Important alert for all credit card users! From January 10, 2026, major banks like SBI Card and HDFC Bank are changing airport lounge access rules. SBI Card is restructuring its domestic lounge program with new categories and small validation fees, while HDFC Bank is shifting debit card lounge entry to a digital voucher system with higher spend requirement.
These updates affect lakhs of frequent flyers and premium cardholders. Domestic lounge benefits remain strong, but processes are becoming stricter to manage overcrowding.
Know Complete Details of SBI Card Lounge Access Changes 2026
SBI Card’s new domestic lounge program starts January 10, 2026. It applies to cards with annual fees of ₹1,499 or ₹2,999 (managed by Visa, Mastercard, RuPay partners).
Key changes:
- Lounges divided into Set A (premium cards) and Set B (Prime/Platinum cards).
- Set A cards: Apollo SBI SELECT, BPCL OCTANE, Club Vistara SBI, Landmark Rewards SELECT, Paytm SELECT, PhonePe SELECT – access to exclusive lounges in major airports.
- Set B cards: SBI PRIME, PRIME Pro, Titan, KrisFlyer, co-branded Prime/Platinum – wider network including smaller cities.
- Entry only after validating card at lounge POS machine.
- Validation fee: ₹2 (non-refundable) for Visa/RuPay; ₹25 temporary hold (refunded) for Mastercard.
Other SBI cards keep existing benefits unchanged.
HDFC Bank Debit Card Lounge Access New Rules from January 10
HDFC Bank is revamping debit card complimentary lounge access (credit cards unaffected for now).
- Old system ends: No more direct swipe at lounge.
- New: Digital voucher system mandatory from January 10, 2026.
- Eligibility: Spend ₹10,000 per quarter on debit card (doubled from ₹5,000 earlier).
- Qualifying spends: Only retail/online purchases; exclude cash withdrawal, UPI, wallet load, EMI, credit card payments.
- Voucher: Sent via SMS/email within 2-3 days; claim via link.
- Validity: Till end of next quarter (e.g., January voucher valid till June 30).
Applies to lounges in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, etc.
Which Cards Are Affected & What Benefits Remain
- SBI Credit Cards: Only mid-premium (₹1,499-₹2,999 fee) affected; higher cards like Elite/Pulse unchanged.
- HDFC: Mainly debit cards; popular credit cards like Regalia, Infinia, Diners Black continue existing lounge rules (some already voucher-based).
- Complimentary visits: Still 4-8 per quarter/year depending on card variant.
- Guests: Often charged extra as per lounge policy.
How It Affects You – Tips to Avoid Trouble from January 10
- Frequent flyers: Check your card type on bank app/website for Set A/B (SBI) or spend tracking (HDFC debit).
- Plan spends: Meet ₹10,000 quarterly for HDFC debit vouchers.
- Carry physical card: Required for validation.
- Backup option: Consider premium cards with unlimited access or Priority Pass.
- Edge cases: Add-on cards may have separate limits; international lounges mostly unchanged.
These changes aim to reduce misuse and overcrowding while keeping benefits for genuine users.
Do you have SBI or HDFC card? How will these lounge rules impact your travel? Comment below and share your views!
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