The upcoming revisions will impact both debit and some credit card users, with banks either eliminating complimentary lounge access or tying it to certain spending thresholds.
Loss of lounge access for RuPay Platinum debit cards
The NPCI has mandated that banks cease complimentary lounge access for RuPay Platinum debit cards starting April 1.
Following the updated rules, cardholders will no longer have access to airport lounges, whether domestic or international, or railway lounges with these cards once the deadline passes.
Numerous banks have already notified customers about this transition.
Punjab National Bank announced that complimentary domestic lounge access for its RuPay Platinum debit cards will be terminated on April 1. Similarly, HDFC Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, and ESAF Small Finance Bank have confirmed the discontinuation of lounge benefits on these cards.
RuPay Select cards to offer spend-based lounge access
For those with RuPay Select debit cards, lounge access will persist but will be contingent on a spend-based eligibility model overseen by NPCI’s Benefit Management System.
Banks will establish minimum spending requirements that must be met in a previous quarter for cardholders to gain complimentary lounge access in the subsequent period.
For example, Punjab National Bank stated that its RuPay Select debit cardholders must spend a minimum of ₹5,000 through point-of-sale or e-commerce transactions within a quarter to qualify for domestic airport lounge access the following quarter.
This implies that if a cardholder spends ₹5,000 between January 1 and March 31, they could access lounges between April 15 and July 14.
Revisions to credit card lounge benefits
Axis Bank has announced that it will eliminate four complimentary domestic airport lounge visits associated with the Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card from April 12, 2026.
The bank is simultaneously revising the card’s rewards structure, though the headline cashback rates on Airtel payments will remain unchanged.
Changes to cashback rules for Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card
Under the new structure, cashback limits on Airtel-related spending will now depend on the base cashback earned from other purchases within the same billing cycle.
- 25% cashback on Airtel mobile, broadband, and DTH payments made via the Airtel Thanks app
- 10% cashback on other utility payments through the app
- The maximum cashback in these categories will now be tied to the base cashback (1% category) accumulated during the billing cycle.
- Airtel telecom cashback will be capped at two times the base cashback earned in that month
- Utility cashback will also be capped at the same amount as the base cashback
Currently, both categories have a uniform monthly cap of ₹250.
Axis Bank indicated that cashback will continue to be credited with a 60-day lag, meaning rewards under the new system will start appearing in statements issued on or after June 12, 2026.
Alterations to partner rewards structure
The bank is also adjusting rewards on partner platforms.
The existing 10% cashback on transactions with Swiggy, Zomato, and BigBasket will be phased out.
Instead, cardholders will receive 10% value back on online transactions with Zomato, Blinkit, and District Movies. The value back will be credited to the respective partner wallet rather than the credit card statement.
This benefit will come with conditions, including:
- A maximum value back of ₹200 per partner each month
- A minimum order value of ₹499 for Zomato and Blinkit transactions
- Wallet loads and gift card purchases will be ineligible
Reasons for changes in lounge access benefits
Banks and card networks have been progressively tightening lounge access benefits in recent years due to increased usage and rising costs.
Many financial institutions have shifted toward spend-based eligibility models to ensure that premium travel benefits are primarily accessible to active cardholders.
Considerations for cardholders
- Customers with RuPay Platinum debit cards should be aware that complimentary lounge access will cease after March 31, 2026.
- Those using RuPay Select cards should review their bank’s spending requirements to maintain lounge access.
- Credit card holders should also verify updated benefit structures, as some banks are revising rewards and travel perks in conjunction with lounge access policies.
