Airport Lounges

Access To Airport Lounges| Free Airport Lounge Access [2021]

Airport Lounges are facilities offered at airports to provide comfort to travelers. It has the facility of free, unlimited food & drinks, comfortable sitting and lie-down arrangements, bathing facilities.

It is very useful in case you have a long layover or flight at odd hours.

    Access to Airport Lounges 

    Once you have checked in your baggage and done with security clearance, you need to look for signs that show the way to the lounge.

    Follow the signs and you will reach the reception. There you will have to show your boarding pass and the debit/credit card that allows you to use airport lounge facilities.

    The attendant will validate your card, do a small transaction that will be refunded (Rs.1 or Rs.25 based on the type of your card), and will give your a receipt.

    You may have to show the receipt once you enter the lounge (in Banglore I had to show, in Mumbai since the lounge was right behind the reception they did not check.)

    In case you do not have the lounge access card (debit/credit/third party), you can pay for entry and use the lounge facility. Charges are around Rs.1000 for adults and Rs.800 for kids (till the age of 12years)

    Free access to airport lounges

    There are some specific credit and debit cards that offer free access to airport lounges. Check on your bank's website or the particular airport's website to see if the card you have makes you eligible for free access to the lounges in the airport.

    Nowadays many banks are offering free lifetime credit cards that give you free access to the lounge once or twice in a quarter provided you have spent Rs.5000/ in the previous quarter.

    There are few carriers like Vistara that provide complimentary lounge access to higher-class travelers.


    Airport lounge access Debit Cards

    Many people are not aware that their Debit cards can get them free Airport lounge access. This is not true for all the debit cards.

    If you have an NRI account, then airport lounge access comes by default for Domestic airports.


    Credit cards with Airport lounges

    Credit cards have been offering airport lounge access for quite some time now. It is one of the perks you get for having a credit card.

    Premium credit cards like Amex offer much wider benefits but now a days even free life time credit cards are offering lounge access.


    Airport lounges in India

    All the major airports offer lounge facilities. If you are traveling to some smaller city airport, better check the airport website about lounge information.



    Airport Lounges in Bangalore

    Bangalore airport i.e Kempagauda International airport has one of the best lounge facilities. 

    The airport has a lounge for both domestic and international flights.

    I will be talking about the domestic lounge.

    There were two lounges for the Domestic area but due to renovation, one was closed

    The one that is operational is managed by TFS (Travel Food Services) and is called BLR Domestic Lounge.

    This lounge is located on the mezzanine floor. This lounge is divided into two parts, one for the quick travelers i.e those who have only 1-2hrs left to board their flight, and the other where passengers have more time in hand.

    Depending on your flight time, the lady may direct you in either direction, but you can always move between the two areas.

    One area has a live counter where you can get freshly made dosa, pasta, etc. The other area has a buffet.

    You can enjoy the filter coffee or CCD coffee from the machine.

    They have almost all kinds of soda drinks, fruit drinks as well as alcohol (you will have to pay for alcohol).

    Airport lounge Mumbai

    Mumbai is a huge airport, both International (T2) and domestic airports have lounges.

    The lounges in T2 for domestic flights are separate from the International lounges.

     Just look for the direction signs hanging from the ceiling and follow the lounge signs after you are done with your security check.

    After validating your boarding pass and lounge access card, you can enter the area.

    The food is served depending on the time of the day. There are options of Veg, Non-veg, salads, juice, soda etc.

    Due to covid, some lounges have closed their live counter.




    Airport lounge access cards

    There are some cards that are provided by a third party and provides lounge access. You will have to buy those cards.

    Airport Lounge FAQ 

    Can my family, friends use my card to get access to the lounge?

    Remember, an entry in the lounge is one person per card. In case you have multiple eligible cards then Yes, you can bring in your family members and friends on your card.


    You will have to accompany them i.e you cannot give your card to your family member for lounge access if you are not traveling with them.

    How to get a lifetime free credit card with airport lounge access?

    At the time of writing this post, ICICI was offering lifetime free credit cards (MakeMyTrip brand and ManchesterUnited brand). There is no joining fee or annual maintenance fee.

    Check with your bank, chances are if your account history is good, they will waive off the charges on your credit card, making it free for you.

    Are airport lounges open?

    Airport lounges were shut down due to Covid. With the reduction in infected cases, airports have opened lounges.

    Few lounges may be working with limited options.

    Covid protocols are strictly being followed in the lounge. Facemask, hand sanitization and social distancing is being followed. 

    Can I pack & take food outside the lounge?

    I did not see any packing box in the lounge but if you want to take some food outside the lounge (by wrapping it in tissue paper or some other way), there is no one to check or stop you from doing it.

    The only restriction is was on soda cans. In Bangalore Airport, the attendant insisted on opening the soda can before handing it over.

    Can I use airport lounges on arrival?

    No, lounge facilities are available only for departures. At the lounge reception, they check your boarding pass before letting you in.


    Is the lounge facility available on debit cards?

    Yes, there are few eligible debit cards like Yes Bank's debit/ATM card where lounge facilities are available. Check your bank's website for eligibility.



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