Best 8 Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access – 2024

“Traveling leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

Traveling is without a doubt one of life’s greatest pleasures. 

It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the world, learn about other cultures, and create unforgettable memories. 

To enjoy all that travel has to offer, however, it’s important to find ways to cut costs without sacrificing any of the experiences or memories you’d otherwise cherish.

One of the best ways to save money while traveling is to use a credit card which gives you free access to lounges. 

A lounge is a designated area in an airport where passengers can enjoy refreshments, comfortable seating, and other amenities before boarding their flight. The cost of using a lounge can add up, but with the right credit card, you can gain entry to these facilities at no cost at all.

There are a lot of credit cards out there that give you access to lounges, but not all of them are developed the same which means every card has some special side.

This article will discuss eight of the best credit cards that provide complimentary lounge access and are suitable for travelers. These credit cards were designed to make your travels easier, more convenient, and cheaper.

We will look at the features and benefits of each credit card, such as the annual fee, welcome bonus, lounge access, and more. 

We’ll also tell you how to get more out of your lounge access benefits and get the most out of your travel rewards.

Whether you travel often or are just planning your next trip, a credit card that lets you into airport lounges for free can be a big help. So, let’s investigate the best credit cards for travel to enrich your experience.

What is lounge access at the airport?

Lounge access is the option to go into air terminal lounges that have various services for travelers. Most of the time, these lounges have free food and beverages, comfortable seating, and Wi-Fi so that individuals can loosen up before their flights.

Many credit cards offer free lounge access as an advantage to cardholders. 

This means that people with these credit cards can use airport lounges without having to pay. Some credit cards also let a certain number of guests or family members into the lounge.

A passenger’s time spent waiting in an airport terminal can be made significantly more enjoyable by the availability of complimentary lounge access.

8 Benefits of travel-friendly credit cards with Airport Lounge Access

a. Free lounge access:

One of the most significant benefits of travel-friendly credit cards is free to access to airport lounges, which can provide amenities such as free Wi-Fi, food and beverages, and open seating, to name a few.

b. Earn rewards:

Most travel credit cards offer rewards programs that permit cardholders to earn points or miles for each dollar spent, which can be recovered for flights, inn stays, and other travel-related costs.

c. Travel insurance:

Many credit cards for travel come with travel insurance, which can cover things like trip cancellations, lost or delayed items, and even emergency medical costs.

d. No unfamiliar exchange expenses:

Travel credit cards frequently postpone unfamiliar exchange charges, which can set aside travelers’ cash while utilizing their cards abroad.

e. Attendant services:

Some travel credit cards offer free attendant services, which can assist cardholders with travel arrangements, restaurant reservations, and other travel-related errands.

f. Purchase protection:

Many travel credit cards offer purchase protection, which can include things like inadvertent harm or robbery of things purchased with the card.

g. Service agreements:

Some travel credit cards offer service contracts on things purchased with the card, which can give extra inner peace to travelers.

h. Access to exclusive events:

Some travel credit cards give you access to exclusive events and meetings, like meeting celebrities at shows and games, and that’s just the beginning.

List of 8 travel-friendly credit cards with free lounge access

HDFC Regalia First Credit Card

The HDFC Regalia First Credit Card is a high-end credit card that was made to give its users great travel benefits. This card is great for people who travel a lot because it gives them access to lounges, rewards, and insurance coverage.

This credit card is available to individuals who have a good credit score and meet the eligibility criteria.

Joining Fee: Rs. 2500 plus other taxes.

Annual Fee: Rs. 1,000.

Welcome Bonus: New users get 2,500 reward points as a welcome bonus. To be eligible for the welcome bonus, users need to spend at least Rs. 10,000 within the first 90 days of card activation.

Lounge Access Features:

Cardholders can enjoy up to six international lounge visits in a year via Priority Pass membership and 12 domestic lounge visits via the Visa/MasterCard Lounge Program in a year, with access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide.

Other Features:

The HDFC Regalia First Credit Card gives its users a lot more than just access to lounges. These include:

• The cardholder earns 4 reward points for every Rs. 150 spent on the card, which can be redeemed for airline tickets, hotel bookings, and other travel-related expenses.
• The renewal fee is waived if you spent over Rs. 3 lakhs during the previous year.
• The HDFC Regalia First Credit Card offers travel insurance coverage of up to Rs. 15 lakh and purchase protection coverage of up to Rs. 1 lakh.
•  Your card gives you a free Zomato Gold membership for a year. Also, when you eat at a participating restaurant, you can get up to two drinks for free.

Axis Bank Miles and More World Credit Card

The Axis Bank Miles and More World Credit Card is made for people who like to travel. 

The card offers numerous benefits and privileges related to travel and other expenses. With this credit card, cardholders can earn reward points or miles for every transaction made using the card, which can be redeemed for a variety of travel-related rewards.

Joining Fee: Rs. 3,500.

Annual Fee: Rs. 3,500. However, the annual fee can be waived if the cardholder spends a minimum of Rs. 1,50,000 using the card in a year.

Welcome Bonus:

The Axis Bank Miles and More World Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of 5,000 points.

Lounge Access Features:

Cardholders of the Axis Bank Miles and More World Credit Card can get into certain domestic and international lounges for free. Cardholders have four visits per quarter to select 31 lounges in 14 cities across India.

Other Features:

The Axis Bank Miles and More World Credit Card have many other benefits besides access to lounges. Some of these are:

• Cardholders can earn 4 miles for every Rs. 200 they spend using the card.
• Miles can be redeemed for flight tickets, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses.
• Cardholders can enjoy complimentary travel insurance.
• Through the “Dining Delights” program, you can get a discount of at least 15% at restaurants that are part of the program.

Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card

Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card is a credit card designed for individuals who love to travel frequently. 

The card offers a wide range of travel-related benefits, such as discounts on flight tickets, hotel bookings, and other travel expenses. 

Apart from travel benefits, the card also provides several other features, including cashback offers, dining discounts, and more.

Joining Fee: Rs. 500, which is relatively affordable compared to other credit cards in the market.

Annual Fee: Rs. 500, which will be waived if they spend more than Rs. 1 lakh in the previous year.

Welcome Bonus: The 100 bonus reward points that come with the Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card are a great welcome bonus.

Lounge Access Features:

The cardholder can enjoy four complimentary lounge visits per quarter at select airports in India. This feature is beneficial for individuals who frequently travel by air.

Other Features:

The Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card has more features than those listed above.

• The cardholder can enjoy up to 15% off dining at select partner restaurants by using the “Dining Delights” program.
• The card also provides a 25% discount on the total number of movie tickets purchased with it.
• The cardholder can also earn reward points on every transaction made using the card. These reward points can be redeemed against several gifts and vouchers.

Check – Benefits of Credit Cards

Intermiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card

The Intermiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card is a co-branded credit card that is designed for frequent travelers who want to earn rewards and benefits while traveling. 

The Intrmiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card is loaded with features and benefits that make it an ideal choice for frequent flyers.

Joining Fee: Rs. 1,000.

Annual Fee: Rs. 1,000.

Welcome Bonus: Credit Card offers 3,000 JPMiles as a welcome gift.

Lounge Access Features:

The Intermiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card offers exclusive lounge access features that make traveling comfortable and stress-free. The customer can enjoy up to two complimentary visits to domestic lounges within India.

Other Features:

Besides the above benefits, the Intermiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card has a number of other features, such as:

• Earn 4 JPMiles on every Rs. 150 spent on retail purchases.
• Redeem JPMiles for free flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and other rewards.
• Earning 8 InterMiles per Rs. 150 spent when booking flights through the InterMiles website.

American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is a premium credit card designed specifically for travel enthusiasts who want to make the most of their travel experiences. 

The card offers a range of benefits and features that are tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of travelers. 

With this credit card, you can enjoy exclusive travel benefits, earn reward points on your spending, and access a range of travel-related perks and privileges.

Joining Fee: Rs. 3,500.

Annual Fee: Rs. 5,000.

Welcome Bonus: Offers a welcome bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points redeemable for a Flipkart voucher or the “pay with points” option.

Lounge Access Features:

One of the key benefits of the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is its lounge access feature. 

The card offers eight complimentary visits to select domestic airport lounges. 

This can be a great way to relax and unwind before your flight, making your travel experience more comfortable and enjoyable.

 Other Features:

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers a range of other features and benefits that can be useful for travelers. These include:

• 0% convenience fee on fuel purchases less than Rs. 5,000 at HPCL Petrol Pumps
• 1% convenience fee on fuel purchases of Rs. 5,000 or more at HPCL Petrol Pumps.
• At some restaurants, you can get up to 20% off your meal. This only works at restaurants with which we have a partnership.

We got our Amex Credit Card too but not the Platinum one it is Amex Rewards CC

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Intermiles ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card

Intermiles ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card is a premium travel credit card that offers an array of benefits and privileges to frequent travelers. 

The card is designed to reward customers with travel-related perks and benefits on their daily spending, making it an ideal choice for those who frequently travel for business or leisure.

Joining Fee: Rs. 5,000.

Annual Fee: Costs Rs. 5,000 per year after the second year.

Welcome Bonus: The card offers a welcome bonus of up to 10,000 Intermiles on payment of the joining fee.

Lounge Access Features:

You can get into 450 airport lounges in 115 countries with the Dreamfolks Lounge Access Program.

Other Features:

• The card earns 5 Intermiles for every Rs. 100 spent on domestic transactions and 7 Intermiles for every Rs. 100 spent on international transactions.
• The card offers discounts on dining at select restaurants across the country.
• Get 5,000 bonus InterMiles every year on renewal.

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Axis Bank Titanium Smart Traveler Credit Card

The Axis Bank Titanium Smart Traveler Credit Card is a travel-focused credit card that offers a range of features and benefits to frequent travelers. 

With this card, users can enjoy a variety of perks and rewards, including discounts on travel bookings, airport lounge access, and more.

Joining Fee: Rs. 250 (it is waived if you spend Rs. 5,000 within 45 days of receiving the card).

Annual Fee: Rs. 100 (from the second year). It is waived if you spent a minimum of Rs. 50,000 the year before.

Welcome Bonus: The card currently does not offer any welcome bonus.

Lounge Access Features:

With the Axis Bank Titanium Smart Traveler Credit Card, you can get free access to lounges at some international and domestic airports.

Other Features:

• When you buy fuel with your Axis Bank Titanium Credit Card, you can get 1% off the fuel surcharge.
• You can pay for your purchases over up to 50 days, but if you pay for them in full within that time, you won’t have to pay any interest.

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SBI Elite Credit Card

The SBI Elite Credit Card is an exclusive card designed for the upper crust of society who enjoy traveling in style. 

With this card, customers can enjoy exciting rewards and privileges along with amazing travel benefits. 

The card offers an exclusive welcome gift, access to airport lounges, and many other features that make it a must-have for frequent flyers.

Joining Fee: Rs. 4,999.

Annual Fee: Rs. 4,999. The annual fee, however, is waived if the customer spends more than Rs 10 lakh on the card in a calendar year.

Welcome Bonus: Customers can choose between a gift voucher worth Rs. 5,000 from brands – Yatra, Hush Puppies/Bata, Pantaloons, Aditya Birla Fashion, and Shoppers Stop.

Lounge Access Features:

The SBI Elite Credit Card provides two complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year, as well as six international airport lounge visits.

Other Features:

In addition to the above features, the SBI Elite Credit Card has a number of other advantages, such as:

• You’ll get 5 reward points for spending at department stores, restaurants, or on groceries.
• You’ll get two reward points for every Rs.100 you spend on additional items.
• Get free movie tickets every year worth Rs.6,000.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, credit cards that are good for traveling and give you free access to lounges can greatly improve your travel experience. 

With perks like access to comfortable lounges, priority boarding, and exclusive discounts, these credit cards can make your travels smoother and more enjoyable.

With so many great options available, you can easily find the right card for your needs and budget. As the famous writer Susan Sontag once said, “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”

So why not add these travel-friendly credit cards to your list and make your next trip even more memorable? 

Start exploring your options today and make your travels truly unforgettable!

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