airport lounge access

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Air India has significantly reduced its flight schedule, cancelling around 200 weekly services from June to August due to soaring jet fuel prices and a depreciating rupee. These cuts follow previous reductions and aim to combat substantial losses. The airline is also exploring cost-saving measures like making meals optional on certain flights and unbundling lounge access for business class passengers.

Indian aviation faces unprecedented turbulence due to a perfect storm of factors. From pandemic fallout and engine failures to airspace closures and a Middle East war driving fuel prices sky-high, airlines are struggling. Passengers face rising fares and cancelled routes as the sector grapples with deep financial distress and operational chaos.

Air India is exploring unbundling meals and lounge access on domestic and short international flights to combat rising costs. Passengers could see ticket prices reduced by opting out of these services. This move aims to address the financial strain from increasing fuel prices and a depreciating rupee, while acknowledging India's price-sensitive market.

There are numerous credit cards in India that offer complimentary or discounted access to airport lounges, providing swankier waiting areas, refreshments, and Wi-Fi. HDFC Bank and SBI were among the key providers with distinct benefits. As this perk became less accessible, cardholders were advised to verify eligibility and understand terms to avoid unexpected inconveniences.

The National Payments Corporation of India announces free airport lounge access at IGI Airport's T3 for select RuPay cardholders, effective January 1, 2025. The access will be tiered based on quarterly spending, ranging from two complimentary visits to unlimited, enhancing traveler comfort with diverse amenities.

Major Indian airports are poised to revamp lounge experiences by bypassing aggregators and directly partnering with banks. This shift aims to streamline entry, reduce queues, and offer differentiated services based on credit card status.

Lounge access at Adani Group airports in Mumbai and Ahmedabad has been restored after DreamFolks Services Ltd resolved integration issues. Meanwhile, disruptions persist at Chennai and Kolkata airports due to service problems with DreamFolks. Travel Food Services is collaborating with banks to restore services for affected passengers as soon as possible.

Last weekend, many flyers took to social media saying they were denied lounge access. While airport operators blamed aggregator DreamFolks, the latter said it was diligently working with partners to identify the root cause. Is there more to this than meets the eye?

DreamFolks collaborates with Grey Wall, an airport and lounge service aggregator in Russia, to enhance the travel experience for passengers. The partnership offers comprehensive coverage across Russia, including key locations like Moscow and St. Petersburg. Travelers can now access around 100 lounges through DreamFolks' proprietary tech platform. The alliance benefits both entities by increasing footfall at Grey Wall's lounges and providing seamless access to airport lounges for DreamFolks' clients. DreamFolks manages airport lounge benefits for top banks in India and has a market share of over 90% in the domestic lounge access market.

Some of the changes affect credit card users, FASTag subscribers, RuPay debit cardholders. Here are some of the key revisions scheduled for implementation from the start of the new financial year.

Adani Airports is now offering passengers the convenience of booking lounge access directly through its website, eliminating the need for third-party platforms. This initiative, spearheaded by CEO Arun Bansal, aims to streamline the lounge booking process across Adani's eight airports in India. The move reflects Adani's commitment to digital innovation and enhancing customer experience.

Cash-hit Jet's premium passengers flying out of Mumbai since Tuesday received a shock when they approached the airport lounge-a free service that full-service carriers extend to premium passengers and frequent flyers.

Passengers at Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports are facing lounge access issues due to a disruption in services by Dreamfolks Services Ltd. Adani Airport Holdings is working with banks to resolve the issue, temporarily accepting all major debit and credit cards from other providers to support passengers during this period.

Air India has expanded and enhanced its network of lounges across airports in India and at all overseas destinations, as it continues to enhance the travel experience for its premium customers, its officials said. Since embarking on its comprehensive, 5-year transformation plan, Vihaan.AI, Air India has increased the coverage of lounge access from 16 to 26 airports in India, having entered partnerships with airport lounges at Dibrugarh, Indore, Jammu, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Nagpur, Patna, Srinagar, and Vadodara.

Indian millennials are the highest spenders on travel at $6,031 annually, according to Collinson International's report. Travel is the second largest expense for Indians after everyday spending. airport lounge access tops the list of valued travel perks, with 90% expecting it on credit cards and 89% willing to switch cards if this benefit is removed.

ICICI Bank has introduced modifications to airport lounge access benefits and reward points rules for 21 credit cards. Commencing on April 1, 2024, cardholders can enjoy a complimentary airport lounge access by spending Rs. 35,000 in the preceding calendar quarter. A 1% DCC fee will be applied to all international transactions conducted in Indian currency using ICICI Bank credit cards. Additionally, as of February 1, 2024, reward points will no longer be earned on rent payments and e-wallet loading, excluding the Amazon Pay ICICI Bank credit card.

Aviation minister Ajit Singh has ordered the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to make available free lounge access only on a reciprocal basis.

Domestic flight passengers from Terminal 2 can now have access to an airport lounge. Inaugurated on Monday, the lounge can seat 160 passengers and is the first lounge in the domestic section of T2.

To enhance the airport lounge experience, operators and banks are planning direct business, bypassing aggregators. A dedicated app will allow flyers to book lounge access in advance and swipe their cards at the gate. This initiative aims to improve the lounge experience for premium credit cardholders and full-service airline passengers, addressing current issues like long queues and undifferentiated service.

Travelers at several Indian airports are facing lounge access disruptions as Dreamfolks Services Ltd has abruptly suspended its services. Adani Airport Holdings Ltd is working with banks to restore these services quickly. Meanwhile, lounges at Adani-operated airports are accepting major debit and credit cards from other providers. AAHL manages seven airports, soon adding Navi Mumbai International Airport.

The Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport here has become the first in India to have a reading lounge.