ICICI BankVisa
Emeralde Private Metal
Net savings₹11,851/yr
Savings rate2.0%
Annual feeYou pay ₹14,749
Lounge✈∞ dom🌏∞ intl
✓ Base rate 2.55% on other spends earns you about ₹11,512 a year on ₹4,51,440 of spend.
Best for · Travel · updated 2026-09-19
Best credit cards for international airport lounge access
Every card scored in rupees for this use, not a hand-picked list. Numbers assume the profile stated below – set up yours to re-rank for your spend.
Best credit card for international lounge access (Sept 2026): ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal – unlimited domestic + unlimited international/yr via Unlimited domestic + Priority Pass unlimited (international). Runners-up: Regalia and Regalia Gold. Ranked for someone who wants 6 international and 4 domestic lounge visits a year.
Standard profile
Scored for International lounge access profile · ₹53k/monthBills paid in full · first-year offers shown separately · set up your profile to score cards for your own spend
Top 3 for international lounge access
HDFC BankVisa
Regalia Gold
Net savings₹7,829/yr
Savings rate1.4%
Annual feeWaived ₹2,950
Lounge✈12 dom🌏6 intl
✓ Base rate 1.33% on other spends earns you about ₹6,004 a year on ₹4,51,440 of spend.
All 40 cards ranked for international lounge access
| # | Card | Score | Net savings / yr | Usable visits / yr | Annual fee | Lounge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emeralde Private MetalICICI Bank | 83/100 | ₹11,851 2.0% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹14,749 | unlimited domestic + unlimited international/yr |
| 2 | RegaliaHDFC Bank | 71/100 | ₹8,329 1.4% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | Waived | 12 domestic + 6 international/yr |
| 3 | Regalia GoldHDFC Bank | 69/100 | ₹7,829 1.4% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | Waived | 12 domestic + 6 international/yr |
| 4 |  MarqueeYes Bank | 68/100 | ₹8,489 1.5% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹5,899 | unlimited domestic + 6 international/yr |
| 5 |  Infinia MetalHDFC Bank | 66/100 | ₹7,344 1.3% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹14,750 | unlimited domestic + unlimited international/yr |
| 6 |  World SafariRBL Bank | 60/100 | ₹6,353 1.1% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹3,540 | 8 domestic + 8 international/yr |
| 7 |  AshvaIDFC FIRST Bank | 58/100 | ₹5,282 0.9% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | Waived | 8 domestic + 8 international/yr |
| 8 |  FIRST WealthIDFC FIRST Bank | 51/100 | ₹3,270 0.6% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl needs ₹20,000/month | Free for life | 8 domestic + 8 international/yr |
| 9 |  SBI Card ELITESBI Card | 47/100 | ₹3,166 0.5% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹5,899 | 8 domestic + 6 international/yr |
| 10 |  Burgundy PrivateAxis Bank | 42/100 | ₹3,532 0.6% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | Free for life | unlimited domestic + unlimited international/yr |
| 11 |  MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank SignatureICICI Bank | 41/100 | ₹3,804 0.7% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl needs ₹75,000/quarter | Waived | 8 domestic + 8 international/yr |
| 12 |  MayuraIDFC FIRST Bank | 40/100 | ₹1,083 0.2% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹7,079 | 12 domestic + 12 international/yr |
| 13 |  Diners Club Black MetalHDFC Bank | 37/100 | −₹1,200 -0.2% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹11,800 | unlimited domestic + unlimited international/yr |
| 14 |  SELECTAxis Bank | 37/100 | −₹3,469 -0.6% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl needs ₹50,000/quarter | You pay ₹3,540 | 8 domestic + 6 international/yr |
| 15 |  SapphiroICICI Bank | 37/100 | −₹7,591 -1.3% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl needs ₹75,000/quarter | You pay ₹4,130 | 16 domestic + 8 international/yr |
| 16 |  SBI Card MILES ELITESBI Card | 36/100 | −₹5,502 -1.0% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹5,899 | 8 domestic + 6 international/yr |
| 17 |  Marriott Bonvoy HDFC BankHDFC Bank | 32/100 | −₹6,399 -1.1% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹3,540 | 12 domestic + 12 international/yr |
| 18 |  OlympusAxis Bank | 26/100 | −₹4,272 -0.7% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹23,600 | unlimited domestic + unlimited international/yr |
| 19 |  EmeraldeICICI Bank | 26/100 | −₹8,846 -1.5% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹14,160 | unlimited domestic + unlimited international/yr |
| 20 |  HSBC PremierHSBC | 26/100 | −₹11,987 -2.1% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹23,600 | unlimited domestic + unlimited international/yr |
| 21 |  AURUMSBI Card | 25/100 | −₹5,719 -1.0% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹11,799 | unlimited domestic + 16 international/yr |
| 22 |  Times Black ICICI BankICICI Bank | 25/100 | −₹11,222 -1.9% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹23,600 | unlimited domestic + unlimited international/yr |
| 23 |  White ReserveKotak Mahindra Bank | 25/100 | −₹12,455 -2.2% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹14,750 | unlimited domestic + 8 international/yr |
| 24 |  Platinum ChargeAmerican Express | 25/100 | −₹59,991 -10.4% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹70,800 | unlimited domestic + unlimited international/yr |
| 25 |  MagnusAxis Bank | 24/100 | −₹14,249 -2.5% rate | 4 dom · 6 intl no spend condition | You pay ₹14,750 | unlimited domestic + 8 international/yr |
Showing the top 25 of 40. Browse every card →
Ranked by the open CardLens engine: rewards at realistic redemption value + milestones + waivers − fee incl. 18% GST − forex, for the spend profile stated above. Profile: for someone who wants 6 international and 4 domestic lounge visits a year. Figures are estimates from public issuer terms – verify on the issuer page before applying. How the score works →
Related
Frequently asked questions
Which credit card is best for international lounge access in India in Sept 2026?
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal ranks first for international lounge access on CardLens: unlimited domestic + unlimited international/yr via Unlimited domestic + Priority Pass unlimited (international). HDFC Bank Regalia is second. The ranking is for a stated spend profile and changes with yours.
How does CardLens rank cards for international lounge access?
We take the standard Indian cardholder profile, change it to reflect this use (for someone who wants 6 international and 4 domestic lounge visits a year), and score every card with the same open engine used everywhere on the site: rewards at realistic point value + milestones + waivers − renewal fee incl. 18% GST − forex markup, then a 0–100 score that also counts usable lounge access, redemption flexibility, lifestyle fit, simplicity and fee safety. Nothing is hand-picked and no issuer pays for placement.
Will my own answer be different?
Probably. Caps, fee-waiver thresholds and milestones all depend on how much you spend and where. Set up your profile in Find My Card and every page on CardLens re-scores for you.