Best Indian Credit Cards for International Lounge Access

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Last Updated 06th June 2024.

There are quite a few credit cards in India with international lounge access options, but a few specifically catch the eye due to good benefits and a wide range of lounges in their program. Here I have curated a list of the best Indian credit cards for international lounge access which either provide guest access or shared access to addon members and are suited to different needs and budgets, making it simple for frequent travellers to choose a card that makes international travel a breeze even when travelling in a group and delivers fantastic benefits commitments.

Credit Cards with Guest Access

Guest access to airport lounges can be a valuable feature for travellers who often travel with companions. Guest access is typically for a single visit or a limited number of visits and is meant for occasional use when travelling with a companion. Guests are usually allowed to enter the lounge when accompanied by the primary cardholder. Many premium credit cards in India offer Priority Pass membership, which often includes a set number of complimentary guest visits. I have compiled a list of the same as follows.

Axis Burgundy Private

• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards) + 12 Complimentary lounge visits for guests in a calendar year.
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: NIL (Free for Burgundy Private Customers)
• Annual Fee: NIL if Burgundy Private NRV is maintained else ₹50,000+GST

Yes Private

• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards) + 12 Complimentary lounge visits for guests in a calendar year.
• Access Via: Lounge Key
• Joining Fee: ₹50,000+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹10,000+GST

HSBC Premier

• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards) + 8 Complimentary lounge visits for guests in a calendar year.
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: ₹12,000+GST (Only for Premier Banking Customers)
• Annual Fee: ₹20,000+GST (Waived off for Premier Banking Customers)

Axis Reserve

• Full Review
• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards) + 4 Complimentary lounge visits for guests in a calendar year.
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: ₹50,000+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹50,000+GST (Waived off on ₹35L Spends in a Year)

Axis Magnus/ Axis Magnus Burgundy

• Full Review
• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited for Primary cardholders + 4 Complimentary lounge visits for guests in a calendar year.
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: ₹12,500+GST/ ₹30,000+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹12,500+GST/ ₹30,000+GST (Waived off on ₹25L Spends in a Year)

Yes Bank Marquee

• Full Review
• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards) + 4 Complimentary lounge visits for guests in a calendar year.
• Access Via: Lounge Key
• Joining Fee: ₹9,999+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹4,999+GST (Waived off on ₹10L Spends in a Year)

Axis Atlas

• Full Review
• Complimentary Limits:

• Access Via: Dreamfolks QR Code via Axis Bank Application
• Joining Fee: ₹5,000+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹5,000+GST

SBI Aurum

• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited for Primary Cardholder + 1 Complimentary lounge visits for guests in a calendar quarter
• Access Via: DreamFolks Card
• Joining Fee: ₹10,000+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹10,000+GST (Waived off on ₹12L Spends in a Year)

Credit Cards with Shared Access

There are certain cards in India which offer shared access within the complimentary quota of the primary cardholder to addon cardholders. Add-on cards (also known as supplementary cards) are additional credit cards issued to the primary cardholder’s family members, usually sharing the same credit limit. Add-on cardholders have their own card and can access the benefits independently of the primary cardholder, including lounge access if the benefit is extended to add-on cards. Here I have compiled a list of the cards offering this facility.

HDFC Infinia Metal

• Full Review
• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and 3 Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: ₹12,500+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹12,500+GST (Waived off on ₹10L Spends in a Year)

Citi Prestige

• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: ₹20,000+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹20,000+GST

The above two cards have the most powerful priority passes since they give you access to select domestic departure and arrival lounges which you cannot access complimentary using any of the credit cards available in India.

AMEX Platinum Charge Card

• Complimentary Limits for Priority Pass Lounges: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Complimentary Limits for AMEX Centurion Lounges: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards) + 1 complimentary guest per visit.
• Access Via: Amex Platinum Charge Card
• Joining Fee: ₹60,000+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹60,000+GST

ICICI Emeralde Private Metal

• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: ₹12,500+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹12,500+GST (Waived off on ₹15L Spends in a Year)

HDFC Diners Club Black Metal

• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and 3 Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Credit Card
• Joining Fee: ₹10,000+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹10,000+GST (Waived off on ₹8L Spends in a Year)

Indusind Pioneer Heritage Metal

• Full Review
• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Priority Pass/Lounge Key
• Joining Fee: ₹1,80,000+GST/ ₹90,000+GST
• Annual Fee: LTF/ ₹25,000 + GST (Waived off on ₹10L Spends in a Year)

Indusind Indulge

• Complimentary Limits: Unlimited (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: ₹2,00,000+GST/ ₹45,000+GST
• Annual Fee: LTF/ ₹10,000 + GST (Waived off on ₹20L Spends in a Year)

AU Zenith Plus

• Complimentary Limits: 4/Quarter (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: ₹4,999+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹4,999+GST (Waived off on ₹8L Spends in a Year)

HDFC Marriott Bonvoy

• Full Review
• Complimentary Limits: 12/Year (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Credit Card
• Joining Fee: ₹3,000+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹3,000+GST

IDFC Wealth

• Full Review
• Conditional Limits: 2/Quarter on spending ₹20,000 in the previous calendar month (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: DreamFolks Card
• Joining Fee: LTF
• Annual Fee: LTF

AU Zenith

• Complimentary Limits: 2/Qtr (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: ₹7,999+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹7,999+GST (Waived off on ₹8L Spends in a Year)

HDFC Regalia Gold

• Full Review
• Complimentary Limits: 6/Year (Shared on Primary and 3 Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: ₹2,500+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹2,500+GST (Waived off on ₹4L Spends in a Year)

HDFC Regalia

• Full Review
• Complimentary Limits: 6/Year (Shared on Primary and 3 Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: ₹2,500+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹2,500+GST (Waived off on ₹3L Spends in a Year)

Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip

• Complimentary Limits: 2/Year (Shared on Primary and Add-on Cards)
• Access Via: Priority Pass
• Joining Fee: ₹350+GST
• Annual Fee: ₹350+GST (Waived off on ₹50K Spends in a Year)

Which is your favourite lounge hopping card among these? Do let us know in the comments below.

Bhavye Goel

Chief Editor, TechnoFino.
Personal finance nerd! Physics enthusiast and trainer. When not into Physics, he is minting points and hunting for the next best credit card for himself.