Are you also just like us who love to travel but hate to wait at the airport? Do you also wish you could enjoy some comfort and convenience while waiting for your flight? If yes, then you might want to consider getting a credit card that offers priority pass benefits.
Priority Pass is a global program that gives you access to over 1,300 airport lounges and other experiences across 600 cities and 148 countries. You can relax, refresh, and recharge in these lounges, which offer amenities like comfortable seating, complimentary food and drinks, Wi-Fi, entertainment, and more. You can also use your priority pass to access other airport facilities like spas, dining, retail, and sleeping pods.
But how do you get a priority pass? Well, one of the easiest ways is to get a credit card that offers priority pass membership as a perk. There are many credit cards in India that provide this benefit, along with other features like rewards, cashback, discounts, and more. In this blog, we will tell you about the top three credit cards with priority pass benefits in India and how to choose the right one for you.
Best Credit Cards with Priority Pass Benefits in India
Here are some of the best credit cards in India that offer priority pass benefits:
1. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card is one of the most premium credit cards in India, which offers unlimited complimentary international airport lounge access and 8 additional guest access with the priority pass card. You also get unlimited domestic lounge access, complimentary golf games, travel insurance, concierge service, and more.
Features
- Welcome Bonus: Get one complimentary domestic flight ticket or a Tata CLiQ voucher worth ₹10,000 as your annual benefit.
- Lounge Access Benefits: You can annually enjoy unlimited visits to select domestic airport lounges. Also, with the priority pass, you get unlimited complimentary international lounge visits and 8 additional guest visits per year.
- Dining Benefits: Enjoy up to 40% discount at over 4000 restaurants across India.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations across India on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4000.
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Entertainment Benefits: If you purchase one movie or event ticket on BookMyShow, you can receive up to ₹500 off of your next purchase (up to five tickets each month).
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Insurance Benefits:
- Purchase protection: ₹2 Lakh
- Credit Shield: ₹5 Lakh
- Insurance against Lost/Delayed Baggage & Personal Documents: 500 USD
- Lost card liability covers up to the credit limit.
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Reward Benefits: Earn
- 25,000 EDGE Reward points worth ₹5,000 on monthly spends of ₹1 lakh.
- 5X EDGE rewards on travel spend via TRAVEL EDGE.
- 12 Axis EDGE Reward Points on every ₹200 that you spend.
Fees and Charges
Joining Fees |
₹10,000 |
Annual Fees |
₹10,000 |
Annual Percentage Rate |
42.58% |
Foreign Transaction Fees |
2.00% |
Eligibility
Applicant’s age should be between 21 and 70 years, and their annual income should be at least ₹18 lakh.
2. HDFC Regalia Credit Card
HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card offers 12 complimentary domestic airport lounge access and 6 international lounge access with priority pass membership. You also get reward points on every spend, travel insurance, golf privileges, dining discounts, concierge service, and more.
Features
- Fuel Surcharge Benefit: Get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations across India on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5000.
- Lounge Benefits: You can enjoy 12 complimentary lounge access per calendar year within India.
- Milestone Benefits: Earn 10,000 bonus reward points on spending ₹5 lakh and an additional 5,000 reward points on spending ₹8 lakh in an anniversary year.
- Dining Benefits: Enjoy discounts of up to 20% on all your restaurant bill payments made via Swiggy Dineout (20k+ restaurants)
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Insurance Benefits
- Accidental air death cover: ₹1 crore
- Emergency overseas hospitalization: ₹15 lakh
- Lost Card Liability Cover: ₹9 lakh
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Zero Liability Cover: In the unfortunate event of losing the card, on reporting it immediately, the cardholder is not liable for any fraudulent transactions made on the credit card.
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Reward Benefits: Earn 4 reward points on spending every ₹150 on retail purchases, including insurance, utilities and education.
Fees and Charges
Joining Fees |
₹2,500 |
Annual Fees |
₹2,500 |
Annual Percentage Rate |
43.20% |
Foreign Transaction Fees |
2.00% |
Eligibility
- The applicant’s age should be at least 21 years.
- If the applicant is a salaried employee, then their monthly income should be at least ₹1 lakh
- If the applicant is self-employed, then their filed ITR should be at least ₹12 lakh
3. SBI Elite Credit Card
SBI Elite Credit Card is another premium credit card that offers 6 complimentary visits to international airport lounges per year (max 2 per quarter) with the Priority Pass program. You also get complimentary movie tickets worth ₹6,000 every year, free lounge access at domestic and international airports, a low foreign currency markup fee of 1.99%, and a Club Vistara Silver membership.
Features
- Welcome Bonus: You get E-vouchers from any of the participating brands, such as Yatra, Aditya Birla Fashion, Hush Puppies/Bata, Pantaloons, and Shoppers Stop, worth ₹5,000.
- Travel Benefits: Get complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges. Also, get 6 complimentary visits to international airport lounges per year (max 2 per quarter) with the Priority Pass program. Additionally, you also get free membership to Club Vistara and Trident Privilege Red Tier.
- Reward Benefits: Earn 2 Reward Points on every ₹100 spent on retail purchases and enjoy a rewarding 5X Reward Points on dining, departmental stores, and grocery purchases (2.5% reward rate).
- Zero Liability Protection: Get a ₹1 lakh insurance cover that is effective from 48 hours before the loss of the card to 7 days after reporting the loss.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver for each transaction between ₹500 and ₹4000 (max benefit of ₹250 per month).
Fees and Charges
Joining Fees |
₹4,999 |
Annual Fees |
₹4,999 |
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) |
42% |
Foreign Currency Markup |
1.99% |
Eligibility
If the applicant is self-employed, then he/she must be aged between 21 to 60 years, whereas if the applicant is a salaried individual, then he/she must be aged between 18 to 65 years. In both cases, the minimum monthly income of the individual should be ₹60,000.
These are just some of the credit cards that offer priority pass benefits in India. There are many more options available from different banks and issuers. You can compare them on Select by Finology, where you can find detailed information about each card's features, fees, eligibility criteria, and customer reviews.
How to Choose the Right Credit Card with Priority Pass Benefits for You?
While choosing a credit card with priority pass benefits for yourself, you should consider the following factors:
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Your travel frequency: If you travel frequently abroad or within India, you might want to opt for a credit card that offers unlimited or high number of complimentary lounge access with the priority pass membership. This way, you can save money on lounge fees and enjoy the comfort and convenience of these lounges every time you travel.
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Your spending pattern: If you spend a lot on your credit card every month or year, you might want to opt for a credit card that offers reward points or cashback on every spend along with the priority pass benefits. This way, you can earn rewards or cashback on your purchases and redeem them for various benefits like vouchers, merchandise, air miles, etc.
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Your budget: If you have a low or moderate budget, you might want to opt for a credit card that charges a low or no annual fee and offers priority pass benefits. This way, you can enjoy lounge access without paying a high fee for the card. However, you should also check the other features and benefits of the card and see if they suit your needs and preferences.
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Your credit score: If you have a good or excellent credit score, you might have a higher chance of getting approved for a premium or super-premium credit card that offers priority-pass benefits. These cards usually have higher eligibility criteria and require a high income and credit score. However, if you have a low or average credit score, you might have to settle for a regular or co-branded credit card that offers priority pass benefits. These cards usually have lower eligibility criteria and require a low or moderate income and credit score.
Conclusion
If you want to make the most out of your airport experience and enjoy luxury while travelling, consider getting a credit card that offers priority pass benefits. However, it's important not solely to base your decision on this feature alone. You should also take into account other factors like the card's benefits, fees, and eligibility criteria and ensure they align with your needs, preferences, and budget.
If you're looking for the best credit card in India that offers priority pass benefits, Select by Finology is your go-to destination. At Select, you can compare, find and apply for credit cards that are best suited to your requirements.
So, why wait? Visit Finology Select today and get ready for a luxurious travel experience with your credit card that offers priority pass benefits. Have travelling!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Priority Pass on a credit card?
Priority Pass is a membership program that gives you access to airport lounges around the world. Many credit cards offer Priority Pass membership as a benefit to cardholders.
Here are some of the benefits of having Priority Pass with your credit card:
- Access to airport lounges: With Priority Pass, you can relax in a comfortable airport lounge before your flight. Lounges typically offer amenities like complimentary food and drinks, Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating.
- Discounts on other airport services: Some Priority Pass memberships also offer discounts on other airport services, such as spa treatments and dining.
There are two main things to keep in mind about Priority Pass and credit cards:
- Not all credit cards offer Priority Pass: If you're interested in a credit card with Priority Pass benefits, be sure to compare cards and choose one that offers the type of membership that meets your needs.
- The terms of Priority Pass membership can vary. Some credit cards offer a complimentary membership with unlimited visits, while others may only offer a certain number of visits per year or charge an annual fee. Be sure to review the terms and conditions of your credit card carefully to understand the specifics of your Priority Pass membership.
2. Can I get a Priority Pass for free?
Technically, there isn't a completely free way to get a Priority Pass membership. However, there are a couple of ways to access it without directly paying for the membership itself:
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Credit Cards with Priority Pass: Many travel rewards credit cards offer Priority Pass membership as a complimentary benefit. While the Priority Pass itself might be considered "free", these cards typically come with an annual fee. You'll need to weigh the benefits you get from the card (including Priority Pass access) against the annual fee to see if it's worth it for you.
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Certain Bank Promotions: Some banks might offer complimentary Priority Pass membership as part of a promotional offer for opening a new account. These promotions can change frequently, so you'd need to check with your bank or research current offers to see if any are available.
3. Which bank gives priority passes in India?
Several banks in India offer credit cards that come with complimentary Priority Pass membership. Here are some of the popular ones:
- HDFC Bank: HDFC offers Priority Pass membership with several of its credit cards, including the HDFC Infinia Credit Card, HDFC Regalia Credit Card, and HDFC Regalia First Credit Card.
- SBI Cards: SBI Cards also offers Priority Pass membership with some of their credit cards, such as the SBI Elite Credit Card.
- Axis Bank: Axis Bank offers Priority Pass membership with their Axis Reserve Credit Card.
- ICICI Bank: ICICI Bank offers Priority Pass membership with some of their credit cards, such as the ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card and the ICICI Jet Privilege Sapphiro Credit Card.
- Yes Bank: Yes Bank offers Priority Pass membership with their Yes Bank Preferred Credit Card.