Synopsis: BOB Eterna’s lounge access has been revised, and many cardholders are seeking alternative options, as they are required to pay ₹75,000 per quarter to access lounge privileges. This article highlights the five credit cards that continue to provide access to airport lounges at a more practical spend.
Access to airports is one of the most coveted privileges of holding a credit card in India, particularly those with regular business and leisure travel. BOB Eterna was widely considered a popular mid-tier credit card, where you could get unlimited access to domestic lounges with a relatively low spend. That’s now changed, and cardholders who are pegged to lounge amenities with Eterna have a Plan B.
What Got Devalued in BOB Eterna?
According to the official BOBCARD revision(effective 15th July 2026): BOB Eterna has revised its lounge access spend requirement increased from ₹40,000 to ₹75,000 per quarter, while finance charges were also increased from 3.25% to 3.75% per month, making revolving credit more expensive. 5 Credit Cards suggestions that Still Offer Airport Lounge Access at ₹50,000 Quarterly Spend
1. IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹0 and Annual Fee: ₹0
- Card Category: Premium (RuPay)
- Best Suited For: Travel and Golf
- Airport Lounge Access
- 2 complimentary domestic visits per quarter
- 2 complimentary international visits per year with Priority Pass
- Other Benefits
- 1 Complimentary game of golf or lesson per quarter
- 1.50% Forex Mark up
- Up to 6 Reward Points that is accelerated on every ₹100 spend
To apply for the card, please visit the Official Website
2. Axis Bank Select Credit Card
- Joining/Annual Fee: ₹3,000 + GST (annual fee waived on ₹8 lakh annual spend)
- Lounge Access: 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter on minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the last 3 months; up to 12 complimentary international lounge visits per year via Priority Pass
- Priority Pass Renewal: Renewed on annual spend of ₹3 lakh
- Other Benefits:
- 5,000 EDGE points on ₹3 lakh annual spend
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹400/cycle
- ₹500 off monthly on BigBasket (min ₹2,500 spend)
- Flat ₹200 off twice monthly on Swiggy (min ₹10,000 per oder)
- Eligibility: net income at least ₹6 lakh per annum, age 18–70, Indian resident
To apply for the card, please visit the Official Website
3. AU Zenith Credit Card
- Joining/Annual Fee: ₹7,999
- Lounge Access: 2 free domestic airport lounge visits per quarter, plus 2 Priority Pass visits per quarter (domestic/international) requires ₹50,000 spend per quarter to remain eligible next quarter
- Fee Waiver: first-year fee waived on ₹1.25 lakh spend in first 90 days; second-year fee waived on ₹5 lakh prior-year spend
- Rewards:
- 5 Reward Points per ₹100 spent on dining at standalone restaurants, international spends, grocery, and departmental stores
- 3 Reward Points per ₹100 spent across other merchant categories*
- 1 Reward Point per ₹100 spent on insurance and utility & telecom categories
- Other Benefits:
- ₹2 crore air accident cover, ₹15 lakh credit shield, ₹50,000 purchase protection, and 1% fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹1,000/cycle
- Eligibility: Age Self-employed: 25 to 65 years, Salaried: 21 to 60 years
To apply for the card, please visit the Official Website
4. AU Ixigo Credit Card
- Joining/Annual Fee: Nil (lifetime free)
- Lounge Access: 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year, requires ₹50,000 spend in the previous quarter to unlock the benefit for the next quarter, 1 complimentary international lounge access per year via Priority Pass (issued on request)
- Rewards: 2.5% Rewards on every ₹200 spent online, offline and on UPI
- Welcome Benefit: 1,000 reward points + ₹1,000 ixigo money vouchers on first transaction within 30 days
- Travel discounts: 10% off flight bookings up to ₹1,000, 10% off bus bookings up to ₹300 , 10% off hotel bookings
- Other Benefits: credit shield up to ₹1.5 lakh, zero liability on reported fraud, 1% fuel surcharge waiver (₹400–₹5,000 spend, max ₹250); nil payment gateway charges on train bookings, twice per month
- Eligibility: Age Self-employed: 25 to 65 years, Salaried: 21 to 60 years
Also Read: 4 Best HDFC Credit Cards for Business Owners and Self-Employed Individuals That Offer Strong Rewards, Travel Perks, and More
5. Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card
- Joining/Annual Fee: ₹1,500; annual fee waived on ₹5 lakh annual spend
- Lounge Access: 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter (8/year) on ₹50,000 spend in previous 3 months
- Rewards:
- Other Benefits:
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹400/month on ₹400–₹4,000 spend
- Purchase Protection Plan of up to ₹1 lakh, Credit Shield Cover of ₹1 lakh
- Loss of Travel Document Cover up to $300
- Delay of Check-in Baggage Cover up to $300
- Loss of Check-in Baggage Cover up to $500
- Eligibility: Age 18–70, Indian resident
To apply for the card, please visit the Official Website
6. Axis Bank My Zone RuPay Credit Card
- Joining/Annual Fee: ₹500 + GST,
- Lounge Access: 1 complimentary domestic airport lounge access per calendar quarter, unlocked on spends of ₹50,000 in the previous 3 months
- Rewards:
- 4 EDGE Reward Points per ₹200 spent; no points credited for movie, fuel, insurance, wallet, rent, utilities, jewellery, education, government institution
- Renewal Benefit: 1,000 reward points on spending ₹1.5 lakh in a year
- Other Benefits:
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹400/month on fuel spends of ₹400–₹4,000
- complimentary annual OTT subscription to SonyLiv
- Buy 1 Get 1 Free movie offer via the District app
To apply for the card, please visit the Official Website
Bottom line
In India, lounge access is no longer a set benefit based on credit card membership but a reward linked to spending amounts. ₹50,000 of expenditure per quarter has become the realistic mid-level indicator; however, this requirement varies from one credit card issuer and their cards to another.
Written By Ameet S
