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It is a fact that those who travel need a good credit card with lounge access; it is not just a luxury but a strategic necessity.
As air travel continues, the experience of a bustling airport is eased by the tranquility and exclusive services offered in lounges, thus increasing the comfort of any trip.
If you are looking for the best credit card with lounge access, you need to focus on a detailed analysis that encompasses the solidity of the issuing institution and the structure of benefits it can sustain.
The true advantage lies not only in the number of lounge visits but in the supporting infrastructure (such as substantial credit limits and favorable grace periods) that the bank offers.
In this article, we will present a guide to the top 10 cards on the market, comparing their features so you can decide which credit card with lounge access best suits your spending and travel profile.
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Analyzing all the main credit cards with lounge access
Below, we detail the premium cards, divided by segment, analyzing their lounge benefits and the value proposition that makes them the best credit card with lounge access for different traveler profiles.
1. American Express® Platinum Card (Credit Card with Lounge Access)
The American Express Platinum Card is a Charge Card, which requires full payment of the balance.
Its annual fee of ₹66,000 plus taxes reflects its exclusivity.
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Its differential is access to the Global Lounge Collection®, which offers entry to over 1400 lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass.
Additionally, the cardholder earns 3X Membership Rewards® Points on all international spending and receives significant hotel benefits, such as a 25% discount on stays at premium chains like Taj and Oberoi.
The product also includes access to a dedicated 24-hour Travel and Lifestyle Concierge, granting elite status in international partner hotel programs.
2. HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card
Considered the benchmark premium card, the HDFC Bank Infinia has an annual fee of ₹12,500 plus taxes, with a waiver of the renewal fee if annual spending exceeds ₹10 Lakhs.
Its main benefit is Unlimited Lounge Access to domestic and international lounges (via Priority Pass) for the cardholder and guests.
Furthermore, the base reward rate is 3.33% (5 points per ₹150), but can reach up to 33.33% when using the SmartBuy portal for travel bookings.
The card includes complimentary annual Club Marriott membership, complimentary green fees at premium golf courses, and a low foreign markup fee, offering robust coverage against fraud and air accidents. Moreover, this is the best travel credit card in India.
3. Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card
Firstly, the Axis Bank Reserve charges an initiation fee of ₹50,000 plus taxes, with the annual fee varying thereafter.
Furthermore, it offers Unlimited Global Lounge Access through complimentary Priority Pass membership, with unlimited global visits, including for guests, in addition to unlimited domestic lounge visits.
The card grants elite memberships to luxury programs such as Club ITC Culinaire, AccorPlus Primary, and Club Marriott Handcrafted.
4. ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Card (Credit Card with Lounge Access)
As a rule, this is the most exclusive card from ICICI Bank, charging a fee of ₹12,499 plus taxes.
Additionally, the renewal fee waiver is granted if annual spending exceeds ₹10 Lakhs.
It is worth noting that the card provides Unlimited Lounge Access at national and international airports.
The base reward rate is 3%, and the perceived value includes activation points worth ₹12,500 plus 1 year of Taj Epicure membership.
5. YES Bank Private Credit Card
Aimed at wealth management clients, the YES Bank Private has an initiation fee of ₹50,000 and an annual fee of ₹10,000 plus taxes.
Firstly, you will have Unlimited Global Lounge Access via Priority Pass, which includes guest access.
The card offers a competitive reward rate on domestic and international spending, and one of the lowest foreign transaction fees on the market.
Other benefits include complimentary green fees, 24-hour concierge services, and the important waiver of late payment fees.
6. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
The Axis Bank Magnus is known for its tiered rewards structure and has an annual fee of ₹12,500 plus taxes.
It can get a renewal fee waiver, however, it requires annual spending exceeding ₹25 Lakhs (2.5 million rupees).
In principle, the card offers Lounge Access to domestic and international lounges.
The reward structure is aggressive: 12 EDGE reward points per ₹200 (6%) on spending up to ₹1.5 Lakhs monthly, and 35 points per ₹200 (17.5%) above that limit.
It also features a reduced 2% foreign transaction fee, 5X additional Reward points via Travel eDGE, and a lower interest rate of 3% for extended credit.
7. HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card (Credit Card with Lounge Access)
As a rule, the Diners Club Black has an initiation/renewal fee of ₹10,000 plus taxes, with a waiver if annual spending exceeds a more accessible limit of ₹5 Lakhs.
Using it will also give you Unlimited Lounge Access nationally and internationally (Diners Club/Priority Pass network) for the cardholder and guests.
As a rule, the base reward rate is 3.33%, but can reach up to 33.33% via SmartBuy.
Furthermore, it annually grants multiple complimentary memberships to Club Marriott, Times Prime, Amazon Prime, MMT BLACK Elite Tier, and Swiggy One. In addition to golf green fees, global travel assistance, and discounts at fine dining partners.
8. SBI Aurum Credit Card
SBI’s entry SBI into the Super Premium segment, the Aurum, charges a fee of ₹9,999, with a renewal fee waiver if annual spending exceeds ₹12 Lakhs.
The card offers Unlimited Lounge Access via Priority Pass and domestic lounges.
As a cardholder, you receive reward points worth ₹10,000 upon activation, plus 1 year of Inflection Point Venture (IPV), Club Marriott, The Wall Street Journal, and Mint memberships.
The base reward rate is 1%. It also includes premium concierge services, additional rewards for reaching quarterly and annual spending targets, and purchase protection coverage.
9. American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card
This is a more accessible Amex option for the premium segment, with fees of ₹5,000 in the first year and ₹10,000 plus taxes from the second year onwards.
The card grants Lounge Access at selected airports for the cardholder.
It focuses on the Membership Rewards points structure, offering exclusive access and complimentary green fees at partner golf courses.
10. HSBC Premier Credit Card (Credit Card with Lounge Access)
Generally exempt from annual fees, the HSBC Premier Credit Card is offered to clients who maintain Premier status with the bank (based on minimum balance or assets under management).
You will also have Lounge Access at national and international airports (via Priority Pass and LoungeKey). Its focus on global travelers translates into a zero/low foreign markup fee. Not to mention access to HSBC’s global concierge services and travel assistance.
Comparative table of credit cards with lounge access
| Credit Card | Lounge Access Model (L/A) | Base Reward (Yield %) | Competitive Differential (Membership) | Foreign Markup |
| Amex Platinum Card | Global Collection (1400+) | Variable (3X Overseas) | 25% Discount at Taj/Oberoi | N/A (Charge Card) |
| HDFC Bank Infinia | Unlimited Priority Pass | 3.33% | Club Marriott + SmartBuy Portal (33.33% Max) | Low |
| Axis Bank Reserve | Unlimited Priority Pass (Global + Domestic) | High (Points) | Club ITC, AccorPlus, Club Marriott | Low |
| ICICI Emeralde Private | Unlimited Priority Pass | 3% | Taj Epicure Membership | Low/Zero |
| Axis Bank Magnus | Unlimited Priority Pass | 6% – 17.5% (Tiered) | 2% Markup | 2.0% |
| HDFC Diners Club Black | Diners Club/Unlimited Priority Pass | 3.33% – 33.33% (SmartBuy) | Club Marriott + 4 Lifestyle Memberships | Low |
| SBI Aurum | Priority Pass (Unlimited/High) | 1% | Welcome Benefits of ₹10,000 + Club Marriott | Variable |
Conclusion
The search for the best credit card with lounge access comes down to a calculation between actual annual spending and the stable value of reward redemptions.
Firstly, the HDFC Infinia and Axis Bank Magnus are the main contenders. Without a doubt, the former is more attractive for those seeking points stability and a manageable annual fee waiver spending (₹10 Lakhs).
Now, the Magnus, with its annual spending requirement of ₹25 Lakhs, is designed to retain only high-volume consumers, despite its recent devaluation in mileage conversion rates.
It is emphasized that the true value lies in the issuer’s ability to provide uninterrupted, 24/7 customer service excellence, something Amex manages globally and some domestic competitors still struggle to match.
We recommend that you analyze your annual spending pattern and decide if the HDFC Diners Club Black’s annual fee waiver (₹5 Lakhs) is more suitable or if you qualify as a super-spender who can sustain the ₹25 Lakhs of the Axis Magnus.