How To Check Airport Lounge Access On Credit Card

1 Junuary, 2025

Synopsis

• Several Credit Cards give you access to airport lounges where you can enjoy complimentary meals and other facilities.
• You can check whether you can access the lounge through online and mobile platforms.
• Depending on your Credit Card, you can enjoy domestic and international lounge access at airport terminals.
  
  

Airports are a fun place to be, and air travel is an exciting way to travel. Whether you are flying domestic or international, you are required to reach the airport 2-3 hours before your scheduled departure. This is because airports accommodate thousands of travellers, who must complete the mandatory check-in and security procedures. Upon completing these formalities, you can relax at airport lounges. This article explains what airport lounge access entails and how to check airport lounge access on Credit Cards.

What is The Airport Lounge Access Facility on Credit Cards?

Airport lounge access is essentially a complimentary facility that most Credit Card issuers offer on select Cards. Your issuer determines the number of times you can access the lounges every quarter and whether you can access them domestically and/or internationally.

However, not all Credit Cards are created equal and not all lounges accept all Credit Cards. As such, you must check whether you can use your Credit Card at a specific lounge before swiping your card there. Let’s first find out how to check lounge access on cards at domestic terminals.

How To Check Lounge Access On Credit Card at Domestic Airport Terminals?

Most airports in India have more than one airport lounges. In some cases, your Credit Card may be accepted for free airport lounge access at all the lounges, while other times, it may not be accepted at any of the lounges. Essentially, it depends on the bank – whether it has or has not partnered with the lounge. You can check whether you can access domestic lounges in two ways: online and offline.

How To Check If My Credit Card Has Lounge Access Online for Domestic Terminals

The steps to check airport lounge access at domestic airport terminals are rather simple. Let’s understand the same with the help of an example. Assuming that you want to check the airports where you can use your HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card, you can follow these steps.

1. Visit the website of the bank which has issued you your Credit Card – HDFC Bank in this case.

2. Go to the Credit Card section on the website and locate the card – Regalia Gold Credit Card in this case.

3. You should be able to see all the details pertaining to your Credit Card, including a section on lounge access, click on it.

4. Under the lounge access section, you can see the terms of usage, frequency, and a link that takes you to a file with names of all the airports where you can access the lounges. Click on it.

5. You should now be able to see the different states, cities, lounge names, terminal types (domestic or international), and terminal numbers.

By following the above steps, you can check which airport lounges you can access on your Credit Card in advance, and head there right away after completing the check-in and security processes.

How To Check Credit Card Lounge Access Offline for Domestic Terminals

Sometimes, you may be pressed for time and unable to check whether you can avail of the complimentary airport lounge benefits online. In such cases, you can head directly to the lounge desk, speak to the executives at the lounge desk and check if your card is accepted.

Most airport lounges accept multiple Credit Cards issued by different banks. So, if one of the cards is not accepted, chances are that another may be. Additionally, most airport lounge desks have standees or information boards, mentioning the various accepted Credit Cards.

How To Check Airport Lounge Access On Credit Card at International Airports?

On certain Credit Cards, especially the privileged cards, you can access lounges at international airports. In such cases, you may either use the same Credit Card or another exclusive international lounge access card provided with your Credit Card. While the steps to check the international lounge access on a Credit Card remain the same as those for domestic access, they may differ in the case of additional cards like Priority Pass. In such cases, you must follow these steps:

1. Download the app of the additional lounge access card provided with your Credit Card. For instance, HDFC Bank provides Priority Pass with most cards.

2. Enter the name of the city where you intend to use the airport lounge, e.g. New York City.

3. You should now be able to see the various lounges at that airport. Select the one from where you are travelling, e.g. New York NY JFK International.

The app will pull up the various terminals and lounges you can access in those terminals.

What Are The Terms And Conditions Of Airport Lounge Access On Credit Card

To access an airport lounge in India or overseas, you must comply with the following terms and conditions set by the credit card issuer.

• You must present your card at the lounge desk, which the lounge excessive will swipe.

• A charge of ₹2 to ₹25 will be levied upon swiping the card, which will be promptly reversed.

• If you’ve exhausted the allotted uses, you will be charged the full rate, which can be in the ₹1200 – ₹2000 range at domestic terminals, or up to $32 at international airport terminals.

• You can enjoy lounge access on your Credit Card even if it is not complimentary, but you must pay the full applicable price.

• You can typically enter the lounge area only 2-3 hours before boarding the flight.

• On some cards, you may enjoy limited/unlimited complimentary alcoholic beverages, whereas on others you may need to bear the applicable charges based on your consumption.

• At some airports, you can enjoy lounge benefits up to a specific amount at certain restaurants, with which your card issuer has tied up.
  
  

Travelling Abroad? Apply for an HDFC Bank Credit Card with Airport Lounge Access

Travelling, although exciting, can also be monotonous, especially if you find yourself in airports regularly due to your job profile. Now that you know how to check lounge access on Credit Cards and use them to your advantage, you should consider signing up for credit cards online. At HDFC Bank, we offer an array of Credit Cards with domestic and international lounge access with varying benefits.

*Disclaimer: Terms and conditions apply. The information provided in this article is generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. Credit Card approvals at the sole discretion of HDFC Bank Limited. Credit Card approvals is subject to documentation and verification as per Bank's requirement. Interest rates are subject to change. Please check with your RM or closest bank branch for current interest rates.