Axis Bank Revises Available Lounge List wef 01 Jun 23

[Salvo08]

Axis Bank has restricted the Number of Lounges which the card owner could visit within the country. They probably are also doing away with the complimentary PP access to Lounges which otherwise was allowed on some super and ultra premium cards (needs to be clarified). Check out the revised list….

https://www.axisbank.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/axis-bank-airport-lounge-access-program.pdf

 

[R!ppEr]

I have been using it since last quite few months , already exhausted guest access on domestic lounges such as Irish house Kolkata & 080 Bangalore , and each time reversal has been automatically processed .
It’s definitely is a product feature and not a bug as Same has been confirmed from MD desk .
Still devaluation can happen anytime , and even domestic lounge access can be removed as this are non spend based benefits so no one can be confident on that

How many days does it take for reversal

 

[anirban.choudhuryanirban.choudhury is verified member.]

How many days does it take for reversal

As per my last transaction statement
Amount was charged on 25th April and reversed automatically on 27th

 

[dyegosousas]

As far as I could see it does not affect Magnus or am I missing something?

 

[chbhk619]

As far as I could see it does not affect Magnus or am I missing something?

International terminals were removed.

 

[kirtivardhan]

As far as I could see it does not affect Magnus or am I missing something?

If you see the new list and compare it with the old, it does not have access to lounges in international terminals (even for reserve/magnus) similarly access to 080 in T1 BLR has been taken away

 

[R!ppEr]

If you see the new list and compare it with the old, it does not have access to lounges in international terminals (even for reserve/magnus) similarly access to 080 in T1 BLR has been taken away

for that you have the PP right?

 

[dyegosousas]

for that you have the PP right?

I was thinking the same. PP can be used, can`t it?

 

[anirban.choudhuryanirban.choudhury is verified member.]

Yes PP can be used
There is not much effect to HNi cards like Magnus/Reserve

 

[kirtivardhan]

for that you have the PP right?

You are correct PP can be used but as per the earlier list, PP was not required. So theoretically I could swipe either magnus/reserve for myself and swipe the pp for a guest, in essence saving my guest access for terminals outside India. Which would no longer be possible

 

[R!ppEr]

You are correct PP can be used but as per the earlier list, PP was not required. So theoretically I could swipe either magnus/reserve for myself and swipe the pp for a guest, in essence saving my guest access for terminals outside India. Which would no longer be possible

so before 1st we can swipe magnus and add-on for guest in any international lounge in india? asking since im travelling tonight 😀

 

[kirtivardhan]

so before 1st we can swipe magnus and add-on for guest in any international lounge in india? asking since im travelling tonight 😀

Yep, officially lounge executives have to match names with the boarding pass but they dont really care. Has always worked for me.

 

[TheHurtLocker]

I agree the biggest devaluation is the 080 lounge removal from BLR T1 terminal !

Not sure why this sudden move by Axis to reduce the number of lounges at this juncture; i thought they would want to step up the game to gain market share, this seems like a cheap shot !

Even in the old list 080 was not mentioned explicitly. Let's wait till 1st, I don't think they will remove access for Magnus/Reserve.

 

[Deleted member 9785]

Very good move by axis bank. I am sure more banks will follow the same pattern. International lounge access have become unmanageable because of huge access to credit card/debit card owners. Now priority pass will/should be used at International terminals. Also high demand domestic terminal may be reserved in future for high end cards like infinia metal and amex plat.

Maybe passangers pissing in international flights are found to have been free boozing at lounges and not in flight as earlier thought. #peegate avoidance

 

[BVCBVC is verified member.]

In this case ICICI Emeralde, HDFC Infinia, DCB, has more coverage of Lounge access. Now these cards will be useful for lounge access in International Terminals.

 

[abhishek0882]

While I absolutely do not agree with this move by Axis to reduce the number of lounges, I believe it is high time that access to airport lounges is rationalised. Currently, in the major airports and apart from the really odd hours, there is a queue to get in to the lounge, there's hardly space to sit, access to charging points is difficult (I don't recommend using them even if available, but just making a point), mad rush and jostling at the buffet, food getting over frequently and quality going down by the day - is this the experience that we want? Sometimes I feel lounges are more crowded, noisy and chaotic than the public areas at the airport. And if I have to use the lounge just for the free food - I might as well spend a few hundred and eat something of choice outside in peace rather than fight for mediocre fare from the lounge buffet, and then try finding a place to sit and eat comfortably.

Well, long rant that but lounges have been quite frustrating lately to be honest. I believe only a select few cards should have access to lounges, to keep it relevant, else lounges are becoming irrelevant according to me. You went to a lounge to avoid the crowd and noice and chaos and maybe for food - if one doesn't get that, what's the point? So while cards that have access should have access to all lounges and there should not be any drama over changing lounge lists frequently, fewer cards should offer this feature. People who want access to lounges will opt for cards which offer them, simple I guess.

 

[Salvo08]

While I absolutely do not agree with this move by Axis to reduce the number of lounges, I believe it is high time that access to airport lounges is rationalised. Currently, in the major airports and apart from the really odd hours, there is a queue to get in to the lounge, there's hardly space to sit, access to charging points is difficult (I don't recommend using them even if available, but just making a point), mad rush and jostling at the buffet, food getting over frequently and quality going down by the day - is this the experience that we want? Sometimes I feel lounges are more crowded, noisy and chaotic than the public areas at the airport. And if I have to use the lounge just for the free food - I might as well spend a few hundred and eat something of choice outside in peace rather than fight for mediocre fare from the lounge buffet, and then try finding a place to sit and eat comfortably.

Well, long rant that but lounges have been quite frustrating lately to be honest. I believe only a select few cards should have access to lounges, to keep it relevant, else lounges are becoming irrelevant according to me. You went to a lounge to avoid the crowd and noice and chaos and maybe for food - if one doesn't get that, what's the point? So while cards that have access should have access to all lounges and there should not be any drama over changing lounge lists frequently, fewer cards should offer this feature. People who want access to lounges will opt for cards which offer them, simple I guess.

I tend to agree with your POV and share your concern. In our family, I’ve equipped my wife and even kids with cards for the past two years to access lounges whenever they travel alone. But they have never availed the facility till date as we generally find these lounges over crowded.

Though to play the devil’s advocate, why should others not holding the premium cards be restricted to avail the facility. Instead the lounges must raise the standards.

 

[abhishek0882]

I tend to agree with your POV and share your concern. In our family, I’ve equipped my wife and even kids with cards for the past two years to access lounges whenever they travel alone. But they have never availed the facility till date as we generally find these lounges over crowded.

Though to play the devil’s advocate, why should others not holding the premium cards be restricted to avail the facility. Instead the lounges must raise the standards.

The issue is, it can remain premium only as long as it is exclusive to some extent. While yes, ideally everyone should get good services, it’s the numbers that’s a problem. There’s a limit to which lounges can up their game, and they should, but if everyone has access to the lounge and a free langar, the public areas in the airports will be empty and will appear better. It is like saying why should economy passengers not have the comfort and space and amenities of business class? It’s not being disrespectful for the economy passengers, it’s just that business and first have to have some amount of exclusivity and if entire flight is made business class, either services of business will go down in quality and experience or economy passengers will no longer be able to afford tickets as they will become expensive.

 

[breakingbat]

In my opinion, it's good that more folks are able to experience lounges. It's a good sign that India is progressing, obviously everyone is not civil which is a separate issue. But there is a need to find creative ways to tackle the issue of overcrowding, maybe tiers / quota (only super premium card or PP or paid) within the lounges, not sure.

 

[abhishek0882]

In my opinion, it's good that more folks are able to experience lounges. It's a good sign that India is progressing, obviously everyone is not civil which is a separate issue. But there is a need to find creative ways to tackle the issue of overcrowding, maybe tiers / quota (only super premium card or PP or paid) within the lounges, not sure.

And then banks will start offering free access to the premium sections within the lounge 😂

 

[breakingbat]

And then banks will start offering free access to the premium sections within the lounge 😂

Lol. That's what capitalism is all about, lounges would only make money if customers actually show up, that's when networks and banks would pay them, and banks/networks would do anything to push their cards.