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Best Credit Cards for Railway and Airport Lounge Access
Travelling is bliss and an expensive affair at the same time. Hours of waiting at crowded stations or airports, ensuring that you have everything you need and with people running around; all this sounds like the perfect recipe for a disastrous experience. Fortunately, we have credit cards. The best way to escape such a nightmare is to have a credit card that can provide you with complimentary lounge access. Here we have created a list of the best credit cards for lounge access. Let’s get into it without any further ado.
List Of 12 Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access in India For 2022
1. IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card
- IRCTC SBI PLATINUM CREDIT CARD is a travel card by the State Bank Of India in partnership with IRCTC.
- If you are a frequent railway traveller, you will get lounge access with a credit card and loads of discounts on ticket bookings.
- You get a 10% value back as reward points on AC1, AC2, AC3, and AC CC.
- Each reward point = Re. 1
- 1.8% waiver on train ticket booking transactions.
- Avail 1% fuel surcharge across all petrol pumps in India on transactions of Rs 500-3,000 exclusive of GST and other charges.
- You will be welcomed with 350 activation bonus reward points on a single transaction of Rs. 500 or more within 45 days of card issuance.
- The base fare will accumulate reward points. The money you spend on reservation charges, super-fast charges will not award you accelerated reward points.
- You cannot avail of any reward points if you book tickets via the IRCTC mobile app.
- If you cancel your bookings, 50% of your reward points will be forfeited, over and above the cancellation charges.
Why We Picked This Card?
Easy approvals. Solid card for peak season railway trips for you and your family.
2. HDFC Infinia
- Offers you unlimited airport lounge access along with a high credit limit.
- The Infinia has truly unlimited domestic and international lounge visits for you and add-on card holders
- Gives you up to 33% return on your travel bookings. Up to 17% on Amazon and Flipkart purchases
- You get unlimited international lounge access with this credit card, for add-on members too.
- You can also avail yourself of unlimited domestic access with an HDFC Infinia credit card.
- You can enjoy the credit limit of upwards of Rs. 10 lacs.
- 4 complimentary lounge visits in domestic lounges with the Mastercard/Visa Lounge access program.
- Avail the lowest foreign currency markup of 2% on all spending made outside the country.
- You don’t get many monthly and annual benefits.
- The annual fees is quite steep compared to other cards on this list
Why We Picked This Card?
One of the best super premium cards in India. Offers unlimited lounge access along with unbeatable rewards. This card also tops our list of highest rewards credit cards in India, especially in the premium category.
3. HDFC Regalia
- If you wish to get 12 domestic lounges to access with a credit card, you should apply for an HDFC Regalia credit card.
- You also get 6 international lounge visits with the bundled Priority Pass.
- The HDFC Bank Regalia credit card gives you reward points on your transactions, and also a complimentary Dineout Passport membership.
- HDFC Regalia comes with 6 international and 12 domestic lounge access.
- Lowest foreign currency markup fee of 2% on all international transactions
- You will get a travel concierge assistance service from HDFC Bank so that you can customize your travel experience.
- Primary and Add-on cardmembers cannot access the same domestic lounge on the same day.
- HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card can redeem only 70% of booking value through reward points.
Why We Picked This Card?
Regalia is a lifetime free card for a limited period. One of the only of that kind to give you international lounge access.
5. SBI Elite
- SBI Elite offers you 8 domestic and 6 international lounge visits every year
- Complimentary movie tickets worth Rs 6,000 in a year
- Up to 50,000 reward points in milestone spends
- Priority Pass membership, domestic lounge access, Club Vistara Silver membership, Trident Privilege Red Tier membership
- SBI will welcome you with a welcome gift worth Rs.4999
- You will be rewarded with 10 points per Rs. 100 on international spending, departmental grocery, dining, and departmental stores.
- You can use reward points for travel booking.
- Not the best card for low spends
- No golf privileges for this category
Why We Picked This Card?
This is the most premium card from SBI. Promises to offer you a generous amount of lounge visits, both in India and internationally.
6. AXIS ACE
- 4 complimentary lounge visits per calendar year at select domestic airports
- 5% flat (unlimited) cashback on bill payments (electricity, internet, gas, and more), DTH, and mobile recharges on Google Pay on Android
- 4% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola
- 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits in a year.
- A straightforward cashback program with direct credit to account every month.
- Axis Bank offers 2% flat-rate cashback on all purchases, which means you can earn a great value on everything you buy.
- 5% unlimited cashback on bill payments; mobile recharges done via Google Pay and DTH.
- No international lounge access
- No iOS support for cashback on utility bill payments
Why We Picked This Card?
Apart from lounge visits, this card gives you unmatched cashback on utility bill payments and high frequented apps.
7. HDFC Bank Diners Black
- Complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges with Diners network.
- Offers a lot of benefits on par with the Infinia, albeit with lower monthly limits
- Free memberships for Amazon Prime, Zomato Pro, MakeMyTrip, Club Marriott, and more
- 5 reward points worth Rs. 5 (on travel bookings) on spending Rs. 150 across most transactions (wallet loads, fuel excluded).
- You can avail of memberships for Forbes Digital, Zomato Gold, Amazon Prime, Times Prime, and MakeMyTrip Double Black with HDFC Diners Black credit card.
- Unlimited domestic and international lounge access without any separate priority pass.
- Low acceptability of Diners can be an issue while you are travelling internationally or India.
Why We Picked This Card?
Much like Infinia, the Diners Black is also a solid card that offers a potent combination of unlimited lounge visits and high reward rate. You can earn more while spending through cashback credit cards, such as this one and the HDFC Infinia.
8. CITI Prestige
- One of the best Citibank cards in the market
- Unlimited lounge visits with Priority Pass membership (free of cost)
- Certain hotel stay benefits twice a year
- You can avail the services of Luxe city guides.
- Complimentary unlimited priority pass lounge access at over 800 airports worldwide.
- Get 2 reward points per Rs. 100 spent on every international transaction.
- You can avail the stay of a minimum of 4 nights at any hotel, and also you can get a 5th night stay as complimentary. This offer is available twice per calendar year.
- There are no travel protection services on offer
- The card has no clear eligibility and is usually issued to loyal Citi account holders
Why We Picked This Card?
Owning a Citi credit card is an experience of its own. Experience customer service like nothing else.
8. American Express Platinum Travel
- Amex Platinum Travel offers rewards up to Rs 40,000 every year in the form of travel benefits
- Comes with complimentary domestic airport lounge access using Amex network
- Several welcome and milestone vouchers on offer
- You can enjoy 4 complimentary visits per year to airport lounges across India.
- You will receive Indigo vouchers worth Rs. 4,000 on paying joining fee
- Get a Taj Experiences E-Gift card worth Rs. 10,000 on milestone spends of over Rs 4 lakhs
- You will get discounts of up to 20% every time you dine at select restaurants.
- 10% cashback on OnePlus devices only when you use the official website.
- Most suitable for Indigo flyers.
- No international lounge visits
- Amex cards don’t provide any reward points on spends on fuel, utilities, and insurance.
Why We Picked This Card?
Brilliant card to have in your portfolio. Thousands of rupees in travel benefits are on offer. The fees are well worth it.
9. Axis Bank Vistara Infinite
- Premium travel card that offers complimentary Club Vistara Gold and a free business ticket.
- Lounge access at select Indian airports
- Bonus Club Vistara points for your milestone spends
- You will get free access to airport lounges at several Indian airports.
- You will get a business class flight ticket and a Club Vistara Gold Membership.
- It offers 6 complimentary visits to India’s top golf courses.
- You can get a minimum 15% discount at any of the partnered restaurants.
- No annual fee waiver
- Majority of the benefits restricted to Air Vistara bookings
Why We Picked This Card?
For those who travel on Air Vistara, this is the best credit card you can get. Value for money.
10. HDFC Bank Superia
- Comes with several unique features and benefits across many categories.
- One of the most underrated options from HDFC Bank
- Complimentary Priority Pass membership
- The reward points you have collected on your credit card can be redeemed for tickets across 20 international airlines.
- You can redeem the reward points for AirMiles with Air India
- Enjoy the welcome benefit of 1,000 reward points on paying the annual fee.
- You get a bonus of 1,000 reward points when you pay renewal fees too
- No standout premium benefits
- No complimentary tickets, however that is largely expected
Why We Picked This Card?
Virtually lifetime free, the Superia offers extreme flexibility of conversion into air miles across airlines.
11. Yatra SBI
- A ton of travel benefits including discounts on domestic flight, domestic hotel, and international flight bookings
- Complimentary air accidental cover
- Bonus rewards on frequent purchases like grocery, dining, and more
- 2 complimentary airport lounge access with this credit card (subject to change)
- You will receive vouchers worth 8,250 from Yatra.com.
- If you book a domestic flight worth at least Rs. 5000, you will get a discount of Rs. 1000.
- You will get 2 vouchers worth Rs. 1,000 each for an international flight.
- You will get a voucher worth Rs. 3000 for an international holiday package.
- No major cons. Interesting, right?
Why We Picked This Card?
You can’t go wrong with the Yatri SBI which gives you the extra savings on most travel bookings.
12. InterMiles ICICI Bank Sapphiro
- One of the best cards for Intermiles users. Gets you higher rewards on your transactions
- Complimentary airport lounge and golf course access at select locations in India
- Up to 10 Intermiles on every Rs 100 spent on this card.
- You will receive 10,000 InterMiles as a joining reward.
- Flight discount voucher worth Rs. 1,500 and a flight discount voucher worth the reward.
- InterMiles has a Dreamfolks Lounge Access program; you get access to 450 airport lounges across 115 countries.
- Intermiles does not offer the highest value when it comes to product catalogue or air miles benefits.
Why We Picked This Card?
If you are part of the Intermiles ecosystem, it makes sense to get a card which offers you the best value for your spends.
Compare Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
| Credit Cards | Joining Fees | Lounge Visits at |
|---|---|---|
| IRCTC SBI Platinum | Rs 500 | Railway lounges |
| HDFC Infinia | Rs 12,500 | Domestic, international lounges |
| HDFC Regalia | Rs 2,500 | Domestic, international lounges |
| SBI ELITE | Rs 4,999 | Domestic, international lounges |
| Axis ACE | Rs 500 | Domestic lounges |
| HDFC Bank Diners Black | Rs 10,000 | Domestic, international lounges |
| Citi Prestige | TBA | Domestic, international lounges |
| American Express Platinum Travel | Rs 3,500 | Domestic lounges |
| Axis Bank Vistara Infinite | Rs 10,000 | Domestic lounges |
| HDFC Bank Superia | Rs 1,000 | Domestic lounges |
| Yatra SBI | Rs 499 | Domestic lounges |
| InterMiles ICICI Bank Sapphiro | Rs 5,000 | Domestic lounges |
What to look for in a good credit card for airport lounge access?
1. Domestic and international access, both
In case you are paying a hefty fee for your travel credit card, make sure you get access to both Indian as well as international airport lounges. This is especially important if you travel out of India frequently and want to get return on your credit card fees.
2. Limits on quarterly/yearly visits:
You should also be checking for any quarterly or yearly limits on your credit card. While most cards offer a generous amount of visits, enough for the regular traveller, some premium cards give you unlimited access. You can take them on any business or leisure trip you want. You could also look at our list of best business credit cards in India.
3. Fee waiver:
If your credit card offers a fee waiver, you should definitely consider it over those that don’t. Especially if you know that you can comfortably cross the spending limit required.
4. Other benefits:
Reward points, cashback, complimentary tickets, golf access should also be taken into consideration depending on your needs.
You start planning for a trip way before you pack your bags. The best way to eliminate money affairs from the journey is by having a credit card for airport lounge access. It is better to pick the credit card you feel is a good option for you. Also, you need to have a good CIBIL score to get a new credit card. Go ahead and apply for one of these cards that suits your needs for airport lounge access. If you are looking for credit cards in India for cashback, check out this list.
FAQs
Which Indian credit card is best for airport lounge access?
Premium credit cards are usually the best for airport lounge access. Some of the high-end cards come with unlimited domestic and/or international airport lounge access. These are some of the best premium credit cards in India.
- HDFC Bank Infinia
- HDFC Bank Diners Black
- Axis Bank Magnus
- American Express Platinum
- SBI Elite
- SBI Aurum
Which credit card can be used at airport lounges?
All good lifestyle and travel cards offer airport lounge access today. You can check out the entire list for best credit cards you should consider.
Which card has unlimited airport lounge access?
Premium cards like HDFC Bank Infinia, HDFC Bank Diners Black, and Citi Prestige offer unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access.
Which all cards are accepted at airport lounges?
VISA, Mastercard, RuPay, Diners, and American Express cards are accepted at several airport lounges in India. However, it depends on which lounge has partnered with which card network to offer you complimentary access.