How to Get free Airport Lounge Access Around the World?

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How to Get free Airport Lounge Access Around the World?

Let's explore some easy and free options to get luxury facilities at Airport lounges for free. Travel smart choices are here!

by LilRoot Updated: 06 Apr, 2022, 17:11 IST

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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!

Free facilities you can avail at airport lounges:

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.

1. Frequent Flyer programme

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.

2. Pay per use or yearly membership programme

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.

3. Use Credit card Privileges

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:

Always prefer Mastercard over Visa as the number of affiliated lounges in Mastercard is higher than Visa for domestic lounges.
Priority Pass for International lounges gives access to more lounges around the world.
Ask for a free upgrade of your debit/credit card to your bank that offers most benefits.
Get multiple credit cards if you travel more than once a month.

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:

LilRoot