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Banks removing Lounge benefits from non-premium cards

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There are multiple ways to curb the current problem of overcrowding at Lounges.I am summarizing my thoughts.

1. Build more lounges-
I guess it's not that easy. I have seen few small airports has already closed the lounges,even though there was a demand.

2.Reduce the lounge visits per cards-
That would be unfair to us all. But I guess thats going to happen in future as banks nowdays are in devaluation mode.

3.Categorize lounge entry based on cards
For e.g.- For entry level card holders they can serve a pre packed box of food. No physical entry.
Mid level card holder can get physical entry with limited accessibility.
Premium card holders can access entire lounge. Like so on....

4.Build premium lounges like Amex, only for Premium card holders.

Do put in your views.
 
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NikhilTravelLover said:
There are multiple ways to curb the current problem of overcrowding at Lounges.I am summarizing my thoughts.

1. Build more lounges-
I guess it's not that easy. I have seen few small airports has already closed the lounges,even though there was a demand.

2.Reduce the lounge visits per cards-
That would be unfair to us all. But I guess thats going to happen in future as banks nowdays are in devaluation mode.

3.Categorize lounge entry based on cards
For e.g.- For entry level card holders they can serve a pre packed box of food. No physical entry.
Mid level card holder can get physical entry with limited accessibility.
Premium card holders can access entire lounge. Like so on....

4.Build premium lounges like Amex, only for Premium card holders.

Do put in your views.
Click to expand...
If Axis really wants to up its game it should make an Axis premium lounge.. like Amex has done.. only for Reserve, Magnus, Vistara Infinite.. then even more people will chase their cards..
 
A welcome change, very long queues to get into crowded lounges.

But, I hope they don't do away with the unlimited lounge access inn super premium cards.
 
Opening new lounges in airports is not feasible given the crazy prices of airport real estate. And thinking that opening more lounges will solve overcrowding in existing ones is just like believing that adding more lanes to roads will solve traffic problems.

The only way to solve overcrowding is to restrict access. If you ask me, only Visa Infinite/MasterCard World Elite level cards and travel-focused cards (like Atlas or PremierMiles or Vistara Prime) should have complimentary access. Some of the more premium Visa Signature/MC World cards (like Regalia Gold or SBI Elite) could have limited complimentary access like once a quarter or so. Everything else, no access.

At the same time lounges should reduce their entry fee to around 30% of what it is now. In that case there will be more paying customers to offset their loss from cards who had discontinued lounge access.
 
rogerthat said:
Some of the more premium Visa Signature/MC World cards (like Regalia Gold or SBI Elite) could have limited complimentary access like once a quarter or so. Everything else, no access.
Click to expand...
This won't help with the problem as everyone would hold 6 cards and use them every time they visit airport...

This is why cards have started to impose usage related lounge access i.e. use the card for X amount, then get lounge access in next quarter so that they can atleast earn something via MDR (and interest charges, if they are lucky)
 
NOOBY said:
This won't help with the problem as everyone would hold 6 cards and use them every time they visit airport...

This is why cards have started to impose usage related lounge access i.e. use the card for X amount, then get lounge access in next quarter so that they can atleast earn something via MDR (and interest charges, if they are lucky)
Click to expand...
The best way out is to link it to spends in previous month or quarter . Many banks doing it. Will remove freeloaders with many cards
 
dontpingme said:
Minimum spends criteria as done by idfc and kotak are great move to restrict lounge access.
Click to expand...
ICICI was the first one to do this and has done it for all cards (except Emeralde and Diamant) while HDFC is doing it for Diners variant (except DCB)
 
Had to face the same in Kolkata TFS with Queue waiting time greater than 30 minutes. People unnecessarily checking all cards to see if they any Lounge access on the same. I agree, Dreamfolks QR access is really useful and easy.
 
Consultant said:
And the queue. My god. That never ending queue. It completely destroys the feel good factor of Lounge access. Specially people who come to the counter, take out 15 cards and ask which one has access and which doesnt.
Click to expand...
Middle class hai vai
Aisa hi hota hai
 
rogerthat said:
Opening new lounges in airports is not feasible given the crazy prices of airport real estate. And thinking that opening more lounges will solve overcrowding in existing ones is just like believing that adding more lanes to roads will solve traffic problems.

The only way to solve overcrowding is to restrict access. If you ask me, only Visa Infinite/MasterCard World Elite level cards and travel-focused cards (like Atlas or PremierMiles or Vistara Prime) should have complimentary access. Some of the more premium Visa Signature/MC World cards (like Regalia Gold or SBI Elite) could have limited complimentary access like once a quarter or so. Everything else, no access.

At the same time lounges should reduce their entry fee to around 30% of what it is now. In that case there will be more paying customers to offset their loss from cards who had discontinued lounge access.
Click to expand...
Premier miles have least number of lounge access in india xD it mostly support big cities.
 
Al
rogerthat said:
Opening new lounges in airports is not feasible given the crazy prices of airport real estate. And thinking that opening more lounges will solve overcrowding in existing ones is just like believing that adding more lanes to roads will solve traffic problems.

The only way to solve overcrowding is to restrict access. If you ask me, only Visa Infinite/MasterCard World Elite level cards and travel-focused cards (like Atlas or PremierMiles or Vistara Prime) should have complimentary access. Some of the more premium Visa Signature/MC World cards (like Regalia Gold or SBI Elite) could have limited complimentary access like once a quarter or so. Everything else, no access.

At the same time lounges should reduce their entry fee to around 30% of what it is now. In that case there will be more paying customers to offset their loss from cards who had discontinued lounge access.
Click to expand...
So basic cards like Flipkart and swiggy comes in MC World. Rbl world safari MC World is ltf.
 
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