When you enter an airport lounge, you will feel like you have walked into the dining area of a 5-star hotel. Your nose will be filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and you will notice beautifully decorated coffee tables with options of cappucino, latte, mocha, tea alongside jars filled with cookies and nuts.
You can fill your coffee mug and walk to the nearest table, and recharge your mobile phone and laptop. The lounge will give you free access to WiFi so you may download Netflix movies just before boarding the flight.
After finishing your coffee, you can walk to the dining counter where there will be a buffet with different types of cuisines – Indian, Italian, Continental and Chinese. You can fill your plate or order food from the the live counters. In some super premium lounges you can also get liquor, which may be complimentary or chargeable.
These two hours before boarding the flight will be pure bliss and you will never want to miss it the next time you travel, especially if it comes free with your credit card.
The number of free airport lounge access varies from card to card. Mostly credit cards limit the number of visits from 2 to 8 per year and a few super-premium credit cards offer unlimited access to airport lounges.
In the first half of the article, you will know the annual fee and features of the top credit cards for airport lounge access. In the second half of the article, I have provided the list of airport lounges in India.
Here is the list of 11 best credit cards for lounge access in India
Best Credit Card for Unlimited Airport Lounge Access in India
#1. HDFC Bank Diners Black Credit Card
You can freely access 700+ lounges in India and worldwide without the need for a separate priority pass.
HDFC Bank Diners Black Credit Card
Diners Black credit card is my favorite credit card by HDFC bank because the credit card offers unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access.
Diners black is a super premium credit card, so you would require a monthly salary of Rs. 1.75 Lacs or an income of 21 Lacs per annum to get this credit card.
You will also get complimentary membership for Club Marriott, Forbes Digital subscription, Zomato Gold, Amazon Prime, MakeMyTrip Double Black, and Times Prime with HDFC Dinners Black credit card.
You can pick a suitable credit card for your needs from this list of best credit cards in India 2023.
#2. HDFC Infinia Credit Card Metal Edition
Unlimited access to 1000+ airport lounges across the globe (both domestic & international). Supplementary card member also gets unlimited lounge access.
HDFC Infinia Credit Card Metal Edition
HDFC Infinia credit card offers maximum benefit, starting from lounge access to golf courses and even credit limit.
You can get unlimited access to 1000+ airport lounges across the globe (both domestic & international) with the Infinia credit card. Even the supplementary card member gets unlimited lounge access.
Note: you would need priority pass to show at the lounge to get the free access.
You would get a minimum credit limit of Rs 10 Lacs on Infinia credit card but you need 45 Lacs ITR to get HDFC Infinia credit card.
#3. Citi Prestige Credit Card
Complimentary unlimited priority pass lounge access at over 1300 airports for primary as well as supplementary cardmembers.
Citi Prestige Credit Card
Prestige credit card is super-premium credit card by CitiBank, best for the frequent traveler who needs unlimited lounge access across the world due to their regular travel.
You will get complimentary unlimited priority pass lounge access at over 1300 airports for primary as well as supplementary cardmembers.
Expert tip to get quick approval
You can get Citi Prestige credit card if you open Citigold Saving Account. You need to maintain Rs. 75L in your portfolio to be member of Citigold.
#4. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Unlimited domestic & international lounge visits with 8 additional guest visits annually with the Priority Pass card.
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card is a good choice for salaried individuals with great travel benefits. You can avail unlimited complimentary domestic & international lounge visits with 8 additional guest visits annually with the Priority Pass card.
You will also enjoy the discounts at Oberoi hotels and a 24×7 hotel concierge service.
#5. ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
Unlimited lounge access both domestic and international with complimentary spa access at select domestic airports
ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card is a lifestyle premium credit card for individuals having high net worth. With this card, you can avail unlimited complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access along with complimentary spa access at select domestic airports.
This card offers two membership plans- the monthly plan, where you need to pay a monthly fee of Rs. 1,000 and the annual plan with an annual membership fee of Rs. 12,000.
#6. American Express Platinum Credit card
Access to over 1,200 plus airport lounges globally including Centurion Lounges, American Express Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, Escape Lounges, Delta Sky Club Lounges.
American Express Platinum Credit card
American Express Platinum credit card is a super-premium credit card that offers unlimited complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access. You will also enjoy complimentary access to over 30 golf courses in India and 50+ golf courses across the world.
This card comes with a unique feature that is it has no preset credit limit.
#7. Yes Private Prime Credit Card
Unlimited international & domestic airport lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders. Guest visits are limited to 10 per year. E-gift vouchers from Oberoi hotels and resorts.
Yes Private Prime Credit Card
Yes Private Prime credit card is a super premium invite-only credit card that offers unlimited free domestic and international lounges access across the world.
The biggest advantage is that not only the primary cardholder but also the add-on cardmembers would get free unlimited lounge visits.
#8. Axis Reserve Credit Card
Unlimited airport lounge access for both primary and add-on card holders with complimentary membership of ITC Culinaire, Accor plus & Club Marriott.
Axis Reserve Credit Card
Axis Reserve is a super premium credit card that offers unlimited complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access with complimentary membership of hotel loyalty programs like ITC Culinaire, Accor plus & Club Marriott.
You also get 50 complimentary golf rounds every year at most premium golf courses in your country.
Best Credit Card for Lounge Access in India (Limited Access)
#9. HDFC Regalia Credit Card
International lounges – 6 Domestic lounges – 12
HDFC Regalia Credit Card
HDFC Regalia credit card gives 12 domestic lounges access every year. You would also get 6 complimentary visits to over 1000+ airport lounges around the world through complimentary priority pass membership.
You would be charged $27 per visit beyond the specified limit.
You will also earn 4 reward points on every Rs. 150 spent. Every reward point is worth up to Rs 0.50, which means a saving of 1.33%.
#10. InterMiles ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card
Up to 12.5 InterMiles for Etihad Airways ticket bookings and up to 10 InterMiles for other flight/hotel spends for every Rs. 100 spent on both variants.
InterMiles ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card
Intermiles ICICI Sapphiro credit card comes in two variants, Visa variant and the American express. You would get complimentary Dreamfolks membership with 2 international and 2 domestic airport lounge visits every year with both variants.
The difference in both variants is in the terms of InterMiles. Sapphiro AmEx variant offers 5 InterMiles per Rs 100 on domestic and 7 InterMiles per Rs 100 on international spends.
Whereas, Sapphiro Visa variant gives 4 InterMiles per Rs. 100 on domestic and 5 InterMiles on international spends.
Note: American express variant offers more benefits than Visa card, but the amercian express card is not accepted everywhere in India.
#11. Bank Of Baroda Eterna Credit Card
Unlimited complimentary domestic lounge access under the Mastercard India lounge program.
Bank Of Baroda Eterna Credit Card
Bank Of Baroda Eterna credit card is a premium credit card that offers unlimited complimentary domestic airport lounge access with a complimentary FitPass Pro membership.
You would also get 4 complimentary golf rounds and 12 complimentary golf lessons per year with 50% of the green fee waived annually. This card also offers lower foreign currency mark-up of 2% on all transactions.
How to get Free Access to Airport Lounges in India
If you are at any airport lounge within India then just show your credit card at the reception. They would swipe and check if they have an agreement with your bank for complimentary access.
You may see Rs. 1 transaction charge on your credit card statement if they accept your credit card.
After that.. just relax and have your food in the lounge. Some lounges also provide liquor free of cost.
For International Lounges Access – you need Priority Pass. Some credit card banks ask you to fill up an additional application form to issue you priority pass free of cost.
Make sure you keep the record of your complimentary access numbers through priority pass. You would be charged $27+tax if you exceed the allowed number of free access.
Here is the latest list of airport lounges access with each credit card.
Save this article for your reference.
Best International Airport Lounge Access Credit Card
| Credit Card | International Lounges |
| HDFC Diners Black | Unlimited |
| HDFC Infinia Metal Edition | Unlimited |
| Citi Prestige | Unlimited |
| Axis Bank Magnus | Unlimited |
| ICICI Bank Emeralde | Unlimited |
| American Express Platinum | Unlimited |
| Yes Private Prime | Unlimited |
| Axis Reserve | Unlimited |
| HDFC Regalia | 06 |
| InterMiles ICICI Sapphiro | 02 |
Best Credit Card for Domestic Airport lounge Access India
| Credit Card | Domestic Lounges |
| HDFC Diners Black | Unlimited |
| HDFC Infinia Metal Edition | Unlimited |
| Citi Prestige | Unlimited |
| Axis Bank Magnus | Unlimited |
| ICICI Bank Emeralde | Unlimited |
| American Express Platinum | Unlimited |
| Yes Private Prime | Unlimited |
| Axis Reserve | Unlimited |
| Bank Of Baroda Eterna | Unlimited |
| HDFC Regalia | 12 |
| InterMiles ICICI Sapphiro | 02 |
List of Airport Lounges in India
We have prepared the list for MasterCard lounge access India, VISA lounge access India, American Express lounge access India and Dinner lounge access India.
Mumbai Airport Lounge Access
List of free Mumbai airports lounges those can access through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic T 1B | TFS | Travel food service, 1st floor Opp. Gate A2 |
| International T2 | Clipper Lounge | Floor Opposite Samsonite |
| Domestic T2 | MALS | Travel Club Lounge, SHA, |
| Domestic Terminal 1B | Good Times Bar | Domestic Departure |
| Domestic Terminal 2 | Travel Club | Domestic Departure |
| International T2 | Clipper Lounge | International Departure located at Gate 85 |
| Domestic Terminal 1B | Carnations | Domestic Departure |
Delhi Airport Lounge Access
List of Delhi airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic T1D | Plaza Premium | Level 02, Mezzanine Level, Domestic Departure |
| Domestic T1D | Plaza Premium | Domestic Arrivals |
| Domestic T3 | Plaza Premium | Mezzanine Level, Domestic Departures, |
| Domestic T3 | Plaza Premium | Domestic Arrivals, opp gate 1 |
| Domestic T2 | Plaza Premium | Airside – Domestic Departures, near Gate 24 |
| International T3 | Plaza premium(A) | Level INL 03, International Departures |
| International T3 | Plaza Premium(B) | Level 4, International Departures |
| International T3 | Plaza Premium | International Arrivals Opp Gate 6 |
| Domestic T3 | Grid Bar | Terminal 3, Domestic Departure |
| International T3 | Connexions & Daredevils | International Departure |
| International T3 | Green Lounge | International Departure, Level 3 |
Bangalore Airport Lounge Access
List of Bangalore airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic Terminal 1 | AGL | Mezzanine Level, Domestic Departure |
| Domestic Terminal 1 | Plaza Premium | Mezzanine Level, Domestic Departure |
| International Terminal 1 | AGL | Level 1, Near Gate 18, International Departure |
| International Terminal 1 | Plaza Premium | International Departures, Level 1 |
| Domestic Terminal | Bird Group | West Pier |
| International Terminal | Bird Group | East Pier |
Hyderabad Airport Lounge Access
List of Hyderabad airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic | Premium Plaza | Level E, Domestic Departures, (near Gate 28) |
| International | Premium Plaza | Level E, International Departures (near Gate 32) |
| International | Premium Plaza | Level C, International Departure, Near Car Park |
Ahmedabad Airport Lounge Access
List of Ahmedabad airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| International T 2 | Plaza Premium | International Departure, After SHA |
| Domestic | Bica Lounge | Domestic Departure |
| International | Port Lounge | 1st Floor, Near Departure Gates, After SHA |
Pune Airport Lounge Access
List of Pune airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic | Port Lounge | Domestic Departure 1st Floor |
| International | Lite and Bite Food | 1st Floor After SHA |
Chandigarh Airport Lounge Access
List of Chandigarh airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic | CITCO | Domestic Departure, 1st Floor, After SHA, |
| International | CITCO | International Departure, 1st Floor, After SHA, |
Chennai Airport Lounge Access
List of Chennai airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Old International, T4 | TFS | Old international terminal building, near boarding |
| New International, T3 | TFS | New international terminal building, 3rd Floor |
| Domestic, Terminal 1 | TFS | Domestic Departure, 3rd Floor, After SHA |
Goa Airport Lounge Access
List of Goa airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic | Good Times | Domestic Departure, after SHA |
| Domestic | Golden Chariot | Domestic Departure |
| International | Golden Chariot | International Departure |
| Domestic | Port Lounge | Near Domestic security hall, 1st floor |
Kolkata Airport Lounge Access
List of Kolkata airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic | Travel Club | Level 3, Domestic Terminal Gate no 22, 23 |
| International | Travel Club | International Terminal, Near Gate no 10,11 |
Cochin Airport Lounge Access
List of Cochin airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic Terminal 1 | Earth | Opp. CIAl, Nedumbassery, Ground Floor |
| International Terminal 3 | Earth | Opp. CIAl, 2nd Floor Nedumbassery |
Coimbatore Airport Lounge Access
List of Coimbatore airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic | Blackberry | 1st Floor left to Airport Entrance gate |
Dehradun Airport Lounge Access
List of Dehradun airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic | Air Fest | Left to Airport Entrance Gate |
Jaipur Airport Lounge Access
List of Jaipur airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic | Club One Class | Domestic Departure |
Bhubaneswar Airport Lounge Access
List of Bhubaneswar airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic | Mayfair Lounge | Domestic Departure |
Nagpur Airport Lounge Access
List of Nagpur airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic | TFS | Near Smoking Zone, Take left for Stairs/ Lift |
| International | TFS | Near Smoking Zone |
Trivandrum Airport Lounge Access
List of Trivandrum airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| International T2 | Executive Lounge & Bar | Near Gate 2 |
Udaipur Airport Lounge Access
List of Udaipur airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic & International | Golden Chariot | After SHA Departures, left side next to CCD |
Vadodara Airport Lounge Access
List of Vadodara airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic | Port Lounge | Domestic Departure, 1st Floor |
| Domestic | Club One | Civil Aerodrome, 1st Floor |
Vijayawada Airport Lounge Access
List of Vijayawada airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| Domestic | Amravathi | Domestic Departure, NH16, after SHA |
Visakhapatnam Airport Lounge Access
List of Visakhapatnam airports lounges those can be access free through credit cards
| Terminal | Lounge | Location |
| International | CIP | Domestic Departure, NH 16 Opp, Viman Nagar, before SHA |
Conclusion
Premium and super-premium credit card offers free airport lounge access. You would need to have a good CIBIL score to get a premium or super-premium credit card.
Go ahead and apply for one of these credit cards if you have the required CIBIL score.
So that the next time you travel, you travel in style!
Dear Sir,
I have been watching your videos now since many months.
I am writing this to you to get some concrete answer for my next credit card.
Currently I am using my HDFC Bus Regalia for all my card spends like insurance premium (50% of my spends), offline shopping (25%) and travelling (25%).
Apart from above spends my online spends on amazon / flipkart / myntra would be approx 1-1.5 lacs annually.
As per my ITR of 50L+ which card should i go for for my spends as listed above ?
Shall i continue regalia or upgrade to infinia ? I can also wait for AMEX if that would be more beneficial ? or the combo of HDFC + AMEX if any ?
I would like to get your feedack on this,
Hope to get it soon.
Thanks!
Regards,
Pathik Shah
I hold 2 credit cards which had complimentary Airport lounge access. Can I use those 2 cards for myself and my wife at a time?
Yes
What about ICICI Emerald
Give unlimited lounge access on both domestic & international airport lounges.
Very good information about credit card which is useful for particular Airport Lounge.
I could not get free access with my Regalia Credit Card at the Delhi Airport T1 (Plaza Lounge) even though was my only trip in the entire year. They simply refused service saying they don’t provide free access with this card. Any reason why that would be? Does that particular lounge doesn’t support access for Regalia Cards? I am confused because I have been to other lounges using that very card.
You can get free lounge access only with the partner lounges with the card. All the lounges don’t fall under the free lounge access category.
I have 3 credit cards
1 from ICICI/ 2&3 from SBI
can i access Airport Lounge with my spouse & 6 yrs old child or guide me how to get benefits from these cards for my family.
Do your credit card offers airport lounges?
Which credit cards do you have?
Yes, you can use airport lounge as long as you are travelling with them (boarding passes with same pnr is verified). If my wife is travelling alone and I hand her my credit card, she can’t go and access the lounge services. But if I’m travelling with her, I can use both my cards to get us both into the lounge.
Can you please tell us which credit card gives access to lounge for our guests like, parents, siblings
Hope you answer
No card will give family access. But if you have more than one cards that provide lounge access, you can use it for your family.
looking for a credit card master and visa one each for lounge access domestic and international with priority pass access which has no entry or annual fee.
please guide
Dr. Bodas.. you get lounge access in premium category cards and you have to pay the annual fee but most of the cards offer annual fee waiver on hitting their annual spending target..
SBI Elite card official website does not say anything about fee waiver
Looks like they have removed the waiver offer. Anyways, thanks for pointing out. I have updated the article.
Sir please provide list of debit card for free access to air port lounge. Hdfc regalia now discontinued for air lounge access
Himanshu. Regalia is still giving airport lounge access. You can check out details here- https://www.hdfcbank.com/personal/pay/cards/credit-cards/regalia
How many guests are allowed along with primary cardholder at free charge in lounge
No one. Rahul, guest’s entry is chargeable.
sir
Thank you for information..I want to ask you about my master card(debit card) which I hold , can be used to access lounge ? If possible then how many times in an year?
Thanks
Yes Thomas, you can use your debit card (master card) for domestic lounge access. Mostly it is 2 times per quarter. You have to checkout on your debit card’s webstie for more details.
Great article. Thanks a lot.
Thanks Abhishek. Glad that you liked the article.
wonderful article about airport lounge access and credit cards. Thanks Pradeep
Thanks Vijay.. Glad that you liked it.
I got a call from indusInd for their legend signature credit card
It offers 8 lounge membership as well access.
Do i need a priority pass for international access?
Arindam
Yes
Great article
Hey Pradip,
Thanks for this great article.
I would like to highlight you that i recently got SBI ELITE card with priority pass which has only international lounge access outside India capped at 6 visits per year(Quarterly 2) . They do not provide domestic lounge access with priority pass membership (Chargeable 27$+taxes/visit).
Please refer below link.
https://www.sbicard.com/en/faq/complimentary-priority-pass-membership.page
You may edit this change in your article for user’s information.
Keep writing, keep sharing,keep doing good work 🙂
Thank you so much,
Kevin
Thank you for this information.. I’ll check out and update in my article as well..
Good info.
However some points
Vistara benefit not applicable in hdfc anymore.
Also if you could tell what lounges are accessible on which cards?
Which card covers max no of lounges.
Credit Card Domestic & International Lounges
HDFC Diners Black-Unlimited
HDFC Infinia-Unlimited
Citi Prestige-Unlimited
Yes Preferred exclusive-Unlimited
*Its depend on user spending capacity to get the above cards.
Amex Plat Travel – Good card if you use for spicejet network as indigo as stopped it’s travel voucher business altogether .
Citi Premier Miles – Non Airline specific / 10x reward structure on booking airline tickets on airline website and dedicated premiermiles.co.in website . Premier miles can be redeemed as 0.45 Rupees for booking flights and hotels . Value may change .
No cash credit offered .
I am not a big fan for Air India / Vistara / Etihad / Train tickets .
Thanks for adding.
Why Citi Premiermiles doesn’t feature here?
Hi Nichiket.. Because these 11 credit cards are best for Airport lounge access only..
can I use my brother credit card for lounge access in any airport within india or outside india . or I need my credit card for it.
No, you need your own credit card.