In our earlier post, I talked about credit cards that give you free lounge access without spending criteria, which banks have recently imposed. While that list is inherently broad, it includes both paid and free credit cards. But in this list, I am solely going to tell you about the best lifetime free, or LTF, credit cards for free airport lounge access.
I’ll try to prioritize cards that do not require you to spend a certain amount to get lounge access, but this list will include a mix of both types.
1. IndusInd Legend Credit Card
The IndusInd Legend credit card is a lifetime-free option that offers a decent package of benefits, especially for those who want occasional airport lounge access. Cardholders get 4 complimentary lounge visits each year (one per quarter).
This card also provides several lifestyle perks, such as a Priority Pass membership for you and your partner, along with a buy-one-get-one-free offer on movie tickets through BookMyShow each month.
Additionally, it offers a reward rate ranging from 0.75% to 1.5%, along with 24/7 concierge service for any assistance you might need.
Who is this card for? Infrequent travellers who want lounge access combined with entertainment and lifestyle perks.
IndusInd Legend
- Domestic lounge visits: 4 per year (one each quarter)
- Other benefits: Complimentary Priority Pass membership, BOGO offer on BookMyShow movies each month
- Joining and Annual Fee: Nil
2. Canara Bank World Credit Card
The Canara Bank World Credit Card offers valuable benefits, particularly for those who appreciate airport lounge access. Cardholders receive 3 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter, plus access for up to two guests each time. For international lounges, the card provides two visits per year, along with entry for two guests.
A major advantage is that it has no minimum spending requirement to access these benefits. This card is also lifetime free, meaning no joining or annual fees. However, it requires a gross annual income of ₹10 lakh to be eligible. Applications require a visit to a Canara Bank branch, which might be inconvenient.
Despite these limitations, the Canara Bank World Credit Card is a hidden gem. It provides free access to both domestic and international airport lounges and is truly lifetime free.
Who is this card for? Frequent travelers who want unrestricted lounge access without paying any fees.
Canara Bank World
- Domestic lounge access: 3 visits per quarter for yourself + 2 guests
- International lounge access: 2 visits per year for yourself + 2 guests
- Other benefits: Lifetime free (no joining or annual fees)
3. AU Ixigo Credit Card
The Ixigo co-branded card from AU Bank is a lifetime free travel credit card with complimentary airport lounge access in India. Although AU mentions a joining and renewal fee of ₹999, it is currently waived.
The card is available in two variants: Visa and Rupay– choose either when applying. It provides access to 2 railway lounges and 2 domestic airport lounges per quarter, totaling 8 visits per year. You’ll also get 1 international lounge visit per year with a Priority Pass membership, available upon request.
The AU Ixigo card offers a 10% discount on flight and hotel bookings (up to ₹1000) and a 10% discount on bus bookings (up to ₹300) once a month. It also features a 0% forex charge on international transactions, making it ideal for international travel.
Additionally, cardholders enjoy a welcome offer of 1,000 Reward Points and ₹1,000 Ixigo money vouchers on their first successful transaction within 30 days of card issuance. There are also no platform charges on railway ticket bookings.
Who is this card for? Travelers who frequently use domestic flights and trains and want a card with good travel discounts.
AU Ixigo
- Domestic airport lounge access: 8 per year (2 per quarter)
- International lounge access: 1 per year
- Railway lounge access: 8 per year (2 per quarter)
- Other benefits: 10% off on flight and hotel bookings, 10% off on bus bookings, 0% forex charge, welcome offer of 1,000 Points and ₹1,000 Ixigo money vouchers
- Joining and Annual Fee: Nil
4. Federal Celesta Credit Card
The Federal Bank Celesta credit card is an underrated lifetime free credit card with no joining or annual fee for a limited time. It offers complimentary lounge access at airports: twice a year at international airports and four times per quarter at domestic airports.
In terms of rewards, you get 3x rewards on spending in the Travel and International categories, 2x rewards on spending in the Dining category, and 1x reward on spending in all other categories. There’s also a BOGO offer on movie tickets at INOX once a month.
The card will charge you a forex markup fee of 2% on international spending. There’s a joining benefit of an Amazon Pay e-voucher worth ₹600 on a minimum spend of ₹10,000 within the first 30 days.
Who is this card for? Domestic travelers who value lounge access and bonus rewards on travel and dining.
Federal Celesta
- Domestic airport lounge access: 16 per year (4 per quarter)
- International lounge access: 2 per year
- Other benefits: 3x rewards on travel and international spending, 2x rewards on dining, BOGO offer on movie tickets at INOX, Amazon Pay e-voucher worth ₹600 as a joining benefit
- Joining and Annual Fee: Nil
- Drawbacks: 2% forex markup fee on international spending.
5. HDFC Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card
The Tata Neu Infinity credit card from HDFC is not necessarily a lifetime free credit card, but you can get it for zero joining fee for a limited time period. It’s one of the best Rupay credit cards and offers up to 1.5% cashback on UPI payments made via the Tata Neu app.
What matters more here is that you get 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year. There are also 4 complimentary international lounge access visits per year. These are divided equally across quarters, so you can plan your travel accordingly and enjoy lounge access throughout the year.
Apart from lounge benefits, the card offers up to 10% cashback on purchases at Tata brands through the Tata Neu app, 5% cashback on bill payments, and 1.5% rewards on all other spends. In fact, it’s also a great credit card to buy jewellery or pay your insurance premiums.
Who is this card for? Shoppers who frequent Tata brands and value a combination of lounge access, cashback, and rewards.
HDFC Tata Neu Infinity
- Domestic airport lounge access: 8 per year
- International airport lounge access: 4 per year
- Other benefits: Up to 10% cashback on purchases at Tata brands through the Tata Neu app, 5% cashback on bill payments, 1.5% rewards on all other spends
- Joining and Annual Fee: ₹0 (limited time) / ₹1499 + GST
Other Lifetime Free Credit Cards with Lounge Access
Here are some of other credit cards that let you access airport lounges in India without paying any joining or renewal fee:
- HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card (conditional LTF) – 6 complimentary lounge visits per year
- HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card – 12 complimentary visits per year
- PNB RuPay Select Credit Card – 4 complimentary visits per year
- IDFC First Classic Credit Card – 4 complimentary visits per year
- Axis Flipkart Credit Card – 4 complimentary visits per year (min. spending of ₹50,000 required in the previous quarter)
- ICICI Coral Credit Card (conditional LTF) – 4 complimentary visits per year
While we’ll constantly update this article with the latest information, please note that credit card fee structures and terms and conditions can change over time. Be sure to review these details when applying for a card.
I’m a bit of a credit card geek. Ever since I got my first card in 2018, I’ve been obsessed with finding the best deals, earning rewards, and boosting my credit score. I’m a tech guy at heart, but my love for all things personal finance has led me down this credit card rabbit hole. I also dabble in banking, investing, and other money matters.