Airport Lounge Access Rules Changing From April 2026: Key Updates for Card Users

Airport lounge access benefits on debit and credit cards in India will change from April 2026. Banks and payment networks are revising their policies, which may impact how cardholders access lounges and earn rewards.

RuPay Platinum Debit Cards to Lose Lounge Access

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has decided to remove complimentary lounge access on RuPay Platinum debit cards starting April 1, 2026.

This means users will no longer get free access to:

• Domestic airport lounges
• International airport lounges
• Railway lounges

Several banks, including Punjab National Bank and HDFC Bank, have already informed customers about this change.

RuPay Select Cards to Follow Spend-Based Model

Lounge access will continue for RuPay Select debit cards, but with conditions.

• Users must meet a minimum spending requirement in the previous quarter
• Access will be granted in the next quarter based on that spending

For example, some banks require at least ₹5,000 spending per quarter to qualify for lounge access.

Changes in Credit Card Lounge Benefits

Axis Bank has also updated benefits on certain credit cards.

• The Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card will no longer offer free domestic lounge visits from April 12, 2026
• Other reward benefits on the card are also being revised

Cashback Rules Revised for Airtel Axis Credit Card

The cashback structure will now depend on overall spending:

• 25% cashback on Airtel services (via Airtel Thanks app)
• 10% cashback on utility payments

However, cashback limits will now be linked to base cashback earned (1% category):

• Airtel cashback: capped at 2x base cashback
• Utility cashback: capped at equal to base cashback

Earlier, both categories had a fixed ₹250 monthly cap.

Cashback will continue to be credited with a 60-day delay.

Partner Rewards Also Updated

The reward structure on partner platforms is also changing:

• Cashback on platforms like Swiggy and BigBasket will be discontinued
• New benefits include 10% value back on platforms like Zomato and Blinkit

Conditions include:

• Maximum ₹200 benefit per partner per month
• Minimum order value of ₹499
• Rewards credited to partner wallets, not the credit card

Why These Changes Are Happening

Banks are revising lounge access and rewards because:

• Lounge usage has increased significantly
• Costs for banks have gone up
• Benefits are being limited to active spenders

Also Read: RBI Plans Major KCC Revamp; Higher Credit Limits and Extended Tenure Ahead!

What Cardholders Should Do

• RuPay Platinum users should note that lounge access ends after March 31, 2026
• RuPay Select users must check spending requirements
• Credit card users should review the updated reward and lounge policies

Conclusion

The new rules mark a shift towards spend-based benefits and reduced free perks. Cardholders should review their card usage and spending patterns to continue enjoying lounge access and rewards under the updated system.

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