Banks Tighten Airport Lounge Access Rules On Credit Cards, Raise Spending Thresholds

Airport lounge access, once considered one of the most attractive perks of premium credit cards, is becoming harder to obtain. Recently, HDFC Bank revised the lounge access benefits on some of its popular credit cards by increasing minimum spending thresholds and limiting unconditional entry access. Similarly, several banks have also started tightening premium credit card benefits amid a sharp rise in airport lounge usage. As a result, what was once a widely available feature is now increasingly being reserved for high-spending customers.

Here's a look at the banks that have revised airport lounge access rules on their credit cards, according to Moneycontrol:

HDFC Diners Club Privilege

Starting July 1, 2026, cardholders will need to spend at least Rs 60,000 in a calendar quarter to unlock lounge benefits for the following quarter. Eligible customers will receive:

•Two complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter
•One complimentary international airport lounge visit per quarter

The lounge benefit will now be entirely spend-based.

HDFC Regalia Gold

HDFC Regalia Gold customers will continue to receive up to three complimentary domestic lounge visits per calendar quarter, but only after meeting the spending criteria. To qualify, cardholders must spend at least Rs 60,000 in the previous quarter. Lounge eligibility will reset every quarter based on spending in the immediately preceding quarter.
International airport lounge access remains unchanged, with:

•Six complimentary international lounge visits per year through Priority Pass

The benefit can be availed through direct card swipe at participating lounges.

IndusInd Pinnacle

IndusInd Bank has fixed the spending threshold at Rs 1.5 lakh. After meeting this spending requirement, cardholders will receive:

•One domestic airport lounge visit
•One international airport lounge visit through Priority Pass

Kotak White

Starting April 2026, Kotak White credit cardholders must spend Rs 1 lakh in the previous calendar quarter to unlock lounge benefits. Eligible users will receive:

•Two domestic airport lounge visits per quarter
•Four international airport lounge visits per year through Priority Pass

Why Banks Are Tightening Airport Lounge Access Rules On Credit Cards?

Airport lounge access was originally positioned as a premium benefit for high-end credit card users. However, over the years, banks extended the feature to entry-level and mid-tier cards, leading to a sharp rise in usage and overcrowding at airport lounges. This surge has significantly increased costs for banks, as they pay lounge operators each time a customer enters. A single domestic lounge visit reportedly costs banks around Rs 800. With millions of cardholders using the facility more frequently, the overall expense burden has risen substantially.

At the same time, banks have been facing growing pressure on profitability due to rising credit card defaults and regulatory tightening. In November 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directed banks to set aside higher capital for unsecured loans, including credit card debt, amid concerns over the rapid growth of personal loans, which further increased compliance and capital costs for lenders.

Due to this pressure, banks started increasingly cutting back on expensive reward programs and premium perks, with airport lounge access becoming one of the first benefits to be restricted.