Why the Rules Are Changing
Complimentary lounge access was a powerful tool for banks to attract new customers. However, as air travel surged post-pandemic, lounges became overcrowded and the cost for banks ballooned. Card issuers, who pay lounge operators for every visit, found
the model unsustainable. Many users signed up for cards purely for this perk without using them for regular spending, making them unprofitable for the banks. As a result, issuers like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank have systematically tightened the rules to ensure the benefit is reserved for their more active and profitable customers. This marks a strategic shift from acquiring customers to rewarding valuable ones.
The New Barrier: Minimum Spending
The most significant new hurdle is the introduction of spend-based criteria. Many banks now require you to spend a minimum amount in a preceding quarter to unlock complimentary lounge visits for the next one. For instance, many ICICI Bank cards require a spend of around ₹35,000 in a quarter to qualify for lounge access in the next. Similarly, Axis Bank has linked lounge access to spending milestones on several of its cards. This policy change ensures that only customers who actively use their cards for purchases are rewarded with lounge access, effectively ending the perk for those who only kept the card for travel benefits.
What 'Entry-Level' Means Now
For the purpose of lounge access, an 'entry-level' card can be defined as one with a low annual fee (under ₹1,000) or one that is offered as 'Lifetime Free' (LTF). These cards were once champions of democratising travel perks. Today, while some still offer lounge access, the benefit is almost always conditional. For example, the Scapia Federal Bank Credit Card, which is lifetime-free, offers unlimited domestic lounge access, but only if you spend at least ₹5,000 in the previous billing cycle. Similarly, some RuPay select debit cards retain the benefit, but only after meeting quarterly spending targets of around ₹5,000. The popular RuPay Platinum debit cards, however, had their complimentary lounge access benefit removed entirely as of April 2026.
Cards That Still Offer Access (With a Catch)
Despite the widespread restrictions, some entry-level and low-fee cards still provide a pathway to the lounge. The key is to find a card where the spending requirement aligns with your regular budget. The Ixigo AU Credit Card, often available with no joining or annual fee, offers a generous number of domestic lounge visits. The Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card offers a couple of domestic lounge visits per year without a spending criteria, but international access was discontinued. The IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card is another no-annual-fee option that provides a set number of domestic and international lounge visits per quarter and year, respectively, without a reported spend condition as of mid-2026. However, cardholders must always verify the latest terms, as banks frequently revise them.
How to Navigate the New Landscape
First, read the fine print for your existing cards. Check the bank's website for the most current terms and conditions, as benefits can change with little notice. If your card has a spending requirement, plan your expenses to meet the threshold in the quarter before you travel. Second, don't assume your card works everywhere; lounge access programs like Dreamfolks and Priority Pass have different partner lounges. Finally, if you are a frequent traveller, it might be more cost-effective to upgrade to a mid-tier or premium card. While they come with higher annual fees, cards like the SBI Card PRIME or HDFC Regalia Gold offer more generous lounge access allowances that can justify the cost if used regularly.
