SBI Card is reducing the lounge benefit on the SBI Elite Credit Card from 6 Priority Pass visits per quarter to 2 visits per quarter starting June 2026. At the same time, the Trident Privilege membership benefit is being discontinued. The annual fee remains unchanged at ₹4,999, and the milestone benefit of ₹5,000 on spending ₹10 lakh remains intact. This is a classic devaluation for existing and future SBI Elite cardholders because the card is losing one of its headline premium travel benefits while the cost stays the same.
The key change is not subtle: users will go from 24 Priority Pass visits a year, if the quarterly entitlement was fully usable, to just 8 visits annually under the new structure. That is a steep reduction for frequent international travelers who relied on SBI Elite for airport lounge access. The removal of Trident Privilege membership further weakens the card’s hotel-oriented value. While the ₹5,000 milestone benefit at ₹10 lakh annual spend remains, that reward is unlikely to compensate for the reduced lounge access for most premium users.
Compared with cards like Axis Magnus, HDFC Infinia, and American Express Platinum, SBI Elite now looks less compelling for travelers who value lounge access and hotel perks. The card still retains some value for users who can hit the ₹10 lakh spend milestone, but the balance has shifted away from premium travel utility. In practical terms, the change is negative for existing cardholders and makes the card harder to justify for new applicants unless SBI adds other benefits later.
If you hold SBI Elite, you do not need to opt in to the change; the revised lounge structure applies automatically from June 2026. New applicants should check the benefit schedule carefully before applying, especially if lounge access is a major reason for choosing the card. The fine print to watch includes how SBI counts quarterly visits, whether unused visits carry forward, and whether Priority Pass usage is tied to cardholder activation dates or calendar quarters. Anyone who values hotel memberships or frequent lounge entry should compare the card directly with alternatives before renewal.