Recently, the termination of services between Travel Food & Services and DreamFolks was announced. Through regulatory announcements, TFSL announced “the Company has issued a notice to terminate the extended arrangement for providing lounge access services for lounges operated by the Company, to customers of Dreamfolks Services Limited, effective from 15th September 2025.”
When this was announced, it was clear that several changes would be coming to the airport lounge access scene in India. Now IDFC Bank has informed its debit cardholders that the airport lounge access program shall be transferred from DreamFolks to Elite Assist, a subsidiary of TFSL.
This is a major change for users, as all IDFC Bank Debit Cardholders are accustomed to using DreamFolks for their airport lounge access. There is no change in the number of complementary visits offered to IDFC Debit Cardholders, just the platform has shifted to Elite Assist.
QR codes for airport lounge access via Elite Assist are currently not available.
Timeline
On 29th August, DreamFolks announced, “In accordance with Regulation 30 of the SEBI LODR Regulations, the Company wishes to inform that it has received communications from suppliers, indicating their intention to discontinue certain services. The suppliers are Adani Digital, Semolina Kitchens (effective September 15, 2025), and Encalm Hospitality (effective November 01, 2025).”
TFSL on 4th September announced the termination of the partnership with DreamFolks. They also provided the reason and consequence for the termination of services. “Dreamfolks was acting as one of the aggregators for banks and networks in relation to lounge access services for various lounges operated by TFSL. Despite efforts to re-negotiate the commercial terms of the agreement in good faith, we have been unable to reach a closure.”
It further added, “TFSL, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Eliteassist Technology and Services Private Limited, has already initiated direct engagements with banks and networks. As a result, the termination of the arrangement with Dreamfolks, will not have an impact on the business operations of the Company.”
Bottom Line
Since the announcement on 4th September, it has been evident that India’s airport lounge access programs for credit cards were set for a shake-up. Now, IDFC Bank has become the first to roll out changes for its debit cardholders, shifting lounge access services from DreamFolks to Elite Assist.
The big question now is whether other card issuers will follow in IDFC First Bank’s footsteps, adopting similar changes in their lounge access partnerships.
Another key date to watch is November 1, when the partnership between DreamFolks and Encalm Hospitality officially comes to an end. This will mean the discontinuation of QR code-based lounge access at several major airports, including the highly popular Delhi International Airport.
One thing is clear: QR code-based airport lounge access is becoming increasingly complicated for travelers. With multiple platforms now in play, Adani Lounge One, DreamFolks, and Elite Assist, the general public is left juggling between providers.
Adding to the confusion, there is still no clarity on railway lounge access or spa access programs, leaving cardholders uncertain about the future of these benefits.