ICICI Bank Credit Cards Airport Lounge Access Update – August 2025 Changes You Must Know

Q: What changes have been made to ICICI Bank Credit Cards’ airport lounge access in August 2025?

A: According to CardMela.com, ICICI Bank has updated its airport lounge access program in August 2025, with a key change affecting users who accessed lounges via the DreamFolks web portal. Many ICICI credit cards will no longer support online pre-booking through DreamFolks, and customers will need to rely on direct card swipes or alternate lounge access partners. This update impacts travel planning, especially for those who relied on booking lounges in advance.

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1. Overview of the Change

In early August 2025, ICICI Bank announced changes to the way certain credit cards provide complimentary airport lounge access in India.
Previously, several ICICI credit cards allowed customers to book lounge visits online using the DreamFolks web portal. This made it possible to secure a lounge spot in advance, ensuring hassle-free travel during peak times.

With the new update:

• DreamFolks web booking is no longer available for eligible ICICI cards.
• Lounge access is still available, but only via direct swipe at the lounge counter.
• International lounge access through Priority Pass (for premium cards) remains unchanged.

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2. Why This Change Matters

For frequent flyers, pre-booking a lounge through DreamFolks was a way to avoid queues and guarantee entry. Without this, travellers may face:

• Limited seat availability during peak hours
• First-come-first-served restrictions
• Uncertainty during holiday and festival travel seasons

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3. List of Affected ICICI Bank Credit Cards

(Only cards listed on CardMela.com are included)

Card Name	Previous Benefit	New Benefit (Aug 2025)	Lounge Access Type
ICICI Coral Credit Card Apply Now!	1 complimentary lounge visit/quarter via DreamFolks booking	1 complimentary lounge visit/quarter via swipe	Domestic Lounges
ICICI Platinum Corporate Credit Card Apply Now!	2 complimentary domestic lounge visits/quarter via DreamFolks	2 visits/quarter via swipe	Domestic & International (Priority Pass)
ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card Apply Now!	4 complimentary domestic visits + Priority Pass	Domestic via swipe, international unchanged	Both
ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card Apply Now!	No lounge access	No change	None

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4. How Lounge Access Works Now

Under the new rules:

1. Arrive at the lounge at the airport.
2. Present your eligible ICICI Bank credit card.
3. The lounge staff will swipe your card to verify eligibility.
4. If eligible, you get free entry; if not, standard charges apply.

Tip from CardMela.com: Arrive early during festivals or business travel seasons, as complimentary entry is subject to seat availability.

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5. Alternative Options for Pre-Booking

While DreamFolks web access is gone for ICICI Bank cards, travellers can still use:

• Priority Pass App (for premium ICICI cards like Sapphiro, Emeralde)
• Credit card-linked DragonPass memberships (if offered by other banks you hold cards with)
• Paid bookings directly on lounge websites

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6. How This Compares with Other Banks

Some banks like HDFC Bank and Axis Bank still allow certain pre-booking options via their own travel portals or via DreamFolks. This puts ICICI slightly behind in terms of advance booking convenience, though actual lounge visit benefits remain intact.

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7. ICICI Cards Still Offering Strong Lounge Benefits

Despite this change, ICICI Bank continues to provide strong lounge access with certain cards:

• ICICI Coral Credit Card – Balanced domestic + international lounge coverage
• ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card – Premium lounge access, higher quarterly limits
• ICICI Times Black Credit Card – Unlimited domestic + international lounge visits for primary cardholders

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8. Travel Planning Tips After the Update

• Travel off-peak for better lounge availability.
• Check lounge entry rules on the airport website before departure.
• Hold multiple lounge access cards from different issuers to increase chances of entry.
• Consider paid memberships if you travel very frequently and value guaranteed entry.

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FAQs

Q1: Can I still use my ICICI credit card for lounge access?
A: Yes, but you must swipe your card at the lounge instead of booking online.

Q2: Does this affect international lounge access?
A: No, Priority Pass benefits for premium ICICI cards remain the same.

Q3: Is lounge entry still free with ICICI cards?
A: Yes, if you have complimentary visits left in your quarterly limit.

Q4: Which ICICI cards are best for lounge access?
A: Rubyx, Sapphiro, and Emeralde offer the best lounge privileges.

Q5: Can I access lounges without a physical card?
A: Generally, physical card swiping is required for complimentary access.

Author Bio:

Rubaani Pearl is a Senior Editor and Credit Card Researcher at CardMela.com, helping 10,000+ users make smarter financial choices. With deep insights into India’s card ecosystem, she writes detailed guides backed by real data and user behaviour trends.