These modifications will influence both debit card users and some credit card holders, with banks either eliminating complimentary lounge visits or tying eligibility to specific spending thresholds.
Loss of lounge access for RuPay Platinum debit cards
Starting April 1, NPCI has mandated banks to cease complimentary lounge access for RuPay Platinum debit cards.
Under the updated regulations, cardholders will be unable to access either domestic or international airport lounges or railway lounges with these cards post-deadline.
Many banks have already notified customers of this change.
Punjab National Bank has stated that complimentary domestic lounge access for its RuPay Platinum debit cards will stop from April 1. Similarly, HDFC Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, and ESAF Small Finance Bank have also declared the removal of lounge benefits on these cards.
Spend-based lounge access for RuPay Select cards
For RuPay Select debit cards, lounge access will persist but will transition to a spend-based eligibility model managed through NPCI’s Benefit Management System.
Banks will establish minimum spending requirements that cardholders must achieve in a preceding quarter to qualify for complimentary lounge access in the next one.
For example, Punjab National Bank has indicated that its RuPay Select debit cardholders will need to spend at least ₹5,000 through point-of-sale or e-commerce transactions in a quarter to be eligible for domestic airport lounge access in the subsequent quarter.
Thus, if a cardholder spends ₹5,000 between January 1 and March 31, they may access lounges from April 15 to July 14.
Revisions to credit card lounge benefits
Axis Bank has announced it will eliminate the four complimentary domestic airport lounge visits provided with the Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card starting April 12, 2026.
Alongside this, the bank is modifying the card’s reward structure, although the headline cashback rates on Airtel transactions will remain unchanged.
Changes to cashback rules on the Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card
Under the revised framework, cashback caps for Airtel-related spending will be connected to the base cashback earned on other purchases within the same billing period.
- 25% cashback on Airtel mobile, broadband, and DTH payments made via the Airtel Thanks app
- 10% cashback on additional utility payments through the app
- However, the maximum cashback achievable in these categories will now be contingent on the base cashback (1% category) earned during the statement cycle.
- Airtel telecom cashback will be constrained to twice the base cashback earned that month
- Utility cashback will be limited to the same amount as the base cashback
Presently, both categories have a uniform monthly cap of ₹250.
Axis Bank mentioned that cashback will continue to be credited after a 60-day delay, meaning rewards under the revised scheme will start appearing on statements issued on or after June 12, 2026.
Changes to partner rewards structure
The bank is also updating rewards on partner platforms.
The current 10% cashback on transactions at Swiggy, Zomato, and BigBasket will be phased out.
Instead, cardholders will earn 10% value back on online transactions with Zomato, Blinkit, and District Movies. This value back will be credited to the respective partner wallet instead of the credit card statement.
This benefit will be subject to specific conditions, including:
- Maximum value back of ₹200 per partner per month
- Minimum order value of ₹499 for Zomato and Blinkit transactions
- Wallet loads and gift card purchases will not qualify
Reasons behind changes to lounge access benefits
Banks and card networks have been progressively tightening lounge access benefits in recent years, prompted by increased usage and rising costs.
Numerous lenders are shifting towards spend-based eligibility models to ensure premium travel benefits are mainly accessible to active card users.
What cardholders should review
- Customers with RuPay Platinum debit cards should be aware that complimentary lounge access will conclude after March 31, 2026.
- Holders of RuPay Select cards should assess the spending prerequisites set by their bank to maintain lounge access.
- Credit card users need to check updated benefit structures, as several banks are beginning to modify rewards and travel perks alongside lounge access policies.
