Creditkeeda
For a card that practically built its identity on being the "ultimate travel companion" for the everyday millennial, Scapia is starting to look a lot more like the traditional banks it once tried to disrupt.
In a recent update sent to users, the fintech has announced a series of changes effective for statements generated on or after February 27, 2026. While the app calls it an "evolution," many loyalists are calling it a classic devaluation of the card’s most loved feature: easy airport access.
The "Unlimited" Dream Just Got Twice as Expensive
The biggest blow is to the Domestic Airport Privileges (which includes both lounge access and other airport perks). Previously, users could unlock these benefits by spending a relatively modest ₹10,000 on the Visa variant.
Now, Scapia has unified the requirement across both Visa and RuPay cards, hiking the minimum spend to ₹20,000 per month. By doubling the barrier to entry for both lounge visits and airport privileges, Scapia is moving away from being an "easy-access" travel card and entering a territory where users might start questioning if the spend is worth the snack at the terminal.
The "International" Catch
Scapia is also introducing a new tier for International Airport Privileges. To unlock 100% rewards (up to ₹2,000) on international dining or duty-free shopping, you now need to book an international flight worth ₹50,000 or more specifically through the Scapia app.
While the value back sounds great, the "forced" booking through their platform is a significant hurdle for those who prefer booking directly with airlines or through other aggregators for better deals or corporate discounts.
Key Changes at a Glance
Feature | Old Criteria | New Criteria (From Feb 27, 2026) |
Domestic Airport Privileges | ₹10,000 (Visa) / ₹15,000 (RuPay) | ₹20,000 (Unified) |
International Perks | N/A | Min. ₹50,000 flight booking on app |
Rewards Exclusions | Standard exclusions | Insurance & Utility (No rewards) |
Adding Insult to Injury: No Rewards on Basics
To make hitting the new ₹20,000 milestone even harder, Scapia has also eliminated reward points for Insurance (MCC-6300) and Utility payments.
For many, these were the "filler" spends—paying an electricity bill or a life insurance premium—that helped cross the threshold for airport privileges. By removing rewards in these categories, the card loses its utility for "everyday" life, pushing it strictly into a discretionary spending bucket.
Is the Honeymoon Over?
Scapia's "Zero Forex" remains its strongest suit, but with the bar for airport privileges continually rising, the "Lifetime Free" tag is starting to come with more fine print. If you aren't a high spender, you might find your Scapia card spending more time in your drawer than in the airport lounge.
What do you think?
Is the ₹20,000 monthly spend a deal-breaker for you, or do you think the Zero Forex benefit still makes Scapia worth keeping? Comment below what you think about this change!