Text size:
S M L
Letter spacing:

FinFIRST Blogs

Credit Card

Best credit card for lounge access: Elevate your travel with luxurious perks

Key Takeaways

A credit card with airport lounge access provides complimentary entry to premium airport lounges as a part of its travel benefits.
IDFC FIRST Bank's credit cards offer complimentary airport and railway lounge access, enhancing comfort and convenience for frequent travellers.
Additional perks of these cards include travel insurance, air accident cover, and significant discounts on popular brands and restaurants, ensuring a seamless travel experience.
Depending on the type of cards you can also enjoy unique benefits like milestone rewards, premium economy tickets, golf access, and concierge services, catering to varied traveller needs.

07 Sep 2026 by Team FinFIRST

Best credit card for lounge access: Elevate your travel with luxurious perks

Apply Now

What is airport lounge access on a credit card?

Airport lounge access is a credit card benefit that allows eligible cardholders to use participating airport lounges during their journey. Depending on the IDFC FIRST Bank credit card, the benefit may include complimentary visits to domestic and international airport lounges, subject to the applicable visit limits and spend conditions.

For example, the FIRST Select Credit Card offers 2 complimentary visits to domestic airport lounges every quarter. The FIRST Wealth Credit Card offers 2 complimentary visits to Indian airport lounges and 2 complimentary visits to global airport lounges every quarter.

If you are comparing the best credit card for airport lounge access in India, consider not just the number of visits, but also whether the card covers domestic or international lounges, whether there is a minimum spend requirement, and whether guest access is included.

Ways to improve your credit score via a Credit Card

UPI and credit cards: The perfect combination for hassle-free payments

Types of lounge access: domestic, international & railway

Airport and railway lounges give travellers a quiet, comfortable space to wait before departure, usually with seating, refreshments, Wi-Fi, and washroom facilities. Access is typically offered as a credit card benefit, with the number of visits and eligibility varying by card.

Domestic airport lounges

Domestic lounges are located at airport terminals serving flights within India. They are useful during early morning departures, long layovers, or delayed flights, offering a place to eat, work, or rest away from the main terminal.

Among IDFC FIRST Bank cards, FIRST Select offers 1 complimentary domestic lounge visit per quarter and FIRST Wealth offers 1 per quarter, both on spending ₹20,000 in the previous calendar month. Ashva and Mayura each offer 4 domestic visits per quarter, with Mayura also including 1 guest visit.

International airport lounges

International lounges are located at overseas airport terminals and at international departure terminals in India. They are particularly valuable on long-haul journeys where waiting times tend to be longer.

FIRST Wealth offers 1 international lounge visit per quarter on spending ₹20,000 in the previous calendar month. Ashva offers 2 per quarter, Diamond Reserve offers 2 per quarter, and Mayura offers 4 per quarter.

Railway lounges

Railway lounges operate at select railway terminals across India and offer similar facilities to airport lounges. They are useful for passengers waiting for long-distance trains or dealing with schedule changes.

FIRST Millennia, FIRST Classic, FIRST Select, and FIRST Wealth each offer 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter on spending ₹20,000 in the previous calendar month. Ashva, Mayura, and Diamond Reserve also offer 4 visits per quarter.

Lounge access comparison: Visits, minimum spend, and annual fee

The lounge benefits differ considerably across IDFC FIRST Bank cards. Here's a quick comparison:

Card	Domestic Airport Lounge	International Airport Lounge	Railway Lounge	Minimum Spend
FIRST Millenia	Not available	Not available	4 complimentary visits/quarter	Above ₹20,000 in a calendar month
FIRST Classic	Not available	Not available	4 complimentary visits/quarter	Above ₹20,000 in a calendar month
FIRST Select	1 complimentary visits/quarter	Not available	4 complimentary visits/quarter	Above ₹20,000 in a calendar month
FIRST Wealth	1 domestic plus 1 international complimentary visits/quarter	1complimentary visits/quarter	4 complimentary visits/quarter	Above ₹20,000 in a calendar month for railway lounge access
FIRST Ashva	4 complimentary visits/quarter	2 complimentary visits/quarter		No railway lounge benefit
FIRST Mayura	4 complimentary visits/quarter, including 1 guest visit	4 complimentary visits/quarter	4 complimentary visits/quarter	Above ₹20,000 in a calendar month for railway lounge

Annual fee: Lounge eligibility and annual fees are separate considerations. The applicable annual fee depends on the specific IDFC FIRST Bank card and its prevailing terms. For an accurate comparison, check the current card-specific fee schedule before applying.

How to check and activate your lounge access

Before travelling, check your specific IDFC FIRST Bank credit card's lounge eligibility and the number of complimentary visits available to you.

To understand how to check credit card lounge eligibility, start by checking the benefits and terms applicable to your particular IDFC FIRST Bank card. Pay attention to:

Your card's domestic and international lounge entitlement.

The number of complimentary visits available per quarter.

Any minimum-spend condition attached to the benefit.

Whether guest access is included.

The participating lounges where the benefit can be used.

For example, the railway lounge benefit on eligible IDFC FIRST cards requires spends above ₹20,000 in a calendar month. The airport lounge benefits for Select, Wealth, Ashva and Mayura differ by card and therefore should be checked separately before travelling.

Things to know before you go

Before using your IDFC FIRST Bank credit card for lounge access , keep these points in mind:

Check your card: Millenia and Classic do not offer airport lounge access, while Select, Wealth, Ashva and Mayura offer different airport lounge benefits.

Check the quarter: Complimentary lounge visits are allocated on a quarterly basis for the benefits listed above.

Check minimum spends: Railway lounge access on eligible cards requires spends above ₹20,000 in a calendar month.

Know your lounge type: Domestic and international lounge entitlements are different. For example, Select offers domestic airport lounge visits but does not list complimentary international lounge access.

Check guest eligibility: Mayura includes one guest visit as part of its domestic airport lounge benefit.

Check participating lounges before travelling: Lounge availability can vary by airport and location.

Use the correct card: If you hold multiple IDFC FIRST Bank cards, check the entitlement applicable to the particular card you intend to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many free lounge visits do I get with an IDFC FIRST Bank credit card?

It depends on the card. Select offers 1 complimentary domestic airport lounge visit per quarter. Wealth offers 1 domestic and 1 international visit per quarter. Ashva offers 4 domestic and 2 international visits per quarter. Mayura offers 4 domestic and 4 international visits per quarter, with 1 guest visit included on domestic lounges. Millennia and Classic do not offer airport lounge access.

Can I bring a guest into the airport lounge?

Yes, the Mayura Credit Card benefit includes 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter, including one guest visit. Guest access should not be assumed for the other cards unless specifically included in their applicable terms.

Do IDFC FIRST cards offer railway lounge access too?

Yes. Millenia, Classic, Select, Wealth and Mayura offer 4 complimentary railway lounge visits across India every quarter, subject to spends above ₹20,000 in a calendar month.

Which IDFC FIRST card gives the most international lounge visits?

Among the cards in the provided benefits, Mayura offers the highest international lounge entitlement, with 4 complimentary overseas airport lounge visits every quarter. Ashva and Diamond Reserve each offer 2 complimentary international visits per quarter, while FIRST Wealth offers 1 international visit per quarter.

Do unused lounge visits carry over to the next quarter?

The provided IDFC FIRST Bank benefit information specifies lounge visits on a quarterly basis but does not state that unused complimentary visits carry over. Therefore, you should not assume that unused visits will be carried forward. Check the applicable card terms for the current carry-forward policy.

Disclaimer

The contents of this article/infographic/picture/video are meant solely for information purposes. The contents are generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. The information is subject to updation, completion, revision, verification and amendment and the same may change materially. The information is not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject IDFC FIRST Bank or its affiliates to any licensing or registration requirements. IDFC FIRST Bank shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information mentioned. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.

The features, benefits and offers mentioned in the article are applicable as on the day of publication of this blog and is subject to change without notice. The contents herein are also subject to other product specific terms and conditions and any third party terms and conditions, as applicable. Please refer our website www.idfcfirst.bank.in for latest updates.