American Express is the only issuer/network in India that has been able to offer its stand-alone lounges at airports so far. In a country that has airport operators getting into the lounge business and with massive queues outside contract lounges due to the complimentary lounge access offered by almost all debit and credit cards, the USP of American Express was the part where they have exclusive lounges for their cardmembers in Delhi and Mumbai for domestic transit passengers. However, RuPay has entered this big boys’ club with its marketing budget and an airport lounge.

RuPay launches its lounge at Delhi Airport.

In the early days of 2024, we reported about the upcoming launch of the RuPay Lounge. Gate 41 at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 3 was where the Vistara Lounge used to be located (it shut down during the pandemic, as the airport operator wanted the space back).

RuPay is serious about bringing more than one lounge in India, and this is perhaps a testbed to see the way forward for the network. It makes business sense as well. The costs of offering lounge access via your lounge are lower than paying a contracted lounge operator. So, while you pay INR 2 towards authentication, that is not the amount payable for the lounge, which is why banks are brutal about cutting down lounge access.

Now, this lounge has been opened to the public. A picture sent to me shows this lounge is exclusively for RuPay Credit Card holders and not accessible for those who have the RuPay Debit Cards.

On September 9, a Puja was organised.

T3 RuPay lounge is no longer under shades. The Inaugural Pooja is happening today, and it will be open to the public tomorrow. Looks good. pic.twitter.com/zFKQG5P1x2

— Akash Bansal (@akashbnsal) September 9, 2024

As of September 10, the lounge is open for general access. Here are some pictures of the inside.

https://twitter.com/eshwarvs/status/1832413904292737474

As is predictable, the current lounge operator will manage this lounge after taking over all the other available lounge space in Delhi Airport, including the American Express Lounge.

The lounge has been updated on the list of lounges available for lounge access with a RuPay Card.

Which Credit Cards can access this lounge?

If you frequent Delhi Airport T3 and might want to access a lounge which is closer to the gates, you would want access to this lounge. It also has a good amount of airside views, so the avgeek in you might also be excited. Here are some credit cards I know which will gain access to this lounge:

• HDFC Bank TATA Neu Infinity Credit Card:  8 Domestic Lounge Access per annum. Use referral code AJAY499 to apply using the Tata Neu app or apply here.
• HDFC Bank TATA Neu Plus Credit Card:  4 Domestic Lounge Access per annum. Use referral code AJAY499 to apply using the Tata Neu app or apply here.
• ICICI Bank HPCL Super Saver RuPay Credit Card: 1 Airport Lounge Access Per Quarter.
• IDFC First Power Plus RuPay Select Credit Card: 4 Airport Lounge Access Per Annum.
• ixigo AU Credit Card: 2 domestic lounge access in a quarter.
• Reliance Prime Select Credit Card: You will receive eight complimentary Lounges per calendar year (a maximum of Domestic Airpor 2 per quarter).

I’m sure more cards are eligible for lounge access, and we have yet to review a complete list.

Bottomline

RuPay has launched its first airport lounge at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 3 Gate 41. The lounge is in the same spot as Vistara’s lounge used to be. Encalm Hospitality will manage the lounge, and holders of RuPay Credit Cards will be able to access this lounge, as long as their credit card provides for a lounge access feature.

What do you make of RuPay offering their own Lounge?

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