Lounge Access Credit Cards

Travelling can be an exciting experience, but long layovers, flight delays, and crowded terminals can make airport visits exhausting. For frequent flyers, credit cards with airport lounge access offer a tailored solution to ease these hassles. Today, many issuers provide exclusive credit cards that grant access to premium airport lounges along with other valuable perks. These cards often allow you to earn air miles, redeemable for discounts on future flights.

While enjoying the perks of these cards typically involves paying a joining or annual fee, the charges vary based on the benefits offered by each card. However, some issuers provide a credit card with lounge access and no annual fees, making it even more appealing for budget-conscious travellers.

Here are the benefits of some of the best credit cards for lounge access, each offering rewards and perks tailored to meet different spending and lifestyle needs:

ICICI Bank Manchester United Platinum Credit Card

• Receive a Manchester United-branded football as a welcome gift
• Top spenders can access exclusive Manchester United experiences
• Enjoy a 1% waiver on fuel surcharges at HPCL petrol pumps
• Earn 3 Reward Points on every ₹100 spent on select days
• Get a 25% discount on movie tickets, capped at ₹100 per transaction

ICICI Bank Manchester United Signature Credit Card

• Receive a Manchester United-branded football as a welcome gift
• Top spenders can enjoy exclusive Manchester United experiences, including a stadium tour
• Enjoy a 1% waiver on fuel surcharges at HPCL petrol pumps
• Earn up to 5 Reward Points per ₹100 spent, with extra points on match days
• Get a 25% discount on movie tickets, capped at ₹150 per transaction

ICICI Bank Coral Credit Card

• Enjoy one complimentary visit to select railway lounges every quarter
• Receive a 25% discount on BookMyShow and INOX movie tickets twice per month, up to ₹100 per transaction
• Access exclusive dining discounts via ICICI’s Culinary Treats Programme at partner restaurants
• Get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver at HPCL pumps
• Earn 2 Reward Points per ₹100 spent, with milestone rewards for high annual spending (excluding fuel)

ICICI Expressions Credit Card

• Personalise your credit card with a variety of card designs
• Receive a 25% discount on BookMyShow tickets twice a month, up to ₹100 per transaction
• Access dining discounts through the Culinary Treats Programme at select restaurants
• Get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver at HPCL pumps
• Benefit from enhanced security with an embedded chip and PIN for transactions

Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card

• Earn 10,000 EDGE Reward Points on your first transaction
• Enjoy up to ₹800 off with the EazyDiner Axis Dining Delight Programme
• Receive a 1% waiver on fuel surcharges on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000
• Earn 5,000 EDGE points on annual spends of ₹3 Lakh
• Access six complimentary rounds of golf every year

Axis Bank MY ZONE Credit Card

• Buy one, get one free on Paytm Movies, up to ₹200 per month
• Receive a free annual SonyLIV Premium subscription upon meeting the spending criteria
• Enjoy up to 15% off at partner restaurants via Dining Delights
• Get ₹120 off on Swiggy orders twice a month with a minimum spend of ₹500
• Receive a 1% waiver on fuel transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000

SBI Card PRIME

• Receive an e-gift voucher worth ₹3,000 from top brands as a welcome gift
• Earn vouchers worth ₹1,000 for quarterly spends and ₹7,000 as annual milestone benefits
• Enjoy a complimentary Silver Club Vistara membership with upgrade benefits
• Earn 20 Reward Points per ₹100 spent on your birthday
• Get a 1% waiver on fuel transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000

SBI Card ELITE

• Receive an e-gift voucher worth ₹5,000 from premium brands as a welcome gift
• Enjoy complimentary movie tickets worth up to ₹6,000 per year
• Earn up to 50,000 bonus reward points annually through milestone spending
• Get a 1% waiver on fuel transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000
• Receive a complimentary Club Vistara Silver membership with upgrade benefits

Note: The card details mentioned above are subject to change at the discretion of the issuer.

When selecting the ideal credit card with lounge access, focus on features that align with your travel habits to maximise your benefits. Here are the key factors to keep in mind:

• Confirm whether the credit card offers complimentary airport lounge visits and if it covers both domestic and international lounges.

• Some cards only allow access to domestic lounges, while others include international lounges; this is valuable for frequent overseas travellers.

• Not all airports participate in lounge programmes, so review the list of lounges to confirm coverage at the airports you frequently visit.

• Many credit cards cap lounge visits yearly or quarterly, but premium cards for frequent flyers may offer unlimited access.

• Some cards require minimum spending to activate lounge access benefits, so check if a spending threshold is necessary.

• Certain cards offer membership to programmes like Priority Pass; however, these may not always include free visits, so confirm if charges apply.

• Lounge benefits usually apply solely to the primary cardholder. If travelling with guests, there may be additional charges for their access.

Accessing complimentary domestic airport lounge benefits with a credit card is a convenient way to enhance your travel experience. Many credit cards offer lounge access along with additional premium benefits for travellers, such as refreshments, free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and more. The process is simple and straightforward. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you make the most of this perk:

1. Head to the domestic airport from where you will be boarding your flight

2. At the lounge reception, inform the staff about the complimentary access available with your credit card

3. Hand over your credit card for verification to confirm your eligibility for free lounge access

4. Follow any required steps as directed by the receptionist to process your lounge access

5. Make a nominal payment using your card PIN for the swipe fee (₹2 for Visa and ₹25 for MasterCard)

6. After payment, have your boarding pass stamped and validated by the receptionist

7. Collect the stamped boarding pass along with a receipt for the convenience fee

8. Once the formalities are completed, enjoy access to the lounge amenities for a comfortable start to your journey

Lounge access benefits are limited to select airports. In other words, you can only claim these benefits when at the right airport. Here’s a list of cities and airports where you can claim the access:

Applying for a credit card with airport lounge access is quick and straightforward, especially with Bajaj Markets. You can check your eligibility, compare available cards, and apply online all in just a few steps:

1. Click on ‘Check Offer’ and provide basic details like your phone number, date of birth, and occupation

2. Enter the OTP sent to your mobile number to verify your identity

3. Review the pre-filled details such as your PAN, PIN code, income, and email

4. Choose the credit card that fits your needs

5. Click ‘Submit’ to complete the application

When selecting a credit card that includes lounge‑access benefits, several key factors warrant scrutiny. These distinctions help ensure that the lounge access feature is both meaningful and usable.

Number of Complimentary Visits and Guest Policy

Check how many free lounge entries the card gives you. For example, some cards offer two domestic visits per quarter, others four per year, or even unlimited access in premium variants. Also assess whether guest access is included or if you must pay a separate fee for any accompanying person.

Domestic Versus International Lounge Access

Some cards grant access only at Indian airports; others extend benefits internationally. For example, certain cards from issuers offer unlimited domestic and international lounge access, while more modest ones restrict to domestic only. If you travel abroad even occasionally, international access may add significant value.

Spend Requirement or Milestone Criteria

Many issuers link lounge access to minimum spends in a calendar quarter or year. For instance, you might need to spend ₹1 lakh in a quarter to unlock access for the next quarter. Cards without spend criteria exist, but are fewer and often carry higher fees.

Type of Lounge Network and Partner Programmes

Investigate which lounge networks are covered (for example, Priority Pass, certain bank‑partner lounges or national airports) and if your card automatically enrols you or if you need to activate separately. The partner network determines the actual value of the benefit.

Annual/Renewal Fees and Effective Cost

Since lounge access often comes with premium cards, compare the annual fee or renewal fee with the benefit you’ll truly use. Some cards waive the fee on hitting a spend target. A high‑fee card only makes sense if you will realistically use the lounges.

Terms & Conditions, Limitations and Exclusions

Read the fine print carefully. Some cards may restrict access to certain airports, deny access during peak hours, or require a transaction (even of a nominal amount) at the lounge entry. Be alert to capacity constraints, pre‑registration requirements or changes in benefit structure.

Add‑on‑card Benefits and Family Usage

If you carry add‑on cards for family members, check whether they also receive lounge access, and whether the benefit applies to the add‑on cardholder. This is relevant if you travel with a spouse or parent.

Comparison with Other Travel‑related Benefits

Lounge access may be bundled with travel‑insurance cover, concierge services, or hotel/flight discounts. Evaluate the entire travel‑benefit package rather than isolating lounge access.

Owning a card with lounge access is one thing, making the most of it is another. Here are pragmatic strategies to ensure the lounge‑access feature delivers real value.

Pre‑check the List of Eligible Lounges

Before you travel, identify which airport lounges are covered under your card in that location. Use your card issuer’s app, website or partner network’s lounge‑locator tool. Knowing the lounge’s location and terms ahead of time avoids last‑minute disappointment.

Use the Benefit During Longer Lay‑overs or Delays

Lounge access offers maximum comfort when you have time to spare. For e.g., a long layover, a delayed flight or early arrival. Rather than rush to the gate, use the lounge to relax, work, refresh and charge devices.

Leverage Guest Entries if Applicable

If your card allows a guest or add‑on cardholder access, make sure you include them when you use the lounge. An unused guest entitlement means lost value.

Coordinate With Your Travel Schedule

If you travel frequently, map out how many lounge visits you can claim in a given period (per quarter/year) and plan them around your flights. Avoid clustering visits just before benefit expiry. Also, if your card requires spend milestones, plan your spends so you unlock the subsequent period benefit.

Combine Lounge Access with Other Travel Perks

Use your lounge‑access card in conjunction with relevant travel insurance, hotel/flight discounts or reward‑point offers. The combined benefit often outweighs the stand‑alone value of lounge access.

Watch for Rule Changes and Expiry Dates

Benefit structures can change, for example, a card issuer may alter how lounge access is calculated or which lounges qualify. Stay alert to notifications from your bank. Also ensure you use your visits before expiry or reset (e.g., quarter or year).

Use Lounges During Non‑peak Hours

If you can, use lounge access during early‑morning or late‑night flights when lounges are less crowded. This typically gives you a more comfortable experience and better access to amenities.

Carry the Required Documents/Cards for Entry

Many lounges require the physical credit card, boarding pass and sometimes app‑based registration or QR code. Not having them may result in denied access.