Best Credit Card for Airline Miles in India (2026): Features & Charges
We compare the best credit cards in India for frequent flyers, from co-branded airline cards to flexible reward programs like Axis Atlas and Amex.
The Wise Travel card lets you hold 40+ currencies and spend at the interbank exchange rate with no forex markups or hidden fees - now available to order for free (Limited time offer, while stocks last).
Order your free Wise Travel card 💳
SBI has a strong range of credit cards including many which have local and overseas lounge privileges. The perks and benefits do vary widely, so to find the best SBI credit card for lounge access for your specific needs you’ll need to shop around and compare a few.
This guide looks at which SBI credit cards have lounge access, with a few top picks for you to consider. We'll also introduce you to the Wise Travel card, which allows you to hold 40+ currencies in on card and spend without any forex markups or hidden fees.
An SBI lounge access credit card offers you ways to visit local or overseas airport lounges when you travel.
SBI credit cards with lounge access may be issued by the bank alone or alongside partner companies like airlines or fuel businesses. There are many different cards which offer SBI lounge access¹, but the exact terms and conditions which are available vary a lot from one card to another.
In some cases you’ll be able to get into a lounge by showing your SBI credit card - but other lounges, particularly abroad, may require you to activate a secondary pass such as a Priority Pass which offers entry to a network of over 1,000 lounges worldwide.
Different SBI cards have their own processes for lounge access, as well as variable numbers of free visits included with your card plan.
To check the terms for your card you’ll need to visit the SBI Card Website or call the SBI credit card helpline. You can also pop into your local branch to ask for help if you’re unsure of the availability for lounge access on your specific card.
Getting a lounge access card can offer some nice perks and make your travel more relaxing. However, it’s still important to weigh up key factors about the cards on offer to decide which is right for you:
- Eligibility - SBI does not publish detailed minimum income requirements, but does state that you must be a minimum of 21 years up to a maximum of 70 years with a regular source of income, and a good credit score
- Annual fees - SBI lounge access card fees profiled in this guide have fees from 1,499 INR to 4,999 INR
- Foreign transaction fees - standard cards have a fee of 3.5% although some cards are available with charges of 1.99% which can keep down the costs of spending somewhat
- Exchange rates - look out for markups on the rate used to convert overseas spending to INR for billing
- Other perks offered - some cards have extra rewards, cash back, discounts and premium perks like golf or movie privileges
Credit cards can offer great travel perks but this doesn’t mean they’re necessarily the best choice for spending in a foreign currency. Foreign transaction fees push up the costs of currency conversion and mean you spend more when you’re overseas. Instead of using your credit card when you travel, consider using an international debit card like the Wise Travel card instead. Wise offers interbank currency conversion and low, transparent fees which are often lower than spending abroad with your credit card.
Let’s dive into some details - first a comparison of SBI lounge access cards side by side, and then more detail on each to help you select the right one for you.
| Card | Annual fee | Lounge access | Forex fee and rate³ | Other perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Card Miles Elite² | 4,999 INR | 6 annual entries to international lounges through Priority Pass, 8 annual entries to domestic lounges | 1.99% | 6 miles per 200 INR on travel spending, 2 on other spending, milestone and welcome gifts |
| SBI Elite credit card⁴ | 4,999 INR | 6 annual entries to international lounges through Priority Pass, 8 annual entries to domestic lounges | 1.99% | ITC Silver Tier Membership, concierge service, milestone gifts, free movie tickets |
| SBI Prime credit card⁵ | 2,999 INR | 4 annual entries to international lounges, 8 annual entries to domestic lounges | 1.99% | Milestone and birthday benefits, 10x rewards on select spending categories including dining |
| KrisFlyer SBI Card⁶ | 2,999 INR | 1 entry to a domestic lounge every quarter; Priority Pass membership, with 27 USD fee for additional entries | 3.5% | Insurance, fuel surcharge waiver, 5 rewards per 200 INR spend internationally and with the Singapore Airlines group |
| Tata Neu Infinity SBI Card⁷ | 1,499 INR | 8 entries to a domestic lounge every quarter with a spend of 75,000 INR; 4 international lounge entries; Free Priority Pass membership | 1.99% | 5% Value back as NeuCoins on Tata group and partner spend, annual fee can be reversed with minimum spend amount |
| BPCL SBI Card OCTANE⁸ | 1,499 INR | 4 entries to a domestic lounge annually - one per quarter | 3.5% | Fuel benefits including 25X Reward Points, and 1% Fuel surcharge waiver |
*Details correct at time of research - 5th February 2026
Best for: Priority Pass Membership with 6 annual entries to international lounges, plus domestic lounge privileges
The SBI Card Miles Elite has premium perks including travel insurance options, reward earning on travel and domestic spend, and complimentary Priority Pass Membership which covers a network of over 1,000 international lounges. You can go to an international lounge twice per quarter, with additional domestic lounge privileges.
Lounge access: 6 annual entries to international lounges through Priority Pass (2 visits per quarter), 8 annual entries to domestic lounges
Main features and fees:
Best for: Golfers looking for ITC Silver Tier Membership alongside lounge access and other rewards
The SBI Elite credit card is a premium card which has golf privileges as well as lounge access locally and when you travel abroad. You can also get free movie tickets worth 6,000 INR every year and 5X Reward Points on select categories including dining and grocery shopping.
Lounge access: 6 annual entries to international lounges through Priority Pass, 8 annual entries to domestic lounges
Main features and fees:
Best for: Low foreign transaction fee with 8 domestic lounge entries and 4x international lounge options
The SBI Prime credit card has some premium benefits including high rewards on dining and groceries, as well as up to 12 annual lounge entries split between domestic and overseas locations.
Lounge access: 4 annual entries to international lounges, 8 annual entries to domestic lounges. Pro Cardholders get a complimentary Priority Pass Membership but lounge visits are chargeable
Main features and fees:
Best for: Singapore Airlines frequent flyers who can earn rapid rewards and get free Priority Pass membership
The KrisFlyer SBI Card offers one domestic lounge entry per quarter and gives you a Priority Pass which usually costs around 99 USD. This then allows you to get pay per use entry to other lounges overseas, at a cost of about 27 USD per lounge entry.
Lounge access: 1 entry to a domestic lounge every quarter; free Priority Pass membership, with 27 USD fee for additional entries
Main features and fees:
Best for: Generous domestic lounge benefits with minimum spend with the option to buy extra international entries after 4 free tickets are used
The Tata Neu Infinity SBI Card has domestic lounge access with a minimum spend and up to 4 entries to overseas lounges for free. You’ll also get Priority Pass membership which is usually 99 USD, and can then pay to visit additional lounges if you prefer to.
Lounge access: 8 entries to a domestic lounge every quarter with a spend of 75,000 INR; 4 international lounge entries; Free Priority Pass membership
Main features and fees:
Best for: People who drive a lot and want great rewards on fuel as well as some lounge access
The BPCL SBI Card OCTANE offers excellent rewards and benefits for people who drive a lot, and also a quarterly entry to a domestic airline lounge for those times when you have to fly.
Lounge access: 4 entries to a domestic lounge annually - one per quarter
Main features and fees:
There’s not one perfect SBI credit card for lounge access - the right one for you depends on your personal preferences and which cards you’re eligible for. Weigh up the fixed costs of your card. While your SBI credit card may be great for perks like lounge access, they often charge foreign transaction fees and has annual fees. To avoid this, you can bring along a Wise Travel card. It allows you to spend abroad at the interbank rate with no markups, effectively cutting the hidden costs of your international spending while you save your credit card for your lounge access.
With no hidden markups, the Wise Travel card is a smart way to spend abroad. You'll always get the real interbank exchange rate for conversions across 40+ currencies. Wise's transparent, low pricing, plus no foreign transaction fees or forex markups, usually means you are getting the best value for your money.

The fully digital account opening and vKYC process allows you to sign up from the comfort of your home, and there are no annual or monthly fees either. Simply order your card, show proof of your travels, load your funds, and you're all set. Plus - card orders are currently free to Indian addresses (limited time launch offer, while stocks last)! A physical Wise card enables you to make secure chip and PIN payments and get some free ATM withdrawals while you're overseas. You can also instantly freeze or unfreeze your card in the app anytime for peace of mind.
Wherever your travels take you, the Wise Travel card is the only forex card you'll need to make spending internationally simpler and cheaper.
Several SBI debit cards have lounge access, including the SBI Mastercard World Debit Card⁹ which offers 2 visits a quarter to domestic lounges.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
We compare the best credit cards in India for frequent flyers, from co-branded airline cards to flexible reward programs like Axis Atlas and Amex.
Discover the best credit cards for airport lounge access in India.
Looking for lounge access when you travel? Compare the top ICICI credit cards in India for domestic and international travels.
What is an international debit card and how does it work? Compare features, benefits, and charges for the best international debit cards in India.
Thinking about getting the Amex Platinum Travel Card? Explore its fees, rewards, perks, lounge access, and overseas charges.
Wondering which Thomas Cook Forex Card is right for your next trip? We break down the benefits and charges of each variant to help you decide.