Airport Lounge Access on Credit Cards: What to Know

Complimentary lounge access is a favourite card perk — but the details vary a lot.

Read these before you count on it

• How many visits? Often a fixed number per quarter or year, split between domestic and international.
• Spend criteria: Many cards unlock or renew lounge access only after you spend a set amount in the previous quarter. Miss it, and the perk pauses.
• Domestic vs international: International lounges usually run via Priority Pass or a similar network; domestic via Visa/Mastercard/RuPay lounge programs.
• Guests: Bringing a guest often costs extra or uses up a visit.

Quick tip

If you fly a few times a year, even a mid-tier card's lounge visits can outvalue its fee. If you rarely fly, don't pay a premium fee just for the lounge line.

Perks and criteria change — confirm current terms on the bank's page before applying.