Airport lounge access is one of the most sought-after incentives offered by credit card issuers. ET Wealth Online lists the credit cards with airport lounge access of the top 14 banks in India (based on RBI’s data on credit cards outstanding as of September 2023 ).
Do note that these are not ranked in any particular order; the information is based on what is available on the bank websites collected on November 11, 2023.
HDFC Bank
HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: 8 Complimentary Domestic Lounge Access per calendar year (2 in a quarter).
Key features and rewards
- 5% Cashback on Amazon, BookMyShow, Cult.fit, Flipkart, Myntra, Sony LIV, Swiggy, Tata CLiQ, Uber and Zomato
- 1% cashback on all other spends (except Fuel) including EMI & Wallet transactions
- Rs 1000 worth gift vouchers on spends of Rs 1,00,000 and above in each calendar quarter
- Upto 20% discount on partner restaurants via Swiggy Dineout.
Fee
- Joining/Renewal Membership Fee – Rs 1,000/- + Applicable Taxes
- Note: Spend Rs 1,00,000 or more in a year, before your Credit Card renewal date and get your renewal fee waived off.
HDFC Infinia Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Enjoy unlimited complimentary lounge access at airports within and outside India at 1,000+ airport lounges using Priority Pass.
Key features and rewards
- Metallic Card
- Complimentary nights & buffet at participating ITC hotels
- Complimentary Club Marriott membership for first year
- Unlimited airport lounge access across the globe for Primary and Add-on member
- 5 Reward Points for every Rs 150 spent
- Foreign Currency Markup : Lowest markup fee of 2% on all foreign currency transactions.
Fee
- Joining/Renewal Membership Fee – Rs. 12,500 + Applicable Taxes.
- Renewal benefit of 12,500 reward points* upon fee realisation and card activation.
- Note: Spend 10 lakhs or more in the preceding 12 months and get renewal membership fee waived off for next year.
HDFC Bank Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card
- Airport lounge access:8 Complimentary Domestic Lounge Access per calendar year (2 in a quarter). Rs 2 (VISA / RuPay) will be charged to the Credit Card for the Lounge Access.
- Using Priority Pass, you and your add on member can together avail up to 4 Complimentary Lounge Access per calendar year (1 per Quarter), outside India.
Key features
- Zero lost card liability: In the unfortunate event of losing your Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card, on reporting it immediately to our 24-hour call centre, you have zero liability on any fraudulent transactions made on your Credit Card.
- Foreign Currency Markup: 2% on all your foreign currency spends.
- 5% back as NeuCoins on Non-EMI Spends on Tata Neu and partner Tata Brands.
- 1.5% back as NeuCoins on Non-Tata Brand Spends and any Merchant EMI Spends
Fees
- Joining/Renewal Membership Fee – ?1,499/- + Applicable Taxes
- Note: Spend Rs 3,00,000 or more in a year, before your Credit Card renewal date and get your renewal fee waived off.
InterMiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Avail 8 complimentary visits Per Year (2 per quarter) when you travel.
Key features
- 1,500 InterMiles upon spending Rs. 3,000 with in first 30 days of card set up
- 1,500 InterMiles on total retail spends of Rs.50,000 and above, within first 90 days
Fee
- Joining/ Renewal Membership Fee – Rs. 1,000/- + Applicable Taxes.
HDFC Bank Black Card – Diners Club Black Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Unlimited Airport lounge access to 1000+ Lounges in India and worldwide for primary and add-on card members.
Key features and rewards
- Credit liability cover: Rs. 9 lakh
- Foreign Currency Markup: 2% on all your foreign currency spends.
- (These charges will be billed on your subsequent statement within 60 days from date of visit. Currency conversion rate is applicable as on the date of settlement)
- 5 Reward Points for every Rs 150 spent
- Up to 10X Reward Points via SmartBuy and 2X on weekend dining
- Complimentary Golf games across the finest courses in the world ( 6 per quarter)
Fee
- Joining/Renewal Membership Fee – Rs. 10,000/- plus Applicable Taxes
- Spend Rs. 5 Lakhs in 12 Months and get Renewal Fee waived for next renewal year
InterMiles HDFC Bank Signature Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Avail 16 complimentary visits Per Year (4 per quarter) when you travel.
Key features
- Embark on your journey of privileges by availing up to 8,000 Bonus InterMiles
- 3,000 InterMiles upon spending Rs. 6,000 with in first 30 days of card set up**
- 5,000 InterMiles on total retail spends of Rs.90,000 and above, within first 90 days
- Earn 6 InterMiles on every Rs. 150 spent on retail spends
Fee
- Joining/ Renewal Membership Fee – Rs. 2500/- + Applicable Taxes.
6E Rewards XL – IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: 8 Complimentary Domestic Lounge Access per calendar year (2 in a quarter) .
Key features
- Foreign Currency Markup : Markup fee of 2.5% on all foreign currency transactions.
- Zero Lost card liability : In the unfortunate event of losing your 6E Rewards XL – IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Card, on reporting it immediately to our 24-hour call centre, you have zero liability on any fraudulent transactions made on your Credit Card.
- Customer needs to make a minimum 3 transactions in each of the first 3 months starting from the date of card issued.
Fee
- Joining/ Renewal Membership Fee – Rs.1, 500/- + Applicable Taxes. 6E Rewards program membership will be discontinued on non-payment of membership fee within 90 days.
State Bank of India (SBI)
SBI Elite Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: 6 complimentary Airport Lounge visits per calendar year, outside India ( max. 2 visits per quarter). Enjoy 2 complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge visits every quarter in India.
Key features
- Earn upto 50,000 Bonus Reward Points worth Rs. 12,500/ year
- Earn 10,000 bonus Reward Points on achieving annual spends of Rs. 3 lakhs and 4 lakhs.
- Your SBI Card ELITE offers you the privilege of the lowest Foreign Currency Mark-up Charge of 1.99% on International usage.
- You are also entitled to 2 Reward Points on every Rs. 100 spent on International transactions.
Fee
- Annual Fee (one-time) : Rs.4,999 + Taxes
- Welcome gift worth Rs. 5,000
- Renewal Fee (per annum) :Rs. 4,999 + Taxes.
SBI Prime Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: 4 complimentary visits per calendar year to International Priority Pass Lounges, outside India (max. 2 visits per quarter). 8 complimentary visits per calendar year to Domestic Lounges in India (max. 2 visits per quarter).
Key features
- Waiver of Renewal Fee on annual spends of Rs. 3 Lakhs
- E-Gift Voucher worth Rs. 7,000 from Yatra.com/Pantaloons on achieving annual spends of Rs. 5 Lakhs
- Welcome e-gift Voucher worth Rs. 3,000 from any of the following brands: Bata/Hush Puppies, Pantaloons, Aditya Birla Fashion, Shoppers Stop and Yatra.com
Fee
- Annual Fee (one-time): Rs. 2,999 + Taxes. Renewal Fee (per annum):Rs. 2,999 + Taxes
Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME
- Airport lounge access: Enjoy 8 complimentary visits per year to Domestic Airport lounges (subject to a max of 2 per quarter). 4 complimentary visits per calendar year to International Priority Pass Lounges, outside India (max. 2 visits per quarter).
Key features
- Earn 4 CV Points on every Rs. 200 that you spend using the Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME
- Use your CV Points on your CV Account to redeem on Air Vistara and Partner Airlines
- Spend Rs. 75,000 within 90 days of card issuance and get 3000 bonus CV Points
- Get 1 Premium Economy ticket each on annual spends of Rs. 1.5 lakhs, Rs. 3 lakhs, Rs. 4.5 lakhs & Rs. 8 lakhs
Fee
- Annual Fee : Rs. 2999 + applicable taxes. Renewal Fee (per annum): Rs. 2999 + applicable taxes.
SBI Card Pulse, Air India SBI Card Platinum, Etihad Guest SBI Card will offer 8 complimentary domestic lounge access every year and BPCL SBI Card Octane offers 4 complimentary domestic lounge access every year.
Kotak Mahindra Bank
- Airport lounge access: Get 8 lounge access per year with 2 every quarter.
Key features
- Annual Fee Rs 1,500 is a launch offer.
- No earnings of 6E Rewards on loading of prepaid payment instruments
- Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge access is permitted twice in every quarter at select airports.
- 6E Rewards earned on spends through Kotak IndiGo 6E Rewards Credit Card will be valid for 24 months from the date of issuance. Specific campaign-based Bonus 6E Rewards will be valid for 6 months from the date of issuance
Fee
- Joining Fees: Joining Fees Rs. 2500 (1500 as introductory fee)
- Annual Fees: Rs. 2500 (1500 as introductory fee).
Kotak White Reserve Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Unlimited International lounge access for primary and add-on card holders.
Key features
- Fine Dining – Up to 25% off on the food and beverage bill at participating restaurants in India and up to 20% off across Asia Pacific, for up to 10 guests (not applicable on Sunday Brunches)
- Luxurious Stays – Up to 20% off on the Best Available Rate of rooms in India and Best Weekend Rate of rooms available in Asia Pacific
- Personal Care – Up to 20% off on select spa treatments in India
Fee
Joining Fees: Rs. 12,500. Annual Fees: Rs. 12,500
ICICI Bank
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card- 2 complimentary airport lounge visits outside India and 2 spa sessions at selected airports in India every year, through complimentary Dreamfolks membership.
ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Unlimited complimentary international lounge access. Unlimited complimentary domestic lounge access.
Key features
- Travel with just one card internationally
- No cancellation charges on Domestic travel and hotel bookings
- Enjoy the flexibility to select your membership plan.
Fee
- Joining Fee: Rs. 1,000 + Taxes for monthly plan, Rs. 12,000 + taxes for annual plan
- Renewal Fee: Rs. 1,000 (plus applicable taxes) for monthly plan, Rs. 12,000 (plus applicable taxes) for annual plan.
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emerald Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Unlimited complimentary international & domestic lounge access and domestic spa sessions*.
Key features and rewards
- Complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver Tier membership till the card is active*.
- 10,000 Skywards Miles*
- 10,000 Skywards Miles and Emirates Skywards Silver Tier membership (as long as card is active)* as joining and annual benefits
- Earn up to 2.5 Skywards Miles per Rs100 spent.
Fee
- Joining fee – Rs 10,000
- Annual fee – Rs 10,000 (From Second Year onwards)
Bank of Baroda
BoB Eterna Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Unlimited Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge Access in a year.
Features
- Get free Personal Accidental Death Cover to ensure financial protection of your family (Air: 1 Crs, Non-Air: 10 Lakhs).
- Redeem your reward points as cashback and other exciting options.All your accumulated reward points can be redeemed for cashback @ 1 reward point = ? 0.25
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations across India on transactions between Rs.400 and Rs.5,000 (Max. Rs. 250 per statement cycle).
Fee
- First Year Fee (levied in the first statement): Rs 2499
- Annual Fee: Rs 2499.
Bank Of Baroda Varunah Premium Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Unlimited Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge Visits
Features
- Earn 5X i.e.15 Rewards Points for every Rs.100 spent on Travel, Dining, Online & International Spends*
- Earn 3 Reward Points for every Rs.100 spent on other categories
- Unlimited Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge Visits
- Reduced Forex mark-up of 2% for Savings on International Spends.
Fee
- First Year Fee and Annual fee: Rs. 2,499
- Spend Rs. 25,000 on your card within first 180 days of card setup date for First year fee reversal. Spend Rs. 1,50,000 on your card in the preceding year for fee waiver.
Bank of Baroda CMA ONE Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Airport experience with 12 complimentary access (3 per quarter) at partner domestic airport lounges.
Key features
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations across India on transactions between Rs.400 and Rs.5,000 (Max. Rs. 250 per statement cycle).
- Professional Indemnity Insurance Cover of Rs 5 Lakhs*, Air accident death cover of Rs 15 Lakhs and Non-air accident death cover of Rs 5 Lakhs
- Convert purchases of ? 2,500/- on your card into easy EMIs of 6/36 months.
Fee
- First Year Fee (levied in the first statement) is Rs 1and no annual fee.
IDFC First Wealth Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Access to International and Domestic Airport lounges and spas. 4 complimentary Domestic & International airport lounge, spa visits per quarter, on minimum monthly spends of Rs.5000.
Key features
- Fuel surcharge waiver of 1%, at all fuel stations across India,up to Rs 400/month
- Applicable only on transaction values between Rs 200 & Rs 5000
- Air Accident Cover of Rs 1 crore
- Personal Accident Cover of Rs 10,00,000 and Lost Card Liability Cover of Rs 50,000
Fee
No annual fee. Lifetime Free Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
FIRST Select Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: 4 complimentary Domestic airport lounge visits per quarter, on minimum monthly spends of Rs.5000.
Key features and rewards
- 10X Reward Points on incremental spends above Rs 25,000 per month and spends done on your birthday
- 6X & 3X Reward Points on online & offline purchases respectively for spends up to Rs 25,000 per month
Fee
No annual fee. Lifetime Free Credit Card.
IDFC First Private Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Complimentary unlimited access to Airport Spas and Lounges in India and abroad.
Key features
- Take on the world, with 0% Forex mark-up on international spends.
- 2 Complimentary Golf rounds or lessons every month on spends of over Rs 40,000.
- For monthly spends below Rs 30,000, get 6X Reward Points on online spends and 3X Reward Points on online and rental spends. For monthly spends above Rs 30,000, get 10X Rewards.
IndusInd Bank
IndusIndPioneer Heritage Metal Credit card
- Airport lounge access: Unlimited International Lounge access.
Key features
- Complimentary LoungeKey and Priority Pass memberships.
- Access to over 850 lounges in more than 400+ airports over 120 countries worldwide.
- Guest visits are chargeable at USD 27 per person, per guest
- Eligible cardholders to present their IndusInd Bank Pioneer Heritage Metal credit card and boarding pass or Priority Pass at the lounge to gain access.
- Access to business facilities (subject to availability and at the discretion of lounge operator) – email, internet, phones, fax machines, and even conference space in some lounges.
Fee
- IndusInd Bank HERITAGE Credit Card Rs 90,000 joining fee and Rs25,000 Annual fee
- *Annual Fee will be charged at the end of 12 months from the card issue date (period).
- Note: This Annual fee will be reversed if spends during the period on the card account (Combined spends of Primary and all Add-on Cards, if any) is INR 10,00,000 or more.
IndusInd Bank Indulge Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: With your IndusInd Bank Indulge Credit Card enjoy exclusive access to select premium airport lounges within India and get complimentary lounge visits per calendar quarter on your Primary Card. Enjoy up to 6 complimentary lounge visits per calendar quarter on your Card. The current offer is valid till 31st December, 2023.
YES Bank
YES Bank Private/ Private Prime Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Yes Bank offers 4 domestic complimentary guest visits in a calendar year and 4 complimentary *guest visit accesses per calendar year (1 per quarter).
Key features and rewards
- Get Upto 2% Cashback on domestic and 3% Cashback on international spends as Reward Points(Effective till 16th Oct’2022)
- W.e.f 17th Oct’2022: Get 16 Reward Points on domestic and 24 Reward Points on international spends for every INR 200 (1 Reward Point = upto 25 p)
- 1.75% Foreign Currency Mark up charges on all international spends.
Fee
- 1st Year Membership Fee: Rs.50,000 + Applicable Taxes
- Renewal Membership Fee: Rs.10,000 + Applicable Taxes, reversed on spends of Rs. 25,00,000 within 12 months prior to the renewal
YES First Exclusive Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: 3 complimentary Domestic Airport lounge visit per calendar quarter for Primary Cardmember, and 6 complimentary International (Outside India) Airport lounge visits per calendar year, for Primary Cardmember.
Key features
- 4 green fee waiver per year 1 Golf lesson per year at select golf courses in India.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver between Rs 400 and Rs 5000.
- Credit Shield cover of 15 Lac, Lost Card liability 15 Lac to 30 Lac
Fee
- First Year Membership Fee of INR 1,999+ applicable taxes, waived off on total retail spends of INR 40,000/- done within 30 days of card set up date.
- Renewal Membership Fee of INR 1,999+ applicable taxes, waived off on total retail spends of INR 3,00,000/- or more within 12 months prior to card renewal date.
YES First Preferred Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: 4 complimentary airport lounge visits per calendar year. 2 complimentary lounge visits per quarter in India.
Key features
- 6 Reward Points On every INR 200 spent on Travel and Dining expenses of up to 3,000 per statement cycle
- 8 Reward Points On every INR 200 spent on all categories 4RP on select categories
- Air Miles of 10 Reward Points = 1 InterMile / 1 Club Vistara Point
AU Small Finance Bank
AU Small Finance Bank Vetta Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: 1 complimentary lounge access per calendar quarter within India, using your VISA Card. 1 complimentary lounge access per calendar quarter, using Priority Pass at all participating lounges.
Key features
- Earn 1,000 Bonus Reward Points on completing one retail transaction on your birthday.
- 500 Bonus Reward Points on INR 50,000 retail spends* done per calendar quarter and get additional 1,000 Bonus Reward Points on reaching INR 1 lakh retail spends* per calendar quarter.
- So, earn up to 1,500 Bonus Reward Points in every calendar quarter with INR 1 lakh retail spends*.
- *Note: Fuel transactions and Cash withdrawal are excluded from Bonus Reward Points spends calculation.
HSBC
HSBC Cashback Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: 4 complimentary domestic lounges per year(1 per quarter)
Key features
- 10% accelerated cashback on all dining, food delivery and grocery spends (capped upto 1k/billing cycle)
- 1.5% unlimited cashback on all other spends (exclusions apply)*
Fee
Annual membership fees INR999 (to be reversed if your total annual spend exceeds INR200,000)
DBS Bank India
DBS Vantage Card
- Airport lounge access: Unlimited airport lounge access domestic and international.
Key features
- 0% at Singapore and 1.75% for other countries.
- Flat fee: 2.5% of the cash amount (Minimum Rs. 500)
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver will be capped at 1% of the eligible fuel transaction amounts.
- The surcharge waiver is applicable on minimum fuel transactions of Rs. 1000 and maximum of Rs. 6000.
- Fuel surcharge waiver capped at Rs. 200 per billing cycle.
Fees
DBS Treasures customers joining fee is Rs. 20,000 (getting a benefit of Rs.30K) and for DBS Elite customers it is Rs. 10,000 (getting a benefit of Rs.40K).
Union Bank of India
Union JCB Wellness Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Complimentary Domestic lounge access across India 2 per quarter and International lounge access 2 per year.
Key features
- 4 reward points per Rs 100 on spends towards Dining, Shopping, Groceries and Departmental Stores & Apparel. 2 points per Rs 100 on all other spends.
- Milestone Rewards On reaching spends of Rs. 1,50,000 in a year get additional rewards on reaching milestones INR 1,50,000 – 1000 Points INR 2,00,000 – 1500 points INR 2,50,000 – 2000 points.
- Free Personal Accident Insurance coverage of up to 10.00 lakhs.
Fee
The bank will charge an admission Fee of Rs999 and annual subscription fee of Rs 999 on main card.
American Express
American Express® Platinum Travel Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Enjoy 8 complimentary visits per year (limited to two complimentary visit per quarter) to airport lounges across India.
Key features
You earn Milestone Bonus Membership Rewards Points on the following three Milestones as defined below:
Spending Rs. 15,000 within 90 days of Cardmembership entitles you to a Welcome Gift1
Fee
First year fee: Rs. 3,500 plus applicable taxes. Second year onwards: Rs. 5,000 plus applicable taxes.
Standard Chartered India
Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card Benefits
- Airport lounge access: To qualify for a complimentary visit, you should have spent more than INR 20,000 (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) in the previous month on the respective credit card
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: International lounge access (through Priority Pass): 2 complimentary visits per calendar year.
Key features and rewards
- Get 10x rewards* on every Rs100 spent for booking tickets at standalone hotel and airline websites/apps/outlets.
- Flat 20% instant discount* on domestic & international hotel* bookings(Max discount of Rs 5000 and Rs 10000 respectively)
- Flat 10% off* on domestic & international flight bookings(Max discount of Rs 1000 and Rs 5000 respectively)
Fee
Annual fee of Rs 350 + GST. The renewal fee will be reversed for clients with spends greater than or equal to Rs 50,000 in the preceding year on Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit card
Axis Bank
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Avail unlimited complimentary international lounge visits and 8 additional guest visits per year with the priority pass card. Also, unlimited visits to select airport lounges in India.
Key features
- The Magnus Credit Card offers up to 12 Axis EDGE REWARDS Points for every Rs. 200 spent
- Discounted stays at Oberoi Hotels
- Movie ticket benefits via BookMyShow, and much more
Fee
Joining fee of Rs 10,000. Annual fee of Rs 12, 500 plus taxes will be waived off on spend of Rs 25 lakh in preceding year.
Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Get up to 12 complimentary international airport lounge access through priority pass membership. 2 complimentary domestic lounges per quarter.
Other Axis bank credit cards
Axis Bank Miles & More World Credit Card and Axis Bank Miles & More World Select Credit Card offers four complimentary lounge access per quarter. Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card, get up to 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge access per calender year.
Axis Bank Burgundy Private Credit Card
- Airport lounge access: Avail unlimited international lounge visits and 12 additional guest visits per year with the priority pass card. Also, unlimited visits to select airport lounges in India.
Key features
- 24×7 concierge services to manage flight bookings, table reservations, gift deliveries and more.*
- 50 complimentary rounds of golf per year. To book, please visit extraordinaryweekends.com
- Complimentary ticket on every ticket purchased for 5 movie and 5 non-movie shows, per month, on BookMyShow.
- Discounts of up to 30% on conveyance to airports in India and abroad.*
- Complimentary EazyDiner Prime membership for saving up to 25% at select fine dine restaurants Know more. Additionally, get up to 40%** off with the Axis Bank Dining Delights program via EazyDiner Know more.
Fee
The One Card is complimentary for Burgundy Private clients. In the event of discontinuation of the Burgundy Private status, annual fee of Rs. 50,000 + taxes shall be levied.
(Writer can be contacted on sneha(dot)kulkarni(dot)@timesinternet(dot)in)