Kolkata Airport currently uses a single terminal for both domestic and international passengers and has 2 airport lounges as of now – a regular lounge and then a premium lounge.
Here’s a quick review of the regular lounge that can be accessed by most travellers using credit/debit cards.
Table of Contents
Overview
Type | Regular Airport Lounge |
Card accepted | Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club & many more |
Location | Follow lounge signboard |
Plug points | Yes |
Ambiance | Good interiors but mostly crowded |
Food options | Decent food spread |
If you’re holding Priority Pass issued by super premium credit cards, its better to access the nearby Irish lounge instead of this one as it’s usually crowded most of the time.
Check-in
I was able to get in after spending over ~15 mins in the queue. Here’s a quick look at the queues across 2 counters and it remains the same size for more than a hour.
Apart from regular reasons, I see that the delay was largely due to some people trying to access using in-eligible cards after which they change the card, which generally takes time.
Reg. card acceptance, most credit/debit cards are accepted. Here’s a quick look at various programs:
Seating and Interiors
The lounge is pretty decent in size but looking at the footfalls at the lounge I would say that the airport deserves a bigger lounge. When I was there it had almost ~90% occupancy and hence I didn’t click many pictures, but here is one.
Because of the high occupancy it’s noisy and feels lot crowded, just like the crowded Bangalore Airport lounge which is now called as BLR lounge that was previously called as Plaza Premium Lounge.
Food
They had a decent food spread with fruits and desserts. They also had a live food station which probably makes only Omelette I guess. Here is a quick look at some pics:
Bottomline
- Cardexpert Rating: 3.9/5
The Travel Club Lounge by TFS at Kolkata airport serves the needs of a typical traveller who basically need a quick snack before the flight. The only problem is the crowd.
So if you’re looking for a pleasant atmosphere, this is not the place for you. In-fact, having your quick meal and leaving the lounge is the best thing you can do to other travellers and also for yourself.
However, if you’ve a priority pass issued by super premium cards like HDFC Infinia, you should instead be exploring the newly opened premium lounge called The Irish House which is located to the left of this travel club lounge.
Have you been to the TFS Travel Club lounge at Kolkata airport? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
May i know only priority pass holder can access priority lounge or there is any other card through which we can access that.
U can pay and access. I paid 1750 to enter I do not live in india hense wasn’t aware how these works
Not sure on what basis did you give it 4/5 rating. It is one of the worst lounges in the entire country. Crowded, hardly any choice of food. Poor sitting arrangements. Hardly any facilities.
So you haven’t been to Lucknow, Jaipur or Pune…
If you ever visit Srinagar, the lounge at Lucknow or Jaipur would start feeling premium ones 😀
I saw the lounge in Srinagar and didnt even enter. Though Airport waiting area is far better than the lounge . Too small and the place where they serve food is dirty too
I think you have not visited the Plaza Lounge of Delhi T2 Airport Try visiting once your views will change
I had a flight change at T2 and was hopeful that I could catch some rest and some food at the lounge. Once there, I realised it’s smaller than a tiny cafe…. Hardly a few tables.. all congested. Limited food options. It would be a bit waste if you need to pay for this!
@Yusuf, I agree. Siddharth has been “generous” (for lack of a better word!) with his ratings here, giving it 4/5. I shall be visiting this lounge on Sep 9 and Sep 18, and will share my experience here on this forum.
I recently visited this lounge will give 2.5/5 only. To much rush and food was average.
While I am not sure about class B towns and their airport lounges one thing I can definitely say is that this TFS lounge at Kolkata airport has to be one of the worst amongst the metro city and class A city airport lounges. The issues are by the bucketful. Lazy and vindictive staff, no basic amenities like attached restrooms (forget shower areas), very poor and insipid menu. If your only motive is to go and grab a bite then may be it is just about ok but for anything more it fails miserably.
Come to HYD and BLR and check out the lounges we have here, down South 🙂
I am eagerly waiting for a new second airport in Kolkata operated by private sector. May be then more international carriers will operate from Kolkata. At present it’s a headache to travel to Kolkata from abroad due to lack of nonstop international flights.
Can we use Priority pass for infinia and use premium lounges. I was kicked out of premium lounge name not sure in Chennai international after I showed my DCB. They said they would allow only Priority pass holders. WHat a waste of DCB. Luckily I was accepted at Lotus business class lounge at colombo with DCB.
I desperately need an upgrade coz having lots of embarrassing moments with DCB.
I didn’t end up using the lounge this time around. Some issue with the bank and their terminals not working. However, their response and their ability to serve guests is pathetic. The person who was communicating the information about the failed connectivity between the bank and the lounge could not care less and had absolutely no alternatives.
I’m standing there explaining to them that I do not have multiple credit cards because I do not live in this country, and he continued to ask me if I have other credit cards. I requested to speak with the supervisor to see if they would listen to what I was trying to say and possibly offer me a space to sit. I was not even interested in their food or beverage offerings.
However their team leader who was on the phone with his team member who was standing in front of me was not in the least bit interested to entertain even a phone conversation with me. Eventually I politely requested both names so I may share my feedback with other authorities. And politely left the lounge. Fortunately the airport is absolutely empty, so I am more than comfortable sitting outside. 1/5 for me.
@Mehrotra, I guess you have now had a “taste” of “Indian hospitality” 🙂
>> to see if they would listen to what I was trying to say and possibly offer me a space to sit.
Why do you need a Lounge to “sit”? Kolkata Airport has ample seating in the new terminal.
>> I politely requested both names so I may share my feedback with other authorities.
You are wasting your time… the authorities will 99% be as callous towards Customer Service as the executives. Any other Country would have booted both the Executives (and their so-called “Supervisors”) out a long time ago.
Thanks for this article, I was in Kolkata and read this article and i went to Irish house lounge if I would not have read this I would have gone to normal lounge. I used IDFC first wealth credit card dreamfolks card. I was not charged for this access. This is for the readers who can access this lounge with this card also.
Is it Possible to Have Lounge Access on Arrival, or Only Departure?
@Kunal Singh, Lounges are for people to waste… er, wait… while they have flights to board. On Arrival, people are in such a hurry, they don’t even wait in the plane (they stand as soon as “rubber meets the road”) leave alone waiting at the Airport, in a lounge!!
Kolkata Travel lounge poisoned me.
I spent 1 week in India taking care of the selection of my food. I did it very well. It is not easy for an European to eat Indian spicy food. Last day, last meal, I got poisoned by Kolkata Travel lounge. I vomited in the plane. I had a bad flight. The chief should be fired.
The chief should be fired if all(or 80%) vomited….
@Abdel this is shocking! I guess the “Indian Spice” really got to you (No Pun Intended my friend!) Hope you have recovered fully and are well now, in 2002.
hdfc easyshop platinum debit card , do they accept this debit card for lounge ?
and the variant of my card is VISA
I used Imperia platinum debit cards for self and spouse at Delhi T3 (April this year).
Hi Sonalika,
If you are talking about Rupay platinum debit card, then Its Yes. I tried in Hyderabad lounge. It was accepted.
Yes , its accepted . I tried last month
@Mahendra, thanks for the heads-up (confirmation).
Hi please revert list of airport lounges that are accepting icici bank coral international debit card. I am unable to find it on ICICI Bank website. ICICI Bank coral debit card is not getting accepted at Dreamfolks website where as other card are getting accepted.
If you are arriving on a midnight flight – like on Qatar Airways – and have to wait until the morning, the travel lounges or retiring rooms won’t let you in. You have to wait on the seats there is no other choice. I just checked with the airport staff. I asked them why they don’t have this facility, they put the phone down with usual show of rude behaviour.
The Lounge is small but quite but the staff memebers are excellent. Especially Khokon, Samir and others.