With the right credit or debit card, you can enjoy free airport lounge access in India.
We all need to travel a lot. It’s good for our mental and physical health, it helps keep us sharp during work hours!
Why not enjoy the luxury of lounges with some ooh so yummy food for free during your international and domestic flights?
If you have a layover at Airport then you should definitely enjoy your free lounge access.
Let me show you the list of DEBIT/CREDIT Cards that can help us get free lounge access!
Free Airport Lounge Access with Credit or Debit Card:
Here is a list of the 50 best debit/credit cards to enjoy food during your international and domestic flight trips.
Best Debit Card for Free Airport Lounge Access:
1. SBI Platinum Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
The Annual Fee is Rs. 175 + GST. For 0.25 rupees spent, they award 1 RP, increasing the limit per transaction to 100 RP. You would have to place a request specifically for this card. MasterCard version gives better lounge coverage.
2. SBI RuPay Platinum Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
The Annual Fee costs Rs. 200 + GST. They give 1 RP for 0.25 rupees spent, capping the limit per transaction at 100 RP. They give bonus RP in birthday month capping at 200.
3. Axis Priority Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
Rs. 750 + GST is the Annual Fee, which is waived off for priority customers. Axis Priority Debit Card gives 12,500 reward points worth Rs. 2,500 every quarter on spending Rs. 25,000 online holding up 10% reward rate.
4. Axis Delight Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
With a poor rate of 1 Reward point per Rs. 200 spent, it is recommended for complimentary airport lounge access usage only. They charge an Annual Fee of Rs. 999 + GST.
5. Axis RuPay Platinum Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
They give 5% Cashback on utility bill payments, at the top Rs. 50 per month while charging an Annual Fee of Rs. 200 + GST
6. Axis Burgundy Private Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 4/quarter, International: Nil
Annual Fee amounts to Rs. 10,000 + GST, which is waived off for Burgundy Private clients. For every Rs. 200 spent internationally, 10 Rp is obtained. It takes an NRV of Rs. 5 Crores and more qualify for Burgundy Private status. The lack of international lounge access is disappointing.
7. HDFC Bank EasyShop Platinum Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
Rs. 750 + GST is charged annually, waived off for Classic, Preferred, and Imperia customers. You can get a 1% Cashback on Telecom and Utilities coupled with a 0.5% Cashback on supermarkets, Groceries, Entertainment, Restaurant, and Apparels. They offer Rs. 750 as the maximum Cashback per month and is one of the most popular debit cards. For a myriad of lounge options and coverage, choose MasterCard.
8. HDFC Bank Millennia Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 4/year, International: Nil
The annual fee is Rs. 500 + GST, waived off for Classic, Preferred, and Imperia customers. A decent 5% Cashback is provided on shopping via PayZapp and SmartBuy.
The Maximum Cashback per month is Rs. 400. This card is the newest offering from HDFC Bank. Apart from lounge access, attractive Cashback on online and offline spending catches the customers’ eyes.
9. HDFC Bank RuPay Premium Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
The annual fee is Rs. 200 + GST, waived off for Classic, Preferred, and Imperia customers. You get 5% Cashback on utility bill payment, peaking at Rs. 50 per month
10. Jet Privilege HDFC Bank Signature Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
They do not ask for annual fees. A lucrative 4 InterMiles on every Rs. 150 spent on International shopping, online merchants, and all flights being booked on InterMiles.com are provided. Otherwise, the reward rate as such is very poor.
11. HDFC Bank Times Point Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 1/quarter, International: Nil
They do not charge annual fees. What they bring on the table is 2 Times Points for every Rs. 150 spent at shopping (except for fuel, jewelry, and business services)
HDFC Bank Times Point Debit Card is the coolest looking debit card from HDFC Bank, apart from which there is nothing else exciting. Avoid this card for online and offline spending, owing to the low reward rate.
12. ICICI Bank Coral Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, international: NIL.
They have an impressive reward points system.
13. ICICI Bank Rubyx Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
Annually you have to pay Rs. 749 + GST second year onwards to get rewards like 4 PAYBACK Points per Rs. 200 spent at 0.5% reward rate. Unless their fees are for free, do not opt for this card.
14. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 4/quarter, International: Nil
You will be charged an Annual Fee of Rs. 1,499 + GST second year onwards. You can get 4 PAYBACK Points per Rs. 200 spent at 0.5% reward rate
15. Citi Priority World Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: Unlimited, International: 8/year
No Annual Fee is charged, and they are giving 2 reward points per Rs. 150 spent at a rate of 1.33% reward rate. Golf and Movie Privileges are provided when the customer has an NRV of Rs. 15 lakhs is worth the risk.
16. Citigold World Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: Unlimited, International: 16/year
They demand a shooting-up-the-roof value of R. 75 lakhs for NRV even if they do not charge an Annual Fee. You can avail of Buy 1 Get 1 on movie tickets at BookMyShow. The benefits are lucrative, but the masses might not be able to afford this.
17. Citigold Private Client World Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: Unlimited, International: 20/year
Annual Fee might not be charged, but they are not everyone’s cup of tea as an NRV of a whopping Rs. the elitist customers require 5 crores to maintain.
18. Yes Prosperity Platinum Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 1/quarter, International: Nil
Usually, they charge an Annual Fee of Rs. 599 + GST, but go for this card only if the Fee is waived off as the rewards are not great. They offer 1 RP for Rs. 200 spent with a 0.125% reward rate.
19. Yes Premia Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
They demand an Annual Fee of Rs. 1,249 + GST, which is waived off for YES PREMIA Customers. The card is issued to their customers who maintain an NRV of Rs. 10 Lakhs. The low reward rate on this debit card is underwhelming a lot.
20. Yes First World Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 3/quarter, International: Nil
Annual Fee is charged at Rs. 2,499 + GST and is Waived off for YES FIRST customers maintaining requisite Net Relationship Value with the Bank- they do not offer great reward points.
21. IndusInd World Exclusive Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
Without Annual Frees, they reward us with 1 RP for every Rs. 0.35. At the top, you can earn 6 RP per Rs. 200 crossing the monthly expenditure cost of Rs. 40,001.
22. IndusInd Pioneer World Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
They offer 1 RP = Rs. 1 without costing any Annual fee. 1 reward point for every Rs. 200 spent 0.5% reward rate.
They are limited to 3 tickets of Rs. 900 in 3 a quarter; you can buy one and Get One on BookMyShow. An NRV of Rs. 30 Lakhs is what you must have to qualify for Pioneer Banking.
23. IDFC First Visa Signature Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
Without any Annual Fees, they give Rs. 250 cashback per month on BookMyShow
24. Bank of India RuPay Platinum Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
1 RP is fetched by Rs. 0.25. You need to deposit an Annual fee of Rs. 200 + GST. They provide a multi-layered reward rate, and you can choose your preferred category to get accelerated rewards.
25. IDBI RuPay Platinum Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
With an Annual Fee costing Rs. 300 + GST, they give 2 reward points per Rs. 100 spent, and a reward rate of 0.5%.
Though the card is enabled for international transactions, the global acceptance of RuPay cards is not that slightly disappointing.
26. IDBI Visa Signature Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 1/quarter, International: Nil
The Annual Fee is Rs. 799 + GST, and Rewards are 3 reward points per Rs. 200 spent, 0.75% reward rate amalgamated with insurance cover, travel, and car rental assistance.
27. Central Bank of India RuPay Platinum Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter, International: Nil
There are no Annual Fees. Every 100 rupees spent gives 1.5 RP.
The card offers 5% Cashback on utility bill payments, capping at Rs. 50 per month and 15% discount on bill amount crossing 300 rupees at all CCD outlets and a reward rate of 0.375% with domestic airport lounge access.
28. Kotak Privy League Signature Debit Card
Limit: Domestic: 1/quarter, International: Nil
There are no annual fees or rewards. Kotak Privy League Signature Debit Card has high NRV requirements- an NRV of 30 lakhs, this card doesn’t provide any benefits, so it may not be worth it.
Best Credit Card for Free Airport Lounge Access:
29. SBI Elite Credit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/quarter (additional 2 as complimentary), International: (as complimentary) 2/quarter.
Their annual fees amount to around Rs. 5000. They offer a plethora of lucrative rewards.
30. SBI Yatra Credit Card
Limit: NIL
They cost annually only around Rs. 500, they have some mind-blowing Yatra.com vouchers and discounts on flight bookings that you should check out.
31. Axis Flipkart Credit Card
Limit: 4/year; domestic or international is varying with locations in India.
32. Axis Magnus Credit Card
Limit: Domestic: Unlimited, Internationals: 8/year with the Priority Pass card annually.
The spectrum of benefits ranges from getting a complimentary domestic flight ticket and a TataCLiQ voucher worth Rs. 10,000.
33. Axis Vistara Infinite Credit Card
Limit: Not specified
If you plan on enjoying a nice staycation at Club Vistara with a Gold membership, Axis Magnus credit card will provide that. You can also procure three business class tickets on achieving your spend milestones.
34. Axis Titanium Smart Traveller Credit Card
Limit: Not specified
It costs around a modest Rs. 250 for joining; the card is ready to waive that off as well if you spend Rs. 2500 or more within the maiden 45 days. They have more such exciting offers, including a 15% discount on dining.
35. ICICI Coral Credit Card
Limit: Not specified
The coral credit card provides a myriad of unimaginable offers from Flipkart, Swiggy, TataCLiQ, and Pepperfry.
36. ICICI HPCL Coral American Express Credit Card
Limit: Complimentary access to the Lounge was discontinued from 15th April 2020.
The best part of this card is the accelerated rewards you can earn and redeem for fuel at HPCL petrol pumps.
37. ICICI Emeralde Credit Card (Amex)
Limit: Unlimited for Domestic and International
A luxurious way to spend your birthday would be at Trident Hotels with the help of a voucher worth Rs. 7500 from ICICI Emerald credit card. It allows you to travel with one card internationally and give you the flexibility to choose the membership plan.
38. ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card
Limit: Domestic: 4/quarter, International: 2/year
If you are a member of Dreamfolks DragonPass Lounge Access Program, you can avail of Rs. 10000 worth vouchers for shopping and travel and a 15% discount on dining.
39. ICICI Jet Privilege Sapphiro Credit Card
Limit: Not specified
You can earn 10,000 InterMiles as Welcome Bonus, and 12.5 InterMiles for every Rs. 100 spent on the card.
40. HDFC Millennia Credit Card
Limit: Domestic: 2/year, International: 2/quarter
5% Cashback on Amazon and Flipkart, fuel surcharge waiver, and smart EMI are some lucrative benefits associated with this card.
41. HDFC Infinia Credit Card
Limit: Unlimited
They offer amazing deals like complimentary Club Marriott Membership for the first year and 5 reward points for every Rs. 150 you spend.
42. HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card
Limit: Not specified
From ClubMariott, Forbes, and Zomato to Amazon Prime and times prime, you can find a bunch of additional benefits.
43. HDFC Diners Club miles Credit Card
Limit: International and Domestic- 6/year
They offer 4 RP for every Rs. 150 you spend, along with fantastic lifestyle benefits.
44. HDFC Regalia Credit Card
Limit: Domestic: 12, International: 6
You get a complimentary Zomato Pro membership for the first year. They reward 10,000 RP on 5 lakh rupees spends.
45. HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card
Limit: 12 for Domestic and International
Whether it is vouchers from BookMyShow or tataCLiQ or 1-month membership at Ola Select or cure, fit Live, they have a massive range of benefits to offer.
46. HDFC Superia Credit Card
Limit: not specified
At premium restaurants, you can earn 50% or more reward points that are valid for two years. From the date of purchase, you can avail of up to 50 days of interest-free days.
47. Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card
Limit: Not specified
Fuel and railway Surcharge waivers are examples of where you can reap the benefits of points you earned.
48. Yes First Preferred Credit Card
Limit: not specified
You can avail of 10,000 RP on your first transaction within the first 3 months of your card set up (90 days). Generally, they offer 8 reward points for every Rs. 200 you spend.
49. Yes First Exclusive Credit Card
Limit: Unlimited
This card demands a high income, around Rs. 4 lakhs per month, for you to be an eligible cardholder. If you can afford that, then go ahead and enjoy benefits that include Concierge Assistance, Preferential foreign currency Markup, and movie tickets discount.
50. Citi Prestige Credit Card
Limit: Not Specified
They have lower benefit ranges but include some lucrative deals associated with ITC/Taj Hotels.
Conclusion
So, what are you waiting for? Pick the card that suits your needs and enjoy the luxury treatments that you have dreamt of!
Just make sure to check other criteria like reward conversion to air miles, direct discounts on airline base fairs, and low foreign-exchange markup fees that are associated with the card you plan to select. It will help you to gauge better what will suit your preferences and financial goals.
