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Looking for a credit card with lounge access? If you’re a traveler, you know that having access to an airport lounge transforms your experience. However, with so many options on the market, which offer different levels of access and benefits, finding the ideal card can be challenging.
It is common for us to be in doubt about which is the best credit card with lounge access thinking about cost benefit. There are cards that guarantee unlimited access. While others offer a set number of visits per year.
In this article, we will help you learn about the main credit card options with lounge access, understand the VIP lounge programs and help you choose the perfect card for your needs. Keep reading.
10 Best Credit Cards with Lounge Access
1. HDFC Diners Club Black (Credit card with lounge access)
This card is one of the best premium cards in India, focused on travel and lifestyle privileges.
The membership and annuity fee is ₹10,000, plus tax.
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The main attraction is unlimited access to international lounges for the holder and additional cards. In addition to 4 visits to international lounges and 32 to domestic guest lounges annually.
2. HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card
Regalia Gold offered by HDBC Bank is a strong competitor in the premium segment and an excellent choice for traveling.
With a membership and annual fee of ₹2,500, the card has a lounge access policy, offering 12 complimentary visits to domestic lounges and 6 to international lounges per year.
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Additional benefits include gift vouchers for the annual fee, complimentary memberships to loyalty programs such as Club Vistara Silver Tier, and a rewards points program.
3. HDFC Infinia Credit Card (Credit card with lounge access)
Considered HDFC Bank’s luxury card, Infinia is for a high-income audience.
The membership fee and annual fee are ₹10,000, plus tax. The card will give you unlimited access to airport lounges around the world for the cardholder and for additional cards.
Other notable benefits include complimentary nights and buffets at ITC hotels, a free Club Marriott membership for the first year. A 24-hour personal concierge service and a high-value rewards program, with 5 reward points for every ₹150 spent.
4. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
This card is one of Axis Bank’s main products. With a membership and annual fee of ₹12,500, it illustrates the evolution of the market well.
While the advertisement mentions unlimited access, the current policy requires a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the previous three months to unlock unlimited access to domestic lounges.
This shift from an unlimited to conditional benefit shows that the bank is moving to a model that rewards active card use.
On the other hand, access to international lounges with Priority Pass remains unlimited, including 8 guest visits.
5. Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
Atlas is a mileage card designed for travelers, with a membership fee and annual fee of ₹5,000.
The benefits system is based on a tiered model, where the number of lounge accesses and other rewards increase as the customer reaches annual spending milestones.
- At the Silver Level, you will have 4 international accesses and 8 domestic accesses per year;
- Platinum Level, with an expenditure of ₹15 lakhs, the benefits increase to 12 international accesses and 18 domestic accesses.
This model is a way to encourage loyalty and concentrate the customer’s purchasing power on a single card.
6. SBI Elite Credit Card (Credit card with lounge access)
SBI Elite is another interesting option and used for frequent travelers.
With membership and annual fees of ₹4,999, the card will get you 2 complimentary visits to domestic lounges per quarter and complimentary access to international lounges through Priority Pass.
In addition, you will receive a welcome voucher worth ₹5,000, movie discounts, and rewards for spending purchases.
Comparison between options
To give you an even more complete picture, here are other excellent options in the Indian market. The table summarizes the main points to make your life easier.
| Card | Membership/Annual Fee (₹) | Domestic Access | International Access | Access Conditions |
| HDFC Diners Club Black | 10,000 + taxes | Unlimited | Unlimited | 4 intern., 32 domes. for guests |
| HDFC Regalia Gold | 2,500 | 12 visits/year | 6 visits/year | Additional cards with access |
| HDFC Infinia | 10,000 + taxes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Priority Pass Access |
| Axis Bank Magnus | 12,500 + taxes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Access conditioned to ₹50,000/quarter spend |
| Axis Bank Atlas | 5,000 + taxes | 8 to 18 visits/year | 4 to 12 visits/year | Tier-based access (spending levels) |
| SBI Elite | 4,999 + taxes | 2 visits/quarter | Priority Pass Access | Welcome vouchers equal to annual fee |
Practical Guide to Lounge Access
The process for entering a lounge with your credit card in India is usually quite simple, but it’s good to stay tuned for the new rules.
The most common way to access is by presenting your credit card with your boarding pass at the lounge entrance desk. They may charge a small symbolic fee (from ₹2 to ₹25) that is usually refunded later.
However, the problem is that with the new rules of co-branded cards, such as HDFC Bank Tata Neu Infinity, it needs to meet a quarterly spending target to receive access vouchers.
In these cases, just swiping the card is no longer enough; You need to present the voucher to enter.
Therefore, it is important that you check your card policies and have the vouchers in hand before going to the airport.
Conclusion
The days when I had access to the lounge unconditionally are coming to an end. The new reality is a more mature market, where banks are looking for ways to give value to the customers who use their products the most.
For travelers, the decision of which card to choose is no longer based solely on the benefits offered, but on how those benefits align with their spending habits.
Now, you need to choose from the mentioned options and thus make your choice, based on what suits your needs.
It is important to note that money back is sought, perhaps these are not the most suitable cards. In that case, we recommend that you know the best cashback credit cards in India.