Regardless of whether you're a habitual flyer, someone who travels for business, or just someone who enjoys some quiet time before boarding, airport lounge access has become one of the most in-demand amenities in credit cards. In 2025, with the average price point per visit in lounges south of 1,200, credit cards that are able to offer completely free or discounted lounge passes deliver an actual value, not just a perk. Many premier and mid-range credit cards are now offering complimentary domestic and international lounge access, and many offer lounge access with complimentary memberships where you can also receive exclusive travel offers and concierge services. We have decided to narrow down the best 5 credit cards in India (2025) that fully maximize value and experience for airport lounge access, with reference to features, fees, and benefits.
Why Airport Lounge Access Matters in 2025 Avoid long waits in crowded terminals Enjoy complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, workspaces Save on average 1,200 per lounge visit Get premium travel experience even with economy class tickets 1. HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card Best for: Luxury frequent flyers and global travelers This remains India's most exclusive credit card in 2025, now with new tie-ups across luxury brands and expanded lounge access globally. Joining Fee: 10,000 + GST Annual Fee: 10,000 (waived on 10L spend) Unlimited complimentary lounge access globally (Priority Pass + Diners Club) Free memberships: Amazon Prime, Club Marriott, MMTBLACK, and Swiggy One 24x7 global concierge services and emergency assistance High reward rate with 5X points on flights and hotels Ideal for: HNIs, luxury travelers, business executives 2. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card Ideal for: Big spenders needing all-round travel perks Axis Magnus burst onto 2025 after impeccable partnerships with Visa Infinite and Tata Neu granting effortless international use and lifestyle rewards. Joining Fee: 12,500 + GST Annual Fee: 12,500 (waived on 25L spending) Unlimited international lounge visits with Priority Pass (primary + add-on) 8 free domestic lounge visits per quarter via Visa Infinite Complimentary memberships: Swiggy One, EazyDiner Prime, Times Prime 10,000 Tata Neu vouchers on milestone spends Ideal for: Frequent global flyers who also spend big on lifestyle 3. SBI Card ELITE Ideal for: Equity on travel, dining, and movies Even with newer cards, the SBI Card ELITE remains a choice pick in 2025 when considering consistent rewards, free lounge visits, and low forex markup fees. Joining Fee: 4,999 + GST Annual Fee: 4,999 (waived on spending 10L) Free Priority Pass membership + 6 international lounge visits (max 2/qtr) 8 domestic lounge visits/year via Mastercard/Visa 2 free movie tickets/month up to 500 1.99% forex markup, lower than most cards Ideal for: Mid-level professionals and lifestyle spendersKey Benefits:
Note: Only accepted at select POS terminals due to Diners Club networkKey Benefits:
Key Benefits:
Now comes in both Visa and RuPay variants (2025)
4. HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card (2025 Edition) Best for: Well-rounded travel perks under 3,000 fee Regalia Gold continues to offer impressive travel perks in 2025, with enhanced reward redemptions and newly partnered domestic lounges. Joining Fee: 2,500 + GST Annual Fee: 2,500 (waived on 4L spend) 12 free domestic lounge visits/year 6 international lounge visits/year via Priority Pass Complimentary air accident cover of 1 crore Reward points convertible into air miles (InterMiles, Vistara, etc.) Ideal for: Travel-savvy professionals and young executives 5. OneCard Metal Credit Card Best for: Millennials and first-time lounge users This lifetime-free metal credit card has gained popularity in 2025 with its stylish design, transparent rewards, and curated lounge benefits. Joining Fee: 0 Annual Fee: 0 4 free domestic lounge visits/year Lounge access via RuPay Select network Full app control block/unblock card, track rewards, and EMI conversion No hidden charges, real-time spend tracking Ideal for: Gen Z, young professionals, and budget-conscious travelers Comparison Table Airport Lounge Benefits at a Glance (2025) Credit Card Joining Fee Lounge Access Type Annual Waiver HDFC Diners Club Black Metal 10,000 Unlimited (Global + Domestic) Premium Travel 10L annual spend Axis Magnus 12,500 Unlimited Intl + 8 Dom/qtr Ultra-Premium 25L annual spend SBI Card ELITE 4,999 6 Intl/year + 8 Dom/year Lifestyle 10L annual spend HDFC Regalia Gold 2,500 6 Intl/year + 12 Dom/year Travel & Rewards 4L annual spend OneCard Metal (LTF) 0 4 Dom/year Entry-Level NA FAQs A: Not all. Some cards require a minimum number of transactions or charge a nominal fee after a set number of visits. A: Yes, especially with cards like HDFC Regalia, Diners Club Black, and Axis Magnus, which offer access for add-on card members too. A: You may be charged between 700 and 1,200 per visit depending on the lounge partner. Always check your card's T&Cs in the app. Final Take: Which Credit Card Should You Choose in 2025? Pick This Card If You... Best Choice Want unlimited global lounge and luxury perks HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Want all-round value with lifestyle rewards Axis Magnus or SBI Card ELITE Are a young professional or beginner OneCard Metal (Lifetime Free) Want value-for-money travel perks under 3K HDFC Regalia Gold Prefer high rewards and low forex markup SBI Card ELITE Pro Tip for 2025 Travelers: Use your credit cards official app to track lounge visits, block unwanted charges, and activate travel benefits before you fly.Key Benefits:
Key Benefits:
One of the very few LTF metal cards with lounge benefitsQ1: Is lounge access free with all credit cards?
Q2: Can supplementary cardholders also get lounge access?
Q3: What happens if I exceed my lounge visit limit?
Comments