Have long layovers, flight delays and crowded airport terminals made your travel experience stressful and exhausting? This is when airport lounges come to the rescue. However, access to these lounges is not free, and especially at international terminals, the visit can be quite costly. One of the most common ways how travellers can get complimentary access to airport lounges is through their credit card. A number of premium and mid-range credit cards offer complimentary lounge visits as an additional benefit. While on most cards the benefit is limited to a limited number of visits per year or per quarter, some premium cards offer unlimited access.
Before we delve deeper to understand how you can choose the best airport lounge access credit card, let us first find out the benefits you can avail at an airport lounge:
- Comfortable space during Delays and Layovers
Airports are usually crowded and during peak travel times, finding a quiet and comfortable spot can be quite challenging. At the same time, flight delays and layovers are unavoidable in air travel. In such a situation, having access to airport lounges can help travellers escape the noise and chaos. Some lounges even provide nap rooms or quiet areas where travellers can catch some rest in privacy—far from the noise of the terminal. Rather than waiting in a noisy terminal for hours, travellers can rest in a lounge, making the wait more bearable.
- Complimentary Food and Beverages
Airport lounges typically provide a variety of food and beverage options. Whether it is a hearty meal, snacks, or a glass of wine to unwind, you can find everything at an airport lounge. This can save travelers both time and money, avoiding the often overpriced and subpar options available in the main terminal.
- Reliable Wi-Fi and Workspaces
Many airport lounges provide designated workspaces, meeting rooms and conference facilities, which makes them a suitable option for business travellers. They also provide fast and reliable Wi-Fi for travellers who need to stay connected when on the move. These facilities make it easier to conduct business or stay productive while waiting for a flight, typically benefiting remote workers or entrepreneurs who need to maximize their time.
- Assistance with Travel Arrangements
Some airport lounges are run by airlines or have a collaboration with airlines. Such lounges often have dedicated customer service desks where travellers can get personalized assistance with flight arrangements. Whether it is rebooking a flight, upgrading a seat, or managing checked luggage, having direct access to staff in the lounge can save time and reduce the stress of handling these issues at a crowded gate.
- Exclusive Perks and Services
High-end lounges sometimes offer additional benefits that can enhance the travel experience even further. This could include spa services, wellness treatments, or private access to luxury retail stores. For those flying frequently for work or leisure, these little extras can make the journey feel indulgent and rewarding.
Availing Complimentary Lounge Access through Credit Cards
Complimentary airport lounge access comes as an additional perk on most premium and mid-range credit cards. Some entry-level credit cards also provide a limited number of domestic lounge visits in a year.
Here are a few important things to note when looking for a credit card for lounge access benefit:
- Most credit cards offer a limited number of complimentary lounge visits in a year/quarter.
- Some premium credit cards may also extend complimentary membership to add-on cardholders, along with offering a limited number of guest visits as well.
- Some credit cards may only offer domestic lounge visits while others may offer both domestic and international lounge visits.
- Lounge access on credit cards is generally provided through airport lounge membership programs like Priority Pass, Dreamfolks, LoungeKey, etc. Cardholders would get a complimentary membership to one of these programs.
- Lounge access feature on select credit cards may come with spend-based eligibility condition, wherein cardholders would have to reach a pre-set spending threshold in a month or quarter to be eligible for the free visit.
- If you have an airline co-branded credit card, it is likely that you will get complimentary access to the airline’s lounge only.
Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
Given below are some of the best credit cards with complimentary domestic and international lounge visits. Note that some of these are premium cards that come with stringent eligibility terms and might carry a high annual fee:
| Credit Card | Domestic Lounge Visit* | International Lounge Visit* |
| HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card# | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Axis Reserve Credit Card# | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Axis Bank Select Credit Card | Up to 8 visits in a year | Up to 12 visits in a year |
| Ixigo AU Credit Card | Up to 16 visits in a year | 1 visit in a year |
| SBI Card ELITE | Up to 8 visits in a year | Up to 6 visits in a year |
| HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card | Up to 12 visits in a year | Up to 6 visits in a year |
| AU Zenith+ Credit Card | Up to 16 visits in a year | Up to 16 visits in a year |
#Premium Credit Cards
*Terms and Conditions Apply
For frequent travellers, complimentary lounge access through credit cards is more than just a luxury; it’s a practical tool for making travel smoother and less stressful. Whether it is catching up on work or simply relaxing in a peaceful environment, lounge access transforms the airport experience for travellers. And, with the right travel credit card, they can make the most of this facility without having to spend a fortune.
Also Read: Top-Notch Credit Card Travel Perks To Elevate Your Trips
