In 2025, having a credit card that unlocks complimentary airport lounge access can transform your travel experience. No more crowded terminals or expensive day‑pass fees. From lifetime‑free options like Federal Bank’s Scapia and IDFC FIRST Select to premium cards such as HDFC Infinia and ICICI Emerald offering unlimited global lounges, there’s a match for every traveller’s budget and style.
In this guide, we’ve researched top cards across all networks (Visa, Mastercard, RuPay, Amex, Diners Club) and tiers, entry‑level to elite, to help you choose the best card for domestic & international lounge visits, low fees, easy fee waivers, and extra travel benefits.
Read this article to find the perfect credit card for stress‑free, comfortable journeys in India and beyond.
🧳 Why Airport Lounge Access Matters for Indian Travellers in 2025
In today’s fast-moving world, airports are no longer just transit hubs. They’re an essential part of your travel experience. For Indian travellers in 2025, having airport lounge access means more than just luxury.
It’s about comfort, convenience, and value. With increasing flight delays, crowded terminals, and rising food prices, a quiet lounge with complimentary meals, Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and clean washrooms can make a huge difference.
Whether you’re flying for business, a family holiday, or a weekend getaway, the right credit card can give you free access to premium lounges, helping you save money and travel stress-free.
💳 Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access in 2025: Quick Overview
In 2025, many Indian credit cards offer complimentary airport lounge access through networks like Visa, Mastercard, RuPay, American Express, Diners Club, and Priority Pass. Whether you prefer domestic terminals or travel frequently to international destinations, there’s a lounge card suited to your needs.
Some cards provide access through card swipes, while others issue Priority Pass memberships for global travel. This section will help you quickly understand which credit cards unlock lounge benefits and on which platforms, so you can fly smarter, without paying extra for comfort.
🆓 Lifetime Free Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access
These cards offer free domestic lounge visits with simple spending criteria and zero annual fees—perfect for budget‑savvy or occasional flyers.
| Card | Lounge Access | Network | Fee | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Bank Scapia | Unlimited domestic visits at Dreamfolks/Allied lounges on ₹10,000/mo spend (Visa) or ₹15,000 (RuPay) | Visa / RuPay | ₹0 (lifetime free) | • 10% rewards on all spends• Zero forex markup• In‑app EMI & 24×7 support |
| IndusInd Tiger | 8 domestic visits/yr (2 per quarter) + 2 international visits/yr with Priority Pass | Visa / Mastercard | ₹0 (lifetime free) | • 1 free movie ticket per 6 month• Priority Pass membership incl. 2 guests• Golf lesson & hole‑in‑one insurance• 1.5% forex markup• Reward points on all spends |
| IDFC FIRST Select | 8 domestic visits/yr (2 per quarter) on ₹20,000/mo spend | RuPay Select | ₹0 (lifetime free) | • 4 free railway lounge visits/yr• Personal & air accident insurance• 1.99% forex markup |
These zero‑fee cards unlock free domestic and international lounge visits with simple criteria—perfect for occasional flyers:
- IndusInd Tiger stands out as the best choice: it has no minimum‑spend requirement yet still offers 8 domestic and 2 international visits annually via Priority Pass, plus movie, golf, and reward‑point benefits.
- Federal Bank Scapia offers unlimited domestic lounges on a minimum ₹10,000/₹15,000 monthly spend, plus 10% rewards and zero forex markup.
- IDFC FIRST Select gives 8 domestic lounges per year for ₹20,000 monthly spends, along with railway lounge access and travel insurance.
Choose IndusInd Tiger if you want unrestricted lounge access without worrying about monthly spending!
💼 Mid‑Range Cards with Lounge Access
These mid‑range credit cards come with moderate fees but offer Super lounge benefits and travel perks. ideal for frequent Travellers who don’t need ultra‑premium features.
These mid‑range cards balance moderate fees with generous lounge benefits and travel perks—ideal for frequent flyers who want more than entry‑level features without premium costs.
| Card | Lounge Access | Network | Fee & Waiver | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Regalia Gold | • 12 domestic lounge visits/year (any Indian airport) • 6 international visits/year via Priority Pass | Visa / Mastercard | ₹2,500 + GST (renewal ₹2,500; waived on ₹6 L annual spend) | • 4 Reward Points/₹150 on travel, dining, movies • 1% fuel surcharge waiver • 24×7 concierge • Comprehensive travel insurance |
| Axis Bank Atlas | • 8 domestic visits/year • 4 international visits/year via Priority Pass (Silver tier) | Visa / Mastercard | ₹ 5,000+ GST (renewal ₹5,000) | • 2 EDGE Miles/₹100 on all spends • 5 EDGE Miles/₹100 on travel bookings • 1% fuel waiver • Tiered milestone rewards |
| SBI Card PRIME | • 8 domestic visits/year (max 2/quarter) • 4 international visits/year via Priority Pass | Visa / Mastercard | ₹2,999 + GST (renewal ₹2,999) | • 10 Reward Points/₹100 on dining, groceries, movies • Club Vistara Gold membership • Movie vouchers worth ₹6,000/yr • 1% fuel waiver |
Notes:
- HDFC Regalia Gold: 12 in‑India lounge visits and 6 abroad via Priority Pass; fee waived on ₹6 L spends
- Axis Atlas: Silver tier entitles 8 domestic + 4 international; higher tiers unlock more
- SBI Prime: Includes 8 domestic + 4 international visits; renewal fee waiver on ₹3 L spends
These cards are perfect if you fly a few times a year and want consistent lounge access, reward points, and travel insurance—all at a moderate annual cost.
💼 Premium Cards with Extensive 👑 Premium Cards with Unlimited or High‑Limit Global Lounge Access
These premium credit cards come with higher fees but offer unrestricted or generous domestic and international lounge access—perfect for frequent flyers and business travellers.
| Card | Domestic Lounge Access | International Lounge Access | Fee & Waiver | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Infinia (Mastercard) | Unlimited visits at all partnered domestic lounges | Unlimited Priority Pass visits (2 guests/year) | ₹12,500 + GST (waived on ₹10 L annual spend) | • Air accident & medical insurance up to ₹3 Cr• 2 RP/₹50 spent (1:1 travel redemption)• Golf privileges• 0% forex markup on transactions |
| Axis Bank Magnus (Mastercard) | Unlimited visits (auto-auth with spend) | Unlimited Priority Pass visits (primary & add-on cards) | ₹12,500 + GST (waived on ₹25 L annual spend) | • 35 EDGE Points/₹200 spent (for ₹1.5 L+ monthly spend)• Taj Epicure membership• Concierge & golf privileges• 2% forex markup |
| ICICI Emerald (Visa Infinite) | Unlimited visits to all domestic lounges | 12 Priority Pass visits/year (2 guests/visit) | ₹10,000 + GST (renewal ₹10,000; waived on ₹6 L annual spend) | • 12 Reward Points/₹100 on all spends• Complimentary Golf, Spa benefits• 1% fuel surcharge waiver• Travel & visa assist services |
| SBI Card ELITE (Visa/Mastercard) | 12 visits/year (All domestic lounges) | 8 Priority Pass visits/year | ₹4,999 + GST (renewal ₹4,999; waived on ₹4 L annual spend) | • 2 Reward Points/₹100 on all spends• Club Vistara Gold + Premium meals voucher• Trident Privilege membership• Complimentary movie vouchers |
| Axis Bank Vistara Infinite (Visa Infinite) | Unlimited domestic lounge visits | Unlimited Vistara Lounge + 8 Priority Pass visits/year | ₹10,000 + GST (renewal ₹10,000; waived on ₹6 L annual spend) | • 12 CV Points/₹200 on Vistara spends• 6 CV Points/₹200 on other spends• Club Vistara Gold membership• Travel insurance & concierge |
Use these high‑end cards if you fly frequently and want seamless lounge access, plus generous travel insurance, high reward rates, and lifestyle privileges.xx
🆚 Comparison: Lounge Visits, Fees & Waiver Conditions
| Card Category | Card Name | Domestic Visits/Year | Intl Visits/Year | Annual Fee (₹) | Waiver Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime Free | Federal Bank Scapia | Unlimited (₹10K/₹15K spend) | – | ₹0 | N/A |
| IndusInd Tiger | 8 (2/Q) | 2 (Priority Pass) | ₹0 | N/A | |
| IDFC FIRST Select | 8 (2/Q) | – | ₹0 | N/A | |
| Mid‑Range | HDFC Regalia Gold | 12 (any lounges) | 6 (Priority Pass) | ₹2,500 + GST | Spend ₹6 L/year |
| Axis Bank Atlas | 8 | 4 (Priority Pass) | ₹5,000 + GST | Spend ₹3 L/year | |
| SBI Card PRIME | 8 (2/Q) | 4 (Priority Pass) | ₹2,999 + GST | Spend ₹3 L/year | |
| Premium | HDFC Infinia | ICICI Bank Emerald | Unlimited (Priority Pass) | ₹12,500 + GST | Spend ₹10 L/year |
| HDFC Diners Club Black | Unlimited | Unlimited (Diners Club) | ₹10,000 + GST | Spend ₹5 L/year | |
| Axis Bank Magnus | Unlimited | Unlimited (Priority Pass) | ₹12,500 + GST | Spend ₹25 L/year | |
| ICICI Bank Emerald | Unlimited | 12 (Priority Pass) | ₹10,000 + GST | Spend ₹6 L/year | |
| SBI Card ELITE | 12 | 8 (Priority Pass) | ₹4,999 + GST | Spend ₹4 L/year | |
| Axis Bank Vistara Infinite | Unlimited | Unlimited + 8 PP | ₹10,000 + GST | Spend ₹6 L/year |
This side‑by‑side view helps you quickly assess:
- How many lounge visits do you get domestically and internationally
- What fees do you pay, and how can to waive them
- Which card category matches your travel frequency and budget
🎯 Final: Which Lounge Card Fits Your Travel Style?
- Casual Flyers & Budget Users:
Choose Federal Bank Scapia or IDFC FIRST Select for zero fees and simple spend‑based access. - Frequent Domestic Travelers:
IndusInd Tiger offers unrestricted access—best when you don’t want to track spending. - Regular International Travelers:
HDFC Regalia Gold or Axis Bank Atlas balance moderate fees with international lounges via Priority Pass. - Business & High‑Spenders:
Go premium with HDFC Infinia, ICICI Emerald, or Axis Magnus for unlimited global lounges, top‑tier insurance, and concierge services.
Pick the card that matches your travel frequency, spending habits, and desired perks—and make every airport layover a relaxing experience.
Want to know about the best credit card for movies? Click Here
💬 What’s Your Pick for the Best Lounge Card?
Tried any of these cards? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
👍 Found This Helpful?
Share and send this to your travel buddy or card-savvy friend!
📌 Save & Follow Us
Bookmark this post and follow for more credit card comparisons and travel tips!
📣 Tell Us Your Experience
Which card saved your airport day? We’d love to hear your lounge stories!
🚀 More Coming Soon
Don’t miss our next article on top cashback and fuel cards—stay tuned!
Hi, I’m Karan Gera, a content writer at LetsMakeAsset.com. I write about credit cards, loans, and finance. I enjoy sharing clear and simple information so that everyone can learn more about these topics. Writing is something I truly love.
