SBI Card New Lounge Access Rules from 2026 Explained

Frequent flyers rely on airport lounges to avoid crowded terminals and enjoy a comfortable travel experience. SBI Card will introduce a revised domestic airport lounge access programme from January 10, 2026, expanding its lounge network and changing eligibility rules for different credit card categories.

Under the new programme, SBI Card has divided participating lounges into Set A and Set B, based on the type of SBI credit card held. The revised structure applies to select SBI credit cards where lounge access is managed through network partners.

Set A Lounges for Premium SBI Credit Cards

Set A applies to higher-tier SBI credit cards, including Apollo SBI Card SELECT, BPCL SBI Card OCTANE, Club Vistara SBI Card, Landmark Rewards SBI Card SELECT, Paytm SBI Card SELECT, and PhonePe SBI Card SELECT.

Participating Set A lounges

Ahmedabad
The Lounge, Domestic T1

Bengaluru
080 Domestic Lounge – West PH 2 (T1)
080 International Lounge (T2)

Chennai
Travel Club Lounge – T1 Lounge B (T1)
Travel Club Lounge – T2 (International)

Hyderabad
Encalm Lounge (Domestic T1)
Encalm Lounge (International T1)

Kolkata
Travel Club Lounge Domestic (T1)
Travel Club Lounge International (T1)

Mumbai
Adani Lounge (T1B)
Travel Club (T2 Domestic)
Adani East Lounge (T2 International)

New Delhi
Encalm Lounge (T1 Domestic, T3 Domestic, T3 International)

Pune
Elysian Lounge (Domestic)

Set B Lounges for PRIME and Platinum SBI Credit Cards

Set B applies to a wider range of SBI credit cards, including SBI Card PRIME, SBI Card PRIME Pro, Titan SBI Card, KrisFlyer SBI Card, and multiple co-branded PRIME and Platinum variants issued in partnership with other banks.

Participating Set B lounges

Ahmedabad
The Lounge (Domestic T1, International T2)

Bengaluru
080 Domestic Lounge (T1 and T2)
080 International Lounge (T2)

Bhubaneswar
Bird Lounge (T1)

Chandigarh
Primus Lounge (Domestic and International)

Chennai
Travel Club Lounge (T1 and T2)

Cochin
Earth Lounge (T1 Domestic, T3 International)

Coimbatore
BlackBerry Restaurant and Bar

Goa
Encalm Lounge (T1 Domestic)

Other cities
Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Srinagar, Vadodara, and Visakhapatnam have multiple participating lounges across terminals, as listed on SBI Card’s official website.

How SBI Card Lounge Access Will Work

Card validation and authorisation fees

To enter the lounge, cardholders must validate their SBI credit card at the lounge POS machine.

  • Visa and RuPay cards: A non-refundable ₹2 authorisation fee will be charged
  • Mastercard cards: A temporary ₹25 authorisation hold will be placed but not debited

Lounge Visit Limits

Complimentary lounge visits depend on the specific SBI credit card variant. Once the free visit quota is exhausted, further access may either be denied or charged at the lounge’s standard walk-in rate.

Cardholders are advised to check their remaining visit balance before travelling.

Additional Charges Inside Lounges

SBI Card has clarified that extra charges may apply for certain services, including:

  • Meals or beverages, particularly alcohol
  • Nap rooms, spa, or massage services
  • Any usage beyond complimentary visit limits

These charges vary depending on individual lounge policies and are payable directly at the lounge.

Applicable SBI Credit Cards

The revised lounge access programme applies to SBI credit cards with annual fees of ₹1,499 and ₹2,999, where lounge access is facilitated through network partners.

What This Means for SBI Card Users in 2026

The new lounge access structure offers SBI Card customers a broader lounge network and clearer validation rules, but it also introduces stricter controls on eligibility, visit limits, and additional charges.

Cardholders should verify their card category, lounge set eligibility, and complimentary visit limits before planning airport lounge access in 2026 to avoid unexpected charges or denied entry.