Free airport lounge visits used to come with almost every mid-range credit card. Over the last two years banks have reduced them, and many now ask you to spend a set amount before a visit is unlocked.
What changed, with real examples
These changes are from cards listed on SkyloFin, as recorded on their card pages:
| Card | When | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| HSBC Live+ | Jul 2026 | Domestic lounge visits cut from 4 a year to 2 a year (one every 6 months) |
| Flipkart Axis Bank | Jun 2025 | Complimentary domestic lounge access withdrawn |
Some premium cards still offer plenty. For example, BOBCARD Etihad Guest Premium lists 12 domestic and 8 international visits a year.
We track these in a monthly roundup: see Card Changes.
The new rules you will see
- Spend to unlock. You get a lounge visit only if you spent a set amount in the previous quarter.
- Fewer visits. Yearly or quarterly limits have come down on many cards.
- A small verification charge. Some lounges charge a token amount on your card to check it is valid.
- Programme matters. Access may be through the card network, a lounge programme or the bank’s own app, each with its own list of lounges.
How to check your card before you fly
- Open your card’s page on SkyloFin and look at Travel and Lounges and Recent Changes.
- Check if a spend condition applies and whether you met it last quarter.
- Confirm your airport’s lounge is on your card’s list.
- Keep the physical card or the programme app ready; some lounges do not accept a card saved in a phone wallet.
Is lounge access worth choosing a card for?
Only if you fly several times a year. If you travel once or twice, a card with better everyday cashback usually gives more value, and a lounge visit can be bought separately when you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Why were lounge visits cut on my card?
Banks have been reducing free visits because of cost. Most now tie lounge access to how much you spend on the card.
Do lounge visits reset every year?
It depends on the card. Some count per quarter, some per year. The card’s terms say which.
Where can I see recent changes to a card?
Each card page on SkyloFin has a Recent Changes section with the date, what it was before and what it is now.
This is general information to help you compare, not financial advice. Fees and features change, so check the bank’s own terms before you apply. Card figures are from SkyloFin’s card pages; card data sourced via CardAdvisor.in.
Updated 3 Oct 2026.
