Starting July 1, major changes are coming to credit card rules in India.
Two big banks—State Bank of India (SBI) and HDFC Bank—are updating how their credit cards work.
These updates will affect reward points, airport lounge access, and several spending benefits.
If you use a credit card regularly, these changes are important because some benefits may become harder to earn than before.
Banks say the updates are meant to match changing customer spending patterns.
But for users, it may also mean fewer rewards in some categories.
HDFC Bank Updates: New Rules for Rewards and Lounge Access
HDFC Bank has made changes to some of its popular cards, including Regalia Gold and Diners Club Privilege.
Reward point calculations on the Regalia Gold card have already been updated. From July 1, 2026, airport lounge access rules will also change.
Now, customers will need to spend at least ₹60,000 in a quarter to qualify for domestic airport lounge access. If this spending limit is not met, the benefit will not be available.
For Diners Club Privilege cardholders, lounge access is now linked to spending milestones.
Once users meet the required spending limit, they will receive vouchers for domestic and international lounge visits.
The good news is that joining and renewal fees remain unchanged for these cards.
SBI Card Cuts Reward Benefits in Several Categories
SBI Card has also announced changes for its PhonePe SBI Card Purple and PhonePe SBI Card Select Black.
These new rules will apply from July 1, 2026.
One major change is the introduction of monthly caps on reward points.
This means customers can only earn rewards up to a fixed limit each month.
Separate limits will apply for different spending types like insurance and other transactions. Online spending rewards have also been reduced in many cases.
In addition, SBI Card has removed reward points from several categories.
These include toll payments, gift card purchases, jewellery shopping, education payments, certain utility bills, insurance payments, and some UPI transactions made outside PhonePe.
The bank says this is being done to focus rewards on core spending categories.
What Cardholders Should Do Now
Experts suggest that credit card users should not only look at reward points but also understand how they actually spend money each month.
If you frequently use cards for travel, online shopping, or bill payments, these changes may directly affect your benefits.
Before July, it is a good idea to review your credit card terms carefully.
Understanding the new rules will help you avoid surprises and choose the right card for your spending habits.
