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.

4 cards ranked | Updated January 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 25%
🥇
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

on ICICI Bank's website

Score

Unlimited

Top 25%
🥉

HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card

HDFC Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹10,000/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Unlimited

Top 75%
#4

HDFC Regalia Gold

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

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

18 visits/yr

Top 100%

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.

Explore More Leaderboards

Compare Cards

0 of 4 cards selected

No cards selected

Add cards to compare their features, fees, and rewards side by side.

Select at least 2 cards to compare