Why the Rules Are Changing
For years, complimentary lounge access was a key marketing tool for banks to attract new customers. Even entry-level cards offered a few visits a year. However, as passenger traffic surged post-pandemic, so did lounge usage. This created a significant
cost for banks, who pay lounge operators a fee for every customer visit. To manage these rising expenses and ensure the perk is rewarding their most active customers, many lenders have shifted to a spend-based model. The logic is simple: banks want to subsidise this benefit for customers who frequently use their cards for retail purchases, not just for those holding the card for its travel perks. This move also aims to reduce overcrowding in airport lounges, which had become a common complaint among travellers.
The New Reality: Spend to Enter
The most significant change is the introduction of minimum spending thresholds. Instead of getting automatic access, cardholders must now spend a certain amount in a preceding period—usually a calendar quarter—to unlock lounge visits for the next quarter. For example, ICICI Bank now requires users of many of its cards to spend ₹35,000 or more in a quarter to gain complimentary lounge access in the following one. Similarly, HDFC Bank has implemented spending criteria across several cards. For its Business Regalia card, users must spend ₹1 lakh in a quarter to qualify for two domestic lounge visits. For some HDFC Bank debit cards, the quarterly spend requirement was doubled from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000. Axis Bank has also set a minimum eligible spend of ₹50,000 in the previous three calendar months for many of its cards.
How Popular Cards Are Affected
The changes have impacted a wide range of popular credit and debit cards. RuPay Platinum debit cards, for instance, lost complimentary lounge access entirely starting April 1, 2026. While RuPay Select debit cards retain the benefit, it is now conditional on meeting minimum spending requirements set by the issuing bank, often around ₹5,000 per quarter. Co-branded cards have also seen significant revisions. The Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card discontinued its complimentary domestic lounge visits from April 12, 2026. HDFC Bank moved its Tata Neu Infinity cardholders from a swipe-based system to a voucher-based one, contingent on spending at least ₹50,000 in a quarter. Even premium cards are not immune, with banks using spending to differentiate tiers of access. The Axis Atlas Credit Card, for example, offers a varying number of domestic and international lounge visits based on annual spending milestones ranging from ₹3 lakh to ₹15 lakh.
Navigating the New Voucher System
Another major shift is the move from simply swiping your card at the lounge to a digital voucher-based system. Many HDFC Bank cardholders, for instance, no longer gain entry with their physical card. Instead, upon meeting the spending threshold, the bank sends an SMS or email with a link. The user must click this link, validate with an OTP, and claim the lounge access voucher. This generates a unique code or QR code that must be presented at the lounge for entry. While intended to streamline the process, it adds an extra step for travellers, who must now remember to claim their voucher before heading to the airport. It's crucial to check your bank's specific process, as failing to claim the voucher beforehand means you won't get access.
Strategies for the Modern Traveller
With lounge access no longer a given, travellers need to be more strategic. First, actively monitor your eligibility by checking your card statements against the required spending thresholds. Consolidate your spending onto one primary card that offers lounge benefits to ensure you meet the quarterly targets. If your current card's requirements are too steep, it might be time to explore alternatives. While many cards have added spending rules, some still offer access with no or low minimum spends. For example, the Scapia Federal Bank Credit Card offers unlimited domestic lounge access on a relatively low monthly spend of ₹5,000. Others, like the PNB Luxura Premium Metal Credit Card, may offer unlimited access for a higher annual fee. Always review your bank's official communications, as these rules can continue to evolve.
