Frequent travelers know the value of a comfortable airport lounge. Whether you're looking for a peaceful workspace, complimentary food, or just a cozy place to relax before a flight, the right credit card can provide you with access to premium airport lounges worldwide.
Here’s a curated list of the top 5 credit cards that offer excellent lounge access benefits in India and abroad.
1. American Express Platinum Card
Best for: Frequent International Travelers & Luxury Perks
- Lounge Access: Access to over 1,400+ airport lounges in 130+ countries.
- Top Lounge Networks: The Centurion Lounge, Delta Lounge, Priority Pass Lounges.
- Annual Fee: ₹66,000 + GST.
- Additional Perks: Complimentary hotel elite status, luxury travel offers, and concierge services.
- Limitations: High annual fee and limited acceptance at certain Indian merchants.
✅ Ideal for: Business travelers who want a premium airport experience with extensive global lounge access.
2. SBI Card ELITE
Best for: Affordable International Lounge Access
- Lounge Access:
- International: 6 complimentary visits per year (max 2 per quarter).
- Domestic: No complimentary access.
- Annual Fee: ₹4,999 + GST.
- Additional Perks: Movie ticket discounts, reward points, and travel offers.
- Limitations: Limited international lounge access compared to premium cards.
✅ Ideal for: Travelers who want occasional international lounge access at a lower cost
.
3. HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card
Best for: Balanced Domestic & International Lounge Access
- Lounge Access:
- International: 6 complimentary visits per year via Priority Pass.
- Domestic: 12 complimentary visits per year.
- Annual Fee: ₹2,500 (waived on spending ₹4 lakh annually).
- Additional Perks: Travel vouchers, reward points, and discounts on luxury brands.
- Limitations: International lounge access is available only after completing 4 card transactions
.
✅ Ideal for: Frequent domestic travelers who occasionally fly internationally.
4. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Best for: High-Spenders & Guest Access
- Lounge Access: Unlimited international lounge visits for cardholders.
- Guest Access: 8 additional guest visits per year (reducing to 4 from April 2024).
- Annual Fee: ₹10,000 + GST.
- Additional Perks: Luxury hotel discounts, concierge services, and lifestyle benefits.
- Limitations: High annual fee, guest visit limits changing in 2024
.
✅ Ideal for: Those who travel frequently with family or colleagues.
5. Scapia Federal Bank Credit Card
Best for: No Annual Fee & Budget Travelers
- Lounge Access: Unlimited domestic lounge access (on spending ₹5,000 per month).
- Annual Fee: ₹0 (Lifetime Free Card).
- Additional Perks:
- Zero forex markup fee for international transactions.
- Up to 20% cashback on travel bookings through the Scapia app.
- Limitations: No complimentary international lounge access
.
✅ Ideal for: Travelers who want free airport lounge access without an annual fee.
Comparison of Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access in India & Abroad
| Feature | Amex Platinum | SBI Card ELITE | HDFC Regalia Gold | Axis Magnus | Scapia Federal Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Frequent International Travelers | Occasional International Travel | Balanced Domestic & International Access | High-Spenders & Guest Access | No Annual Fee & Budget Travelers |
| Annual Fee | ₹66,000 | ₹4,999 | ₹2,500 | ₹10,000 | ₹0 (Lifetime Free) |
| International Lounge Access | 1,400+ lounges globally (Centurion, Delta, Priority Pass) | 6 visits per year | 6 visits per year (after 4 transactions) | Unlimited visits | ❌ No international access |
| Domestic Lounge Access | Unlimited | ❌ No complimentary access | 12 visits per year | Unlimited | Unlimited (on ₹5,000 monthly spend) |
| Guest Access | ❌ No complimentary guest visits | ❌ No guest access | ❌ No guest access | 8 guest visits per year (4 from April 2024) | ❌ No guest access |
| Additional Perks | Luxury hotel memberships, travel concierge | Movie ticket discounts, reward points | Travel vouchers, lifestyle discounts | Luxury travel benefits, premium concierge | Zero forex markup, up to 20% cashback on travel |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% | 3.5% | 2% | 2% | 0% (No forex markup) |
| Ideal For | High-income frequent travelers | Occasional international flyers | Regular domestic & international travelers | Premium travelers with guests | Budget travelers with domestic flights |
Final Verdict: Which Card Should You Choose?
- For International Travel & Premium Experience → American Express Platinum
- For Occasional International Lounge Access → SBI Card ELITE
- For Balanced Domestic & International Access → HDFC Regalia Gold
- For Premium Travelers with Guest Access → Axis Bank Magnus
- For Free Domestic Lounge Access → Scapia Federal Bank Credit Card
How to Choose the Best Credit Card for Lounge Access?
- Consider the Annual Fee – Premium cards offer better lounge benefits but at a higher cost.
- Check Domestic vs. International Lounge Access – Some cards limit international visits.
- Guest Access – If you travel with family, pick a card that allows guest entry.
- Other Travel Perks – Look for additional benefits like travel insurance and zero forex fees.
Final Thoughts
The best credit card for airport lounge access depends on your travel habits. If you travel internationally often, the Amex Platinum or Axis Bank Magnus is ideal. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, the HDFC Regalia Gold or Scapia Federal Bank Credit Card are excellent choices.
Before applying, always check the latest terms and conditions on the bank’s official website.
💬 Which credit card do you use for lounge access? Share your experience in the comments!