When you are at the airport at an odd hour or during a long layover, you often find yourself competing with others for a vacant spot as you navigate through the area. But imagine just gliding over to the lounge instead. Comfortable seating, free internet, a snack, and a calming atmosphere greet you. Nice, isn’t it? But how do you get access to such a relaxing space?
Many Credit Cards offer complimentary lounge access as a perk. Well, getting a lounge access Credit Card can be easy if you fulfill the eligibility criteria and qualify for it to gain the maximum benefits of travel.
Ways to Qualify for a Lounge Access Credit Card
Know what Lounge Access Credit Cards offer
Generally, you have to know what you are walking into before even applying. Depending on the card you procure, you get unlimited or a specified number of lounge visits in a year. Some come bundled with complimentary meals, priority check-in, and travel insurance.
For those who fly frequently, sometimes lounge access can make all the difference to experience a stress-free and relaxing start or end to a journey.
Find out its basic eligibility points
All varieties of cards have certain eligibility requirements that need to be satisfied to avail themselves of their different benefits. However, certain main factors govern your eligibility:
- Income levels: Most lounge access cards target salaried professionals or self-employed people. Another variable for most top-tier Credit Cards is annual income, as higher income levels are often required to qualify for premium cards that offer lounge access.
- Credit score: A good credit score helps secure such premium cards. In general, a score of 700 is accepted as good. If it happens to be less, spend some time improving it.
- Employment status: The premium cards may also be needed for the applicant to be an employee or have a steady source of income.
Select according to your needs
Some cards would give you unlimited access, while others would place a cap on the number of “free” entries that you receive annually. Here’s what you need to look for:
- Are you a frequent flyer? Go for a card with unlimited access.
- Do you go on occasional travels? You need a card that allows a certain number of free entries in a year.
- Looking for more bonuses? Some Credit Cards come with free lounge access but discounts on stays in hotels, a few meals, or cashback.
- Do not want to pay an annual fee? Some cards waive the charge for annual fees if a specific minimum is spent in a year.
Apply smartly to stand better chances of approval
- Online application: Most of the time, online applications are processed faster and can conveniently be tracked for status updates.
- Keep your credit score healthy: Settle existing debts, minimise late payments, and scale down your credit amount utilisation.
- Have your documents handy: Have salary slips, income tax returns, or bank statements handy to speed things up.
Enjoy all your lounge benefits fully
Once your lounge access Credit Card is approved, use it fully.
- Lounge locations at airports: It’s best to check ahead of time before travelling, to see which lounges can be accessed with this card.
- Extra perks: Complimentary travel insurance and concierge services, among others, are additional benefits most lounge-access Credit Cards provide. Make use of these benefits too!
Conclusion
Getting the lounge access card shouldn’t be that much of a hassle. Selecting the right card, meeting the requirements, and applying smartly would make it pretty clear that you can enjoy the special benefits of airport lounges with ease. With the right card, you can make your airport experience far more enjoyable and stress-free.