The changes will affect both debit cardholders and some credit card users, with banks either discontinuing complimentary lounge visits or linking eligibility to spending thresholds.
RuPay Platinum debit cards to lose lounge access
NPCI has directed banks to discontinue complimentary lounge access on RuPay Platinum debit cards from April 1.
Under the revised rules, cardholders will no longer be able to access airport lounges, both domestic and international, or railway lounges using these cards after the deadline.
Several banks have already informed customers about the change.
Punjab National Bank said complimentary domestic lounge access on its RuPay Platinum debit cards will end from April 1. Similarly, HDFC Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank and ESAF Small Finance Bank have also announced the discontinuation of lounge benefits on these cards.
Spend-based access for RuPay Select cards
For RuPay Select debit cards, lounge access will continue but only under a spend-based eligibility model administered through NPCI’s Benefit Management System.
Banks will set minimum spending requirements that cardholders must meet in a previous quarter to qualify for complimentary lounge access in the next period.
For instance, Punjab National Bank said 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 following quarter.
This means that if a cardholder spends ₹5,000 between January 1 and March 31, they may access lounges between April 15 and July 14.
Credit card lounge benefits also being revised
Changes are also coming to some credit cards.
Axis Bank said it will discontinue four complimentary domestic airport lounge visits offered on the Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card from April 12, 2026.
The bank is revising the card’s reward structure at the same time, although the headline cashback rates on Airtel payments will remain unchanged.
Cashback rules on Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card changing
Under the revised structure, cashback caps on Airtel-related spending will be linked to the base cashback earned on other purchases during the same billing cycle.
Cardholders will continue to earn:
- 25% cashback on Airtel mobile, broadband and DTH payments made through the Airtel Thanks app
- 10% cashback on other utility payments through the app
- However, the maximum cashback that can be earned in these categories will now depend on base cashback (1% category) earned in the statement cycle.
- Airtel telecom cashback will be capped at twice the base cashback earned in that month
- Utility cashback will be capped at the same amount as the base cashback
Currently, both categories have a flat monthly cap of ₹250.
Axis Bank said cashback will continue to be credited with a 60-day lag, meaning rewards under the revised system will begin appearing in statements generated on or after June 12, 2026.
Partner rewards structure also changing
The bank is also revising rewards on partner platforms.
The existing 10% cashback on transactions at Swiggy, Zomato and BigBasket will be discontinued.
Instead, cardholders will receive 10% value back on transactions made online with Zomato, Blinkit and District Movies. The value back will be credited to the respective partner wallet rather than the credit card statement.
The benefit will be subject to 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 be eligible
Why banks are changing lounge access benefits
Banks and card networks have been gradually tightening lounge access benefits in recent years as usage surged and costs increased.
Many lenders have shifted toward spend-based eligibility models to ensure that premium travel benefits are available mainly to active card users.
What cardholders should check
- Customers holding RuPay Platinum debit cards should note that complimentary lounge access will end after March 31, 2026.
- Those using RuPay Select cards should review the spending requirements set by their bank to continue accessing lounges.
- Credit card users should also check updated benefit structures, as some banks have begun revising rewards and travel perks alongside lounge access policies.
