The New Reality of Lounge Access
For years, simply holding the right credit or debit card was your ticket to a pre-flight oasis. However, a surge in travellers and rising operational costs have led banks to recalibrate this popular benefit. Starting in 2026, many Indian banks have shifted
from offering complimentary lounge access as a default feature to a conditional privilege. This new model is built around "spending milestones," meaning your eligibility for lounge access in a given period is directly tied to how much you spent in the previous one. This change aims to reward high-spending customers and manage overcrowding, ensuring a better experience for those who qualify.
Decoding the Spending Milestone
A spending milestone is a minimum amount you must spend on your credit card within a specific timeframe, typically a calendar quarter, to unlock a benefit like lounge access for the next quarter. For instance, a bank might require you to spend ₹75,000 between April and June to be eligible for lounge visits between July and September. These thresholds vary significantly from one card to another. It's also crucial to know which transactions count. Banks often exclude expenses like rent, fuel, insurance, and government payments from the qualifying spend, so it's important to read the fine print.
Updates from Major Banks
Several major players in the Indian market have rolled out new spend-based rules. For example, some ICICI Bank credit cards, including the MakeMyTrip and Adani One co-branded cards, now require a quarterly spend of ₹75,000 to unlock complimentary lounge access. Similarly, HDFC Bank has implemented a spend-based system for many of its cards. The Regalia Gold and Diners Club Privilege cards now require a ₹60,000 spend in the previous quarter to qualify for domestic lounge access in the next. Axis Bank has also updated its policies across several cards, with many now requiring a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the prior three months to activate lounge benefits. Even debit cards, which once offered this perk freely, are following suit, with some HDFC Bank RuPay Debit Cards now requiring a ₹20,000 spend over six months.
Are All Cards Affected?
While the trend is widespread, it doesn't affect every card equally. Super-premium, invitation-only cards like the HDFC Infinia, ICICI Bank Emeralde, and American Express Platinum continue to offer unlimited or near-unlimited lounge access without stringent spending conditions, though they come with high annual fees. For most other cardholders, however, the days of passive benefits are over. The changes mean that cards that were once valuable primarily for their travel perks might lose their appeal if the spending milestones are out of reach for the user.
Strategies to Retain Your Lounge Access
Navigating this new landscape requires a more strategic approach to your spending. First, identify your primary travel card and consolidate your monthly expenses onto it to ensure you meet the quarterly milestone. Planning large, eligible purchases like electronics or holiday shopping can help you cross the spending threshold just before a quarter ends. Regularly track your progress through your bank's app or net banking portal, which often have dedicated sections to monitor your milestone achievements. Finally, re-evaluate if your card still serves your needs. If lounge access is a priority and you consistently fall short of the spending target, it may be time to consider a different card that better aligns with your spending habits or offers more attainable benefits.
