India's aviation sector has been on the rise in the past decade, reshaping travel habits. By 2025, the number of air passengers in India crossed 25 crores,
more than doubling since 2014, as reported by DD News. Airport Lounges, once considered a luxury, are now a standard demand for flyers. Consequently, banks and card issuers are offering lounge access as a primary attraction to acquire and retain customers. Several mid to premium category credit cards are now offering complimentary access to both domestic and international airport lounges, along with travel-focused rewards and discounts. Based on BankBazaar’s data, below are the top 5 credit cards offering free airport lounge access. Axis Horizon Credit Card Great for frequent flyers. Cardholders get 2 complimentary international airport lounge visits per calendar quarter and up to 8 complimentary visits to domestic airport lounges in a year. Plus, the card offers 5000 EDGE Miles to users who make a first transaction of Rs. 10,000 or more within 30 days of card issuance, as a welcome offer. Cardholders earn 5 EDGE Miles for every Rs. 100 spent on bookings made through the Axis Bank Travel EDGE portal as well as on direct airline bookings. Joining and annual fee amounts to Rs. 3000, so if you can extract value from the lounge access and travel rewards, this card is suitable for you. Ixigo AU Credit Card Beneficial for flyers seeking lounge access without paying annual charges. This Card provides up to 16 complimentary domestic lounge visits and 1 complimentary international lounge visit in a year. It also offers a 10 per cent discount on flight and hotel bookings, with the offer capped at Rs. 1000. The Ixigo AU Credit Card offers zero foreign exchange markup on international transactions. This card is suitable for occasional flyers who want to enjoy the comfort of lounge access without committing to an expensive card. SBI Miles Credit Card Positioned as a premium travel-focused credit card, it is suitable for frequent flyers who can maximise its premium travel benefits. This Card offers 6 complimentary international airport lounge visits per year outside India, with usage capped at 2 visits per quarter. It also offers 2 free domestic airport lounge visits in a year. SBI Miles Credit Card’s major highlight is the complimentary Priority Pass membership, which otherwise costs $99. For every Rs. 200 spent on travel, the card offers 6 travel credits, while the welcome benefits include 5000 travel credits. The card has an annual and renewal fee of Rs. 4,999. Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card This Card combines airport lounge access with hotel loyalty benefits, suitable for travellers who frequently stay at Marriott properties. Cardholders get complimentary access to domestic and airport lounges in India, along with international lounge access when abroad. Along with the lounge benefits, the card offers a Free Night Award and 10 Elite Night Credits on eligible spending, which can help users progress within the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme. For every Rs. 150 spent on travel, dining and entertainment, the users earn 4 Marriott Bonvoy points. This card has a joining fee and an annual renewal fee of Rs. 3000. IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card Positioned as a no-frills option for users who only want basic airport lounge access without paying any annual charges, this card offers 2 complimentary international lounge visits per year and 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter. Also Read: Bilt 2.0 Credit Cards: What’s New And Are They Beneficial For US Consumers? Bilt Cash Explained The IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card levies a 1.5 per cent foreign exchange markup, which is less than what many standard credit cards charge. This card comes with no joining fee and no annual fee. The readers are advised to check the terms and conditions before applying for any credit card.
