Last Updated:January 10, 2026, 14:26 IST

HDFC Bank now offers airport lounge access via digital vouchers for debit cards, with a doubled Rs 10,000 quarterly spend. Physical card swipes are discontinued.

HDFC Bank Doubles Spend Requirement for Complimentary Lounge Access

HDFC Bank Airport Lounge Access Rules 2026: HDFC Bank has revised the rules for complimentary airport lounge access on its debit cards, shifting to a voucher-based access system and increasing the minimum spending requirement. The changes have come into effect from today, January 10.

Until now, eligible debit cardholders could enter airport lounges by swiping their physical card. Under the new system, lounge access will be granted only through digital vouchers, issued to customers who meet the spending criteria.

Once eligibility is confirmed, the bank will send an SMS or email with a link to claim the voucher. Customers will need to complete OTP verification using their registered mobile number. After successful verification, a voucher code or QR code will be issued, which must be shown at the lounge for entry.

Minimum Spend Doubled For Most Cards

HDFC Bank has doubled the quarterly spend requirement for complimentary lounge access on most debit cards.

Customers must now spend Rs 10,000 or more per calendar quarter from Rs 5,000 earlier. The spend can be through single or multiple transactions, online or offline. The revised spending condition does not apply to the Infiniti Debit Card, which continues to offer lounge access without any minimum spend.

Complimentary Lounge Visits Remain Unchanged

The number of free lounge visits will continue to depend on the debit card variant:

Millennia Debit Card: 1 visit per quarter

Platinum Debit Card: 2 visits per quarter

Times Points Debit Card: 1 visit per quarter

Business Debit Card: 2 visits per quarter

GIGA Debit Card: 1 visit per quarter

Infiniti Debit Card: 4 visits per quarter

Only purchase transactions made using the debit card will count toward the quarterly spend. The following are excluded, Moneycontrol noted:

ATM Cash Withdrawals

• UPI or wallet payments (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm, etc.)
• Credit card bill payments via debit card
• Debit card EMI transactions
• New debit cardholders will also need to meet the Rs 10,000 spend threshold to become eligible.

Voucher Validity And Lounge Rules

Once issued, lounge vouchers will remain valid until the end of the next calendar quarter.

For instance:

Voucher generated on November 15, 2025 → valid till March 31, 2026

Voucher generated on January 10, 2026 → valid till June 30, 2026

Lounge access will continue on a first-come, first-served basis, with lounges retaining the right to impose stay limits—typically two to three hours—or deny entry due to operational, safety or regulatory reasons.

What this means For Customers

HDFC Bank’s updated lounge access programme places greater emphasis on higher card usage and digital verification. Customers who rely on complimentary lounge benefits will need to closely track their quarterly spending and note that physical debit card swipes will no longer work from January 10.

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Last Updated:January 10, 2026, 13:40 IST

The ‘core’ typically makes up around 60–70% of a portfolio and is meant to deliver stable returns while serving as its foundation.

Small and mid-cap stocks produced 14-17% returns in the last 20 years. (representative image)

Navigating financial markets often seems like an uphill task as investors need to balance the desire for growth with the fear of sudden downtrends. When markets fall, people struggle to find the right direction while chasing high returns and protecting their wealth from volatility. Too much risk can lead to panic mode, while excessive caution could leave your portfolio lagging behind inflation and long-term goals.

A practical solution here is the core-and-satellite strategy emerges as a practical solution. Under this, investors get to combine a stable “core” of diversified, low-cost investments with the dynamic “satellite” portion to target higher-growth opportunities. Not only does it allow them to achieve resilience and flexibility, but the strategy also ensures steady progress even during turbulent times. By following this dual approach, people can cushion portfolios against market downfalls.

How Does It Work?

According to Moneycontrol, the “core” usually accounts for nearly 60-70 per cent of the portfolio. It is specifically designed to provide steady returns and act as the anchor of your portfolio.

It comprises stable, low-cost funds:

1. Large-cap equity funds: Your hard-earned money gets invested in established companies having proven business models. Often, it is seen that they appear to fall less compared to mid and small-cap funds.

2. Flexi-cap funds: The fund managers keep shuffling the investment between large, mid and small caps, depending on the ongoing condition of the market. In simple terms, these add flexibility and diversification to the portfolio.

3. Hybrid funds: A combination of equity and debt, these are meant for growth and stability.

However, investors must note that even the “core” is not free from risk. Moneycontrol report highlights how markets fell nearly 14 per cent between October 2024 and February 2025.

The Role of Satellite Investments

Keeping core aside, the remaining 30-40 per cent is what makes up satellite investments.

“The satellite portfolio allows tactical exposure to high-growth sectors, themes, or strategies,” the report quoted Kirang Gandhi, a Pune-based financial mentor, as saying.

This includes mid-cap and small-cap funds that hold higher growth potential. Also, it features international equity funds.

This highlights that it is the growth engine of the portfolio, but also carries substantial risk.

A key part of the core-and-satellite approach is “balance,” where the core allows the money to grow steadily and the satellite portion adds more potential without putting the portfolio at risk.

In the last 20 years, the small and mid-cap indices have generated nearly 14-17 per cent returns on an annual basis, leaving behind large-cap indices. Investors must note that falls are more frequent in mid and small-cap stocks.

Using the core-and-satellite strategy, investors get to diversify their portfolio without making it too complicated.

Kirang Gandhi said this strategy combines safety with smart opportunity for Indian investors and avoids overexposure.

“It brings structure, discipline, and clarity to long-term wealth building without chasing trends,” Gandhi concluded.

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