The Kashmir Pulse

Airport lounges can improve your trip experience. Instead of waiting at busy boarding gates, you can relax in a quiet area, enjoy a meal, charge your devices, work, or unwind. Many travellers now look for regular or instant Credit Cards that offer lounge access.

Not all lounge benefits are alike. The main confusion is about the difference between domestic and international lounge access. Before you apply for a Credit Card with lounge perks, know exactly what is included.

What does a lounge access Credit Card actually offer?

A lounge access Credit Card lets you enter airport lounges for free or at a lower cost. Normally, travellers pay an entry fee per visit, but with this type of card, the fee is often waived when certain conditions are met.

These conditions usually include:

• A fixed number of free visits per quarter or year



• A minimum spending requirement in the previous billing cycle



• Access is limited to specific airport lounges

This is where the difference between domestic and international access becomes important.

Domestic vs International Lounge Access: Core Difference

The main difference is where the lounge access applies.

Your choice should depend on how often and where you usually travel.

When does a Credit Card with domestic lounge access make sense?

A Credit Card with domestic lounge access makes sense if you travel within the country a few times a year and want a more comfortable airport experience.

Typical structure of domestic benefits:

When is a Credit Card with international lounge access worth

International lounge access is useful only if you travel frequently outside India. It makes sense if you:

• Travel overseas for work



• Have connecting international flights



• Take long-haul holidays

International Credit Cards frequently give you access to lounge programs at hundreds of airports worldwide. If you rarely travel outside India, you might not use international lounge benefits, even if you pay a higher annual fee.

Common mistakes to avoid when choosing a lounge access Credit Card

Lounge access sounds great, but many people apply for a card without fully understanding how it works. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Not checking the spending condition

Some cards only give you free lounge access if you spend a certain amount in the previous billing cycle. If you miss that target, you may have to pay at the lounge.

Thinking all lounges are included

Just because an instant Credit Card offers lounge access doesn’t mean it works at every airport lounge. Always check which airports and lounges are actually covered.

Forgetting about visit limits

Most cards offer a limited number of free visits in a quarter or a year. After that, you will be charged per visit.

Mixing up domestic and international benefits

Some cards only work at Indian airports. If you travel abroad, make sure your card includes international lounge access.

Conclusion

Choosing the right lounge access Credit Card is not about picking the card with the most benefits. It is more about picking the one that matches your travel habits. The key is to understand what the card actually offers, check the conditions, and make sure you will truly use the benefit. When chosen wisely, a lounge access credit card can turn airport waiting time into a relaxed and productive part of your journey instead of a stressful one.

SRINAGAR — Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting of senior police and civil administration officials at the Police Control Room in Kashmir to review the prevailing law and order situation.

The meeting was attended by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Special Director General Coordination S J M Gillani, Additional Director General of Police Armed Anand Jain, Additional Director General CID Nitish Kumar, Inspector General of Police Kashmir V K Birdi, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Deputy Inspector General CKR Rajiv Pandey, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo and other senior officers.

During the review, the Lieutenant Governor directed officers to remain on heightened alert and take all necessary measures to ensure public peace and tranquillity. He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts between the police and civil administration to maintain stability and prevent any untoward incident.

The Lieutenant Governor also appealed to citizens and community leaders to uphold harmony and contribute towards maintaining calm and goodwill in society. He emphasised that preserving peace and sustaining societal progress is a shared responsibility resting equally upon every individual.

Sharing details of the meeting on X, the Lieutenant Governor said he had reviewed the law and order situation at the Police Control Room and instructed officials to take all necessary steps to safeguard public peace.

He reiterated his appeal to citizens and community leaders to maintain harmony and support efforts aimed at ensuring tranquillity.

SRINAGAR — All schools and colleges across the Kashmir Division will remain closed till March 7, 2026, Education Minister Sakina Itoo announced on Tuesday. The decision comes after a fresh review of the prevailing situation.

Earlier, the government had decided to reopen educational institutions in eight districts of Kashmir, excluding Srinagar and Budgam. However, following reassessment, authorities resolved to defer reopening across the entire Division.

Officials said classes will now resume from March 9, subject to normal conditions.

The move has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff. Further updates, if any, will be communicated accordingly.