Today, we’ve got a packed roundup of the latest updates in banking, credit cards, debit cards, and financial news. From lounge access changes to new product launches and RBI updates, here’s everything you need to know.

1. RBL Bank Credit Cards: Lounge Access Gets a Spend Requirement

Starting July 1, 2025, RBL Bank is changing its complimentary domestic airport lounge access benefits on four cards:

• Platinum Maxima

• Platinum Maxima Plus

• World Safari

• Icon

Key Changes:

• Quarterly Spend Threshold: Spend ₹35,000+ in the previous calendar quarter to qualify.

• Eligible Transactions: Only retail spends count (no cash withdrawals, fees, etc.).

• New Cardholders: No lounge access in the first quarter of card issuance.

• Add-On Cards: Their spends count toward the threshold, but only the primary cardholder gets lounge access.

• Access Window: Lounge visits available from the 7th day of the quarter till the end of that quarter.

• No Carryover: Unused visits will not roll over to the next quarter.

2. Axis Bank Savings Account: ATM Withdrawal Fee Update

In line with RBI guidelines (March 28, 2025), Axis Bank is revising charges on ATM usage.

• Effective Date: July 1, 2025

• New Charges: ₹23 per transaction (previously ₹21) once free limits are exceeded.

• Free Transaction Limit: Varies by customer’s account type/segment.

3. Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card – Coming Soon

Standard Chartered is set to launch its Simply Cash Credit Card with an attractive tiered cashback structure.

Cashback Benefits:

• Retail, Fashion, Home & Departmental Stores: 5% cashback (monthly cap: ₹1,000)

• Other Spends: 0.25% cashback (unlimited)

Additional Highlights:

• Fuel & Cash Withdrawals: Not eligible for cashback.

• No Minimum Spend: Cashback on all eligible transactions.

• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Up to ₹400 per month (for spends between ₹400–₹2,000).

• Free Redemption: No ₹99 + GST redemption charge.

4. Axis Bank x Flipkart – Co-Branded Debit Card Launch

Axis Bank has launched India’s first co-branded debit card with Flipkart.

Benefits & Features:

• Eligibility: Exclusively for Axis Advantage Savings Account holders.

• Flipkart Cashback: Earn up to ₹750/month with minimum monthly spends of ₹3,500.

• Dining Discounts: 15% off at 10,000+ restaurants (up to ₹500/month).

• Transaction Limits: ₹50,000/day cash withdrawal, ₹5,00,000/day purchase limit.

• Insurance:

  • Personal Accident: ₹5,00,000

  • Air Accident: ₹1 Cr

  • Purchase Protection: ₹50,000

• Joining & Annual Fee: ₹500

• Exclusions: No cashback on fuel, insurance, rent, utility bills, govt. payments, etc.

• No Lounge Access.

5. EazyDiner Partners with IndiGo BluChip Rewards

EazyDiner has tied up with IndiGo BluChip, expanding ways to earn rewards.

• Prime Membership Purchase: 20 BluChips per ₹100 spent.

• Table Bookings & Bill Payments: 1 BluChip per ₹100 spent.

• Extra Stacking: If you use an IndusInd co-branded credit card, you can double-dip on rewards.

How to Link IndiGo BluChip in EazyDiner App:

1. Open the EazyDiner app → Go to Profile.

2. Navigate to Partner Program → Select IndiGo BluChips.

3. Enter your Membership Number to link.

6. IndusInd Bank Debit Cards: Lounge Access Becomes Spend-Linked

From July 1, 2025, IndusInd Bank debit cards will require ₹5,000+ spend in the previous quarter for lounge access.

Affected Cards:

• VISA Signature Select

• VISA Signature Partner

• Mastercard World Select

• VISA Signature Exclusive

• Mastercard World Exclusive

Exceptions:

Premium cards like Grande World, Signature Pioneer, Infinite Solitaire, Platinum Carat, etc. remain unchanged.

New Cardholders:

Enjoy two free quarters of lounge access without meeting spend conditions.

7. ITR Filing Deadline Extended (FY 2024–25)

The CBDT has extended the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns:

• Original Date: July 31, 2025

• Extended Date: September 15, 2025

This comes after delays in the rollout of new ITR utilities.

Looking to apply for a new credit card, Use the affiliate link below to get started-

Axis Bank Credit Card Apply Link - Click Here
ICICI Bank Credit Card Apply Link - Click Here
HDFC Credit Cards Apply Link - Click Here
Yes Bank Kiwi Credit Card Apply Link - Click Here
Scapia Credit Card Apply Link - Click Here
SBI Cashback Credit Card Apply Link - Click Here
IDFC First Credit Card Apply Link - Click Here

8. IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Card Updates

(a) First Power+ Credit Card

• Flights: 33 RP per ₹150

• Hotels: 53 RP per ₹150

• Cap: 8,000 bonus points/month

• Value: 1 RP = ₹0.25; can cover 70% of booking.

(b) FIRST Wealth Credit Card

• Base Rewards: 3 RP per ₹150 (till ₹20k spend) → 10 RP/₹150 above ₹20k.

• Travel Boost: Hotels 60 RP/₹150, Flights 30 RP/₹150.

• Caps: 8,000 RP monthly, 200,000 yearly.

• Points never expire.

(c) Ashva & Mayura Metal Cards (from June 2, 2025)

• Travel Rewards: Hotels +50 RP/₹150; Flights +30 RP/₹150.

• Threshold Boost (Ashva): 60 RP/₹150 after ₹20,000 spend.

• Redemption Value: Ashva ₹0.40/RP, Mayura ₹0.50/RP.

(d) IDFC FIRST Private Credit Card (from June 1, 2025)

• Flat Rewards: 10 RP/₹150 on all spends (3 RP on rent & education).

• Travel Boost: Hotels 60 RP/₹150, Flights 30 RP/₹150.

• Redemption: Travel ₹1/RP, Vouchers ₹0.25/RP.

9. Myntra Kotak Card → Kotak League Card

From July 10, 2025, all Myntra Kotak cards will auto-upgrade to the Kotak League Credit Card.

• Rewards: 8 RP/₹150

• Milestone: ₹1.25L in 6 months → 4 PVR tickets or 10,000 RP.

• Fuel Waiver: 1% (up to ₹3,500/year).

• No Myntra-specific discounts post-upgrade.

10. Scapia Credit Card Now on RuPay

Effective June 12, 2025, Scapia now works on VISA + RuPay networks.

• Single limit, unified statement

• Unlimited domestic lounge access

• Zero forex markup

• Rewards redeemable for flights, hotels, trains, buses via Scapia app

11. Kotak Infinity Metal Debit Card

A new metal debit card for Kotak811 customers.

• Issuance Fee: ₹4,999 (waived with KYC + ₹81,100 deposit)

• Perks:

  • 4 free domestic lounge visits/year

  • 5% cashback (up to ₹500/month)

  • Dining 20% off on Zomato (up to ₹750/month)

  • BOGO movies via BookMyShow (up to ₹300/month)

• Annual Fee: ₹999 (waived with Kotak811)

12. District by Zomato Replaces BookMyShow

From July 1, 2025, Ashva & Mayura cards’ BOGO movie ticket benefit moves from BookMyShow to District by Zomato app.

13. Axis Bank Cashback Credit Card

Now open for all applicants.

• Fee: ₹1,000 + GST

• Welcome: 5,000 EDGE Points (₹1,000 value)

• Cashback Tiers:

  • 2% (≤₹5,000/month)

  • 5% (₹5,001–₹40,000)

  • 7% (above ₹40,000, up to ₹2,150 cashback)

• Other Cashback: 0.75% offline, 0.5% utilities

• Exclusions: Fuel, rent, govt. payments, insurance, wallets, education, jewellery

14. RBI Updates – Repo Rate & KYC Rules

• Repo Rate: RBI has cut rates by 100 bps in 2025 (two 25 bps + one 50 bps cut).

• KYC Rules: Banks must send 3 reminders (incl. 1 letter) before KYC expiry. Agents may assist for PMJDY/DBT-linked accounts.

15. Axis Bank Debit Cards – Prohibited Transactions

Axis debit cards cannot be used for:

• Gambling, casinos, lotteries, racing

• Security brokers & dealers

• Cryptocurrency transactions

Consequences:

• Account closure if used on restricted merchants.

• International transactions blocked for linked accounts.

Final Thoughts

These changes highlight how banks and credit card issuers are tightening benefits while adding new digital-first rewards options. From spend-based lounge access to new debit/credit launches, customers should regularly review their card features to maximize value.