Airport lounges credit card seem to be the only saviour in depressing long-haul flights. During the flights, your hair is greasy, your breath smells like dead people, and your back is unbearably sore and stiff — you can’t wait to take a shower and lie down on a comfy bed. You glance at the airport lounges but have never dreamt of getting into it once.
Don’t let your salary requirements hold you back. We’ve compiled a list of savior credit cards that have lower salary requirements so you can enjoy the perks of an airport lounge. And for those who want unlimited access, we’ve got you covered too! Simply check your wallet to see if you have already got the right credit cards? If not, bookmark this blog and come back anytime to find your best fit!
Table of Contents: Airport Lounge Credit Card Hong Kong
- Airport Lounge Credit Cards in Hong Kong Overview
- Airport Lounge Credit Cards Charges Overview
- Airport Lounge Credit Card by Hong Kong Banks
- UnionPay Diamond Prestige Airport Lounge Credit Card: Lowest Salary Requirement
- American Express Airport Access Credit Card: Exclusive entry to The Centurion Lounge
- Standard Chartered Airport Lounge credit cards: 8 Free Airport Lounge Visit in the First year of Card Issuance
- BOC Airport Lounge Credit Card
- Hang Seng Airport Lounge Credit Card
- Citi Airport Lounge credit Card
- Airport Lounge Credit Cards by Other banks
- Corporate Airport Lounge Credit Card
- FAQs: Airport Lounge Credit Card
Airport Lounge Credit Cards in Hong Kong Overview
Who doesn’t like lounging in the comfort of an airport lounge, sipping on a drink, and enjoying free Wi-Fi while waiting for your flight. It’s not just a dream anymore! With the Airport Lounge Credit Card, you can access the best airport lounges around the world with ease. Here is our list of credit cards that offer unlimited free access to airport lounges.
Airport Lounge Credit Card Overview | ||||||
Credit Card | Annual Income Requirement | Lounge Access | Max. Number of Free Visits | Requirement For Free Visits | Additional Charges for Companions | Remarks |
Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard – Priority Banking | HK$96,000 | Cathay Pacific Business lounge | 4 non-sharable visits per year | / | / | / |
Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard – Priority Private | HK$96,000 | Cathay Pacific Business lounge | 10 sharable visits per year | / | / | / |
Citi PremierMiles Credit Card | HK$120,000 | Plaza Premium Lounge (specified airports) | 12 visits per year for primary and supplementary card holder | HK$5,000 spending within 30 days after the lounge visit | HK$250 | / |
Dah Sing United MileagePlus World MasterCard | HK$150,000 | United Premium Cabin Lounges | 1 access when certain spending limit is met | Spend HK$40,000 or more in the previous quarter | / | Accumulate HK$40,000 or more in spending in the previous quarter to receive a single United Club electronic pass |
HSBC EveryMile Credit Card | HK$240,000 | Plaza Premium Lounge | 6 visits per year | / | / | / |
American Express Platinum Card | HK$300,000 | Priority Pass | Unlimited visits with 1 guest access | / | US$32 (approx. HK$250) | Supplementary cardholders may enter for free |
Plaza Premium Lounge | Unlimited (primary cardholder can invite 2 guests with no fee) | / | 30% discount on the fee for each additional guest | / | ||
The Centurion Lounge | Unlimited visits with 2 guests access | / | US$50 (approx. HK$392) | / | ||
American Express Explorer Credit Card | HK$300,000 | Plaza Premium Lounge | 8 visits per year | / | HK$300-HK$400 | Using Smart Traveler App can get the 11st access. |
CNCBI CITICdiamond Platinum Card | CITIC diamond customers | Plaza Premium Lounge | 2 visits per year | / | HK$231 | 30% off for accompanying guest |
UnionPay Diamond Prestige Card | HK$0 – HK$200,000 | Plaza Premium Lounge | 3 visits per year | Spend at least HK$12,00 for 2 consecutive months (TBC 2023) | HK$350 | / |
Citi Prestige Card | HK$600,000 | Priority Pass lounges | Unlimited | / | HK$250 | / |
Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Card | / | Priority Pass | 8 visits in the 1st year; 8 visits when certain spending limit is met | 8 times per year available to principal cardholders who have accumulated spending of HK$150,000 or above | HK$210 | / |
Citibank ULTIMA Card | By invitation only | Priority Pass | Unlimited visits with 1 guest access | / | HK$211 | Annual Relationship Points Program can earn up to 30% extra rewards with Citigold account |
BOC Visa Infinite Card | By invitation only | Plaza Premium Lounge | 8 visits per year | A minimum spending of HK$8,000 (terms details) | HK$220 | The terms of a credit card account opening may vary depending on the day it was opened. |
Dah Sing Visa Infinite Card | VIP Banking Customer | Priority Pass | Unlimited | Accumulate Eligible Spending reaches HK$50,000 or above with Dah Sing Visa Infinite Card in previous quarter of Card Membership. | HK$210 | / |
Dah Sing VIP Banking Visa Infinite Card | VIP Banking Customer | Priority Pass | Unlimited | On the last business day in previous quarter of Card Membership, the total asset balance of VIP Banking maintains at HK$500,000 or above Or Accumulate Eligible Spending reaches HK$50,000 or above with Dah Sing VIP Banking Visa Innite Card in previous quarter of Card Membership. | HK$210 | / |
Hang Seng Visa Infinite Card | By invitation only | Priority Pass | Unlimited | / | HK$200 | / |
Shanghai Commercial Bank World Credit Card | For SMART Banking customers only | DragonPass | 3 times in the first year of issuance | If the accumulated eligible spending amount throughout the year reaches from
|
US$32 (approx. HK$250) | / |
Hang Seng Prestige World MasterCard | Prestige banking customers | LoungeKey | 7 times | If the accumulated amount of transactions r is HK$20,000 or above in the Spending Period of each Phase, $260 +FUN Dollars rebate for each lounge visit in the Airport Lounge. | US$32 (approx. HK$250) | / |
CCB (Asia) UnionPay Diamond Prestige Credit Card | By invitation only | Plaza Premium Lounge | TBC | / | / | / |
BOC Commercial Platinum Card | Corporate clients | Plaza Premium Lounge | Unlimited | / | HK$220 | Access only available once everyday, fee applies for any extra visit |
HSBC Business Mastercard | Corporate clients | Plaza Premium Lounge | 4 visits per year | Must present a valid boarding pass or air ticket during the visit. | / | / |
Popular Airport Lounge Credit Card List
- HSBC Every Mile Credit Card: All-around Choice for Traveling
- American Express credit cards: Exclusive entry to The Centurion Lounge
- UnionPay Diamond Prestige card: Lowest Salary Requirement
- Standard Chartered credit cards: 8 Free Airport Lounge Visit in the First year of Card Issuance
- BOC credit cards: Unlimited access to airport lounges
- Hang Seng credit cards: Access to Lounge Key / Priority Pass
- Citi credit cards: Free airport lounge access for your accompanying guests
- Other banks (CNCBI, Dah Sing, Shanghai Commercial Bank, ICBC)
American Express Airport Access Credit Card: Exclusive entry to The Centurion Lounge
American Express credit cards have the most exclusive perks when it comes to airport lounge services. This includes unlimited access to the Centurion Lounge for the main cardholder and their relatives.
American Express Platinum Card: Unlimited Access to the Centurion Lounge
With American Express Platinum Card or Centurion Card, main cardholder and 2 accompanying guests can enjoy free and unlimited access to the Centurion Lounge.
The minimum salary requirement per year is HK$300,000.
American Express Explorer® credit card: 8 visits per year available for primary card and supplementary card holders
American Express Explorer® credit card primary and supplementary card holders can enjoy 8 free visits of Plaza Premium Lounge in Hong Kong Airport Departures. The income requirement per year is HK$300,000.
MoneySmart tip to get the 11th complimentary visit
Don’t forget to download the Smart Traveller App before heading to the Plaza Premium Lounge. You can earn 300 points per visit with the app. Once you rack up 2,800 points, you’ll get an extra free visit to any Plaza Premium Lounge in Asia.
If you take advantage of the American Express Explorer™ credit card’s 10 complimentary lounge access per year, you can earn 3,000 points after 10 visits and redeem them for another lounge access opportunity.
UnionPay Diamond Prestige Airport Lounge Credit Card: Lowest Salary Requirement
Salary shouldn’t be the reason that holds you back to get in an airport lounge access! Here is a list of airport lounge credit cards that have lower salary requirements. And EarnMORE UnionPay credit card even does not have a minimum annual salary requirement!
Since March 1, 2019, cardholders are required to spend at least HK$12,000 for 2 consecutive months to enjoy 3 free access to airport lounge services, including access to the Asia Miles Lounge and over 130 designated LoungeKey airport lounges worldwide. Cardholders can enjoy the service up to once per day, while accompanying friends and family can also enjoy the LoungeKey airport lounge service for USD 32 (approximately HKD 248).
Let’s give into UnionPay cards and find out which one is the perfect fit for you!
EarnMORE UnionPay: 2% Cash Rebate with no minimum salary requirement
The EarnMORE UnionPay Diamond Card offers a cash rebate of up to 2% for all eligible transactions, with no minimum annual salary requirement, as the card is available to all applicants, including those who are still studying!
HSBC Pulse UnionPay Dual Currency Diamond Credit Card: up to 4.4% RewardCash rebate
With the HSBC Pulse UnionPay Dual Currency Diamond Credit Card, managing currency fluctuations is a thing of the past. This incredible card offers two currencies in one, ensuring that you always have access to your preferred currency. Plus, enjoy exclusive rebates of up to 2% for spending in Mainland China and Macau, as well as a whopping total of up to 4.4% RewardCash rebate. As if that’s not enough, cardholders also get to choose their own Red Hot Rewards.
HSBC Pulse UnionPay Dual Currency Diamond Credit Card has the most cash back for airport lounge access.
WeWa UnionPay Diamond Card: up to 4% cash rebate
Experience the ultimate savings with the WeWa UnionPay Diamond Card! Enjoy an attractive cash rebate of up to 4% on your spending in categories such as “Travel,” “Cinema,” “Karaoke,” and “Theme Park.” That means you can save more while indulging in your favorite pastimes. Plus, there’s no annual income requirement, so anyone can apply for this exclusive UnionPay Card.
BOC Dual Currency Diamond Card: 3 Time Access with Specific Spending
If you’re a frequent traveler between Hong Kong and mainland China, the BOC Dual Currency Diamond Card is the perfect fit for you. With features like airport limousine transfer in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and cross-border to Shenzhen Airport, and 3 times access to LoungeKey Airport Lounge, you can travel in luxury and comfort without any hassle.
The minimum annual salary for the card is HK$200,000.
CCB (Asia) UnionPay Diamond Prestige Credit Card
Their previous offer allowed you to access the Plaza Premium Lounge at many international airports, including Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Beijing, Shanghai, and Singapore. You could use this benefit once a day during the promotion period.
However, the offer has now been paused. The rewards for 2023 will be announced soon, and we will update the rewards once we are notified.
Citi Rewards UnionPay Card
Get more rewards with the Citi Rewards UnionPay Card! Earn 10X points for QuickPass, UnionPay QR Code, and Online Retail Transactions. With an annual income requirement of just HK$120,000, you can enjoy the benefits of this amazing card.
How to Register the Airport Lounge Service with UnionPay Diamond Prestige Card?
Step 1: Register Basic Information
Go to the UnionPay card registration website, enter your UnionPay Diamond or Business Card information, including name, area code, and phone number, to create a personal account.
Step 2: Register Your Email Address and UnionPay Card Number
Register your UnionPay card number and email address. The email will be used to receive certificates, approval notifications, and VIP lounge benefits notifications.
You can also add another UnionPay Diamond or Business Card.
Step 3: Upload Signature Receipts
Select “Upload Signature Receipts” and upload transaction receipts or bank statements, and enter the transaction date/time and amount. You can upload up to 6 transaction receipts and 1 bank statement per month.
Step 4: Reach the Designated Signature Amount
When the registered UnionPay Diamond or Business Card reaches the designated signature amount, the cardholder will receive an email notification, and the UnionPay card in the account will also be marked as reached.
You can also check the approval status of the uploaded signature receipts:
Step 5: Enter Airport Lounge
As long as you bring your reached UnionPay card to the Asia World-Expo Lounge at Hong Kong Airport, you can enter the lounge by registering on-site without any reservation. Here are the addresses of the Hong Kong Airport Asia World-Expo Lounges:
- 6th Floor near Gate 1 in the Departure Hall
- 6th Floor near Gate 35 in the Departure Hall
- 7th Floor near Gate 60 in the Departure Hall
Standard Chartered Airport Lounge credit cards
Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard Priority Banking: 4 Accesses Per Year
Unlock the ultimate travel experience with our credit card! If you’re issued a card after July 1st, 2022, you can enjoy the luxurious Cathay Pacific Business class lounge 4 times every credit card membership year. Plus, you’ll receive priority check-in at Premium Economy class counters and board the plane with the same priority as Premium Economy class passengers. Don’t settle for less, travel in style with our credit card.
Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard Priority Private: 10 Business Class Lounge Passes Each Year
Starting from July 1, 2022, Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard (Priority Private) cardholders can revel in the privilege of receiving 10 Cathay Pacific Business class lounge passes per credit card membership year, which can be shared with their travel buddy or redemption group nominee.
Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Card: Free Access to Priority Pass Airport Lounge for the 1st Year
As the primary cardholder, you have the benefit of accessing Priority Pass airport lounges with one guest worldwide at no additional cost during your first year of card membership. To enjoy unlimited visits, you need to make at least one international purchase each year that costs at least $1. This purchase can be made in person, online, by phone, or as a subscription. Please note that it might take up to 10 days for your purchase to show up in our system. If you fail to make the required purchase, you will have to pay for each visit.
BOC Airport Lounge Credit Cards
BOC Visa Infinite/Visa Signature Card: 2 complimentary visits upon spending over HK$15,000 per quarter
For new cardholders, you can receive two 2 entries to designated Plaza Premium Lounges without any spending requirements! And for Visa Infinite and Visa Signature cardholders, you can earn 2 VIP lounge services per quarter by spending HK$15,000 on each card. And the best part? The VIP lounge service of the Bank of China Cheers Card can be shared with your fellow guests or affiliated cardholders. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the perks of the BOC Visa Infinite/Visa Signature Card at the airport.
Lounge visiting terms for getting the card before 1 Jan 2023
If you get your BOC Visa Infinite Card from 1 Jan 2023 to 31 Jun 2023, you will get 8 free visits to Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Lounge at designated airports till 31 Dec 2023. If you get your BOC Visa Infinite Card from 1 Jan 2022 to 31 Dec 2022, and spend HK$180,000, you will get 8 free visits for the main cardholder and its supplementary cardholder. If you get your card before 1 Jan 2022, once the main cardholder spends HK$90,000+, all of its supplementary cards get 4 free visits to airport lounges.
Hang Seng Airport Lounge Credit Cards
Hang Seng Prestige World MasterCard: Access to Mastercard Airport Experiences and Priority Pass
A fan of Mastercard? Good news! Pay only US$32 (approx. HK$251), then you can access worldwide Mastercard Airport Experiences, which is managed by LoungeKey. From today to 31 Dec, Hang Seng Prestige World MasterCard gives you HK$260 Cash Dollars for using airport lounges if you spend HK$20,000 in each phrase (around 2 months). That means your admission fee is waived! For every credit card account, you can get up to 4 times of cash back in each phase, and 5 times for the whole promotion period.
Hang Seng Visa Infinite Card
Is that too complicated? No worries, consider taking Hang Seng Visa Infinite Card. This card gives you unlimited access to airport lounges under Priority Pass without any spending target. But they charge HK$200 for each of your guests.
Citi Airport Lounge credit Cards
Citi Premier Miles Card: 12 Times Access to Worldwide Lounges
For Citi Premier Miles Card, both main and supplementary cardholders can each enjoy up to 12 times complimentary access to designated Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide for every year, provided that cardholders spend over HK$5,000 per lounge access within 30 days afterwards. For accompanying guests, the entrance fee is the lowest among all credit cards, for only HK$250 per guest.
Citi Prestige Card
Citi Prestige Card gives cardholder access to Airport Lounge through Priority Pass. Main cardholder can be accompanied by a guest without fee. On top of that, you will need to pay HK$250 for each additional visit.
Citi Ultima Card
Citi Ultima Card holders can enjoy unlimited free access to Priority Pass Lounge with one accompanying guest, for the second or more guests, each of them will be charged an entrance fee of HK$211. Moreover, the primary cardholder only needs to show the Citi ULTIMA Card and boarding pass to enjoy free access to the Asia Miles Airport Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport with one companion traveler on the day of travel.
Other Airport Lounge Credit Cards
If you already have other credit cards, check to see if your card is eligible for airport lounges. Many banks offer airport VIP lounge benefits, giving you a chance to rest and recharge during your trip. Here is a list of some of those banks.
Dah Sing VIP Banking Service Visa Infinite Card
All main cardholders of the eligible card are allowed unlimited free access to airport lounges during a three-month period of their card membership if they meet any of the following requirements:
By the last business day of the previous quarter of Card Membership, either:
- Maintain a total asset balance of HK$500,000 or more with VIP Banking, or
- Accumulate Eligible Spending of HK$50,000 or more with Dah Sing VIP Banking Visa Infinite Card in the previous quarter of Card Membership.
If you don’t meet the requirements to access the airport lounges for free, don’t worry! You can still visit the lounge for a small fee of HK$210. Enjoy the comfort and convenience of the lounge during your travels. Safe travels!
Shanghai Commercial Bank World Credit Card
In the first year after getting the card, you can use it for free 3 times. After that, if you spend a certain amount of money each year, you can use the card for free more times:
- Spend HK$50,000 to HK$99,999 a year to use the card for free 3 more times.
- Spend HK$100,000 to HK$149,999 a year to use the card for free 5 more times.
- Spend HK$150,000 or more a year to use the card for free 8 more times.
CNCBI CITICdiamond Platinum Card
Customers can access Plaza Premium Service twice for free within the Valid Period. You can share the complimentary access with one guest. Other accompanying guests can enjoy PPL service at a 30% discount off the walk-in price of the day.
Corporate Airport Lounge Credit Card
BOC Commercial Platinum Card
Cardholders can enter Plaza Premium Lounges once a day for free. If they visit the same lounge again on the same day, they will be charged HK$220 per person per visit. And accompanying guests can also enter the lounge for a special fee of HK$220 per person per visit.
HSBC Corporate/Commercial Card
You can use up to 4 free entries per year to visit more than 70 Plaza Premium Lounges all over the world with HSBC Corporate/Commercial Card.
Frequently Asked Questions: Airport Lounge Credit Card
Can accompanying guests get free airport lounge access?
There are only a few cards allowing free entry for accompanying guests, like Citi Ultima Card. American Express Platinum Card and Centurion Card holders and two accompanying guests can enjoy free access to the Centurion Lounge, additional charges will be applied for most of the other credit cards.
You may ask “Can I share my access to my accompanying guest if I own 2 airport lounge access credit cards?” The standard answer is no, as it is listed in the terms and conditions, the promotion is only eligible for the cardholder. But some netizens claimed that they’ve tried it before. But still, better to stick with the rules.
Limited airport lounge access
Most of the promotions allow unlimited access, but technically, you only get a maximum of 1 access per day. However, if there are 2 or more airport lounges under the same network at the airport, plus you are having enough time for leisure, you can definitely enjoy free access to each lounge.
Which credit card that have airport lounge access with no salary requirement?
The EarnMORE UnionPay Diamond Card offers a cash rebate of up to 2% for all eligible transactions, with no minimum annual salary requirement, as the card is available to all applicants, including those who are still studying!
Can Hong Kong credit cards be used to enter other airports’ Priority Pass lounges?
Check your card! The Amex Explorer credit card and HSBC EveryMile credit card can be used to enter Priority Pass lounges in airports where they are available.
Can I bring my family and friends to the lounge for free if we travel together?
Only specified credit cards allow you to bring guests for free. For example, the Amex Platinum Card allows the main cardholder and supplementary cardholders to bring in 2 extra guests.
Conclusion: Priority Pass Airport Lounge Access Worldwide
Priority Pass gives you access to a global network of airport lounges with no reservation needed, regardless of the airline you fly, which can fill most general and business travellers’ needs.
Some of the high-end credit cards also provide access to the Plaza Premium Lounge, which also covers multiple airports. Arrture members can earn 100 points for every access to Plaza Premium Lounge, and redeem lounge access vouchers or other benefits. You can now redeem 1-hour Plaza Premium Lounge Access for 1,800 points, which can be used in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur or London Heathrow airport.
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