Should the card issuing banks re-think their lounge access strategy?

[sangalaviral]

Hi All,

Off late most of you must have seen overcrowded airport lounges. The sole reason is now with every card you are getting at least 1-2 lounge visits and it is no longer only available with premium or super premium cards.

The final nail in the coffin was probably when almost all debit cards now offer lounge access.

The space at the airport terminals is limited, so they are ruining the experience for the super-premium customers.

Do you think that slowly they should start withdrawing the lounge access from cards other than premium or super premium?

 

[thanix]

Mitron,
Rupay Debit Card Lounge Access discontinued from 1st April 2023.

So, now less crowd in Lounge is expected

Not yet, just yesterday Rupay platinum Debit card was accepted at Chennai international airport.

 

[pankaj_ji]

Not yet, just yesterday Rupay platinum Debit card was accepted at Chennai international airport.

On Rupay website, till very recently, there was no information of extension, however now..it seem that they extended till further orders (no end date given)

 

[thanix]

Hi All,

Off late most of you must have seen overcrowded airport lounges. The sole reason is now with every card you are getting at least 1-2 lounge visits and it is no longer only available with premium or super premium cards.

The final nail in the coffin was probably when almost all debit cards now offer lounge access.

The space at the airport terminals is limited, so they are ruining the experience for the super-premium customers.

Do you think that slowly they should start withdrawing the lounge access from cards other than premium or super premium?

Sorry to be blunt, all I am seeing is entitlement here. Your super premium card doesn't give you exclusive lounge access.

How about you moving to ultra premium cards like Centurion to be away from cattle class or use business/first class lounges from airlines if you fly only business and first class.

Indian air traffic volume is scaling new heights as well fintech revolution is happening. So once the cost vs benefit scale tilts against the benefits, this entire phenomenon will naturally get balanced.

PS - It is not against you but even when my family complained at Hyderabad airport, I asked them to take a stroll and enjoy the shopping.

 

[bismaj]

On Rupay website, till very recently, there was no information of extension, however now..it seem that they extended till further orders (no end date given)

Actually the offer remains, they just upload nd update the details lately...thats all...

 

[saucy]

I had the same thought - it's not "premium" anymore. But sitting there.in that lounge, i also felt happy - because more people were getting aware of the benefits and were able to enjoy things i was cherishing for all these years. If anything, I'm happy that our people are able to use these benefits more.
As for "premium" cardholders, I'm sure we can walways strive towards those super premium lounges - perhaps itd also remind us of the days when lounge access was something new and we had to put in efforts to actually "make it" to that place.
I'm currently working my way up to amex plat cards for that super premium lounge 🙂

 

[S.S.]

Sorry to be blunt, all I am seeing is entitlement here. Your super premium card doesn't give you exclusive lounge access.

How about you moving to ultra premium cards like Centurion to be away from cattle class or use business/first class lounges from airlines if you fly only business and first class.

Indian air traffic volume is scaling new heights as well fintech revolution is happening. So once the cost vs benefit scale tilts against the benefits, this entire phenomenon will naturally get balanced.

PS - It is not against you but even when my family complained at Hyderabad airport, I asked them to take a stroll and enjoy the shopping.

In my case the problem was not with cattle class, but a group of gen z who were hovering over the food and not letting others access it including my family of 3. There is a reason why these airport lounges were started as exclusive in the first place.

 

[CARDBITRAGE]

My main concern is that most lounges don't restrict the number of people that can access the lounge at a given time. Some lounges operate at more than capacity at most times, just for extra revenue, and that creates so much chaos for all the patrons within the lounge. The whole purpose of a lounge is for a traveller to relax and rejuvenate before a flight, and that is no longer the case. Maybe in the future, when banks realise how some people are exploiting the system, we can see some restrictions.

 

[Chaitanya-a]

In my case the problem was not with cattle class, but a group of gen z who were hovering over the food and not letting others access it including my family of 3. There is a reason why these airport lounges were started as exclusive in the first place.

I've never seen such situation. Been there in several lounges. Everyone is taking food, going to their seat and enjoying. It must've been a selective case.

Yeah chaos is there but considering the population of India, its understandable if number of flyers and purchasing power is increasing. We have to accept the growth or change whatever it means to you.

If someone wants exclusivity or peace of mind then various food outlets and Centurion lounges are there as well.

 

[ltf4ever]

hyderabad airport experience as of today:
there is a queue to go to the elevator that leads to the queue for the lounge reception. staff closed the entry to the lounge (elevator) saying the lounge is full. only 1st/business class passengers allowed to pass through. the queue to the elevator is longer than boarding gate queues, and is increasing by the minute.

 

[Lord Of Darkness]

How is the situation at 080 Lounge at Bangalore airport these days ?

The other lounge BLR lounge was always crowded whenever I went, so much that I preferred to relax at the gate area and buy my food at the various counters than the hassle of getting into the lounge ( with a 4 year kid that too )

Is 080 lounge any better in terms of actually getting a place to sit and have a decent lunch/dinner with a family ?

 

[CARDBITRAGE]

How is the situation at 080 Lounge at Bangalore airport these days ?

The other lounge BLR lounge was always crowded whenever I went, so much that I preferred to relax at the gate area and buy my food at the various counters than the hassle of getting into the lounge ( with a 4 year kid that too )

Is 080 lounge any better in terms of actually getting a place to sit and have a decent lunch/dinner with a family ?

A stark contrast to the other lounge. Obviously because of the acceptability of limited cards. In all the times I've used the lounge, I've never had a problem finding space there. Usually, it's under 50-75% capacity.

 

[Lord Of Darkness]

A stark contrast to the other lounge. Obviously because of the acceptability of limited cards. In all the times I've used the lounge, I've never had a problem finding space there. Usually, it's under 50-75% capacity.

That's good to hear ! Thanks for the update.

 

[SteelSh0t]

In my case the problem was not with cattle class, but a group of gen z who were hovering over the food and not letting others access it including my family of 3. There is a reason why these airport lounges were started as exclusive in the first place.

Wow elitist much?

Perhaps go to the centurion lounge or pp lounge if you do not wish to be in the same space as these lowly "Gen z"

 

[S.S.]

Wow elitist much?

Perhaps go to the centurion lounge or pp lounge if you do not wish to be in the same space as these lowly "Gen z"

Expectation of Good behaviour is usually not considered as being elitist by most ppl. However, most ppl also should not have similar expectation of understanding from woke little gen z entitled folks.

 

[SteelSh0t]

Expectation of Good behaviour is usually not considered as being elitist by most ppl. However, most ppl also should not have similar expectation of understanding from woke little gen z entitled folks.

A. You're generalizing that all Gen Zs have bad behavior.
B. Yours was an isolated incident, on the contrary, the sort of incident which was mentioned by you is mostly caused by boomer population, but hey, we don't complain about your entitlement, do we?
C. Please understand what woke means.

And once again, I would say, if you have so much problem, perhaps go to a premium lounge instead. I will refrain from any further response as I figure yours will come from a place of misplaced privilege and entitlement. Cheers!

 

[churn]

Over time, lounge access will be curtailed on cards. Currently, it is an acquisition spree by the banks. Afterwards, the number of access will be decreased or removed. Earlier when Regalia launched, you could even use its PP to enter the lounges in India, and over time they brought it down. Moreover, lounges get money from the banks and are happy to accommodate as many as possible. Airlines also have to pay for lounge access for its biz class customers, and they wouldn't want their passengers to complain. For example, United in Delhi doesn't have exclusive lounge access if flying biz class- they give you a voucher to use at any of the 4 restaurants/bars that they have mentioned on the voucher. But if you want to sit quietly, you need to go into Air India lounge. The issue (about the lounge overcrowding) will decrease overtime.
I don't complain about people crowding in the lounge since even when I started flying; I used to go to these lounges using either the credit cards or PP for access. I wasn't flying Biz back then. I cannot be a hypocrite now and tell I do not want these people in. What I would have issue with is that these lounge operators (most of the lounges in Indian airports especially in metros are run by the Airports itself once they understood the market, and didn't renew the contracts of the lounges)taking people for a ride, and serving substandard food at places. They make a killing at most places with the profits.
Someone mentioned to provide grab and go for lounges- Do you understand what will happen if that's the case? With all these cards, there will be so much food that will be taken home by people. Also, there will be wastage as well. I am not telling that someone specifically will do it, but humans are like that. Not just in India, but in the US too. There was an incident during CoVid (which happened in US), when people raided the food pantry from the airport to take it home. You cannot expect all people to play by the rules. But if you train them, they will. For example, my cousin's college (India) had an honesty shop that they started in 2001. You take what you want from there, and put the money in the drawer. It's still there, which means people can be honest too.

 

[technom]

Supply and Demand logic should kick in soon enough. It's irritating at the moment but we can't do anything about it besides relying on a few remaining Super Premium Lounges at select airports.
Harsh restrictions may not be the best way forward.
Airports should recognise the problem and make room for additional for more lounges spread across different categories.

I personally leave constructive feedbacks at the Lounges and Google maps etc., So at least eventually someone takes notice. Hoping others do this as well

 

[Lord Of Darkness]

The problem with most of the lounges lounges these days is they don't give a damn about service - I would blame it mainly on the overcrowding though

There were multiple instances when people did not even have place to sit - i would see families with toddlers struggling over the buffet - because there was just no place ! And the staff were least bothered. There was no food/ not getting refilled adequately, no plates the washrooms were filthy dirty and not getting cleaned - it was absolute chaos !

I think the only way to handle this would be - have multiple lounges like the 080 and BLR lounge in the bigger airports or just restrict the number of people in the lounge at any given time.

 

[ltf4ever]

hyderabad airport experience as of today:
there is a queue to go to the elevator that leads to the queue for the lounge reception. staff closed the entry to the lounge (elevator) saying the lounge is full. only 1st/business class passengers allowed to pass through. the queue to the elevator is longer than boarding gate queues, and is increasing by the minute.

felt bad for the premium card holders who paid 10k+ for their cards, but still ticket cost was considered to grant entry that day.