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Airport lounge access by credit card
Every Indian credit card ranked by airport lounge access: domestic and international visits per year, Priority Pass, and the catch on each. Sortable table, updated 2026.
Airport lounges are one of the most loved credit-card perks in India — a quiet seat, free food and Wi-Fi, and a clean washroom before a flight. But "lounge access" hides a lot of fine print: visits are capped, split between domestic and international, often counted per quarter, and guests are usually charged. The table below pulls the real numbers from our verified card reviews so you can see exactly what each card gives. Tap any column heading to sort.
| Card | Domestic | International | Annual fee | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Bank Infinia Metal HDFC Bank | Unlimited | Unlimited | ₹12,500 | 4.8/5 | View |
| HDFC Diners Club Black HDFC Bank | Unlimited | Unlimited | ₹10,000 | 4.6/5 | View |
| ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal ICICI Bank | Unlimited | Unlimited | ₹12,499 | 4.5/5 | View |
| Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card Axis Bank | Unlimited | Unlimited | ₹5,000 | 4.2/5 | View |
| IndusInd Bank Legend Credit Card IndusInd Bank | Unlimited | Unlimited | ₹9,999 | 4/5 | View |
| Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card Axis Bank | Unlimited | 8/year | ₹10,000 | 4.3/5 | View |
| RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card RBL Bank | Unlimited | 6/year | ₹3,000 | 4.3/5 | View |
| IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card IDFC FIRST Bank | 4/quarter (16/yr) | 2/quarter (8/yr) | Free | 4.6/5 | View |
| HDFC Bank Regalia Gold HDFC Bank | 12/year | 6/year | ₹2,500 | 4.4/5 | View |
| SBI Card ELITE SBI Card | 6/year | 6/year | ₹4,999 | 4/5 | View |
| Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card American Express India | 8/year | Priority Pass | ₹5,000 | 4.2/5 | View |
| HDFC Bank Millennia HDFC Bank | 2/quarter (8/yr) | — | ₹1,000 | 4.1/5 | View |
| AU Bank LIT Credit Card AU Small Finance Bank | 2/quarter (8/yr) | — | Free | 3.9/5 | View |
| Kotak League Platinum Credit Card Kotak Mahindra Bank | 8/year | — | ₹499 | 3.7/5 | View |
| Axis Bank ACE Credit Card Axis Bank | 4/year | — | ₹499 | 4.2/5 | View |
| HSBC Live+ Credit Card HSBC India | 4/year | — | ₹999 | 4.1/5 | View |
| American Express Membership Rewards Card American Express India | 4/year | — | ₹4,500 | 3.7/5 | View |
| SBI Card Cashback SBI Card | None | None | ₹999 | 4.5/5 | View |
| Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card ICICI Bank | None | None | Free | 4.3/5 | View |
| SBI SimplyCLICK SBI Card | None | None | ₹499 | 4/5 | View |
| Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card Standard Chartered India | None | None | ₹499 | 3.6/5 | View |
"Unlimited" access is typically delivered via Priority Pass or the Diners Club network and may exclude guests. Per-quarter allowances are shown as an annual equivalent. Verify current terms with the issuer — lounge policies change often.
How credit card lounge access actually works in India
Domestic vs international
Cards split lounge visits into domestic (Indian airports) and international (overseas, via Priority Pass). A card can be generous on one and stingy on the other — check both columns.
Per quarter vs per year
Many cards grant visits per quarter (e.g. 2/quarter = 8/year) and they don't roll over. Plan your trips so you actually use them before the quarter resets.
Guests are usually charged
"Unlimited" almost always means for the cardholder only. Bringing family? Expect a per-guest fee (often US$27–32 on Priority Pass) unless the card explicitly includes guests.
Frequently asked questions
Which credit card has unlimited airport lounge access in India?
Several super-premium cards offer unlimited domestic and international lounge access, including HDFC Bank Infinia Metal, HDFC Diners Club Black, ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal. These use the Priority Pass or Diners Club network for international lounges. Always check the guest-visit policy, as guests are often charged.
What is the best lifetime-free card for lounge access?
The IDFC FIRST Wealth is the standout — it is lifetime free yet offers up to 16 domestic and 8 international lounge visits a year. For a no-fee card, that level of access is rare in India.
How does Priority Pass work with Indian credit cards?
Many premium cards bundle a complimentary Priority Pass membership that unlocks 1,300+ international lounges. The card sets how many visits are free each year (or per quarter); beyond that, visits are charged (typically US$32 each). Guests are almost always charged separately.
Do domestic lounge visits expire if unused?
Usually yes. Complimentary visits are granted per quarter or per calendar year and do not roll over. If your card gives, say, 2 visits per quarter, use them within that quarter or you lose them.