ICICI Credit Card Lounge Access: Top Cards & Perks Guide

Choose your ICICI card based on your preferred method of travel. Some premium cards reward you for reaching quarterly spending goals, while others give you unlimited access.

Starting in 2025, many cards will require ₹75,000 in a quarter to unlock lounge access for the following quarter, so budget your money wisely.

Always check the conditions of the card you are using. Premium and co-branded cards are often exempt from new regulations, so be aware of your advantages.

As a premium benefit, qualified ICICI credit cardholders can enjoy complimentary access to airport lounges.

For instance:

Shikhar loves to travel and often unwinds in airport lounges before his flights. He makes the most of his ICICI card by spending just enough to enjoy those relaxing moments.

Table:

Here's a quick rundown of the card categories:
 

Access to lounge facilities mainly depends on your spending from the previous quarter. The requirements can differ significantly between standard cards and premium ones, like the Emerald series.

In this blog, we’ll dive into how you can access ICICI Credit Card lounges. Up next, we’ll explore the different types of credit cards available. Stay tuned!

Type of ICICI credit card lounge access 2025

Free admission to both domestic and international airport lounges is referred to as "a type of ICICI credit card lounge access." This benefit is given to cardholders according to their particular card variant and its perks.

Example:

If you're a frequent traveller like Shikhar, the ICICI Emerald card is a solid choice. It offers unlimited global access so that you can travel comfortably anywhere in the world.

ICICI credit cards bring real value, especially with their lounge access programs, which depend on the card tier, fees, and your spending habits. Knowing these details can help you pick the best card for your travels. 

Table:

Here's a quick table of lounge access benefits for major ICICI Bank credit cards in 2025 to help make your decision easier.
 

As the table clearly illustrates, ICICI Bank offers a stratified approach to lounge access.

Finding Your Perfect Lounge Access Fit

ICICI's credit cards cater to various travel styles and budgets. The best card for you isn't always the one with the most perks, but the one that suits your lifestyle. Let's explore who these cards are meant for.

• For the Elite Jet-Setter: If you frequently visit airports and enjoy luxury, cards like the Emerald are ideal. They offer unlimited worldwide lounge access without minimum spend, making travel more convenient and enjoyable, so every trip feels first-class.

• For the Frequent Explorer: If you often travel for work or leisure, locally or abroad, consider cards like Sapphiro and Adani One Signature. They offer a mix of visits, 4 domestic and 2 international quarterly, allowing you to enjoy trips without costly unlimited cards.

• For the Occasional Traveller: If you fly a few times a year, consider entry-level cards like Coral, HPCL, or Accelero. They make lounge access easier by rewarding regular spending. Just meet a quarterly limit (like ₹5,000 on Accelero), and you get free lounge access, making luxury more accessible.

• A Quick Reality Check: Just a quick reminder about your lounge access! Your free visits reset every three months, so don't let them go to waste! And make sure to always bring your physical credit card with you, it's the key to getting through the lounge door. Enjoy!

There is an ICICI card that enhances your airport experience, whether you travel frequently, take occasional vacations, or are simply looking to earn rewards on everyday purchases. The goal is to locate the card that reads, "Welcome, make yourself at home."

In this blog, we'll explore the different types of lounge access available with ICICI credit cards. Next, we'll delve into the latest updates to ICICI Bank's credit card features and charges. Stay tuned for some valuable insights!

Understanding the Updates to ICICI Bank Credit Card Features and Charges in 2025

The most recent revisions to the ICICI Bank Credit Card Features and Charges for 2025 introduce a significant change in the way free benefits are obtained, shifting towards a spend-based eligibility model.

Example:

Aman, who regularly uses his ICICI Coral card for everyday purchases, now needs to plan his spending wisely. This way, he can reach the new spending limit and enjoy his quarterly lounge visits.

(Bonus Tips: Starting January 1, 2025, there's a significant change for complimentary access to domestic airport lounges.)

Now, you’ll need to spend ₹75,000 in the previous calendar quarter to unlock this benefit. This update rewards those who use their cards more actively. Just a heads up: this new rule applies only to certain cards, and there will be a list of excluded premium and co-branded cards later on.

Table:

Here’s a simple breakdown of when to spend and when you can qualify, making it easier for cardholders to manage their finances.
 

The table helps users like Aman keep track of their point eligibility by illustrating how quarterly spending relates to rewards in the following period. However, this represents a change from the prior unrestricted access that certain cards offered.

Important Exclusions:

The new spending rule doesn't apply to all cards. If you have any of the premium or co-branded cards, you'll still get lounge access as usual, with no ₹75,000 spending limit required.
 

• ICICI Bank Diamant Credit Cards
   
• ICICI Bank Emerald Private Metal Credit Cards
   
• ICICI Bank Emerald Private Credit Cards
   
• ICICI Bank Emerald Credit Cards
   
• ICICI Bank Emirates Emerald Credit Cards
   
• Adani One ICICI Bank Signature Credit Cards
   
• Adani One ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Cards
   
• MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Cards
   
• Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Cards

This change really alters the benefits of many ICICI Bank cards. For those with non-excluded cards, you now earn your rewards instead of just receiving them.

So, it's crucial to understand your card's specific terms; this way, you can make the most of its perks and avoid any surprise charges for lounge access.

The next topic is How to be Eligible for Complimentary Lounge Access?

How to be Eligible for Complimentary Lounge Access

As a reward for your financial activity, your eligibility for complimentary lounge access is now directly linked to the amount you spent on your card during the previous quarter.

Example:

Akash needs to carefully plan his significant expenses to hit the spending target within three months. This will help him get lounge access for the next quarter.

It’s essential to understand the new rules so you don’t miss out on these incredible benefits. Here are the key points to keep in mind:

• Spend to Unlock, Not Swipe to Enter: Gone are the days of simple swipe-based entry for many cards. You must now achieve a minimum spend of ₹75,000 in a designated quarter to activate your complimentary accesses for the next quarter.

• Plan Your Calendar: The spending and eligibility periods are fixed on a rolling quarterly basis. Your spending in one quarter directly funds your luxury in the next.

• A Concrete Example: To enjoy lounge access between January 1, 2025, and March 31, 2025, you must have spent ₹75,000 in the previous period, which is from September 26, 2024, to December 25, 2024.

• Check Your Card Type: This rule primarily impacts standard and mid-tier cards. Remember, premium cards like the Emerald series and many co-branded cards (e.g., Adani One, MMT) are exempt from this spend requirement and continue to offer access as per their specific terms.

Eligibility isn't just given anymore; you have to earn it. This new approach rewards you for regularly using your ICICI Bank credit card for daily shopping, big bills, and planned expenses.

For someone like Akash, this means timing major purchases, such as electronics or holiday bookings, to coincide with these quarterly windows. That way, he can easily reach the spending threshold and enjoy the benefits.

Bonus Tip: You must present your physical ICICI credit card and a valid boarding pass for a flight departing on the same day or the next morning.

Conclusion

Finding the best credit card lounge access that matches your spending habits and lifestyle is crucial for maximising the benefits of ICICI Bank. 

The key is understanding the specific terms of your card, whether you are a frequent traveller with unlimited access through a premium card or an occasional traveller earning visits through wise spending. 

Organising your spending around the quarterly thresholds can lead to a more enjoyable and rewarding airport experience. To maximise your benefits, always ensure you check the latest features of your card. 

FAQs

How many lounge accesses will I get if I meet the spending criteria?

The number of complimentary accesses you receive upon meeting the ₹75,000 spend varies by card. For instance, the Coral card offers 1 access per quarter, while the Sapphiro card offers 4 domestic and 2 international accesses per quarter, regardless of this spend.

I have a premium card exempt from the spend rule. Do I need to do anything?

If you hold an exempted premium card like the Emerald, you do not need to meet any spending threshold. Your lounge access benefits are available according to the card's predefined terms, provided you activate and renew the card.

Where can I find the specific details for my card?

The most accurate and updated information for your specific card variant can always be found on the official ICICI Bank website. You can use the direct links provided in the card comparison tables or visit the credit card section and select your card model.

Do my unused lounge visits carry over to the next quarter?

No, complimentary visits reset every quarter and do not roll over. Unused accesses are forfeited.

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About the Author

LoansJagat Team

‘Simplify Finance for Everyone.’ This is the common goal of our team, as we try to explain any topic with relatable examples. From personal to business finance, managing EMIs to becoming debt-free, we do extensive research on each and every parameter, so you don’t have to. Scroll up and have a look at what 15+ years of experience in the BFSI sector looks like.