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Best credit cards for airport lounge access (2026)

Many cards now unlock lounge visits only after a quarterly spend. These give lounge access without a spend condition, listed from the lowest annual fee.

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The top picks

IndusInd Bank Tiger

Lifetime free; points multiply as yearly spend grows (up to 6X above ₹5L)

Why it's here: 8 domestic + 2 international lounge visits a year, no minimum spend
Annual fee: No annual fee

SBI Card PULSE

Free FITPASS PRO gym membership every year; 5X (2.5%) on pharmacy, dining & movies

Why it's here: 4 domestic lounge visits a year, no minimum spend
Annual fee: ₹1,499 a year (waived on ₹200,000 spend a year)

BOBCARD (Bank of Baroda) Etihad Guest

1% forex markup; Etihad miles (2 per Rs 100 abroad); Etihad Guest Silver; lounges with no spend condition

Why it's here: 8 domestic + 4 international lounge visits a year, no minimum spend
Annual fee: ₹2,500 a year (waived on ₹300,000 spend a year)

Axis Bank Horizon

5X (5%) on airlines & Travel EDGE; 2% on everything else

Why it's here: 32 domestic + 8 international lounge visits a year, no minimum spend
Annual fee: ₹3,000 a year

HDFC Bank Marriott Bonvoy

3.2% on Marriott stays; free night award on ₹6L yearly spend

Why it's here: 12 domestic + 12 international lounge visits a year, no minimum spend
Annual fee: ₹3,000 a year

Axis Bank SELECT

6 golf rounds + 6 international lounge visits a year with no spend condition; 2% on retail shopping

Why it's here: 6 international lounge visits a year, no minimum spend
Annual fee: ₹3,000 a year (waived on ₹800,000 spend a year)

Kotak Mahindra Bank Air+

Lounges with no spend condition: 4 domestic + 2 international a year; 2% back as Air Miles

Why it's here: 4 domestic + 2 international lounge visits a year, no minimum spend
Annual fee: ₹3,000 a year

BOBCARD Etihad Guest Premium credit card

BOBCARD (Bank of Baroda) Etihad Guest Premium

0% forex markup; 2 Etihad miles/Rs 100 in India, 4 abroad; Etihad Guest Gold; lounges with no spend condition

Why it's here: 12 domestic + 8 international lounge visits a year, no minimum spend
Annual fee: ₹5,000 a year (waived on ₹500,000 spend a year)

Ranked by Cardology; card details last checked 2026-11-03.

Not sure which one fits you?

A card that wins on one category can lose overall once you add the rest of your spends and the annual fee. Tell Cardology roughly what you spend and it works out the best card, or pair of cards, for you.

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Questions

How do I know which card is best for me?

Your best card depends on all your spends together, not one category. Cardology's free chat compares cards on your own numbers, including cards you already have, in about a minute.