If you’ve passed through Changi Airport Terminals 2 or 3, you may have seen the DBS Private Access lounge, an exclusive retreat for DBS’ high net worth customers.
But DBS Private Access is more than just a lounge. It’s a membership programme that offers complimentary airport limo transfers in Singapore, Indonesia and Taiwan, priority check-in, preferential currency exchange rates and other travel privileges.
While Private Access members used to enjoy unlimited airport limo rides and lounge visits, DBS has been cracking down on this in recent years. In April 2024, Private Access was segmented into three tiers, which saw some members’ entitlements cut to four airport limo rides and lounge visits per year. In April 2025, those entitlements were cut again — in some cases to only two limo rides and no lounge access at all.
Unfortunately, 2026 will mark the third consecutive year that DBS will tighten Private Access benefits, though curiously enough, it only affects their top-tier Private Banking clients.
DBS Private Access increases minimum AUM for Private Bank clients
From 1 January 2026, DBS Private Bank clients will need to maintain an AUM of at least US$5M to enjoy DBS Private Access membership, up from the current S$5M. Based on the current exchange rates, this amounts to a 30% increase.
Please be informed that effective 1 January 2026, the minimum Assets Under Management (AUM) requirement to qualify for DBS Private Access will be revised to US$5 million.
-DBS
AUM is based on the aggregate of all account relationships maintained with DBS between January and December each year, although DBS Private Access membership runs from 1 April to 31 March each year.Â
Of course, DBS also predicts that the SGD will reach parity with the USD by 2040, so perhaps this is just forward thinking!
Interestingly enough, there is no change to the requirement for Treasures Private Client, which is one step below DBS Private Bank (you can qualify with a minimum AUM of S$1.5M).Â
That said, their membership isn’t nearly as generous. While DBS Private Bank customers enjoy unlimited limo rides and lounge visits (with up to two guests), DBS Treasures Private Client customers receive a maximum of eight limo rides and lounge visits per year.
| Â | Treasures Private Client | DBS Private Bank |
| Lounge Access |
8 visits (+ 1 guest) 4 visits (+1 guest) None |
Unlimited + 2 guests AUM ≥US$5M |
| Airport Limo Rides |
8 rides 4 rides 2 rides |
Unlimited AUM ≥US$5M |
As I’ve said before, it’s a bit surprising that customers on the lower end of the spectrum don’t get lounge access, but still receive limo rides. After all, limo rides are purely variable cost, but the lounge will incur some degree of fixed cost no matter the occupancy rate.Â
What’s inside the DBS Private Access lounge?
DBS operates two Private Access lounges at Changi Airport 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.Â
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 Taittinger Prelude Grand Crus.
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 on arrival in:
- Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
- Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta
- Juanda International Airport, Surabaya
- Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
- Taipei Songshan Airport
- SATS Premier check-in lounge at Changi Terminal 2 when travelling with Air India, ANA, Malaysia Airlines, Lufthansa, 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
What about competitor programmes?
DBS Private Access isn’t the only game in town, of course. Other banks offer their high net worth clients travel privileges as well.Â
Here’s a snapshot of the programmes I’m aware of.Â
| Bank | Min. AUM | Lounge | Limo |
| Citigold Private Client | S$1.5M | N/A | 2-16x |
| OCBC Premier Private Client | S$1.5M | ∞ | ∞ |
| StanChart Priority Private | S$1.5M | 24x | 8x |
| Maybank Private Wealth | US$1M | ∞ + 1 guest | 12x |
| HSBC Premier Elite | S$1.2M | ∞ | 8x |
Those with S$1.5M looking for better benefits might be interested exploring OCBC Premier Private Client, Maybank Private Wealth or StanChart Priority Private, which have superior lounge and limo benefits to DBS.
However, DBS is the only bank to operate a lounge of its own at Changi Airport, if that kind of thing is important to you.
Conclusion
DBS Private Access will be raising the minimum AUM for Private Banking clients from S$5M to US$5M with effect from 1 January 2026, which works out to a 30% increase. This is the third consecutive year we’ve seen a tightening of Private Access membership criteria, but thankfully, it appears that Treasures Private Client customers have escaped for the moment.
I remember OMAAT expressing incredulity about the airport lounge in Chengdu which required US$2.8M for entry– clearly he’s not heard about this one!
Is OCBC ppc limo via purely being a customer or with voyage card? Because from what I know there isn’t unlimited limo
Yes but ppc waives voyage fee anyway, so no reason not to get it
If you have USD$5m AUM you are likely to be flying commercial First or Business and using the airline lounges which are far better.
5 Mio. SGD in 3% (presuming USD safe investment) generates 150’000 SGD. Whilst this is a lot of money, people that wealthy are often also frugal and might for instance stay in Economy and even fly Air Asia for their Phuket trips. In any case, even if flying Business, say with SQ, or even First, the food seems to be on par with the Private Room, albeit minus the very expensive alcohol they serve in the latter. If we thus equate DBS Access to Private Room, it means that say customer would be paying 15-20’000 SGD for longhaul First travel… Read more »
Haha. Not true at all, particularly for the stereotypical DBS client.
It’s nice to get some banking done while waiting for the flight, so time isn’t just wasted doomscrolling in another lounge. For day-long commutes to KL or Jakarta, it better than using up non-airport time meeting a banker in town. There is limited space though especially before certain flights so that is probably the reason they’re more restrictive on lounge access than limo rides. Sometimes it’s also nice to just go back to the same place rather than having to go to different lounges for different airlines, I find it rather comforting to fall into a routine during non-leisure trips,… Read more »
I thought this service was only for Private Bank, but I see here it also applies to Treasures. I checked the website and in the FAQ it states “Memberships will be issued to DBS Private Bank clients who maintain an average AUM of at least S$5m aggregated from all account relationship(s) maintained with the bank between January and December each year.” What is valid? Thank you
Don’t get it with DBS. If someone has an AUM of $5 Million will that person still considering be with DBS or move to GS or Morgan Stanlay?
At $5m, even the assistant at GS and Morgan Stanley won’t return your call or email
for a quick search. JPM considers at 50, GS at 100 Mio USD. However, just for reference, banks are very keen on having the juicy fees of mandated investments, where a bunch of bankers pretend they can time the market and justify higher costs than say an ETF investment. Should a customer be willing to put a lot into those, then that metric is more important than NNM (Net New Money) which is just liquidity. To sum up, if you have less than the above but are willing to invest in expensive products, you are more than welcome.