A new offer from Paisabazaar puts the spotlight on the benefit.
Under a limited-period offer, customers taking a new credit card through its platform can get unlimited airport lounge access for one year through PB Pass.
The pass provides access to 1,800+ airport lounges and travel experiences across more than 800 domestic and international airports, including dining outlets, spas and sleep pods. The pass is activated after the first payment on the new card through the Paisabazaar app.
So, what should cardholders check before choosing a card for lounge access?
Is lounge access really free?
Not always.
Some cards require a minimum spend in the previous month, quarter or billing cycle to unlock complimentary visits. Others offer a fixed number of free visits each year.
Guest access may also attract a separate charge, while visits beyond the complimentary limit can be chargeable.
Unlimited vs limited lounge access
A card offering two or four free visits a year is very different from one offering unlimited access for a specified period.
The Paisabazaar offer provides unlimited access for one year to eligible customers, but it is a limited-period offer and is linked to taking a new card through its platform.
For frequent travellers, unlimited access could be valuable. For occasional flyers, paying a higher annual fee mainly for lounge access may not make financial sense.
What should you check?
- Spending requirement: Is a minimum spend needed to unlock the benefit?
- Visit limit: How many complimentary visits are allowed and over what period?
- Lounge coverage: Are the airports and lounges you use part of the network?
- Guest charges: Can you bring a companion for free?
- Validity: When does the benefit start and expire?
- Annual fee: Does the value of lounge access justify the card’s cost?
- Other benefits: Consider rewards, cashback, travel insurance and other features before choosing a card.
Who benefits most?
Unlimited lounge access is likely to be more useful for frequent travellers who regularly use covered airports. For those who travel only a few times a year, a lower-fee card with limited complimentary visits may offer better value.
The key is to look beyond the word “unlimited” and compare the card’s cost, conditions and actual usage.
Lounge access can be a valuable perk, but it should fit the cardholder’s travel pattern rather than drive the card choice on its own.
