The End of an Era for Free Perks
For years, complimentary access to airport lounges was a key selling point for credit cards in India, offered even on many entry-level cards. However, as air travel surged post-pandemic, lounges became overcrowded, and the costs for banks subsidising
these visits ballooned. In response, a majority of Indian banks have begun tightening the rules, shifting from offering lounge access as a standard feature to a reward reserved for customers who actively use their cards and meet certain spending thresholds. This change marks a fundamental shift in the credit card rewards landscape, turning a widely available perk into one that must be earned.
New Spending Rules from Major Banks
Several of India’s largest banks have implemented quarterly spending requirements to unlock lounge access. For instance, starting July 1, 2026, some HDFC Bank cardholders must spend at least ₹60,000 in a preceding quarter to qualify for complimentary domestic lounge visits in the next one. Similarly, many ICICI Bank credit cards now require a minimum spend of ₹35,000 in a calendar quarter to enable lounge access in the following quarter. Axis Bank has also moved to a spend-based model for most of its cards, requiring a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the last three months to use the complimentary domestic lounge facility. These thresholds are designed to ensure that the benefit is prioritised for higher-spending customers.
Which Cards Are Impacted?
The changes are widespread, affecting debit cards as well. As of April 1, 2026, complimentary lounge access was discontinued for all RuPay Platinum debit cards, a decision by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) that impacted customers of numerous banks. Similarly, some banks like Punjab National Bank have also ended the free lounge facility on their Mastercard Platinum debit cards. On the credit card front, co-branded cards have seen significant changes. For example, the Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card no longer offers complimentary lounge visits. Even popular mid-tier cards like the HDFC Bank Regalia Gold and various cards in the Tata Neu series now have spend-based criteria. Cardholders must now check the specific terms for their card, as benefits can no longer be taken for granted.
How to Keep Your Lounge Access
For travelers who value their pre-flight sanctuary, adapting to the new rules is key. The most straightforward strategy is to consolidate your spending. By focusing your regular monthly expenses onto one primary credit card, you are more likely to meet the quarterly spending targets set by the bank. It's also crucial to understand what transactions count towards the minimum spend. Many banks exclude payments for rent, education, and utilities, as well as EMI transactions. Another approach is to consider upgrading to a premium credit card. Cards like the HDFC Infinia or Axis Bank Magnus often come with unlimited or a higher number of complimentary lounge visits without stringent spending conditions, though they carry a much higher annual fee. Lastly, always check your bank's app or website before travel, as some now require you to generate a voucher to access the lounge, moving away from the simple card swipe system.
