In India, banks are tightening access to complimentary airport lounges linked to credit cards, introducing minimum spending requirements. This shift aims to reduce costs as lounge usage increases, making access a privilege for active, high-spending customers rather than a free perk for all cardholders.

• 01Complimentary lounge access is increasingly tied to minimum spending thresholds, with banks like HDFC and ICICI implementing new rules.
• 02Many banks now require quarterly spending of around ₹35,000 for complimentary lounge visits, reflecting a shift in customer classification.
• 03Superpremium cards still offer unlimited lounge access but come with high annual fees, while mid-tier cards have structured access with spending criteria.
• 04Lounge access has transitioned from a mass-market benefit to a reward for engaged customers, requiring careful monitoring of spending and usage rules.
• 05The distinction between domestic and international lounge access is important, with different networks and programs governing access.

Travelers need to adapt to new spending requirements for accessing airport lounges, impacting how they use their credit cards.