Banks removing Lounge benefits from non-premium cards

[Akash Topder]

why are you advocating for one for all and all for one
lounge access isn't a necessity that everyone needs to get
if you are so desperate for a lounge access either pay and go or take a higher variant card.
the only reason gold has utility is because of its scarcity
if all the gold us excavated it will be selling for the price of peanuts
the same analogy can be applied for a lounge access as well.
a card costing a lakh or two deserves unlimited access because it is not something everyone can afford
if they did it wouldn't be called a super premium card
that's the same reason amex arent issued in the same number as other cards
the high price of those cards is what segregates the crowd

This is peak elitist behavior. If you want empty lounges then take amex and enjoy that. Not everyone can afford expensive cards. But people may need lounges 2-3 times a year. Why they would take a card that makes a hole in their pocket but won't utilize it fully? The best thing you can expect is separate seating arrangement or a separate lounge for super premium cards. Don't be like chatur that tries to be a party pooper. Half of Indians can only afford a sleeper class train ticket here, and when they work hard to afford plane tickets and entry level cards they are also deserving of complementary lounge access. Just accept that and move on. Just because some of you people can afford expensive cards that doesn't mean you can raise your voice to remove lounge access from entry level cards. You can only raise your voice for separate entry and separate seating area of expensive cards. If you can't help then don't but please don't try to harm.

 

[srikant]

This is a never ending debate.

But we have to admit that there is overcrowding in lounges. I cant speak statistics wise, but if we can compare the 'ratio of number of Air travelers incresed' to 'number of people increased visiting lounge' in recent 4 to 5 years, definately I can quote that the second ratio must have shooted up drastically.Lounege acess has gained tremendous popularity. And its the hot selling cake for credit card companies.

I am not a frequent traveller, but I travel 2 to 3 times in a year. But the line outside the lounges is unbelievable. I have seen aged persons standing in long queue.And the line is ever increasing.

Lot can be improved to tackle this. Many people are already giving suggestions. But I see it far from implementation.So I came up with my own solution. I have stopped visiting the lounges as of now.

I believe there will be improvements in near future. Atleast hope for that.

Possibly it's an initial craze - when Metros were being newly built, many people used to take "joy rides", full with selfies and the like. Over time it will become a convenience one may access only in case of need. In fact, I too was kinda considering just checking out what only is there in the lounge in my last two trips - the first time, there was a mishap (they changed the boadring gate and all), second time the queue for the lounge itself made it not worth it (or so I think).

Coming to the luxury / premium thing - once upon a time, air travel was luxury. Over time, economics will play out, and it may or may not be pretty for luxury lovers.

 

[vibrant143]

There is definitely difference. I have already stated that. It's unlimited for premium ones. Also premium ones have free golf and spa sessions that entry level cards don't have. Also meet and greet etc. There are a lot of things that makes premium cards premium. A lot of differentiating factors are there. And removing lounge access to make crowding less is a proper axe in the leg move for banks. They won't remove it from the small cards unless the card is highly rewarding like SBI CB. Lounge access is USP for entry level cards even though 90% of the people don't use it ever. Some people are just salty because they're thinking that they've lost the superiority and exclusivity of being in a lounge via premium cards because entry level cards can access it.

Agreed. In fact , bank should put spend based access of airport lounge on all LTF card be it entry level card or super premium card . Those who pays annual fee on the card , can have lounge access as usual .
More airport lounges should come up at metro airport as one lounge is not enough to handle traffic now a days .

 

[Deleted member 11974]

This is peak elitist behavior. If you want empty lounges then take amex and enjoy that. Not everyone can afford expensive cards. But people may need lounges 2-3 times a year. Why they would take a card that makes a hole in their pocket but won't utilize it fully? The best thing you can expect is separate seating arrangement or a separate lounge for super premium cards. Don't be like chatur that tries to be a party pooper. Half of Indians can only afford a sleeper class train ticket here, and when they work hard to afford plane tickets and entry level cards they are also deserving of complementary lounge access. Just accept that and move on. Just because some of you people can afford expensive cards that doesn't mean you can raise your voice to remove lounge access from entry level cards. You can only raise your voice for separate entry and separate seating area of expensive cards. If you can't help then don't but please don't try to harm.

1.I have shifted to amex due to this sole reason itself.
2.If you cant afford a high end card nobody is forcing you to buy it
3.You have to accept it that one cloth doesn't fit all.Ameer insaan kar raha hai to shame bhi milna chahiye ya karna chahiye mentality is of the middle class
middle class people are those who squander money on luxury designer brands just to impress people and act rich.
if you cant afford it don't take it.maybe it isn't meant for you.
This isn't a govt subsidy scheme that everybody should receive it
The actual experience of a lounge is experienced when crowds arent there because that is what it is meant for.
4.If people cant afford plane tickets don't travel simple
5.It is unfair for a person paying 1L as fees just to have the same lounge experience as a 500 fee paying cc

 

[srikant]

5.It is unfair for a person paying 1L as fees just to have the same lounge experience as a 500 fee paying cc

In fact I think even tying credit cards to lounge access is kinda an unwanted coupling.

Why can't rich people simply pay at the airport to access their luxury lounges instead of paying a lakh in credit fees?

 

[Deleted member 11974]

In fact I think even tying credit cards to lounge access is kinda an unwanted coupling.

Why can't rich people simply pay at the airport to access their luxury lounges instead of paying a lakh in credit fees?

good question
but lounges were made as a place for people with these cards to relax. this service was meant to be a luxury service for cardholders back then. if you see 5 years ago lounges were at 10% capacity of what they are today.
also in today's crowded airports you wouldn't be able to go in for free let alone paid with the kind of waiting lounges have

 

[ARV]

This is peak elitist behavior. If you want empty lounges then take amex and enjoy that. Not everyone can afford expensive cards. But people may need lounges 2-3 times a year. Why they would take a card that makes a hole in their pocket but won't utilize it fully? The best thing you can expect is separate seating arrangement or a separate lounge for super premium cards. Don't be like chatur that tries to be a party pooper. Half of Indians can only afford a sleeper class train ticket here, and when they work hard to afford plane tickets and entry level cards they are also deserving of complementary lounge access. Just accept that d and move on. Just because some of you people can afford expensive cards that doesn't mean you can raise your voice to remove lounge access from entry level cards. You can only raise your voice for separate entry and separate seating area of expensive cards. If you can't help then don't but please don't try to harm.

I totally agree. Instead of removing access they should work on making the experience better. Crowding at lounges is not because of free access but lack of better infra and both issues are different and should not be combined. By the way why can't lounges display the cards they accept to ensure people don't try multiple cards. Banks want to reduce costs is a different topic altogether

 

[ARV]

good question
but lounges were made as a place for people with these cards to relax. this service was meant to be a luxury service for cardholders back then. if you see 5 years ago lounges were at 10% capacity of what they are today.
also in today's crowded airports you wouldn't be able to go in for free let alone paid with the kind of waiting lounges have

Then should not the lounges improve, where is the planning gone when building the lounge ?. Why should people suffer for it. Why not add extra seating space, its not like they are giving free service, they are charging the bank for lounge access. Banks are removing access to save money not to reduce crowd.

 

[Deleted member 11974]

I totally agree. Instead of removing access they should work on making the experience better. Crowding at lounges is not because of free access but lack of better infra and both issues are different and should not be combined. By the way why can't lounges display the cards they accept to ensure people don't try multiple cards. Banks want to reduce costs is a different topic altogether

the lounge accesses used on premium cards is lesser compared to non premium cards obviously due to no of cards issued
lounges have displayed the cards accepted as in the issuer bank which is eligible for usage not specific card name
there is usually very less space to expand at a airport
i don't see where they can create a new lounge at Mumbai airport until and unless some shop closes their location

 

[Deleted member 11974]

Then should not the lounges improve, where is the planning gone when building the lounge ?. Why should people suffer for it. Why not add extra seating space, its not like they are giving free service, they are charging the bank for lounge access. Banks are removing access to save money not to reduce crowd.

where do you see space at the majority of airports to create new lounges
and as i said lounges were created as a service to improve the travel experience
now that demand for travel has surged managing it is close to impossible and banks have also followed jios strategy of making something free then charging it directly or indirectly later.
banks making mdr income from non premium cards is less and those might not be as profitable as compared to super premium cards which is quite evident from the aprs of both the card types respectively.
people were on the assumption that lounges will stay free forever.
now banks have reached saturation point and cutting down is directly or indirectly good for everyone

 

[ARV]

the lounge accesses used on premium cards is lesser compared to non premium cards obviously due to no of cards issued
lounges have displayed the cards accepted as in the issuer bank which is eligible for usage not specific card name
there is usually very less space to expand at a airport
i don't see where they can create a new lounge at Mumbai airport until and unless some shop closes their location

Then as i mentioned its not the card holder problem its the planning. It does not matter if u have a basic card or ultra premium every one looks at the value it adds. If you want exclusivity you can always travel business or first which have separate lounges.
PS: i have plat charge as well and in BLR it has access to 080 business & first longe and sometimes they dont accept it if the crowd is more inside the lounge and let only business or first passengers

 

[CARDBITRAGE]

Wow. This is going back and forth with no seeming end to it.
Does everyone deserve to enjoy the luxuries of life? ABSOLUTELY! I believe it's nice that banks included lounge access to the masses for a brief period in some sort of marketing stint to encourage people to transact using cards as opposed to UPI. Personally, I feel that most lounges are just glorified rest areas. But lounges offer clean toilets and comfortable seating because food is pretty mediocre in most places anyways.
Why did they offer lounge access? Because card penetration in India is pretty low and travel after covid was booming. Typically air travel involves other big expenses as well and most banks saw an opportunity to capitalize on that. We also had our own payment platform RUPAY and the government jumped in to market it to the masses with airport lounge access as well. Lounge access is not cheap even though it is heavily discounted to the banks, as the debit card AMCs barely cut it for them. So now, whether we like it or not, lounge access for non-premium DCs/CCs is going to swiftly disappear.

Now coming to whether it is a good thing or bad thing. It is a bloody great thing! I don't think an overpacked lounge is an enjoyable experience for ANYONE. Especially for those who cannot afford it and experience it during those rare travels. I'm not saying only people of the "upper echelons of life" should enjoy certain experiences, but this is a reality here. Luxury comes at a steep price, and someone's gotta pay for it(the banks clearly don't want to now). The ones arguing that some people cannot "afford" lounge access, will make for a great laugh. If someone can afford air travel, they can afford lounge access. Would they find value in paying for that from their pocket? The empty lounges pre covid basically answer that. XD
Why is this great for the patrons of the lounge going forward? The dwindling user access is inadvertently going to force the lounge operators to improve their standards. It will be a nice transition from 'Quantity over Quality' to 'Quality over Quantity'. Lounges were always meant to offer a leisure experience to people who fly, but sadly, it has come to a situation where it is more peaceful to wait for your flights in the general seating area than in one of the lounges.

 

[Deleted member 11974]

Then as i mentioned its not the card holder problem its the planning. It does not matter if u have a basic card or ultra premium every one looks at the value it adds. If you want exclusivity you can always travel business or first which have separate lounges.
PS: i have plat charge as well and in BLR it has access to 080 business & first longe and sometimes they dont accept it if the crowd is more inside the lounge and let only business or first passengers

as i mentioned i have shifted to amex plat reserve for amex lounge and
now i need to shift to amex plat charge
but the problem with that is there are only 2 amex lounges in india

 

[Deleted member 11974]

Wow. This is going back and forth with no seeming end to it.
Does everyone deserve to enjoy the luxuries of life? ABSOLUTELY! I believe it's nice that banks included lounge access to the masses for a brief period in some sort of marketing stint to encourage people to transact using cards as opposed to UPI. Personally, I feel that most lounges are just glorified rest areas. But lounges offer clean toilets and comfortable seating because food is pretty mediocre in most places anyways.
Why did they offer lounge access? Because card penetration in India is pretty low and travel after covid was booming. Typically air travel involves other big expenses as well and most banks saw an opportunity to capitalize on that. We also had our own payment platform RUPAY and the government jumped in to market it to the masses with airport lounge access as well. Lounge access is not cheap even though it is heavily discounted to the banks, as the debit card AMCs barely cut it for them. So now, whether we like it or not, lounge access for non-premium DCs/CCs is going to swiftly disappear.

Now coming to whether it is a good thing or bad thing. It is a bloody great thing! I don't think an overpacked lounge is an enjoyable experience for ANYONE. Especially for those who cannot afford it and experience it during those rare travels. I'm not saying only people of the "upper echelons of life" should enjoy certain experiences, but this is a reality here. Luxury comes at a steep price, and someone's gotta pay for it(the banks clearly don't want to now). The ones arguing that some people cannot "afford" lounge access, will make for a great laugh. If someone can afford air travel, they can afford lounge access. Would they find value in paying for that from their pocket? The empty lounges pre covid basically answer that. XD
Why is this great for the patrons of the lounge going forward? The dwindling user access is inadvertently going to force the lounge operators to improve their standards. It will be a nice transition from 'Quantity over Quality' to 'Quality over Quantity'. Lounges were always meant to offer a leisure experience to people who fly, but sadly, it has come to a situation where it is more peaceful to wait for your flights in the general seating area than in one of the lounges.

absolutely agree with the last point
also luxury or convenience comes at a cost
it is not a necessity that everyone can get or afford to get it
so the assumption that everyone deserves it doesn't resonate with me
either pay the entry fee for overpriced food or purchase a high end cc if you so badly need a lounge access
if you can kindly enjoy it
otherwise manage accordingly

 

[ARV]

as i mentioned i have shifted to amex plat reserve for amex lounge and
now i need to shift to amex plat charge
but the problem with that is there are only 2 amex lounges in india

Ya and please take the card only if you see value. I dont think its worth anymore after they have been slowly removing benefits. I will not renew if they don't offer a good retention benefit. Its not worth only for the lounge access. You may as well pay at the airport restaurant.

 

[ARV]

absolutely agree with the last point
also luxury or convenience comes at a cost
it is not a necessity that everyone can get or afford to get it
so the assumption that everyone deserves it doesn't resonate with me
either pay the entry fee for overpriced food or purchase a high end cc if you so badly need a lounge access
if you can kindly enjoy it
otherwise manage accordingly

I pity people thinking lounge access is luxury now 🫡. They need to get their priorities correct. One side you talk about luxury and you also talk about affordability at airport 🤣

 

[Deleted member 11974]

Ya and please take the card only if you see value. I dont think its worth anymore after they have been slowly removing benefits. I will not renew if they don't offer a good retention benefit. Its not worth only for the lounge access. You may as well pay at the airport restaurant.

agreed
i had taken plat reserve paid just to be able to use 2 lounge accesses before it got devalued
i will be closing this and going for amex plat charge if my travel needs demand it

 

[Deleted member 11974]

i

I pity people thinking lounge access is luxury now 🫡. They need to get their priorities correct. One side you talk about luxury and you also talk about affordability at airport 🤣

never mentioned affordability
secondly lounge access isn't a luxury now definitely
it was a convenient thing 5 years back due to the comfortable seating and less or no noise

 

[Akash Topder]

1.I have shifted to amex due to this sole reason itself.
2.If you cant afford a high end card nobody is forcing you to buy it
3.You have to accept it that one cloth doesn't fit all.Ameer insaan kar raha hai to shame bhi milna chahiye ya karna chahiye mentality is of the middle class
middle class people are those who squander money on luxury designer brands just to impress people and act rich.
if you cant afford it don't take it.maybe it isn't meant for you.
This isn't a govt subsidy scheme that everybody should receive it
The actual experience of a lounge is experienced when crowds arent there because that is what it is meant for.
4.If people cant afford plane tickets don't travel simple
5.It is unfair for a person paying 1L as fees just to have the same lounge experience as a 500 fee paying cc

1. That's good because amex realised that their customers need a different lounge. Other banks should follow this for their expensive cards.
2. I'm not trying to buy an expensive card.
3. Most middle class people can't afford luxury brands let alone flaunt it. They may want to have it because who doesn't like to get rich but they want to use their money on more practical things. Banks give lounge access to entry level cards for a reason. Entry level cards have it so it's affordable so it's definitely meant for middle class too.
4. This is insane. Sometimes people have need of air travel. Middle class who can afford 1-2 plane tickets in a year still will not take expensive cards because that's not practical for them.
5. This why expensive card users need a different lounge or atleast different entry and different seating area.

 

[Deleted member 11974]

1. That's good because amex realised that their customers need a different lounge. Other banks should follow this for their expensive cards.
2. I'm not trying to buy an expensive card.
3. Most middle class people can't afford luxury brands let alone flaunt it. They may want to have it because who doesn't like to get rich but they want to use their money on more practical things. Banks give lounge access to entry level cards for a reason. Entry level cards have it so it's affordable so it's definitely meant for middle class too.
4. This is insane. Sometimes people have need of air travel. Middle class who can afford 1-2 plane tickets in a year still will not take expensive cards because that's not practical for them.
5. This why expensive card users need a different lounge or atleast different entry and different seating area.

4/If you have a need of air travel afford things accordingly
if you can buy a flight ticket worth 5 figures i am sure a lounge access or a mid end card costing 1-3k can be afforded.if not then that products isn't for you
I have literally seen people in tier 1 city buying things they cant on emi especially phones
for a rich person it might be pocket change but buying it on emi to impress people is absurd