11:15 AM IST MUMBAI – SBI Card quietly pushed out an email and SMS alert on Dec 11, 2025—the kind of message most people glance over and assume nothing big has changed. But this time, it did.
From 10 January 2026, the entire complimentary domestic lounge program is being reshuffled into two baskets: Set A and Set B, each tied to specific card tiers. The PDF they attached was long, the messaging was diplomatic, and the real story sits somewhere between “nothing to worry about” and “hmm… this affects my travel rhythm.”
Let’s simplify the noise and decode what this means for cardholders who treat lounge access as part of their flying personality, not a side perk.
Why This Update Matters More Than It Looks
Airport lounges in India have turned into mini-cities – overcrowded, understaffed, and increasingly fenced off by card networks. Unlike 2022–24, when lounge access felt like a default perk on almost every ₹499–₹1499 card, banks are now putting conditions inside conditions.
And trust me, in finance, reorganisation is sometimes just a polite word for tightening. Instead of one combined list, SBI has now split complimentary lounge access into:
(A) SET A – The SELECT Club
Cards that generally fall under this “Select-tier” bucket include: Apollo SBI Card Select, BPCL SBI Card Octane, Club Vistara SBI Card Select, Landmark Select, Paytm Select, PhonePe Select — basically the cards SBI positions as its premium-lite travel and rewards range.
This group gets stronger access at major metro hubs: Delhi T3, Mumbai T2, Bengaluru T1/T2, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune. It’s the “premium-lite” zone where consistency matters more than coverage.
(B) SET B – PRIME, Platinum & Partner Bank Cards
Cards included (major ones):
- SBI Card PRIME
- SBI Card PRIME Pro
- KrisFlyer SBI Card
- Titan SBI Card
A lot of the PRIME cards also come through SBI’s partner banks — you’ll see versions from UCO Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India, Karnataka Bank, Karur Vyasa Bank, South Indian Bank, and even Reliance. They’re basically the same PRIME/Platinum flavour, just issued under different bank labels.
This group covers a wider footprint across cities, such as Chandigarh, Cochin, Jaipur, Indore, Visakhapatnam, Vadodara, Srinagar, Bhubaneswar, along with the metros.
Why SBI Created Two Sets (The Real Reason)
Unlike 2024–25, when lounge access was loosely mapped, 2026 is the year of capacity triage.
- Lounges want fewer random walk-ins.
- Networks want higher-spending customers pushed forward.
- Banks want to control costs without announcing “reductions.”
So SBI did not remove benefits—they reorganised them in a way that rewards predictable travel behaviour.
- SET A = metro-focused consistency
- SET B = Bharat-wide accessibility
It’s a more honest split than it looks.
Where You Will Feel the Change in 2026 (Major Cities Only)
- Delhi (T3 & T1): Still well-covered for both sets, though Select-tier users get the more predictable experience.
- Mumbai (T2 & T1B): Adani + Travel Club mix remains intact.
- Bengaluru: 080 Lounges continue to anchor the program.
- Chennai: No real drop, but just a clearer segmentation.
- Hyderabad & Kolkata: Still stable, no major disruption.
For smaller cities, such as Indore, Bhubaneswar, Srinagar, and Goa, coverage is mostly routed through Set B, which is fine for Prime users but not always perfect on peak days.
If You Want the Full Lounge List, SBI has published a complete Set A + Set B lounge directory.
Quick Compare Against Other Banks
| Feature | SBI (2026 Model) | Axis / HDFC |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Two sets (A & B) | Tier-based, simpler |
| Metro Consistency | Strong for SET A | Strong for premium cards |
| Tier-2 Spread | Better via SET B | Varies by card |
| Hidden Fine Print | Validation charge; strict quota | Quota + peak-time restrictions |
Axis tends to push premium cards harder. HDFC is stable but leans on Regalia/Infinia as the hero products. SBI plays the middle market better. This time, this restructure also shows it.
Who Should Actually Care?
- Frequent metro flyers: Almost nothing changes. You will still get into the same lounges you’re used to.
- Business travellers moving across smaller cities: You are the most affected group. Check if your card now sits in SET B—it matters.
- Casual holiday travellers: Just check eligibility once before your trip. After that, the experience is the same.
- Reward-focused cardholders: Lounge access was never the hero feature anyway.
So… Is This Good or Bad?
Honestly, it sits in that grey area we finance writers live in.
Unlike Axis Bank’s dramatic devaluations last year, SBI did not slash benefits—they reorganised eligibility. But yes, it subtly narrows comfort for some travellers who assumed universal access.
And the “validation fee” reminder still holds: ₹2 for Visa & RuPay, ₹25 temporary hold for Mastercard. Not huge, but symbolic of a trend where banks offload micro-costs to customers.
The Real Bottom Line
SBI didn’t reduce value. They reorganised who gets what value. The network stays large, card mapping gets clearer, and travellers know where they stand. And yes, the communication on Dec 11 was transparent enough.
But going forward, complimentary lounge access in India will move from “free for all” to “structured privilege.” Anyone watching the trends can see the writing on the wall.
Expect three things as we move into 2026:
• lounges will become tighter on entry;
• banks will prioritise high-spend customers;
• and domestic travel perks will slowly evolve into tier-based subscriptions.
For now, SBI’s update is balanced—neither a blow nor a breakthrough. But it’s a definite reminder that the golden age of easy lounge access is maturing.
