DBS Private Access cuts airport lounge and limo benefits

While the start of April saw a number of high profile nerfs to the DBS Altitude, HSBC EGA, HSBC Revolution, UOB One Account and UOB Absolute Card, there was another that flew under the radar- understandably though, given its more select appeal.

This concerns DBS Private Access, a programme providing high-net-worth DBS clients with special travel benefits, including the use of two exclusive lounges at Singapore Changi Airport and complimentary airport transfers in Singapore, Indonesia and Taiwan.

DBS Private Access cuts ride and lounge visit entitlements

DBS Private Access qualification previously required customers to:

• be a DBS Private Bank Client (min. AUM: S$5 million), or
• be a DBS Treasures Private Client (min. AUM: S$1.5 million) and spend at least S$30,000 per year (1 April to 31 March) on a DBS/POSB credit card

While TPC members had a further hurdle to clear in the form of a minimum card spend, DBS adopted a wider definition of eligible spending compared to normal. Transactions like insurance premiums, hospital bills, recurring telco bills, educational institutions and even cash advances all counted towards the S$30,000 threshold.

Towards the end of March, DBS sent out the following email to Private Access members:

The email then goes on to state how many visits the member will be entitled to, and from what I gather there’s three possible tiers:

• Tier 1: Four limo rides and lounge visits
• Tier 2: Eight limo rides and lounge visits
• Tier 3: Unlimited limo rides and lounge visits

I don’t know the exact rubric being used, but my guess (and reminder, it’s only a guess) is that Private Bank customers continue to receive unlimited lounge and limo rides, while TPC customers get either four or eight of each, depending on their AUM.

One guest is permitted per lounge visit, and does not count towards the entitlement (i.e. whether you visit as a party of one or two, it still counts as a one visit deduction).

So in short, the big change here is that DBS has scrapped the minimum S$30,000 credit card spend required for TPC customers, but capped the number of free lounge visits and limo rides in the process. Maybe the cap enables them to offer Private Access perks to more TPC customers, maybe it’s just the realisation that unlimited limo rides is a perk that’s ripe for abuse. I don’t really know, but all in all it’s probably a net loss for customers, unless you’re part of the unlimited tier and will now enjoy less crowded lounges and easier limo bookings. 

A reminder that just like before, DBS Private Access membership is by invitation only, and meeting the minimum AUM is no guarantee of anything.

What is the DBS Private Access Lounge like?

DBS operates two Private Access Lounges at Changi Airport in Terminals 2 and 3, open daily during the following windows:

• Terminal 2: 6 a.m to 6 p.m
• Terminal 3: 7 a.m to 1 a.m

I had the opportunity to visit the Terminal 3 lounge back in 2022 (when it was still known as the Asia Treasures Lounge), and found it pleasant enough overall.

Yes, it doesn’t have the facilities of a full-fledged airline lounge— no showers, workstations, or slumber rooms— but then again I don’t think it’s aiming to be. This isn’t a lounge designed for transit passengers on long layovers; it’s more of a space for those originating from Singapore to grab a meal and settle banking transactions before their flight. 

In terms of F&B, don’t expect flourishes like a caviar bar or celebrity-chef curated meals. The selection veers more local, with laksa, carrot cake and congee. There is champagne though, a very nice Tattinger Prelude Grand Crus which sometimes makes an appearance in the SilverKris First Class Lounge when the regular Piper Heidsieck Rare is unavailable. 

I have yet to visit the Terminal 2 lounge, but I understand it’s identical in terms of catering.

What other benefits do Private Access members enjoy?

In addition to lounge access at Changi Airport, Private Access members enjoy:

• Complimentary limo transfers from the airport when they arrive in:
  • Singapore (SIN)
  • Indonesia (CGK, SUB)
  • Taiwan (TPE, TSA)
• SATS Premier check-in lounge at Changi Terminal 2 when travelling with Air India, ANA, Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Brunei and SWISS
• Preferential exchange rates at Travelex counters at Singapore Changi Airport
• Expedited immigration clearance and access to selected restaurants at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airport Terminal 3

Conclusion

DBS Private Access has tightened its membership benefits effective 1 April 2024, with the previously unlimited lounge and limo perks cut to as few as four per membership year for certain customers. 

I’m sure there’ll be more than a few clients giving their RMs an earful about this, but if it’s any consolation, there’s plenty of credit card alternatives that offer complimentary lounge or limo rides.