RBL Bank has announced major changes to its airport lounge access program with some of its most popular credit cards, including the RBL World Safari. From introducing new spend-based requirements to modifications to the airport lounge access program for add-on cardholders, four RBL Bank Credit Cards will undergo significant devaluation starting from July 1, 2025.
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Platinum Maxima, Platinum Maxima Plus, World Safari, and Icon Credit Cardholders would need to spend ₹35,000 or more in the previous quarter to be eligible for complimentary domestic airport lounge access in the next quarter.
Spend ₹35,000 for Airport Lounge Access and Other Key Points
- To qualify for complimentary airport lounge access in the upcoming quarter, cardholders must spend a minimum of ₹35,000 in the previous calendar quarter.
- Only qualifying retail purchases will count toward the quarterly spending threshold.
- New cardholders will not be eligible for lounge access during the quarter in which their card is issued.
- Although the spending by add-on cardholders will count towards the required minimum for lounge access, add-on cardholders themselves will not have access to the airport lounges. Complimentary lounge access will only be available to primary RBL Bank Credit Cardholders after they meet the required spending threshold. This is an important limitation to consider.
- Eligible cardholders can access airport lounges starting from the 7th day of the quarter until the end of that quarter. For example, access will be available from July 7, 2025, to September 30, 2025.
- Any unused lounge visits during the quarter will not be carried over to the next quarter.
What Remains the Same?
- There has been no change to the international airport lounge access program as of now.
- RBL Bank Credit Cardholders can still swipe their cards for lounge access after meeting the spending requirement. No vouchers have been introduced like the recent devaluation for HDFC Tata Neu Credit Cards.
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Bottom Line
The upcoming changes, effective July 1, 2025, represent a significant devaluation for RBL Bank Credit Cardholders. A new spending requirement will be introduced, and there are also notable technical changes. For instance, cardholders will not be eligible for free airport lounge access during the first quarter after card issuance. This is unusual, as most credit card issuers typically waive the spending requirement in the first quarter and offer complimentary airport lounge access.
Apart from the minimum spending of ₹35,000 for airport lounge access, RBL Bank has also restricted add-on cardholders from accessing free airport lounge visits. This is a negative change for cardholders, as many users obtain add-on cards so that their family members or close friends can also enjoy access to airport lounges for free.
Overall, these changes are expected to significantly impact the value that customers can derive from these cards, especially since RBL Bank Credit Cards do not offer a great reward rate or any notable lifestyle benefits.
Currently, four RBL Bank credit cards have been devalued: Platinum Maxima, Platinum Maxima Plus, World Safari, and Icon.
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