Leaderboards / Category Rankings

Best Lounge Access

Most airport lounge visits with Priority Pass given highest weight. Value for Money adjusted with VFM^1.5 multiplier.

57 cards ranked | Updated February 2026

Key Ranking Factors

35% Visit Count

Annual lounge visits

30% Network Type

Priority Pass vs domestic

20% Coverage

Domestic + International

15% Guest Access

Companion visits

🥇
HDFC Infinia Metal Edition

HDFC Infinia Metal Edition

HDFC Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹12,500/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Unlimited

Top 2%
🥇
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal

ICICI Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹12,499/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Score

Unlimited

Top 2%
🥉
Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite

Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite

Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
4.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Score

4 visits/yr

Top 6%
#4
HDFC InterMiles Diners Club

HDFC InterMiles Diners Club

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹5,000/yr
4.0 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Unlimited

Top 8%
#5
HSBC Taj

HSBC Taj

Co-Branded Dining ₹1,10,000/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

Unlimited

Top 9%
#6
HDFC Diners Club Black

HDFC Diners Club Black

HDFC Bank
Dining Lifestyle ₹10,000/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Unlimited

Top 11%
#6
HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition

HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition

HDFC Bank
Dining Lifestyle ₹10,000/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Unlimited

Top 11%
#6
HDFC Biz Black Metal Edition

HDFC Biz Black Metal Edition

HDFC Bank
Business Lounge Access ₹10,000/yr
4.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Unlimited

Top 11%
#9

HSBC Premier

Lounge Access Premium ₹20,000/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

Unlimited

Top 16%
#10
Standard Chartered Beyond

Standard Chartered Beyond

Dining Lifestyle ₹25,000/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Score

Unlimited

Top 18%
#11
HDFC Diners Club Rewardz

HDFC Diners Club Rewardz

HDFC Bank
Entry Level Rewards ₹1,000/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Unlimited

Top 20%
#12

HDFC World MasterCard

HDFC Bank
Lounge Access Rewards ₹500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

0 visits/yr

Top 22%
#13
Axis Bank Atlas

Axis Bank Atlas

Axis Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹5,000/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Score

12 visits/yr

Top 23%
#14
HDFC InterMiles Signature

HDFC InterMiles Signature

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

16 visits/yr

Top 25%
#15

HDFC Regalia Activ

HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

12 visits/yr

Top 27%
#15

HDFC Doctors Regalia

HDFC Bank
Healthcare Lifestyle ₹2,500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

12 visits/yr

Top 27%
#17
Standard Chartered Ultimate

Standard Chartered Ultimate

Lounge Access Premium ₹5,000/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Score

16 visits/yr

Top 30%
#18
HDFC Regalia

HDFC Regalia

HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

8 visits/yr

Top 32%
#18
HDFC Business Regalia

HDFC Business Regalia

HDFC Bank
Business Lifestyle ₹2,500/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

8 visits/yr

Top 32%
#18
HDFC Biz Power

HDFC Biz Power

HDFC Bank
Business Fuel ₹2,500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

8 visits/yr

Top 32%
#21
HDFC Diners Club Privilege

HDFC Diners Club Privilege

HDFC Bank
Dining Lifestyle ₹1,000/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

4 visits/yr

Top 37%
#21
Best Price Save Max HDFC Bank

Best Price Save Max HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹1,000/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

16 visits/yr

Top 37%
#23
HDFC Regalia Gold

HDFC Regalia Gold

HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

18 visits/yr

Top 41%
#24
Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank

Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹1,499/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

8 visits/yr

Top 43%
#24
Doctor's SBI Card

Doctor's SBI Card

SBI Cards
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹1,499/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

8 visits/yr

Top 43%
#24
Doctor's SBI Card (IMA)

Doctor's SBI Card (IMA)

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹1,499/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

8 visits/yr

Top 43%
#24
Tata Neu Infinity SBI Card

Tata Neu Infinity SBI Card

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹1,499/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

8 visits/yr

Top 43%
#28
HSBC RuPay Cashback

HSBC RuPay Cashback

Cashback Dining ₹499/yr
2.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

4 visits/yr

Top 50%
#29
HDFC Diners Club Miles

HDFC Diners Club Miles

HDFC Bank
Dining Lounge Access ₹1,000/yr
3.9 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

12 visits/yr

Top 51%
#30
SBI Card Elite

SBI Card Elite

SBI Cards
Dining Lifestyle ₹4,999/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

8 visits/yr

Top 53%
#30

SBI Card Elite Advantage

SBI Cards
Dining Lifestyle ₹4,999/yr
2.9 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

2 visits/yr

Top 53%
#32
Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank

Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lifestyle ₹3,000/yr
3.3 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

24 visits/yr

Top 57%
#33
SBI Card Prime

SBI Card Prime

SBI Cards
Dining Lounge Access ₹2,999/yr
3.3 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

8 visits/yr

Top 58%
#33

SBI Card Prime Advantage

SBI Cards
Lounge Access Premium ₹2,999/yr
3.3 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

8 visits/yr

Top 58%
#35
Shoppers Stop Black HDFC Bank

Shoppers Stop Black HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹4,500/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

24 visits/yr

Top 62%
#36
SBI Card Pulse

SBI Card Pulse

SBI Cards
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹1,499/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

4 visits/yr

Top 64%
#37
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹999/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Score

9 visits/yr

Top 65%
#38
HDFC Diners Club Premium

HDFC Diners Club Premium

HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

12 visits/yr

Top 67%
#39
Paytm HDFC Bank SELECT Business

Paytm HDFC Bank SELECT Business

HDFC Bank
Business Cashback ₹500/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

12 visits/yr

Top 69%
#40

Air India SBI Signature Card

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹4,999/yr
3.3 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

0 visits/yr

Top 71%
#41
HSBC TravelOne

HSBC TravelOne

Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹4,999/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

10 visits/yr

Top 72%
#42

IRCTC HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹500/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

0 visits/yr

Top 74%
#42
HDFC Business Platinum

HDFC Business Platinum

HDFC Bank
Business Cashback ₹299/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

2 visits/yr

Top 74%
#42

Standard Chartered Platinum Rewards

Dining Entry Level ₹250/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Score

4 visits/yr

Top 74%
#45
HDFC Millennia

HDFC Millennia

HDFC Bank
Cashback Entry Level ₹1,000/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

2 visits/yr

Top 79%
#45

PhonePe HDFC Bank Ultimo

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹999/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

8 visits/yr

Top 79%
#45
InterMiles Platinum HDFC Bank

InterMiles Platinum HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Rewards ₹1,000/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

8 visits/yr

Top 79%
#48
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank
Cashback Co-Branded ₹0/yr
4.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Score

1 visits/yr

Top 85%
#49
IRCTC SBI Card Premier

IRCTC SBI Card Premier

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Fuel ₹1,499/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

0 visits/yr

Top 86%
#50
Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank

Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Cashback Co-Branded ₹499/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

1 visits/yr

Top 88%

About Lounge Rankings

Airport lounge access is one of the most tangible credit card benefits. A single lounge visit costs ₹2,000-3,000 if purchased separately. Cards with unlimited access can deliver ₹20,000+ in annual value for frequent flyers.

We apply a stronger VFM weight (^1.5) here because lounge access on a free card is exceptionally valuable.

How We Rank Lounge Access

Lounge types are weighted by network value:

  • Priority Pass (10x): 1,300+ lounges globally, most valuable
  • International networks (7x): Visa/Mastercard lounge programs
  • Dreamfolks (4x): 74 domestic lounges across India
  • Domestic programs (3x): Bank-specific domestic access

Complimentary visits count 1.5x more than paid visits. Guest access adds extra value.

Annual Visits

More is better

Priority Pass

Highly valued

What Makes Great Lounge Access

  • Unlimited domestic: Ideal for frequent domestic flyers
  • Priority Pass: Essential for international travelers
  • Guest access: Bringing family/friends adds value
  • No spend requirements: Some cards require minimum spend for access

Who Needs Lounge Access

  • Frequent flyers (10+ trips annually)
  • International travelers needing global access
  • Business travelers with long layovers
  • Anyone who values airport comfort

Maximizing Lounge Access

  • Check lounge availability: Not all airports have lounges for all programs
  • Understand limits: "Unlimited" sometimes has fair usage policies
  • Book guest visits: Guest access often has separate limits
  • Stack with airline status: Combine card lounges with airline lounges

Lounge Access FAQ

What's Priority Pass and why does it matter?

Priority Pass is the world's largest independent lounge network with 1,300+ lounges in 600+ cities globally. Domestic programs don't work abroad—Priority Pass is essential for international travelers.

How much is lounge access actually worth?

Individual lounge access costs ₹2,000-4,000 per visit. For someone flying 20 times annually, unlimited access saves ₹40,000-80,000—often more than the card's annual fee.

Bottom Line

Lounge access delivers real, quantifiable value for frequent travelers. Calculate your trips and multiply by ₹2,500/visit to determine if premium lounge cards are worth their fees for you.

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