If you love to travel — or even fly just a couple of times a year — you know how frustrating long airport waits can be. But what if you could chill in a plush lounge, sip coffee, grab snacks, and enjoy Wi-Fi… without paying anything extra?
Good news: You don’t need a premium, ₹5,000+ annual fee credit card for that. In 2025, several Indian banks are offering free credit cards that come with complimentary airport lounge access.
Let’s look at some of the best free or lifetime-free credit cards with lounge access you can apply for right now.
✈️ Top Zero-Fee Credit Cards with Complimentary Lounge Access in India (2025)
✅ 1. IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card (Lifetime Free)
- Unlimited free domestic lounge visits (via Mastercard/Diners)
- Zero joining or annual fee
- Reward points on every spend (never expire)
- Forex markup: Just 1.5%
💡 Best for frequent travelers who don’t want to pay any fee
✅ 2. Axis My Zone Credit Card – No Annual Fee If You Meet the Spending Target
- 1 free domestic lounge access per quarter
- ₹500 joining charge, but waived off if you spend ₹5,000 within the first 90 days
- Great for online shopping & dining rewards
💡 Good starter card with lifestyle benefits
✅ 3. HDFC Millennia Credit Card – Annual Fee Waived on Meeting Spend Criteria
- 1 complimentary lounge access every quarter
- Annual fee: ₹1,000 (waived on ₹1L annual spend)
- 5% cashback on Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, etc.
💡 Great if you shop online + travel occasionally
✅ 4. ICICI Coral Credit Card (Lifetime Free via Amazon/PayLater offers)
- Access domestic airport lounges for free, once every three months with your card
- Fuel surcharge waiver, EMI facility
- Available as Visa/Mastercard/RuPay
💡 Widely accepted, often available with lifetime free offer
✅ 5. RuPay Credit Cards (various banks)
- Most RuPay credit cards (like from SBI, PNB, BoB) offer 2 lounge visits/quarter via NPCI network
- Cards often issued with zero or minimal fee
💡 Check with your bank — RuPay is getting better every year
🛫 Steps to Avail Airport Lounge Access Using Your Credit Card
- Visit lounge at eligible domestic airport (check Visa/RuPay/Diners lounge list)
- Just present your card at the lounge desk — no advance booking required
- Carry boarding pass + valid ID
- Relax with complimentary snacks, beverages, Wi-Fi, air-conditioned seating, and hygienic restrooms
❓ FAQs
Q1. Can I really get lounge access on a free credit card?
Yes. Many banks now offer lounge access even on zero annual fee cards, especially through the RuPay and Visa/Mastercard lounge programs.
Q2. Are these domestic or international lounges?
Most free cards offer domestic lounge access. International access is usually available on premium or paid cards.
Q3. How many times can I access the lounge for free?
Most cards offer 1–2 free visits per quarter. After that, normal charges apply.
Q4. Do add-on cardholders also get lounge benefits?
Generally no, unless the bank specifically mentions it. Primary cardholder benefits are standard.
🧾 Final Thoughts
Lounge access is no longer a luxury reserved for only elite credit cards. With the right choice, you can enjoy travel perks without paying a single rupee in annual fees.
Just make sure to:
- Swipe the card for eligible spends (if waiver is needed)
- Know your lounge quota (quarterly/annually)
- Use it before expiry — most people forget they even have this benefit!
💡 Pro Tip: Combine your free credit card with a travel sale or cashback offer, and you’ll not just fly smarter — you’ll save like a pro.