Airport lounge credit card
We are sure you remember your parents taking you to the airport or the railway station, hours before your journey were expected to begin. This would often be frustrating, and you had promised yourself you would never do this as an adult.
Yet here you are: at the airport or railway station hours before necessary. Some habits get hard-wired into your DNA.
Once at the airport or railway station, the surrounding chaos becomes apparent, and you feel drawn to find a calm space before your journey begins. The lounge is the best place to head to. But the thought of the associated cost may stop you. However, you need not stop yourself; several credit card options today offer free lounge access.
What are the Airport Lounge Access Credit Card options?
The airport lounge access credit card is a regular credit card; it offers core features such as a pre-approved credit limit, swipe/tap transactions, EMI facility, cash advances, reward points, brand offers and more. However, what sets it apart from the other credit card options is its travel benefits. Depending on the issuer, it offers complimentary access to airport lounges in India, both domestic and international.
This gives you the opportunity to access an exclusive space without creating a hole in your pocket, allowing you to relax before your flight. That's not all. The airport lounge access credit card also provides complimentary access to railway lounges at select locations in India. This ensures that your travel comfort continues, regardless of the mode of transportation.
Another advantage of such a card is a trip cancellation cover. If unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel your travel and accommodation bookings, this cover helps mitigate the resulting losses up to a certain limit.
How to avail the Airport Lounge Access Credit Card benefits?
1. Step 1: Check whether you are eligible to access the lounge with your credit card, as most banks require a minimum spend in the previous month to qualify for this benefit. Check your mobile banking app or contact the bank's customer service to know this.
2. Step 2: Check how many times you can access these benefits, and which airport and railway lounges are included. For instance, you can explore IDFC FIRST Bank's range of credit cards offering airport lounge access, including WOW! Black, Ashva, Select, Wealth and Mayura credit card.
3. Step 3: For some lounges, you can walk in and avail free access, while others require pre-booking due to high demand. Hence, it's always best to check the lounge's website/ app or call the outlet to ensure you can access the lounge when you need to.
4. Step 4: At the lounge, you typically need to present a valid ID and your credit card to get access and enjoy the associated benefits. At international airports, you may have to present your passport and flight tickets.
5. Step 5: Please note that only you, as the cardholder, are entitled to the free lounge access; others travelling with you are not. That said, some airport lounge access credit card options also allow complimentary guest entry. Example: IDFC FIRST Bank's Mayura credit card.
Furthermore, various services and products are available in the lounge; these may be charged at actual rates and are subject to tax. Therefore, check with the lounge reception about the complimentary access inclusions and exclusions before you indulge.
Summing It Up
Whether you are an occasional traveller or a frequent one, convenience and comfort can make a significant difference to your journey, but that doesn't mean it has to come at an extraordinary cost.
Modern-day credit cards offer complimentary access to airport lounges (both domestic and international) and railway lounges for a fixed number of visits at select locations. This gives you a chance to relax before a journey.
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