How to Get free Airport Lounge Access Around the World?
Escape the stress of travel hustle with airport lounge access that offers a great deal of facilities for a pleasant experience. Let's accept this, long queues for check-in, uncomfy seats in the waiting area, constant announcements over the intercom, expensive food can be daunting at the airport. What if you could get access to a first class experience at the airport for free? Yes it is possible and the answer is simple - Airport Lounge!
Air Conditioning
Alcohol
Digital Card Accepted
Disabled Access
Flight Information
Internet
Newspapers/Magazines
Refreshments
TV
Power outlet
Food
Wi-Fi
Some luxury benefits like Spa, shower, sleeping pods, conference, massage chairs, fitness centres, video games and pool table can be availed by paying an extra amount at the lounge itself. The access to the facilities can differ from lounge to lounge and also from domestic to International travel. Please check for exact hours of lounge operation, Access time allowance, number of guests allowed before visiting the lounge.
The lounge access is complimentary to first or business class tickets and we do not suggest to buy an expensive ticket to enjoy these luxuries. Here are several less expensive ways to get access to the best airport lounges around the world.
Certain airlines provide free access to their own lounges but such lounges could be limited so it’s best to sign up for a frequent flyer programme. Oneworld, Skyteam, and Star Alliance are three major alliances, each having over 600 lounges worldwide. You can get several other benefits like earning miles, priority boarding, check-in, lounge access and extra baggage allowance.
You can sign up for free; just make sure the airlines you are travelling with is a part of the respective alliance. Also don’t forget to put in your membership number while booking the flight to enjoy the benefits.
Independent platforms like Lounge Buddy, Priority Pass or Sleeping in Airports offer access to lounges at an economical price. They have yearly membership programmes for frequent flyers and pay per use facility to enjoy the lounge benefits. Access to these lounges can be purchased online or directly at the lounge entrance.
Basic package at Lounge buddy for Mumbai airport starts at $10 which includes free wifi, food and beverages access for 3 hours.
Most of the credit cards have a free priority pass exclusive benefit (worth $99) which allows access to the airport lounge for free. Under the free access service of Priority Pass by MasterCard you would be charged an authorisation fee of Rs 25 for card validation which is later reversed. Visa cards are charged Rs 2 for such validation.
Have listed value for money; from low fee to high fee range of credit cards below:
CREDIT CARD FOR DOMESTIC LOUNGE ACCESS:
| Credit Card | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | No. of annual usage free of charge |
| Indusind Iconia Amex | Nil | Nil | 2 |
| Axis Flipkart card | Rs 500 | Rs 500 | 4 |
| Amex Platinum Travel Card | Rs. 3,500 | Rs. 5,000 | 4 |
CREDIT CARD FOR DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE ACCESS:
| Credit Card | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | No. of annual usage free of charge |
| HDFC Regalia | Rs 2500 | Rs 2500 | 12 (International/ Domestic) |
| SBI Elite | Rs 4999 | Rs 4999 | 6 - International 2 -Domestic |
| ICICI Sapphiro | Rs 6000 | Rs 3500 | 2 - International 4 -Domestic |
| SBI Prime | Rs 3000 | Rs 3000 | 4 - International 8 -Domestic |
| Yes First Preferred | Nil | Nil | 4 - International 3 -Domestic |
| HDFC Regalia First | Rs 1000 | Rs 1000 | 3 - International 8 -Domestic |
CREDIT CARD FOR UNLIMITED LOUNGE ACCESS:
| Credit Card | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | No. of annual usage free of charge |
| HDFC Diners Black | Rs 10,000 | Rs 10,000 | Unlimited |
| Citi Prestige | Rs 20,000 | Rs 20,000 |
Unlimited |
| Amex Platinum Charge Card |
Rs 60,000 |
Rs 60,000 |
Unlimited |
| Yes First Exclusive |
Rs 10,000 |
Rs 10,000 |
Unlimited |
| HDFC Infinia | Rs.10,000 | Rs.10,000 | Unlimited |
4. Use Debit card Privileges
Choosing the Debit card alternative works out much cheaper as the annual fee is minimal or the bank offers you a debit card for free with respective savings/current account. Check for the list of debit cards that offer free lounge access in India.
| Debit Card | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | No. of annual usage free of charge |
| Axis Bank Wealth | Nil | Nil | 8 |
| Jet privilege HDFC Bank Signature | Rs 500 | Rs 500 | 8 |
| HDFC Times Points | Rs 650 | Rs 650 | 4 |
| HDFC Rupay Premium | Rs 200 | Rs 200 | 8 |
| ICICI Bank Coral | Rs 599 | Rs 599 | 8 |
| ICICI Bank Rubyx | Rs 999 | Rs 749 | 8 |
| ICICI Bank Sapphiro | Rs.1999 | Rs.1499 | 16 |
| IndusInd Signature Exclusive | Nil | Nil | 8 |
| HDFC EasyShop Platinum | Rs 750 | Rs 750 | 8 |
| Axis Priority Debit card | Nil | Nil | 8 |
| SBI Wealth Card | Nil | Nil | 8 |
| HDFC Rupay Premium | Rs 200 | Rs 200 | 8 |
| SBI Platinum Debit card | Rs 100 | Rs 175 | 8 |
| Kotak Infinite Wealth Management | Nil | Nil | 8 |
| Citi Gold Debit card | Only for Gold members | Only for Gold members | 16 |
The only drawback of debit cards is that it allows access to the lounges in India only. You have to rely on credit cards for International Lounge access.
5. Request for a Free Upgrade
The staff at the airport check-in desk has the authority to upgrade your ticket to a first class or business class ticket owing to the availability of the seats. Usually pregnant women, elderly, or parents with kids are happily considered for an upgrade. So basically no harm in trying to request as who knows it might work out to be your lucky day.
Best Saving Tips:
CONCLUSION:
The best tip is to estimate your frequency of travel and check for free lounge access with the respective card. As a final verdict, the lounge experience is worth it for the facility it offers; just make sure you don’t end up spending too much for the sake of it. The food or drinks at the airport is expensive and lounges offer a decent variety of food options which can cost you minimum Rs 500 easily, so why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of it! Choosing the right card can help you save a fortune for all your travel needs.
You can also read related queries and dimer’s expert comments in the threads below:
Availed lounge access at Mumbai T2 domestic terminal on 15th Nov 2020.
It was fantastic with all major card accepted.
Previous loyalty lounge is closed & they have now shifted to give access at GVK lounge.
Goa Airport lounge GOOD TIMES BAR IS CLOSED AS ON 22ND NOV 2020.
apply for job in airport lounge
Yes First Preferred CC seems to capture the main essence of deal for me 
Go and watch this month series of youtuber traveling desi with details on airport lounge
Do we compulsory need aortic nhi
Do we need air tickets compulsory to access only lounge?
Ab toh vi (Vodafone Idea) 1099 rs postpaid plan me bhi airport lounge de raha Domestic and International 4 Times per year 
Ab toh vi (Vodafone Idea) 1099 rs postpaid plan me bhi airport lounge de raha Domestic and International 4 Times per year 
Ab toh vi (Vodafone Idea) 1099 rs postpaid plan me bhi airport lounge de raha Domestic and International 4 Times per year
Hi All,
Need some information, about lounge services, as I am planning to travel domestic with my partner.
1. What all services we get at lounge
2. I have HDFC diner club card, So I hope I will get access to lounge. But will be there any charges applied
3. Can I take my partner along? Will it be free or there will be charges for my partner
4. If there are charges for my partner, Can my partner use other card, which is on my name?
IDFC bank credit cards – wealth and select also come with lounge access. both are lifetime free cards too!
Accessed the lounge at Chennai airport using Axis Ace CC. They charged ₹2.
Aaj tK airport nhi dekha lounge to door ki baat
HDFC Regalia card is the best one it comes with Priority pass.
I have Regalia card with priority pass…..but it is charged 27$ per visits even on domestic airports.
Any rules changes??
A. Complimentary Airport Lounge Access within India
12 complimentary access per calendar year within India (both at domestic and international terminals) using the HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card
Swipe your Regalia credit card at the lounge to avail the complimentary lounge access
To check eligible Lounges for Visa Customers please visit here & for MasterCard customers please visit here
Visits exceeding the complimentary quota will be allowed at the discretion of lounge and will also be chargeable by the lounge
B. Priority Pass
You can apply for Priority Pass for self and add on members once you complete minimum 4 retail transactions on your HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card. Click here to apply.
Using Priority Pass, you and your add on member can together avail up to 6 Complimentary Lounge Access per calendar year, outside India.
If you exceed the 6 Complimentary visits, you will be charged at US $27 + GST per visit
Please note: Priority Pass in India will attract charges on your Credit Card. Click here to know more. You can visit www.prioritypa...om for list of lounge details.
I used Hdfc platinum card at pune and kolkata. All worked fine for 2/- per use. Mumbai Intl also accepts same. Intl airport facilities are better than domestic(like free alcohol, more spacious., bigger menu).
Does hdfc Regalia card have free international lounge access using priority pass or does it still take $27 dollars per visit. It shows 6 free international lounge access per year in the website.
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Good info. Those were the days. Please note hardly any lounge are working now. And I suspect few will go out of business due to pandemic or change policy around free access.