Five years ago, airport lounge access was a signature benefit on nearly every premium credit card. Then issuers started capping visits, requiring minimum spends, and adding pre-booking hurdles. Here's what actually works in 2026.
Domestic lounges
Most mid-tier cards (₹1,000–₹3,000 annual fee) now offer 4–8 domestic lounge visits per year, often tied to a quarterly spend threshold. The usable ones include HDFC Regalia, Axis Vistara Signature, SBI Prime, and ICICI Sapphiro. You'll need to pre-book through the DreamFolks or Priority Pass app for many of them now.
International lounges
This is where the nerfing has been brutal. Priority Pass memberships used to be unlimited on cards like Amex Platinum Travel and HDFC Infinia — now most are capped at 6–12 visits per year, with guest visits charged separately. Infinia, Magnus, and Amex Platinum Charge still offer strong international lounge value, but the rest have become average.
Alternative paths
If you travel frequently, a direct Priority Pass membership (paid) can sometimes be cheaper than a premium card annual fee you'd otherwise be paying just for lounges. Some Indian airlines (Vistara, Air India) also offer lounge access as part of their frequent flyer tiers, which can be a cleaner path for loyal flyers.
The trick with DreamFolks
Many Indian lounge benefits now route through DreamFolks. You enter your card, book a slot, and get a voucher. Book early — popular airports like Delhi T3 and Mumbai T2 hit capacity during peak hours, and a "benefit" that's unavailable when you need it isn't a benefit.
The honest take
If lounges are your main reason for holding a premium card, run the math: if the annual fee minus the realistic lounge value is positive, you're paying for a benefit you don't fully use. Downgrade.