HDFC Bank is ending the old method of lounge entry for debit card users.
From January 10, 2026, customers will no longer be able to enter lounges by swiping their physical debit card.
Instead, lounge access will work only through digital vouchers or QR codes.
The bank says this move will make the process safer and more convenient.
Earlier, spending Rs 5,000 in a quarter was enough to get lounge access in the next quarter.
Under the new system, the spending requirement has been increased.
New Spending Rule and Voucher Process
To qualify for lounge access now, a customer must spend at least Rs 10,000 in a calendar quarter using their HDFC debit card.
Once the spending target is met, the bank will send an SMS or email within two working days.
This message will include a link to claim the lounge voucher.
After logging in with your registered mobile number and OTP, you can claim the voucher.
Once claimed, a 12–18 digit voucher code or QR code will be sent via SMS and email.
This code must be shown at the lounge entrance.
Infinity debit card holders are exempt from this rule and will continue to get lounge access without any minimum spending.
Voucher Validity and Lounge Network
The lounge voucher will be valid from the date of issue until the end of the next quarter.
For example, a voucher issued in November 2025 will remain valid till March 31, 2026.
HDFC Bank lounge access will continue across its authorised domestic and international lounge network.
This includes major airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
However, the bank has clarified that the list of lounges may change.
Customers are advised to check the latest lounge list through the voucher link or the bank’s website before travelling.
SBI Card Changes: New Lounge Sets Introduced
SBI Card has also restructured its domestic airport lounge access program for select credit cards, effective January 10, 2026.
Under the new system, lounges are divided into Set A and Set B.
The lounge access you get will depend on the type of SBI credit card you hold.
The company says this change will make the lounge network more organised and transparent.
Set A and Set B: Who Gets What
Set A is meant for premium SBI credit card holders. Cards like Club Vistara SBI Card, BPCL SBI Card OCTANE, Paytm SBI Card SELECT, and PhonePe SBI Card SELECT fall under this category.
These users will get access to premium lounges at major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Pune.
Set B covers PRIME and Platinum card holders.
This group includes cards like SBI Card PRIME, PRIME Pro, MILES PRIME, Titan SBI Card, and several bank-branded PRIME and Platinum cards.
Set B users will get access to a wider list of lounges, including airports in cities like Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Chandigarh, Srinagar, Visakhapatnam, and Vadodara.
Charges and Limits You Should Know
For lounge entry, SBI credit cards must still be validated at the lounge POS machine.
A small authorisation fee will apply.
Visa and RuPay cards will have a non-refundable fee of Rs 2. Mastercard users will see a temporary authorisation of Rs 25, which will not be deducted but only blocked for validation.
If your free lounge visit limit is exhausted, entry will either be denied or charged at normal lounge rates.
Food, beverages, alcohol, and extra services like spa or nap rooms may also attract additional charges.
These new SBI Card rules apply to cards with annual fees of Rs 1,499 or Rs 2,999 that have lounge access managed through network partners.
