Get 50% off on Vault theme. Limited time offer! Imagine that you are in the airport two hours before your flight, long check-in queues, noisy waiting areas, and a charger hunt that feels like a treasure search. Now imagine skipping all that and stepping into an air-conditioned lounge with hot food, fast Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating, all free of charge.
It’s the true essence of an airport lounge, and you don’t need a business-class ticket to experience it in 2026, just the right plastic card, and that’s where the Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access in India make all the difference.
However, the right card is now different. Indian banks tightened their regulations during the past year. Most cards which previously offered free access now require a spend (such as 35,000 or 50,000 rupees) during the last quarter to access the lounge.
This handbook navigates the muddiness. We are enumerating the top credit cards to access airport lounge in India in 2025 and eliminating the ones that are no longer effective and point to the real jewels that continue to provide you with the VIP treatment.
The importance of lounge-access credit cards.
A lounge access card will be like gold to you should you travel at least twice a year.
- Cozy and serenity: Get rid of the busy terminals.
- Complimentary meals and beverages: The majority of lounges have unlimited buffet meals, coffee, tea and soft drinks. A single meal at the airport food court can be â‚ą500- 800; in the lounge, it is not charged.
- Productivity: Wi-Fi is blistering fast and there are charging points where one can work anywhere.
What to look into prior to selecting a lounge-access card.
Look at the following three points:
- Spend based vs. unconditional access: Unconditional refers to swipe and enter. Spend-based refers to the fact that you should have spent at least (e.g. 35,000) in the last quarter.
- Domestic vs. international: A large number of cards are effective in India but not outside of the country. To travel overseas, seek out the option of Priority Pass or DreamFolks membership with the card.
- Capped vs. unlimited: Capped refers to a certain amount of visits (e.g. 2/ quarter). Unlimited, you can go as many times as you like-precious and uncommon.
The Best Credit Cards to access the lounge in India 2026 (list)
This is the list of cards that actually perform this year that has been curated.
1. Infinia Metal Edition HDFC Bank.
The unquestioned leader in Indian credit cards.
Type / best: Super premium / ultimate luxury and unlimited access.
Annual fee: 12500 + GST (exempt on 10lakh expenditure in one year)
Lounge access:
- Domestic: both primary and add-on cardholders are allowed to visit indefinitely.
- International: unlimited visits with Priority Pass of both the main and the add-on cardholders.
Other important benefits: 3.3 percent rate of reward by default, 33 percent on travel booking; 24/7 worldwide concierge; free golf games.
Why take this card: When you can have an invitation, do so. It provides absolutely unlimited international access to your whole family (assuming they are also add-on-card holders) without spend-based restrictions.
Invite only: Invite only (check with your HDFC relationship manager)
2. HDFC diners club black metal edition.
Another strong competitor to Infinia that is equally luxurious.
Type / best / high spenders and international travelers: Super premium.
Annual fee: â‚ą10,000 + GST
Lounge access:
- Domestic and international: access to unlimited lounge all over the world. No individual Priority Pass card is required; the very card is all that is required worldwide.
Other important benefits: 6 free rounds of golf every quarter; Club Marriott, Swiggy One, and Amazon Prime memberships (based on the amount spent).
Why take this card: This card has almost the same power as Infinia in the lounge but is a bit easier to get. The only disadvantage is that Diners Club is not so well accepted as Visa/Mastercard in small brick-and-mortar shops, but is perfect at the airport.
3. SBI Card Elite
The trustworthy family tourist.
- Type / best: Mid-premium / general travelers.
- Annual fee: â‚ą4,999 + GST
Lounge access:
- Domestic: 2 visits/ quarter (8 visits/ year).
- International: 6 visits/year (not more than 2 visits/quarter) through Priority Pass.
Other main benefits: Free movie tickets 6,000 a year; bonus reward points on milestones spent; low forex markup of one point nine nine.
Why take this card: It is a good mid-range card. Although the fee appears to be high, the free movie tickets and welcome gift vouchers can be used to reimburse the fee. It is a good fallback when traveling overseas.
4. SBI Prime
A solid mid-range contender.
- Type / Best For: Mid-Range / Utilities & Dining
- Annual Fee: â‚ą2,999 + GST
Lounge Access :
- Domestic: 2 visits per quarter (8 per year).
- International: 4 visits annually (not more than 2 visits per quarter) through Priority Pass.
Other Major Perks: Free Club Vistara Silver Membership, Pizza Hut coupons upon spending and Milestone waivers.
Reason To take this Card: The SBI Elite is too costly, so the Prime is the minimum to cover the basics; 8 domestic visits a year is sufficient to most leisure travelers.
5. Axis Bank Horizon (Citi PremierMiles)
The new bible of mile collectors.
- Type / Best For: Travel / Frequent Flyers.
- Annual Fee: â‚ą3,000 + GST
• Lounge Access Details:
- Domestic: 8 visits each quarter (Spend-based criteria can be used based on the offer/account relationship).
- International: 8 visits a year round trip on Priority Pass.
Other Key Perks: The ability to earn airline partners through transferring of Earn Miles or EDGE Miles. This card substituted the popular Citi PremierMiles following the Axis-Citi merger.
Why Use This Card: It retains good international lounge access that has made the original Citi card notorious. The 8 international visits are a savior in case you travel overseas 2-3 times annually.
6. Axis Bank Vistara Infinite
For the loyal Vistara flyer.
- Type / Business Class Experience Co-branded.
- Annual Fee: â‚ą10,000 + GST
Lounge Access Details:
- Domestic: 2 visits per quarter. Important: This has now been made strictly spend based (spend 50,000 in the last quarter).
- International: Finding a way in is changing. Axis is going to digital Priority Pass to access internationally, however, make sure to check the current terms because this card is rather domestic-oriented.
Other Key Benefits: Welcome gift of a free Business Class ticket, Club Vistara Gold Membership (priority boarding/baggage).
Why Select this Card: You do not select this card because of the lounge, but because of the free Business Class ticket. It is an added advantage that you can access the lounge as long as you satisfy the spending requirements.
7. IDFC First wealth credit card.
The Lifetime Free luxury card.
- Premium / Low Maintenance.
- Annual Fee: Lifetime Free (Invitation based or high income eligibility)
Lounge Access Details:
- Domestic: 2 visits per quarter.
- International: 2 visits a quarter (DreamFolks).
Other important Perks: 1 Get 1 on movie tickets, roadside assistance and access to the spa.
Why Take This Card: It is one of the few best cards where the annual fees are zero. The 20000 monthly spend limit is not too steep on a primary card, so it is a necessity card you have in your wallet in case of emergency.
8. ICICI Bank Sapphiro
The common Alumni Offer hit.
- Type / Best: Premium / Corporate and Alumni.
- Yearly Fee 6500 + GST (Lifetime Free is usually given to Alumni of the best colleges)
Lounge Access Details:
- Domestic: 4 visits every quarter (Spend criteria: Spend 5,000 in the last quarter).
- International: DreamFolks 2 visits yr.
Other Significant Benefits: BookMyShow Buy 1 Get 1 Discount (up to 500), golf benefits.
Reason to select this card: The domestic limit (4/quarter) is quite generous. When you are an alumnus of an IIT or IIM or work in a leading corporate, find the offer of lifetime free on this card.
9. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal.
ICICI’s answer to the Infinia.
- Type / Best: Super Premium / HNI Clients.
- Annual Fee: â‚ą12,500 + GST
Lounge Access Details:
- Local and International: Infinity access to the main cardholder.
Other Major Benefits: Low forex markup (2%), unlimited access to the spa (extremely uncommon!), no cancellation fee on travel bookings (to a limit).
Why Select This Card: In case you are interested in having a card to access Spa and Lounge, this is the card. High-income earners who bank with ICICI find it easy to get it.
10. Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card.
The dark horse of 2025.
- Type / Best For: Co-branded/ UPI Spends.
- Annual Fee: 1,499 + GST (No fee on 3 Lakhs of spending)
Lounge Access Details:
- Domestic: 2 visits every quarter (8 every year).
- International: 4 visits annually.
Condition: To access, one needs to have spent at least 50,000 in the last quarter of the calendar year.
Other Key Perks: NeuCoins on Tata Neu app 10 percent of massives, 1.5 percent of UPI spends.
Why Use This Card: It is among the most rewarding cards when used on a daily basis through UPI. Although access to the lounge is no longer free, it is possible to use 50k in 3 months (17k/month) by many families.
11. Kotak Royale Signature
A simple, no‑nonsense option.
- Type / Best For: Entry-premium / Beginners.
- Annual Fee: â‚ą999 + GST
Lounge Access Details:
- Domestic: 2 visits per quarter.
Other important perks: 4X reward points on travel and dining.
Why to choose this card: In case you want only access to a domestic lounge without the excessive high fee, it is a “middle of the road” picker.
12. American Express Travel Card Platinum.
The milestone master.
- Type / Ideal Customer: Travel / High Spenders.
- Annual Fee: 3500 + GST (Discounted or free on referral during the first year)
Lounge Access Details:
- Domestic: 2 visits every quarter (8 visits per year).
None of these are specifically free, although Amex does have its own network (mostly paid or in higher variants).
Other important perks include: Huge milestone rewards (TAJ vouchers) that can make a return of about 6-7 percent provided that you spend 4 Lakhs precisely each year.
The reason to choose this card: it is that Amex has fewer lounge partners in India (Centurion/proprietary lounges and partial partners), although this service is high-quality. Select this when you can spend 4 Lakhs a year to obtain the free holidays; the lounge will just be a cherry on top.
13. RBL Bank Platinum Maxima
Good, but watch the conditions.
- Type / Best For: Mid-Range / Movie Lovers
- Annual Fee: â‚ą2,000 + GST
Lounge Access Details:
- Domestic: 2 visits per quarter.
Condition: Spend‑based only. To acquire this card, you will have to pay approximately 35,000-50,000 (refer to the current offer) in the last quarter.
Other Major Benefits: Free admission to movies and additional reward points upon dining.
Why Use This Card: RBL frequently lowers values, so it is only useful to choose this card when you already have a bank account with them.
The Way to Determine Lounge Access on your Credit Card.
Take care not to be turned away at the desk! Before you fly, make sure you follow the following steps:
- The 2 Transaction Test: They will charge you some small amount (usually 2 rupees or 25 rupees) when you swipe your card at the lounge. In case of a failure of this transaction, then your free access is likely to be invalid or consumed.
- Check the App (DreamFolks / Priority Pass):
- Install the DreamFolks app (on the majority of Indian cards such as ICICI, IDFC). Enter your card and it will tell you precisely how many free entries you will have remaining.
- In the case of overseas cards, check your Priority Pass app.
- Check Your Recent SMS: Banks like HDFC and SBI frequently write a text message, which states, “You have unlocked lounge access this quarter as per your spends. Look for this message.
Conclusion
By 2025, free access to lounge facilities will be virtually eliminated to all travelers. Banks have established barriers, and you must overcome these barriers, either by paying a higher annual fee (Infinia/Elite) or by satisfying some spending requirements (Tata Neu/IDFC).
- Ultra-premium Traveler: Select HDFC Infinia or Diners Club Black. There is an unparalleled peace of mind of Unlimited Access.
- Smart Budget Traveler: You are better off with either the IDFC First Wealth (assuming one can get it) or the Tata Neu Infinity. They require a certain amount of expenditure, but the benefits justify it.
- Occasional Flyer: The SBI Prime is a secure, fee-based option that does not compel you to monitor your quarterly expenditures.
Select the card to match your actual spending and travelling patterns. Happy flying!
FAQs
Is it possible to use my credit card to access the lounge of my family members?
As a rule, no. The main cardholder can only have free access. Super-premium cards such as HDFC Infinia are permitting the holder to have unlimited access to their “Add-on” cardholders (spouse/kids), hence buy them an independent card.
What will happen in case I fail to achieve the requirements of the “Quarterly Spend”?
Your card remains valid, but you will pay the full walk-in rate of the lounge, which will be between 1000 and 3000 rupees per visit.
Are debit cards accepted in the lounge?
Yes! There are still some premium debit cards (such as HDFC Platinum, ICICI Wealth, Axis Burgundy) that have lounge access. Inquire about the benefits of your bank, known as the High Net Worth.
Are the food in the lounge actually free?
Yes. You are free to eat as much buffet food, non alcoholic drinks, coffee, and tea once inside. Alcohol usually costs extra.