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Airlines usually need you to arrive at the airport a few hours before the departure time of your trip. Completing the security check, picking up the boarding pass, turning in the luggage, etc., requires early reporting.
What happens when you have finished all the requirements listed above and the flight is delayed or there is still some time left before it departs? An airport lounge is a suitable place to spend this time.
Airport lounge access is a premium service, but several banks offer it as a free perk on credit cards.
How does one define an airport lounge?
In an airport, there is a special place called an airport lounge where passengers can unwind while they wait for their flight. High-speed Wi-Fi, free food and drinks, cosy seats, and other amenities are available in an airport lounge. Some airport lounges offer extra amenities like a gaming area, a spa, a massage, a shower, etc.
There are restrictions on accessing an airport lounge. A person can enter an airport lounge by paying a charge. Some credit cards, debit cards, airline frequent flyer programs (FFPs), etc., offer free access. Although using a credit card to enter the lounge is free, the bank must pay the lounge operator on your behalf.
The majority of banks have free admission to airport lounges linked to most credit cards. Certain credit cards are offering free entry to airport lounges without any spending requirements, though. Let’s check out a few of these cards:
– American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
There are eight free trips to airport lounges in India per year (two every quarter) with the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card.
– Ixigo AU Credit Card
Every year, the ixigo AU Credit Card grants 16 free passes to domestic airports and train lounges. One complimentary international lounge visit per year is granted with the card.
– Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
There are two free domestic airport lounge visits each year with the Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card.
– Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card
In India, the Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers 12 complimentary airport lounge visits each year at both local and international airports. Each year, the card entitles the user to twelve complimentary admissions to foreign lounges outside of India.
– HDFC Bank Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card
Eight free domestic lounge visits are offered by the HDFC Bank Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card per year (two every quarter). Outside of India, the card offers four complimentary visits to international lounges each year (one every quarter).
– HSBC Live+ Credit Card
Access to four domestic airport lounges is free with the HSBC Live+ Credit Card annually (one every quarter).
– Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
The amount of free airport visits is tied to the cardholder’s membership category with the Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card. Every cardholder begins as a silver member. They advance to gold or platinum members based on how much they spend throughout a card membership year.
The following are the criteria for free lounge access:
Silver: Eight complimentary domestic airport lounge access and four complimentary international airport lounge access.
Gold: 12 complimentary domestic airport lounge access and six complimentary international airport lounge access.
Platinum: 18 complimentary domestic airport lounge access and 12 complimentary international airport lounge access.
– IndusInd EazyDiner Credit Card
Every quarter, two complimentary domestic airport lounge visits are granted with the IndusInd EazyDiner Credit Card.