How can first-time users access airport lounges with a credit card?

Many credit cards offer access to airport lounges. For frequent travelers, airport lounge access is an important perk that they look for before choosing the right credit card for them. Accessing airport lounges with a credit card for the first time can be fairly simple if you know exactly what you need to do. Here is a guide on using credit cards for airport lounge access.

How to access airport lounges with your credit card?

Airport lounges offer an enhanced travel experience to travelers, providing them with a comfortable resting space, complimentary food and beverages, and internet access. Some airport lounges even have showers.

Many cards offer complimentary lounge access as a part of their benefits, and some other cards provide limited access or require a fee for the same. Check your credit card’s terms and conditions to determine the lounge access status.

Some cards have a limit on how many times you can access the airport lounge in a specific period, along with minimum spending thresholds that you need to cross to be eligible for complimentary access. Further, some cards charge an annual fee for lounge access. Evaluate whether it is worth the price or not on the basis of your travel frequency. Many banks also waive this fee after a certain spending threshold.

Read the fine print carefully and check important details like the number of free visits, the allowed number of guests, partner lounges, and eligible airports/terminals. While most cards allow complimentary access only for the primary cardholder, some also allow one or more guests. Remember to check your card’s guest policies and see if you will need to pay an additional fee for guests.

Most credit cards are associated with specific lounge networks like Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or Plaza Premium. Check if your card has access to the lounge available at the airport where you need to access it.

To be sure of the access, use lounge applications and contact customer service to confirm details.

Some cards also need activation for lounge access, so make sure you’ve enrolled for the same before trying to access a lounge at the airport.

With a valid credit card with lounge access, you can go to the airport lounge and show your boarding pass and the card. The authority there will verify and let you in accordingly. Some lounges don’t allow walk-ins and are capacity-restricted, and some restrict access to a certain time before your flight. Make sure you are well informed about the airport lounge’s policy, along with the card terms. Further, digital cards are mostly accepted everywhere, but some lounges ask for physical cards, so ensure you are carrying them with you.

If your card reimburses for paid lounge visits, make sure to save all the receipts after you use the card at the lounge.

Many famous Indian credit cards like HDFC Diners Club Black, SBI Prime Credit Card, and Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Card offer complimentary lounge visits multiple times a year. Airport lounge access is a key perk that can make your trip much more satisfying. Make sure you are aware of your credit card’s policies and other essentials to enjoy maximum benefits.