Credit Cards nowadays offer various exclusive benefits to their customers, along with exclusive credit limits, because this is what attracts customers the most. Everyone wants a card with the most benefits and reward offers. These benefits include reward programs, cashback offers, travel benefits, insurance benefits, movie & dining benefits, and many more. Different credit cards come loaded with several features and benefits in various categories, so that individuals can pick a card according to their requirements. Complimentary airport lounge access is one of the most exclusive and attractive benefits offered by many credit cards. Airport lounges are the comfort rooms where you can take a rest if you arrive at the airport a few hours before your flight or if you are on a layover. Complimentary lounge access to selected airports in India allows you to use domestic airport lounges for free.
Getting complimentary lounge access is not that easy if you don’t have a credit card. In general, you need to pay for the usage of airport lounges along with an annual membership fee or pay per visit. A single visit to the lounge could cost you anywhere from ₹500 to ₹2000, but zero with a credit card that offers complimentary access. Keep in mind that many of the credit cards that offer free domestic lounge access are premium cards and, as such, carry a high joining fee. It’s best to choose a card that suits your own individual needs, whether looking for a lifetime free card with lounge access or a super premium one. To learn more about the best credit cards for airport lounge access, keep reading.
There are hundreds of credit cards available in India, providing complimentary domestic airport lounge access. Hence, it may be very confusing for you to choose the best card out of them. Keeping this in mind, we have made a list of the top credit cards offered in India with free airport lounge access so that you can check all their features, compare all the cards, and then choose whichever is the best fit for you!
5 EDGE Miles on Axis Travel Edge and Airline Spends. 2 EDGE Reward Points on all Other Eligible Spends
5000 EDGE Miles on Spends of ₹1,000 Within the First 30 Days of Card Issuance
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The Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card offers strong value for travellers who prioritise airport lounge access without paying ultra-premium fees. Cardholders get complimentary access to both domestic and international lounges, with up to 6 domestic visits per quarter on the Mastercard variant and 8 per quarter on the Visa variant, along with 8 international lounge visits annually. This level of access is rare in the mid-fee segment and makes airport travel far more comfortable and cost-effective for frequent flyers. For those who travel regularly and want consistent lounge privileges without relying on high spend milestones, the Horizon Credit Card delivers excellent everyday value.
5 Reward Points/₹200 on All Eligible Retail Spends, Including Utilities, Insurance, and Education. 25 Reward Points/₹200 for Myntra, Marks and Spencer, Nykaa, and Reliance Digital Spends
Voucher Worth ₹2,500
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The card has a ₹2500 joining fee and comes with a complimentary MMTBLACK Gold and Swiggy One memberships. You can earn 4 reward points/₹150 spent with the card and 20 reward points per ₹150 spent at partner brands Myntra, Marks and Spencer, Reliance Digital, etc. Even the forex markup fee on the credit card is 2%, which is lower than the standard rate. With this card, you can get 12 complimentary domestic lounge visits and six complimentary international lounge visits via Priority Pass.
20% Scapia Coins on Travel Bookings (~4%) & 10% Scapia Coins on All Other Transactions (~2%)
N/A
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The Scapai Federal Credit Card is a lifetime-free offering that is highly regarded for providing complimentary access to domestic airport lounges in India. It is an ideal choice for those who frequently travel within the country, as cardholders can enjoy unlimited lounge access by meeting a minimal spending requirement of ₹10,000 for the Visa variant and ₹15,000 for the RuPay variant.
The Scapia Credit Card is one of the most sought-after travel cards in the country, offering accelerated rewards for travel bookings along with additional benefits such as zero EMI for travel purchases, zero Forex charges on international transactions, and more.
10X Reward Points/₹150 on Incremental Spends Above ₹20,000 Per Statement Cycle. 5X Reward Points/₹150 on Spends Upto ₹20,000. 3X RPs Are Also Awarded for Rent, Wallet Load, Education, and Government Transactions
Up to 7,500 Reward Points
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The IDFC First Bank Ashva Metal Credit Card is a stylish and premium credit card with a joining and annual fee of ₹2,999 + GST. It offers great value for frequent spenders. If you spend ₹20,000 or more in a month, you unlock 10X reward points, complimentary airport and railway lounge access, and two free golf rounds or lessons. You also get up to 7,500 Reward Points as a welcome gift and BOGO movie tickets worth up to ₹400 twice a month. It charges just 1% forex markup, making it ideal for international purchases. There’s also free trip cancellation cover up to ₹25,000 and Visa Infinite privileges like luxury hotel perks and concierge services. While many benefits, including airport lounge access, are spend-based, the card is a great pick for high spenders looking for rewards, travel benefits, and a premium metal card experience at a reasonable cost.
4 Reward Points/₹200 on Retail Spends (0.5%) | 5X Reward Points (20 RPs/₹200) on Swiggy & Zomato (2.5%)
Complimentary Membership of Swiggy One & Times Prime
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The HDFC Bank Diners Club Privilege Credit Card is a premium credit card that offers great rewards and lifestyle benefits for a joining fee of ₹1,000 + GST. You earn 4 reward points for every ₹150 spent, and even more when you spend on HDFC SmartBuy or on apps like Swiggy and Zomato. As a welcome gift, you get free memberships to Swiggy One and Times Prime after spending ₹75,000 in the first 90 days. The card also gives you access to airport lounges, discounts on movie tickets through BookMyShow, and a chance to earn extra vouchers every quarter when you spend ₹1.5 lakhs. You can redeem your reward points for flight bookings, hotel stays, vouchers, or even convert them to cash.
10 Reward Points/₹100 on Movies, Dining, Pharmacy & Chemist (2.5%) | 2 Reward Points/₹100 on Other Spends (0.5%)
Noise ColorFit Pulse 4 Pro Smart Watch Worth ₹7,999 and Complimentary Fitpass Pro and Netmeds First Membership
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The SBI Card PULSE is an excellent option that can be obtained for a reasonable fee of ₹1,500 + GST. This card offers great rewards on health-related spending, such as purchases at chemists and pharmacies. It is a great choice for those who do not frequently visit airport lounges but may need access occasionally. The SBI PULSE Credit Card provides two free domestic airport lounge accesses each quarter without requiring any minimum spending criteria. Cardholders shall also be eligible for a complimentary Priority Pass membership.
Earn 10X Reward Points Per ₹200 on Dining, Travel & International Spends, 3X on Regular and UPI Spends Above ₹2,000, and 1X on Insurance, Utilities, Railways, FASTag and UPI Spends Up to ₹2,000
₹500 Voucher from Uber, Amazon, and Bigbasket on Spending ₹5,000 Within 30 Days of Card Issuance. 5% Cashback Upto ₹1,000 on the First EMI Transaction
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The IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card is a premium card that comes with no joining or annual fees, making it a lifetime-free option. You get free airport lounge access, spa benefits, and even golf rounds if you spend ₹20,000 in a month. It offers up to 10X reward points on higher monthly spending and birthday purchases. You also get free movie tickets and travel insurance, including air accident cover worth ₹1 crore. With its low interest rates and low forex markup, it’s a great value card for high earners. Those with an annual income of ₹36 lakh or more can easily be eligible for this card.
10X Reward Points/₹150 on Incremental Spends Above ₹20,000 Per Statement Cycle. 5X Reward Points/₹150 on Spends Upto ₹20,000. 3X RPs Are Also Awarded for Rent, Wallet Load, Education, and Government Transactions
Up to 12,000 Reward Points
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The IDFC First Bank Mayura Credit Card is a premium credit card that costs ₹5,999 + GST per year and offers many benefits for frequent travelers and high spenders. You can earn up to 10X reward points when you spend over ₹20,000 in a month, and you even get points on rent, education, insurance, and utility payments. The card provides complimentary lounge access at both domestic and international airports, as well as railway lounges, and offers one complimentary guest lounge visit each quarter. It comes with zero forex charges, making it ideal for international use.
5 Reward Points/₹150 on Regular Spends (3.33%) | Up To 10x Reward Points On SmartBuy (Up To 33.33%) | 2x Reward Points (10/₹150) On Weekend Dining (6.67%)
Complimentary Membership of Club Marriott, Swiggy One and Amazon Prime (On Spends of Rs. 1.5 Lakh Within 90 Days of Card Issuance)
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The HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card is a premium metal card designed for those who enjoy luxury, travel, and rewards. With a joining fee of ₹10,000 + GST, the card offers high-end benefits like unlimited international and domestic airport lounge access for both the primary and add-on cardholders. You earn 5 reward points per ₹150 spent, and 10X points on SmartBuy purchases. On spending ₹4 lakhs in a quarter, you get 10,000 bonus points. As welcome gifts, you receive memberships to Amazon Prime, Swiggy One, and Club Marriott on spending ₹1.5 lakh in 90 days. The card also offers 6 complimentary golf games each quarter, and great discounts on dining with Swiggy Dineout.
6 Reward Points/₹200 Spent (Reward Rate of 3%)
Complimentary Taj Epicure and EazyDiner Membership and 12,500 Bonus Reward Points
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One of the latest offerings by ICICI Bank, the Emeralde Private Metal credit card, is in the super-premium category and comes at a joining fee of ₹12,499 plus taxes. The card comes in a metal body and is packed with exclusive lifestyle and travel features for the cardholder. As a welcome benefit, you get a complimentary Taj Epicure membership for one year and an EazyDiner Prime membership, along with a bonus of 12,500 reward points. You can enjoy unlimited lounge access with this card.
1 EDGE Mile/₹100 on Domestic and 2 EDGE Mile/₹100 on International Spends
2,500 EDGE Miles and Taj/ITC Hotel Vouchers Worth ₹10,000
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The Axis Bank Olympus Credit Card is a premium card with great travel and lifestyle benefits. You earn 4% rewards on domestic and 5.8% on international spending. It offers unlimited airport lounge access, hotel vouchers, and concierge services. You also get golf access and a complimentary Taj Epicure membership. It’s a good choice for frequent travelers and luxury seekers.
When applying for a credit card for domestic lounge access, consider the following factors:
It’s important to consider the number of lounge accesses provided by your credit card. As a frequent traveler, you may require more frequent airport visits, so it’s best to opt for a card that offers multiple lounge accesses. However, if you’re an occasional traveler who doesn’t need airport lounge access often, an entry-level card with one lounge access per quarter may suffice.
Credit cards have different joining and renewal charges. While some credit cards have no annual fees, there are luxury cards that charge significant joining and renewal fees. These cards often offer cardholders many benefits. For example, if you are looking for a lifetime free credit card with lounge access, the AU LIT Credit Card would be most suitable. On the other hand, cards like Infinia and Magnus have high joining fees but also provide unlimited lounge access.
When visiting an airport, it is crucial to ensure that your credit card includes access to that airport. For instance, if you plan to visit the Chandigarh Airport Lounge and possess an Axis Bank Credit Card, it is essential to confirm that your card includes access to airport lounges, as well as check if the particular lounge you plan to visit is on the list. This will help you avoid any inconvenience or disappointment during your travel. Now that we have discussed Axis Bank Airport Lounge Access, you can check the list here.
Banks have recently been reducing the value of their credit cards in terms of airport lounge access. This is due to the increased demand and usage of airport lounges with credit cards, which incur heavy charges for banks while not being profitable for them. To discourage such usage, banks have now imposed a spending requirement that must be met if one wishes to use the lounge.
Before visiting a lounge at an airport, it’s important to confirm if your credit card covers the specific lounge. Lounges by Card Insider can help ease your mind while looking for a credit card with lounge access.
With Lounges by Card Insider, you can easily check if your credit card provides access to the lounge at the airport you plan to visit.
As awareness grows and travel becomes more prevalent, an increasing number of individuals are opting for credit cards to gain access to domestic lounges. These lounges typically charge various banks’ fees ranging from 800 to over 1500 per access. In an effort to control costs, banks are now imposing limitations on the number of lounges that cardholders can access or introducing quarterly/monthly spending requirements.
Prominent banks such as HDFC, Axis, IDFC, and ICICI now mandate meeting quarterly spending targets. Entry-level credit cards will likely be the first affected by these restrictions on lounge access. Consequently, the demand for credit cards offering complimentary lounge access is on the rise, making our list an essential guide for those seeking a convenient way to enjoy and unwind at airports while saving substantial amounts. Recently, Axis Bank has imposed a spend-based criterion of ₹50,000 in the past three months for accessing airport lounges with its cards. This is valid for the vast majority of cards, except some, like Atlas, Primus, and other super premium credit cards.
Here are the various spending requirements for complimentary airport lounge access with different credit card issuers.
| Credit Card Issuer | Spending Required |
| Federal Bank | ₹20,000 for Signet, ₹40,000 for Imperio and ₹60,000 for Celesta in the Last Quarter |
| Axis Bank | ₹50,000 in the Previous Quarter (Exclusions – Olympus, Primus, and Horizon Credit Cards) |
| ICICI Bank | ₹75,000 in the Previous Quarter (Exclusions – Emeralde Private Metal, Times Black ICICI, Adani One ICICI Signature, Adani One ICICI Platinum, and MakeMyTrip ICICI) |
| Yes Bank | ₹1 Lakh in the Previous Quarter for Yes Marquee, Reserved, and First Premium Corporate Card. ₹75,000 in the Previous Quarter for the YES First Preferred/YES First Business Card. ₹50,000 in the Previous Quarter for All Other Cards. |
| AU Bank | ₹20,000 Each Quarter |
Let us compare some of the top credit cards in each of their segment to find the best card suited for you. In each of the categories below, you can find reasons to opt for or refrain from the mentioned credit card.
The Scapia Federal Credit Card is a popular travel offering in the country. This is a lifetime free credit card, i.e., you won’t have to pay any renewal or annual charges for this credit card. This card has many features that are useful for its users, such as the great reward rate of 5% on travel bookings.
Why Is This Credit Card The Best Choice for You?
Why This Credit Card Might Not Be Right for You?
HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card is a top-rated card in India. It comes at a joining fee of ₹2,500. This credit card offers premium travel and lifestyle privileges. It offers a complimentary MMTBLACK Gold and Swiggy One membership on spending over ₹1 Lakh within 90 days of getting the card issued. Cardholders can earn 4 reward points for every retail purchase of ₹150. They earn 5x Reward Points for every ₹150 spent in-store or online at Nykaa, Reliance Digital, Myntra, etc.
Why Is This Credit Card The Best Choice for You?
Why This Credit Card Might Not Be Right for You?
The Axis Bank Olympus Credit Card is a premium card with unique and highly beneficial features across multiple categories. You can enjoy unlimited domestic lounge access with this card, but keep in mind that this card comes at a joining/renewal fee of ₹20,000 + GST. Although there are many other benefits associated with this card, such as discounts on movies and welcome gift vouchers, it’s best to opt for one that suits your needs.
Why Is This Credit Card The Best Choice for You?
Why This Credit Card Might Not Be Right for You?
Using a credit card for free airport lounge access is a straightforward and hassle-free process. You will just have to follow the steps below carefully:
You can also access a lounge with the DreamFolks Web Access app. By using the app, you can save valuable time by skipping the queue and entering the lounge quickly with just a QR code display. However, you need to log in to the app first and add your cards before using it.
At Card Insider, we analyse and compare multiple features of different credit cards. For this list, our team dedicated itself to meticulously examining lounge access available across various credit cards in the Indian market. With our thoughtfully curated list, you can easily grasp various cards that offer free domestic lounge access. Rest assured, our reviews are not only comprehensive but also display the latest information, empowering you to make well-informed decisions that suit you and your finances.
Having a credit card for airport lounge access is a tested and proven good decision. Most people prefer to arrive at least two to three hours before their flight so that they don’t miss it by chance, but waiting at the airport for hours on uncomfortable seats can be really challenging. In such situations, complimentary lounge access might seem to be a blessing to you. So, suppose you are a frequent flyer and travel within your country very often. In that case, you should apply for a travel credit card or a credit card with domestic lounge access to have a more luxurious travel experience for free.
However, you must be aware that most card issuers offer a free airport lounge access facility only for primary cardholders, and you have to pay the usage fee if you have someone with you. You can also get a credit card that offers free access to domestic airport lounges to supplementary cardholders and guests. Therefore, you should always check the terms and conditions for complimentary lounge access before getting a card.
Now, you can easily compare airport lounge access credit cards in India, and let us know which card you’re going to choose. If you already have one of these cards, make sure to share your experiences in the comment area below.
The Domestic Lounge access is a feature provided with the credit card, by which the cardholder can use the facility of airport lounges. Airport lounges offer many privileges and lavish benefits like complimentary food, Air conditioned hall/seating area, beds, spa, WiFi, TV facility, and much more. Every Credit card comes with pre-defined lounge access, but if you hold a super-premium card, then you may have unlimited access.
You can refer to your card issuer’s website and search for your card. Go to the features section and check if the card offers lounge access or not. You can also call customer care of your Bank and ask about the same.
If your credit card offers airport lounge access, then simply approach the lounge staff and show your card. Your card will be swiped and a very small fee (generally Rs. 2) would be charged which is refunded after a while. You can access the lounge and enjoy the benefits.
No, the complimentary Priority Pass membership just means that you don’t need to pay the annual fee, but a usage fee will be charged every time you access the lounge using your Priority Pass.
Every Airport lounge comes with a different time for staying at a lounge. Most of the lounges permit around 3 hours to stay for every person. You can check the same or ask the lounge staff before visiting the lounge.
Many of the super-premium credit cards come with Unlimited access to airport lounges. Most of the cards come with a pre-defined number of visits to a lounge but with a card offering unlimited visits, there is no capping on how many times you visit the lounge.
No, the Amazon ICICI Bank Credit Card does not provide any international or domestic lounge access.
8 comments
Shweta
I am confused between Axis Bank MyZone Credit Card and Axis Bank Flipkart Credit Card, as both offer different domestic lounge access benefits. While MyZone provides a diverse range of options, Flipkart caters to frequent shoppers. As a regular traveler, I am looking for your recommendations on which card to choose for a better experience at domestic lounges.
Kartik Kanwar
Go for some other card like Scapia. Both of these are now useless for airport lounge access.
Sandeep Jain
I have read the whole page where you have presented all the best domestic credit cards beautifully, But still, i am confused between Axis Bank ACE Credit Card and HDFC Ragelia HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card both the cards have good offers and benefits but, which one should I go for long term use?
Kartik Kanwar
Regalia Gold is the best choice.
SK Bhatia
Hello Reader,
May i know which credit card i can consider for unlimited International Lounge access?
Kartik Kanwar
HDFC Infinia, DCB Black for overall lounge access. Scapia is a great choice for unlimited domestic lounge access.
Avijit Mukherjee
Hi Ankur
Was curious to know about existence of any credit cards in India which provides free unlimited lounge access for family also. I have add on cards for wife and mother but there is a bottleneck to free access when it comes to kids or friends.
Avi
Kartik Kanwar
Unlimited ones are offered with premium cards. You would do best with HDFC Infinia, where you can get add-ons and won’t have to face any issue with international as well as domestic lounge access.