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6 Credit Cards Which Give Free Access to Airport Lounges
A much anticipated, well-planned business trip or vacation can suddenly turn to be a stressful, exhausting and an all cramped up experience. In Singapore particularly where the airport is regularly packed and bustling with travelers entering the country and others exiting can be whole lot exasperating, but not when you have free access to airport lounges. An airport experience is supposed to be a scintillating one regardless of the distance—the lounges were set up for that.
Many Singaporeans assume that the access to VIP lounges at the airport is a reserved perquisite for uber-rich, frequent flyers and business travelers. However, simply owning a travel credit card can get you complimentary access to airport lounges—you don’t need that six-figure salary. In order to help you feel like a first-class traveler, we have gathered six fantastic credit cards in Singapore that can get you free access to airport lounges.
UOB JCB credit card
Singaporeans are very fond of Japan, according to Campus Eye Nus 2014. In fact, Japan is one of the top-travel destinations by Singaporeans, therefore, the card is just as special as the destination itself . It offers unlimited passes to airport lounges in 28 different Japanese airports like Kansai International Airport, Haneda Airport, and Narita International Airport. The airport lounge access is similarly free in Hawaii and China but limited to only two free visits for all lounges in Singapore, Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong.
The fact that JCB is widely recognized in Japan, it can be a useful, all-round, easy to get travel card that may be beneficial to you if you enjoy traveling to Japan. The Japan travel passes have various attractive offers discounts and even provide free Wi-Fi when traveling. The annual income fee is relatively low, and there is also a free waiver for the first year. Generally, the UOBJCB airport lounge perks are substantially generous, and the only problem you may have is the limited number of countries.
The DBS altitude visa signature credit card
The DBS visa credit card is an excellent entry-level lounge access card that only requires a yearly income of S$30,000. The card comes in two free accesses to airport lounges every year and just need one to apply for the Priority Pass membership immediately they receive the card in the email. The process may take around two to three weeks–an important point to consider if you’re planning for a trip soon.
As the UOB JCB only covers a limited number of countries, it would be wise if you supplemented it with the DBS Altitude. The priority pass is a significant Global Lounge Programme that hosts over 1,000 lounges in various cities across the world. The most significant advantage with this programme is that it offers a free pass for your guest—if you got a friend so that both of you can use the lounge free of charge. Subsequent entries cost US$27 per entry. There is an annual fee of US$192.10 if you decide to keep the card, that automatically comes with a bonus of 10,000 miles.
Citi Premier Miles Visa credit card
Just like the DBS Altitude Visa card, the Citi Premier card also allows you a free pass to Priority Pass membership that comes together with other two free passes—for your two travel buddies or business members. However, this card requires an annual income minimum of S$50, 000. Probably not favoring the freshly graduated youths.
Another noteworthy point to take home is that the annual fee may not be waived although you can alternatively try your luck at Citibank. Citi premier used to be everyone’s favorite for its super generous bonuses. Unfortunately, they no longer offer those vast promotions, and people have to learn to contend with the somehow average mile rates and other small travel perks.
American Express KrisFlyer Ascend credit card
If Citi did not impress you enough as aS$50,000 annual income bracket traveler, perhaps the American Express KrisFlyer is what you need. However, it is not in the Priority Pass programme. Instead, Amex partners with the SATS Premier Lounge in Changi Airport. If you’re outside Singapore, you get a free entry to Plaza Premium Lounges (smaller lounges found in countries such as Malaysia, Hong Kong, Canada, India, and China)
Amex also provides you with four free passes every year- twice that of DBS. However, this comes with a hefty price of S$337.05 annual fee payable for this credit card. You also may not use the four passes on your other travel companions—meaning that you may have to travel four times in a year to exhaust the passes or they get wasted.
While the travel perks may not top the list, the Amex credit card nonetheless offers an excellent welcome bonus; that is if you’re not dissatisfied by the relatively small and limited number of lounges.
UOB PRVI credit card
Access to airport lounges is one of the best feelings when traveling, but getting VIP access feels more like a bliss. UOB PRVI works to give VIP access rather than the typical standard lounges. It works with jet Quay (a private company that runs the detached premium VIP at Changi airport.)
You can redeem their services to get a one guest free pass twice in a year either when going to or coming back from Changi—feels like one-time access.However, free servicing is restricted for the first 100 redemptions every month. Therefore, try your luck while the promotion lasts.
Maybank Horizon visa credit card
If all the above options do not quite inveigle you, you can try your luck with Maybank’s air miles as it is uniquely different from the rest. Unlike most credit cards above, you can just flash your Maybank Horizon credit card and get yourself free access to the airport lounge. However, you have to cope with the few destinations enlisted like Singapore, Hongkong, and KL.
You only have one free pass and may have to part with S$1,000 in one single flight but retaining the card is, in fact, free since the annual charges are waived for three years.
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(By Molly Joshi)
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