One of the favourite features I have with my various MasterCard products in India is the ability to access lounges at various airports. Why would MasterCard do this? Well, to increase the spread of their cards with clients via Banks. Banks also look at this feature as a differentiation factor, and chip in for a few lounge trips as well.
I realise I last wrote about the ability to access lounges with MasterCard products way back in 2012. Since lounge contracts change all the time, I figured it is a good time to write a new post. Under the program, holders of premium MasterCard products (issued in India by select banks) are admitted to select lounges across India, if they are validated for the same by a Rs. 25 swipe on their credit/debit cards (this transaction is cancelled immediately so no monetary cost to you).
Here is the list of lounges/restaurants that are participating in the MasterCard Lounge Access program in 2014:
- Mumbai: Clipper Lounge (Terminal 2), Carnations Lounge (Terminal 1C)
- Kolkata: Clipper Lounge (Terminal 2, before security hold)
- Cochin: Clipper Lounge (Domestic, before security hold)
- Chennai: Travel Food Service (International Terminal, First Floor)
- Delhi: Masala Twist (Terminal 1D, Food Court), Good Times Bar (Terminal 3 Domestic), ITC Green Lounge (Terminal 3 International)
- Bangalore: 380 Bar, Above Ground Level (Terminal 3 International)
- Hyderabad: Plaza Premium Lounge (International Departures)
Now, in my past experience, I’ve also noticed that lounges turn away passengers who try to access lounges via credit cards to accommodate those who are invited by airlines, so you may have to factor in that holding a credit card is not a guarantee to access the lounge.
Here are the banks and their cards which can provide access under this program.
- SBICards: SpiceJet SBI Card, Yatra SBI Card. (T&C)
- Axis Bank: MyWings Credit Card (2 entries per quarter), Miles & More World Select Credit Card (8 entries per quarter), Miles & More World Credit Card (4 entries per quarter). (T&C)
- HDFC Bank: JetPrivilege World Credit Card, JetPrivilege Platinum Credit Card, Infinia, Doctors Superia, Superia, JetPrivilege World Debit Card. (T&C)
- ICICI Bank: Diamant, Sapphiro, Rubyx.
- ING Vysya Bank: Galaxia Credit Card, MyWorld Debit Card, World Exclusive Debit Card (T&C)
- Yes Bank: Yes First Debit Card (T&C)
- Citibank: PremierMiles Credit Card only in Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai (6 visits per quarter), Citigold Private Client Debit Card, Citibank World Debit Card (T&C), Citibank Platinum Debit Card (T&C)
- HSBC: HSBC Premier MasterCard (T&C)
If there are other cards which you know of, please leave a note in the comments below and I will add them to the list.
You get access to the F&B, internet (complimentary) and all facilities available to the regular visit of the lounge. At the international lounges, this also includes access to the bar if that counts as a benefit for you.
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Can i access YES Prosperity Edge Credit Card AT INDIRA GANDHI AIRPORT (Domestic T1D)??
Hi
Can I use my GULF BANK KUWAIT visa or master card in India for free lounge access.
Hi
Where can I find the latest list of lounge access enabled debit cards?
Is mastercard does not have Lounge at Mumbai International Airport fir Domestic check Inn ?
I know the visa offering has a 2 per quarter limit. What’s the limit on the MasterCard offering?
i have master card abu dhabi commercial bank and credit card ethihad guest gold card please advice me i can accesses Delhi lounge domestic and international ,
HI.E
ICICI BANK CORAL CREDIT CARD REALLY WORKS AT INDIRA GANDHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
I HAD USED IT FOR 3 TIMES AT DELHI DAREDEVIL SPORTS BAR AND RESTAURANT.
IT IS TOTALLY FREE . THEY OFFERED ME TWO (2) COMPLEMENTARY BEERS OR 1 60 ML WHISKY WHATEVER I PREFER.
MOREOVER THERE WAS A COMPLIMENTARY VEG AND NON VEG BUFFET ALSO.
THEY ONLY SWIPE MY CARD FOR Rupee 1/- (one) for authetication.
i felt awsome…………..
The Axis bank Titanium debit card with only 500 fee for first yr and then 300 from next yr is pretty good for the Master card lounge access program- 1 free per quarter.
My HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card (MasterCard) works.
ICICI Coral Credit card also advertises free lounge access. Knowing ICICI, I doubt this will be true. Does anyone have any authentic info on this.
HI,
ICICI Coral card also has the same, however it’s mentioned “•Unrestricted chargeable access for yourself and your accompanying guests”
I tried calling mastercard about it but their call center never lets me reach an executive. Do you have any clarity on this? does this mean we will be charged for usage inside or not?
Hi Ajay,
You forgot HDFC Regalia. They have a mastercard offering and those cards are accepted across, since its a premium one. Not to mention the priority pass membership that comes along with it.
i have hdfc platinum credit mastercard , is its allowed in IGI delhi ?
@ Ajay
I have a MasterCard Citibank PremierMiles card. Does this mean I get to access the lounges listed in the article without paying anything 6 times in a quarter? Almost seems too good to believe to be true. In your opinion, is MasterCard or Visa better for lounge privileges?
Does a SBI Platinum MasterCard debit card work at lounges at IGI? If it does could you tell me where? Thanks!
@Lakshay if it is on this list it works, else I am not sure 🙂
I seem to be facing a problem using my Rubyxx ICICI card for lounge access in Delhi IG Domestic airport. Earlier Mastercard had an understanding with Plaza Premium then it was withdrawn & shifted to some other restaurant & then lately to Masala Twist. The Masala Twist guy however refutes this. Now I again see Plaza Premium listed on Master card site, so will check again. I think though that Mastercard needs to bring more clarity on this topic, so that Customers are clear whether they have this facility or not. For me, I invested in this card for lounge access & if I am not getting it, it is equivalent to cheating
@Sandeep which terminal is this at Delhi?
@Ajay Thanks! I will try out my master card and see if it works the next time I’m in India 🙂
I have used PNB Platinum Master debit card in ITC lounge at T3 and it works..
HDFC Bank Titanium Royale also allows this Mastercard lounge access. Have been enjoying lounge since last year with this card.
The HDFC Diners Rewardz for 1500/- annual fee has a very extensive lounge access program compared to Mastercard / Visa especially for frequent travellers.
So the master-card has to be issued by an Indian bank? US based banks issued master cards won’t work?
@SRT that is what the T&C state. in reality, they will swipe your card for authentication on a MasterCard provided terminal, if it approves you get to go in.
Two other HDFC Bank MasterCards I have used successfully are World Credit Card and EasyShop Platinum (Preferred) Debit Card.