HDFC Bank has tweaked the complimentary airport lounge access norms for its debit card holders. From January 10, lounge access will move from a physical card-based system to a voucher-based process, requiring a higher minimum spending.
Here’s what debit cardholders need to know:
Voucher-based access
At present, eligible customers can access lounges by swiping their debit card at the lounge.
From January 10, only those customers who meet the spending criteria will receive a lounge access voucher.
Once eligibility is confirmed, HDFC Bank will send an SMS or email with a link to claim the voucher. After claiming it, customers will receive a voucher code or QR code, which must be shown at the lounge for entry.
Higher minimum spend
The private bank has doubled the quarterly spend requirement for most debit cards.
For complimentary lounge access in a calendar quarter, customers must spend Rs 10,000 or more using their HDFC Bank debit card during the period. At present, the threshold is Rs 5,000.
The spending condition does not apply to the Infiniti Debit Card, which continues to offer lounge access without any minimum spend.
Spends can be made through a single transaction or multiple transactions, online or in-store.
Lounge visits
The number of complimentary lounge visits remains unchanged and depends on the debit card variant:
Airport Lounge access on Debit Cards
What transactions count towards the spend?
Only purchases made using the HDFC Bank debit card are eligible.
The following will not be counted:
New debit cardholders must also meet the Rs 10,000 spend requirement to qualify.
How will the voucher system work?
Once the quarterly spend requirement is met, eligible customers will receive an SMS or email within two working days with a link to claim their voucher. Customers must log in using the registered mobile number and verify OTPs to complete the claim.
After successful verification, a 12-18 digit voucher code or QR code will be sent via SMS and email. This must be presented at the empanelled lounge for complimentary access.
Previously claimed vouchers can be reissued through the bank’s voucher helpdesk website.
Voucher validity
Lounge vouchers will be valid from the date of generation until the end of the next calendar quarter.
For example:
Lounge access is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Lounges may enforce a maximum stay, typically two-three hours.
Lounge staff may deny or terminate access due to safety, conduct, or regulatory reasons.
HDFC Bank’s updated lounge access programme places greater emphasis on higher usage and digital verification. Customers who rely on lounge access will need to track quarterly spends more carefully and remember that physical debit card swipes will no work from January 10.
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