If you often travel by plane and use airport lounge access with your debit or credit card, then this news is very important for you. From January 2026, India’s three big card issuing banks – SBI, HDFC, and ICICI – are making major changes in the rules of their cards. These changes will have a direct impact on your lounge access, spending requirements, reward points and certain fees. If you do not understand these new rules on time, you may face problems at the airport.
ICICI Bank Credit Card: New rules from January 15
ICICI Bank has announced new rules for some of its select credit cards, which will be applicable from January 15, 2026. These changes include changes in reward structure, entertainment benefits and charges related to foreign currency (forex) transactions. Apart from this, new fees have also been introduced for certain types of payments. The bank says that the purpose of these changes is to make transactions more transparent, but cardholders will now have to be more careful.
SBI Card: Expansion of lounge network
SBI Card has made changes to its domestic airport lounge access program, which will be effective from January 10, 2026. SBI Credit Card users will now get access to multiple airport lounges across the country under Set-A and Set-B categories, depending on their card type. However, the card will be required to be validated at the POS machine before entering the lounge. This facility is especially applicable on those cards whose annual fee is ₹ 1499 or ₹ 2999.
HDFC Bank: New conditions for debit card users
HDFC Bank has changed the spending limit related to airport lounge access for its debit card customers. Under the new rules, which will come into effect from January 10, 2026, the bank has introduced a voucher-based system. This means customers will have to spend a minimum amount over a period of time to receive free lounge access, which has almost doubled from the previous requirement.
Why is it important to know about this update?
With the increase in air travel, the demand for airport lounges has also increased rapidly. In view of this, banks are now linking free services to spending needs. So, if you reach the airport relying on the old rules, you may be disappointed.
