HDFC Bank Revises Debit Card Lounge Access Rules: Card Swipe Entry Ends, New Voucher System from January 10

If you use an HDFC Bank debit card mainly for airport lounge access, an important change is coming your way. HDFC Bank has announced a major revision in its debit card lounge access policy, effective from January 10, 2026. Under the new rules, customers will no longer be able to enter airport lounges simply by swiping their physical debit cards. Instead, the bank is introducing a digital voucher-based system along with stricter minimum spending requirements.

This update will apply to most HDFC Bank debit cardholders and is expected to change how travellers plan their lounge visits in the new year.

What Has Changed in Lounge Access Rules?

Until now, eligible HDFC Bank debit cardholders could access airport lounges by swiping their physical card at the lounge terminal. From January 10, 2026, this process will be discontinued.

Under the new system, lounge access will be allowed only after meeting a specified spending requirement. Once the eligibility criteria are met, HDFC Bank will send a link via SMS or email to the registered contact details of the cardholder. Customers will need to complete OTP verification using this link. After successful verification, a digital voucher code or QR code will be generated. This voucher or QR code must be shown at the lounge to gain entry.

In simple terms, lounge access will now be pre-approved digitally rather than being granted instantly at the lounge counter.

Minimum Spending Requirement Becomes Stricter

Another key change is the increase in the minimum quarterly spending threshold. For most HDFC Bank debit cards, the required quarterly spend has been raised from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000. This spending can be completed through one or multiple transactions and can include both online and offline purchases.

However, there is an exception. The HDFC Bank Infiniti Debit Card will continue to offer lounge access without any minimum spending condition. Cardholders of this premium variant will not be affected by the revised spend requirement.

Free Lounge Visits Remain Unchanged

While the access process and spending criteria have changed, the number of free lounge visits available per quarter remains the same for each debit card category. The current limits are as follows:

• Millennia Debit Card: 1 free visit per quarter

• Platinum Debit Card: 2 free visits per quarter

• Times Points Debit Card: 1 free visit per quarter

• Business Debit Card: 2 free visits per quarter

• GIGA Debit Card: 1 free visit per quarter

• Infiniti Debit Card: 4 free visits per quarter

This means eligible customers will still enjoy the same number of complimentary visits, provided they meet the new eligibility conditions.

Transactions That Will Not Count Towards Spending

HDFC Bank has also clarified which transactions will not be considered while calculating the quarterly spending requirement. The following will be excluded:

• ATM cash withdrawals

• UPI payments

• Wallet transactions (such as Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm)

• Debit card payments made towards credit card bill payments

• Debit card EMI transactions

Only retail purchase transactions—online or offline—will be counted towards meeting the ₹10,000 quarterly spend. Even new debit cardholders will need to fulfil this spending requirement to become eligible for lounge access.

Voucher Validity and Lounge Entry Conditions

The validity of lounge access vouchers will depend on when they are generated:

• Vouchers generated on or after November 15, 2025, will remain valid until March 31, 2026

• Vouchers generated from January 10, 2026, will be valid until June 30, 2026

HDFC Bank has also reiterated that lounge entry is subject to availability. Access will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and entry may be restricted due to overcrowding or operational reasons. Most lounges also enforce a stay limit of around two to three hours per visit.

What Cardholders Should Keep in Mind

With this change, debit card users will need to plan ahead if they wish to use airport lounge facilities. Simply carrying the card will no longer be enough. Ensuring that the minimum spending requirement is met and keeping track of voucher messages from the bank will be essential.

The shift to a digital voucher system reflects a broader trend among banks to control costs and prevent misuse of lounge benefits. While the number of free visits remains unchanged, the added steps and higher spending threshold mean that lounge access may now feel less automatic for many users.

Debit cardholders are advised to review their card variant benefits carefully and stay updated with official communication from HDFC Bank to avoid last-minute inconvenience during travel.