SBI Elite Credit Card is undergoing a mixed change: while Priority Pass lounge visits are being reduced from 6 to 2 per quarter starting June 2026, the ₹5,000 milestone benefit on ₹10 lakh annual spend remains intact. The annual fee stays at ₹4,999, but the Trident Privilege membership is being discontinued. This means the card is losing travel and hotel value while preserving one of its most visible spend-based rewards.
The milestone benefit is unchanged, which is important because it preserves a measurable value proposition for high spenders. Cardholders who spend ₹10 lakh in a year will still receive ₹5,000, but they now get fewer lounge visits and no Trident Privilege membership. The annual fee remains ₹4,999, so the cost does not change even though the benefit mix does. In practical terms, the card is becoming more spend-milestone oriented and less travel-perk oriented. The lounge reduction from 6 to 2 per quarter is a severe cut for frequent flyers.
This update affects existing SBI Elite cardholders most, especially those who used the card for airport access and hotel privileges. Compared with cards like Axis Magnus, HDFC Infinia, and ICICI Sapphiro, SBI Elite now looks weaker on travel conveniences but still holds some appeal for users who can reliably clear the ₹10 lakh milestone. The change is net negative overall because it removes high-frequency utility while keeping the fee constant. However, for infrequent lounge users who chase milestone rewards, the card remains somewhat relevant.
The changes are automatic and begin in June 2026, so there is no opt-in process. Cardholders should review their lounge usage patterns and decide whether the remaining 2 quarterly visits justify the ₹4,999 fee. If the milestone benefit is the main draw, users should ensure their spending is concentrated enough to reach ₹10 lakh in the card year. New applicants should compare SBI Elite against alternatives before applying through the official SBI Card page, because the reduced lounge entitlement materially weakens the card’s premium appeal.