For many people, air travel is an experience rather than a necessity, and credit card companies understand this sentiment. This is the reason they keep coming up with cards that include complimentary lounge access at domestic and select international airports. If you own such a card, your airport journey becomes more comfortable and enjoyable.
While waiting for a long flight, you can sit in an airport lounge comfortably, have your food and drinks, enjoy free Wi-Fi and peace. According to BankBazaar, such cards not only give passengers a smart way to travel, but also include facilities like reward points, free movie tickets, and travel insurance.
But remember, most lounge access credit cards fall in the premium segment, on which annual fees or joining charges can be high. So before getting a card, do think whether you really travel so often that lounge access proves beneficial for you. Also, it is very important to check aspects like validity of the card, access limit, partner airports and hidden charges. If you travel frequently and want to enjoy lounge access, then these cards can be worth having. Now let’s know about the top 5 credit cards, which are considered best for airport lounge access, according to BankBazaar.
Top 5 credit cards offering free or complimentary lounge access at airports in August 2025
1. Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card
Fee: Zero joining/annual fee
Key benefits:
-Enjoy unlimited domestic airport lounge access in the next month by spending Rs 10,000 on VISA or Rs 15,000 on RuPay in a billing cycle.
-Enjoy zero forex mark-up on all international transactions.
-Redeem Scapia Coins instantly for flight, hotel, and bus bookings made via the Scapia app (5 coins = Re 1).
2. IDFC First Bank Select Credit Card
Fee: Zero joining or annual fees
Key benefits:
-Enjoy 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter by spending Rs 20,000 in the previous month.
-Save on international transactions with a low forex mark-up of 1.99%.
-Enjoy 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter without additional charges.
-Includes comprehensive insurance benefits, such as air accident cover, personal accident cover, trip-cancellation (CFAR), credit shield, and lost-card liability.
3. HDFC Bank Diners Club Privilege Credit Card
Fee: Joining/renewal fee: Rs 1,000+tax
Key benefits:
-Enjoy 8 complimentary airport lounge visits per year (2 per quarter) at domestic and international lounges (for primary and add-on cardholders)
-Offers comprehensive travel insurance coverage including ₹1 crore for air accident, ₹25 lakhs for overseas hospitalization, Rs 50,000 for baggage delay, and Rs 9 lakhs in credit liability.
-Enjoy concierge services including meet-and-greet at airports, international gift/shopping help, private dining bookings, and itinerary support.
-Save more with lower foreign currency markup fee of 1.99%.
4. SBI Prime Credit Card
Fee: Annual/renewal fee: Rs 2,999 + tax
Key benefits:
-Offers 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (capped at 2 per quarter).
-Enjoy 4 complimentary international Priority Pass lounge visits annually, with a maximum of 2 per quarter.
-Includes a complimentary 2-year Priority Pass membership.
-Welcome e-gift voucher worth Rs 3,000, redeemable at leading brands like Bata/Hush Puppies, Pantaloons, Aditya Birla Fashion, Shoppers Stop, and Yatra.com.
5. Kotak White Credit Card
Fee: Joining/annual fee: Rs 3,000+GST
Key benefits:
-Enjoy 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (2 per quarter for primary cardholder only).
-Enjoy 4 complimentary international lounge visits annually via Priority Pass membership.
-Includes a Priority Pass membership (worth USD 99), giving you access to over 1,300 lounges in more than 148 countries.
Who should actually get lounge access credit cards for themselves?
Again, remember that the right credit card for airport lounge access depends entirely on your travel habits and budget. If you’re a frequent flyer who values comfort, convenience, and added perks like insurance or reward points, these cards can elevate your travel experience. But if you travel occasionally, make sure to weigh the benefits against the fees involved. Ultimately, a lounge access card should not only make your airport time smoother but also give you real value for money.
Disclaimer: FinancialExpress.com does not endorse any specific investment instruments. Readers are encouraged to make their own informed decisions, as any losses incurred will be their sole responsibility.