previous year.
Welcome Benefits
4 reward points per INR 150 on monthly retail spend
Features
Access to domestic lounge 4 visits/year (1 per quarter)
3
HSBC Cashback Credit Card
Fees
INR 999 (Fee reversed with total annual spend exceeding INR 200,000.)
Welcome Benefits
Get INR 1000 Amazon vouchers for spending INR 10,000 within the first 30 days.
Features
4 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (1 per quarter)
4
YES Bank Prosperity Business Credit Card
Fees
INR 399+ taxes (Waived first-year fee of with INR 10,000 spends in 30 days)
Welcome Benefit
Get Free INR 500 Amazon voucher on spending INR 1000 within the first 30 days.
Features
3 complimentary International lounge, 1 visit per quarter across 30+ lounges in India
Best Credit Cards With Airport Lounge Access in India
- Infinia Credit Card – Best Airport Lounge Credit Card for Unlimited Access at More Than 1,000 Airports Worldwide
- Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card – Best Airport Lounge Credit Card With Unlimited Access and Additional 8 Guest Visits/year
- Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card – Best Credit Card for Airport Lounge Access With 12 Complimentary Visits/year
- Pioneer Heritage Metal Credit Card – Best Airport Lounge Credit Card With Complimentary Loungekey
- The American Express® Platinum Card – Best Airport Lounge Credit Card for Unlimited Access at More Than 1300 Airports Globally
Comparison of Airport Lounge Access Credit Cards
Methodology of Choosing Credit Card with Airport Lounge Access
We have taken into consideration the following factors while rating the covered cards:
Number of Free International Lounge Visits: This is really important for us as it is the nucleus of the best of.
Number of Free Domestic Lounge Visits: Domestic lounges are equally important as international once hence an integral part of the best of.
Number of Partners the Provider Has: As credit cards partner with different companies to provide this particular service so more the partners more the number of lounges under the disposal of the users.
Other Services: Additional services are like garnishing and can make the service more comfortable and hence, what other services does a card offer.
Geographies: Cards catering universally have been considered.
How Does Airport Lounge Access Work?
One has to just show the credit card in an airport lounge to get admitted. In the case of a VIP lounge access the card holder is given assistance to go through airport processes, check-ins, security checks, immigration processes and porter services, and complimentary visits for accompanying guests as well.
There are cards with unlimited lounge access and others with limited lounge access. If it has unlimited lounge access then one can use the services an unlimited number of times, and ones with limited access within the limit, after that you will be charged like a normal visitor.
The process of accessing airport lounges may vary slightly depending on the lounge operator and your eligibility. Here’s how it generally works:
- Not all Lounges are the Same: It’s important to note that not all airport lounges are the same. Premium credit cards may offer access to more luxurious lounges with additional amenities, while basic lounge access may provide fewer services. Always check the specific lounge access terms and conditions associated with your credit card or travel booking to understand what is included.
- Find a Participating Lounge: Not all lounges at an airport participate in every lounge access program. You’ll need to check which lounges you can access based on your eligibility. You can often find this information on the website of your credit card provider or airline, or by asking at the airport information desk.
- Check-In: When you arrive at the lounge, you’ll need to check in. This might involve showing your credit card, boarding pass, frequent flier card, or a lounge membership card, depending on your eligibility. The lounge staff will verify your credentials and grant you access.
- Enjoy the Lounge: Once you’re inside, you can take advantage of the lounge’s amenities, which often include comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, a variety of food and beverages (including alcohol in many cases), reading materials, and sometimes even showers and spa services. Lounges offer a peaceful and comfortable environment away from the crowded terminal.
- Board Your Flight: Keep an eye on your flight’s departure time, as lounges typically announce when it’s time to board. Most lounges have flight information displays, so you can easily stay updated on your departure gate and time.
- Departure: Head to your departure gate at the appropriate time. Some lounges are located near the departure gates, while others may require a bit of walking or using an airport shuttle.
How to Apply for a Credit Card that Offers Free Lounge Access?
To apply for a credit card that offers free lounge access, you can follow these steps:
Check Eligibility:
Review the eligibility criteria for the credit cards you are interested in. Credit card issuers typically require applicants to meet certain income and credit score requirements. Ensure that you meet these criteria before applying.
Apply Online or In Person:
Most credit card applications can be completed online through the issuer’s official website. Alternatively, you can apply in person at a local branch or over the phone. Fill out the application form with accurate personal and financial information.
Submit Required Documents:
Credit card applications may require you to submit supporting documents, such as proof of identity, address, and income. Be prepared to provide these documents to the issuer for verification.
Wait for Approval:
After submitting your application, the credit card issuer will review your information and conduct a credit check. This process may take a few days to a few weeks. You will receive a notification regarding the status of your application.
Review Card Terms and Benefits:
Once you are approved, carefully review the terms and conditions of the credit card, including the credit limit, annual fee, interest rates, and any other associated costs. Make sure you understand how the lounge access benefit works, including any associated terms and restrictions.
Activate Your Card:
Upon receiving the credit card, activate it by following the instructions provided by the issuer. You may need to call a customer service number or activate it online.
Register for Lounge Access:
To access airport lounges, you typically need to register with the lounge access program provided by your credit card. This might involve creating an account on the program’s website and linking your credit card to your lounge access membership.
Enjoy Lounge Benefits:
Once registered, you can access participating airport lounges by presenting your credit card and, in some cases, a boarding pass. Enjoy the lounge amenities, such as comfortable seating, refreshments, Wi-Fi, and other services, free of charge or at a heavily discounted rate.
Which Airport Lounge Access Credit Card is Right For You?
There are many factors to be taken into consideration, we will discuss all of them:
Number of lounge visits:
Some credit cards give just one visit in a quarter or two visits in a year, hence, low number of visits is not the best offer. We need to have an unlimited number of visits for frequent travelers. For people who are not very frequent travelers even 12 lounge visits can be of use.
Terms and conditions:
Some cards have terms and conditions for a lounge visit like one will have to spend some amount of money to get it, or will get just one visit in a quarter, these are the things which are not desirable.
International or Domestic:
One will have to see if both international and domestic lounges are available, because at times only one kind of lounge is available. Then some cards do not have an equal proportion of domestic and international lounge visits. You will have to check your requirements, if you travel abroad frequently you will need international lounges more and if you are traveling within India then one with domestic airport lounge visits (card will be comparatively cheaper) would be great.
Partners:
We also check the number of partnerships a card has done as the more the partner the better the availability in various locations, and partnering with a good lounge provider would mean comfortable services.
Featured Partners
1
IndusInd Legend Credit Card
Annual Fee
INR 9,999 + GST
Welcome Benefits
Complimentary Stay at Oberoi Chain of Hotels.
Features
Explore 600+ lounges worldwide, Get Lounge Access up to 8 visits/year, and relish a 1.8% discount on international transaction fees.
2
Standard Chartered Bank Rewards Credit Card
Fees
No joining fees. Second-year annual fees waived with INR 1,50,000+ spends in the previous year.
Welcome Benefits
4 reward points per INR 150 on monthly retail spend
Features
Access to domestic lounge 4 visits/year (1 per quarter)
3
HSBC Cashback Credit Card
Fees
INR 999 (Fee reversed with total annual spend exceeding INR 200,000.)
Welcome Benefits
Get INR 1000 Amazon vouchers for spending INR 10,000 within the first 30 days.
Features
4 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (1 per quarter)
4
YES Bank Prosperity Business Credit Card
Fees
INR 399+ taxes (Waived first-year fee of with INR 10,000 spends in 30 days)
Welcome Benefit
Get Free INR 500 Amazon voucher on spending INR 1000 within the first 30 days.
Features
3 complimentary International lounge, 1 visit per quarter across 30+ lounges in India
Benefits of Airport Lounge Access Credit Cards
Credit cards with lounge access are extremely important for people traveling. At times people while traveling have to wait for hours for their delayed flights at the airports. This can be tiring even before the real journey starts, in such cases if the person has access to an airport lounge can be of great use.
You can also purchase a day’s lounge access but it can cost up to $50. So, rather than spending this amount every time on lounge access one can get a credit card providing lounge access for the whole year at this rate.
Bottom Line
A credit card with lounge access can be a valuable choice for frequent travelers, offering a comfortable and cost-effective way to enhance the airport experience. Airport lounges provide a quiet and relaxing environment with amenities like complimentary food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and business facilities, making long layovers or delays more bearable. By actively utilizing lounge benefits and visiting lounges regularly, cardholders can enjoy significant savings on individual lounge access fees and added convenience during their travels.
Moreover, many of these cards come with additional benefits, including travel insurance, airline credits, and rewards programs that can further offset the annual fee and enhance the overall value of the card. Travelers can also extend these benefits to companions in some cases, making it an attractive option for those who often journey with family or friends. Ultimately, the decision to get a credit card with lounge access should be based on your travel habits and the value you can derive from the lounge amenities and associated perks.
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