Airport lounges are a mark of luxury. Travellers get to enjoy free food and drinks, comfortable recliners, free WiFi and charging points without paying any bill. The perks do not end here. Some airport lounges are even equipped with spa services, sleeping pods and showers. But have you ever wondered how these lounges survive when it is not the passengers who are paying the bill? Well, data analyst Suraj Kumar Talreja has shared an informative post on X (formerly Twitter), breaking down the details of it all.
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According to Suraj Kumar Talreja, "Most people who enter lounges in India today don't actually pay anything out of pocket. You swipe your credit or debit card and walk in. It feels free." So, who is funding the cost? The answer is your bank or card network.
"Every time you enter a lounge using your card, whether it's HDFC, Axis, SBI, ICICI, or even Rupay, the lounge operator gets paid by the bank (or by Visa/Mastercard/Amex). This is part of your credit card benefit package, and the bank foots the bill as a loyalty and acquisition cost," explains the data analyst.
Now, coming to the lounge charges, "In India, it typically ranges from Rs 600 to Rs 1,200 per visit (domestic lounges) and 25 dollars to 35 dollars for international lounges (via networks like Priority Pass or LoungeKey)."
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But the question that remains is, "How do lounges make money if people walk in for free?" The answer is simple. "They get paid per visit, get volume from credit card users, often save on cost by partnering with caterers and airports and some sell day passes (low share)."
For those still thinking of skipping lounges and eating at the food court, Suraj Kumar Talreja has the perfect response. Lounge food means that you save up to Rs 500-Rs 1,000. Additionally, free WiFi and charging ports mean you can work in peace, alongside getting clean restrooms and air conditioning. "Some lounges have beds and showers (especially in T3 Delhi or Bangalore International)."
Ever wondered how airport lounges actually work?
— Suraj Kumar Talreja (@suritalreja) July 30, 2025
Free food, comfy chairs, sometimes even spa & showers and you get in without paying a rupee.
So how do these lounges survive?
Who's footing the bill?
And how do banks come into play?
Let me break down the entire lounge…
The internet loved the post.
"What an awesome thread. Loved the details," gushed a user.
What an awesome thread. Loved the details ✨️🙌✨️
— Gajender Yadav (@imYadav31) July 30, 2025
Absolutely brilliant work dada @suritalreja ❤️
"There is a B2B version of the lounge too, wherein you can buy a membership to get access to the lounge," shared another.
Great thread!!! There is a B2B version of lounge too wherein you can buy a membership to get access to lounge
— Starcommander✨👨🏻💻 (@Starcommander10) July 30, 2025
"Most cards have a condition now of minimum spending for being eligible for lounge access. You get lounge access only when quarterly expenditure is a certain amount," pointed out one person.
Most cards have a condition now of minimum spends for being eligible for lounge access. You get lounge access only when quarterly expenditure is certain amount.
— Dr RAJESH GUPTA (@rkg04) July 30, 2025
"Airport lounges in India are now like a second-class railway station waiting room. Best skipped I think," read a sceptical remark.
Airport lounges in India are now like a second class railway station waiting room.
— ashish t (@ashisharchitect) July 30, 2025
Best skipped I think.
What are your thoughts on this?
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