Unlock Exclusive Rewards with Air India’s Maharaja Club Loyalty Program

Air India – Maharaja Club Loyalty Program

From its humble beginnings in 1932 as a small airmail service founded by J.R.D. Tata, Air India has evolved into a symbol of Indian pride and global connectivity. With over 80 years of rich legacy, the airline embodies the spirit of Indian hospitality and innovation. Now, under the Tata Group, Air India has rebranded its loyalty program to the Maharaja Club, enhancing the travel experience for frequent flyers.

What is Maharaja Club?

The Maharaja Club is Air India’s revitalized loyalty program, designed to reward frequent flyers with an enhanced travel experience. Following its acquisition by the Tata Group, Air India has undergone a significant transformation, merging with Air Vistara and placing the largest fleet order in aviation history.

The rebranding from Flying Returns to Maharaja Club reflects this new era, offering members exclusive benefits and rewards. With access to 26 partner airlines through the Star Alliance, members can explore over 1,000 destinations worldwide, making travel more rewarding than ever.

Ways to Earn Maharaja Club points

Flights

Members earn two types of points when flying with Air India and its 26 Star Alliance partners: Tier Points and Maharaja Points. Tier Points determine your Tier Status and are earned based on the number of flights taken. For every INR 100 spent on an Air India flight, Silver Tier members earn 8 Maharaja Points and 6 Tier Points. If booked directly through the Air India website or app, they earn an additional 2 Maharaja Points per INR 100 spent. On Air India flights, Base members earn 6 Tier Points for every INR 100 spent on the fare.

For flights with Star Alliance partners, members earn 1 Tier Point for every 2 Maharaja Points accrued. Maharaja Points can be redeemed for Award Flights on Air India and Star Alliance flights or used to upgrade cabin class on Air India flights.

Co-Branded Credit Card

Air India SBI Signature Card

Joining Fees: ₹4,999 plus applicable taxes.

Joining Benefits: Receive 20,000 points upon joining.

Revenue Benefits: Earn an additional 5,000 points.

Earning Potential:

• Earn 30 SBI Rewards points for every ₹100 spent on your own tickets.
• Earn 10 SBI Rewards points for every ₹100 spent on tickets for others.
• Earn 4 SBI Rewards points for every ₹100 spent elsewhere.

pointstone Benefits:

• Spend ₹5 lakh to earn 20,000 points.
• Spend ₹10 lakh to earn 30,000 points.
• Spend ₹20 lakh to earn 50,000 points.

Air India SBI Platinum Card

Joining Fees: ₹1,499 plus applicable taxes.

Joining Benefits: Receive 5,000 points upon joining.

Revenue Benefits: Earn an additional 2,000 points.

Earning Potential:

• Earn 15 SBI Rewards points for every ₹100 spent on your own tickets.
• Earn 5 SBI Rewards points for every ₹100 spent on tickets for others.
• Earn 2 SBI Rewards points for every ₹100 spent elsewhere.

pointstone Benefits:

• Spend ₹2 lakh to earn 5,000 points.
• Spend ₹3 lakh to earn 10,000 points.

Credit Card Transfers:
Top Indian and global credit cards offer competitive transfer ratios for earning points. Cards like HDFC, AXIS, SBI and American Express allow you to convert points into Maharaja Club points, maximizing your rewards for everyday spending.

Transferable Point Cards & Ratios

SBI Card

SBI points Elite, SBI points Prime, and SBI points cardholders can transfer their accumulated points to Maharaja Club points at a 1:1 ratio.

Axis Bank

• Axis Burgundy Magnus and Private customers can transfer points at a ratio of 5:4.
• Axis Magnus and Reserve cardholders can transfer points at a ratio of 5:2.
• Other Axis cardholders can transfer points at a ratio of 10:1.
• Axis Atlas cardholders can transfer points at a ratio of 1:2.
• Air India is classified as a Group B transfer partner for Axis Bank Edge Rewards, enabling larger-scale mile transfers.

Citi Bank ( Now Axis )

CitiBank Premier points transfer at a 2:1 ratio, while Prestige points transfer at 1:4 and Ultima points at 1:5.

ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Private Metal credit card points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio, while other eligible ICICI credit and debit card points transfer at 6:1.

HSBC Bank

HSBC Premier credit card points can be converted at a 1:1 ratio.

Earn points Through Everyday Spending

Turn your everyday purchases into points with Air India Maharaja Club’s extensive partner network. Here’s how you can earn points effortlessly:

• Truefitt & Hill: Earn 5 points per INR 100 spent (use Amex Gold or Platinum for additional discounts).
• IGP: Earn 10 points per INR 100 (or 10x points with HDFC Infinia).
• Apple Store Online: Earn 4 points per INR 100 (via Amex Gold or Platinum through Reward Multiplier).
• Fern N Petals: Earn 11 points per INR 100 spent.
• Zoom Car: Earn 5 points per INR 100 spent.
• Avis: Earn 4 points per INR 100 (or 2 points otherwise).

As a Maharaja Club Gold or Platinum member, enjoy exclusive benefits like 10% off Avis rentals. Platinum members also receive complimentary Avis President’s Club membership, adding even more value to your travels.

Make every purchase count and accelerate your journey to more rewards with Air India Maharaja Club!

Seasonal Offers

As a valued Maharaja Club member, enjoy exclusive seasonal promotions designed to enhance your travel experience. Benefit from exciting offers such as double points on select routes and additional bonuses when you spend with our partner brands.

To stay updated on the latest promotions and discover tips to maximize your rewards, visit the Maharaja Club Special Offers page on the Air India website. Don’t miss out on these limited-time opportunities to make the most of your membership!

Air India regularly introduces seasonal offers for Maharaja Club members, ensuring you earn more points and enjoy greater rewards with every journey.

Non-Airline Rewards:
You could also earn points with non-airline reward partners, including hotel stays with major chains like Marriott and Hyatt, Car rentals with Avis and Hertz, and lifestyle experiences. When you choose these services, you can earn 5 to 7 Maharaja Points for every INR 100 spent. Accumulating points from a short holiday or business trip can quickly add up, allowing you to redeem enough points for an  Award Flight on Air India.

Combine points & Cash:
You will earn Tier Points and Maharaja Points based on the cash component of your base fare and fuel surcharge (YQ). While you can pay your base fare with a mix of cash and points, fuel surcharges and fees must be paid in cash.

How to Redeem Maharaja Club points

Redeem Your points for Unforgettable Journeys

Use your Air India Maharaja Club points to book free or discounted flight tickets on Air India and the Star Alliance network, which spans over 1,000 destinations worldwide. Enjoy the flexibility of choosing from various fare options, including Value Fare and Prime Fare, to suit your travel preferences.

Turn your points into extraordinary travel experiences and explore the world with Air India!

Cabin Upgrades:

Maharaja club also gives you an opportunity to Elevate your travel experience with Cabin Upgrade Benefits. Redeem your Accumulated points to enjoy the luxury and comfort of a higher class of travel. Whether you are looking to upgrade from Economy to Business Class or from Business to First Class, your points can make it possible.

Keep in Mind, each class comes with a plethora of its benefits, such as elevated gourmet meal experience, Drinks options, Amenity kits from Tumi or Ferragamo, Lie-flat Seats, priority Services, Access to Lounges, and many more.

As a Maharaja Club member, you’ll also receive exclusive offers and discounts on cabin upgrades, making it even easier to travel in style.

The Airline also gives you an option of Cash+points  which offers a value of INR 0.35 per point to upgrade your cabin class on Air Indian Flights in case you are short of complete required points. You Just have to pay the difference.

It’s a great option in case you are just missing a few thousand points  and could lose an opportunity of great redemption.

Non-Airline Rewards:
You can also redeem your points with non-airline reward partners, including hotel stays with major chains like Marriott and Hyatt, Car rentals with Avis and Hertz, and lifestyle experiences.

Maximizing Maharaja Club points

Strategic Planning for Optimal Redemptions
To make the most of your Maharaja Club points, strategic planning is the key. By leveraging advance booking, promotional offers, and smart redemption strategies, you can maximize your points and enhance the quality of your travel experience. Here are some proven strategies and examples to help you achieve your next dream vacation:

1. Book in Advance for Lower Mileage Costs

Award redemption seats are always very limited, especially during peak travel seasons. Booking your flights 3-6 months in advance can help you secure seats at a lower mileage cost and ensure availability.

Example:
If you are planning a trip from Mumbai to New York during the holiday season, booking early can save you a significant amount of points. A last-minute booking might cost 80,000 points, while an advance booking could cost only 50,000 points for the same route.

2. Use the Points + Cash Option

If you are missing some points for a redemption, the points + cash option allows you to combine your miles with cash to book your flight immediately and get your ticket at a very discounted value. This is a great way to avoid waiting to accumulate more points.

Also, the option buying point coud be explored at this point where you will find offers for bonus point purchase.

Example:
If a flight costs 50,000 points or ₹20,000, and you only have 30,000 points, you can use 30,000 points + ₹8,000 to book the flight instead of paying the full cash price.

3. Take Advantage of Promotional Offers

In the process revamping the Global Image of Air India, the airline frequently offers double miles, bonus points, and discounted redemptions for Maharaja Club members. Keep an eye on the Maharaja Club Special Offers page and subscribe to our newsletters to stay updated on these deals.

Pro tip: Subscribe to Milesly newsletter and mailing list today to join the community of like minded travelers and stay up-to-date with latest offers as well as deals catered specifically to your requirement. Subscribe today…

4. Focus on High-Value Redemptions

Not all redemptions offer the same value. Prioritize using your miles for long-haul flights, premium cabin upgrades, or peak season travel, where the cash value of the redemption is significantly higher.

Always, keep in mind you get the maximum return on your points with premium cabin redemptions. 

For Instance:
Redeeming 60,000 points for a Business Class upgrade on a long-haul flight like Mumbai to San Francisco can provide far greater value (Anything between 1.5 – 2 lakhs)   than using the same amount of points for a short haul domestic flight.

5. Earn Miles Through Everyday Spending

Maximize your miles by using co-branded credit cards or shopping with partner brands. Many partners offer bonus points for spending, which can quickly add up.

Example:

• Earn 10 points per INR 100 at IGP (or 10x miles with HDFC Infinia).
• Earn 5 points per INR 100 at Zoom Car or Truefitt & Hill.

6. Pool Miles with Family Members

Air India allows Maharaja Club members to pool miles with family members, making it easier to accumulate enough points for redemptions.

Example:
If you need 100,000 points for a family vacation but only have 70,000 points, you can pool miles with a spouse or family member who has the remaining 30,000 points to book the trip.

7. Redeem for Star Alliance Flights

As part of the Star Alliance network, you get a benefit of redeeming your Maharaja Club point for flights on 26 airlines with over 1,000 destinations worldwide. This expands your redemption options and allows you to find better value.

Example:
Use your miles to book a Lufthansa flight from Delhi to Frankfurt or a Singapore Airlines flight from Mumbai to Singapore, often at competitive or aaa lotttt better redemption rates.

Understanding Maharaja Club Membership Tiers:

Base Tier:
The Base Tier offers essential benefits, including mile accumulation and access to standard award tickets. Members can start earning points on every flight, laying the foundation for future upgrades and rewards within the Maharaja Club program.

• Accumulate points with every flight on Air India, Star Alliance partner airlines, and affiliated partners.
• Enjoy the benefit of points that never expire for active members.
• Use your points for award flights or cabin upgrades, enhancing your travel experience.
• Earn 6 Maharaja Points and 6 Tier Points upon joining

Silver Edge Club:
Travellers can achieve Silver Edge Club status with 15,000 tier points (minimum 4,500 on Air India) or 30 flights (minimum four on Air India).

• Earn 8 Reward Points for every INR 100 spent.
• Enjoy Star Alliance Silver benefits.
• Benefit from priority check-in.
• Receive one upgrade voucher for domestic flights.
• Experience priority boarding.

Golden Edge Club:
To qualify for the Golden Edge Club, you need to earn 30,000 tier points (minimum 9,000 on Air India) or complete 60 flights (minimum eight on Air India).

• Earn 9 Reward Points for every INR 100 spent.
• Enjoy Star Alliance Gold benefits.
• Receive two upgrade vouchers for domestic flights.
• Baggage Allowance on Air India & Star Alliance Flights:
  • 20 kg excess baggage allowance for weight-based flights.
  • 1 piece (up to 23 kg) for piece-based flights.
• Enjoy free standard seat selection.
• Access lounges with one guest.

The Maharaja Club :
The Maharaja Club, the top tier, requires 45,000 tier points (minimum 13,500 on Air India) or 90 flights (minimum 12 on Air India).

• Earn 10 Reward Points for every INR 100 spent.
• Benefit from priority check-in.
• Receive three upgrade vouchers for domestic flights.
• Baggage Allowance on Air India & Star Alliance Flights:
  • 20 kg excess baggage allowance for weight-based flights.
  • 1 piece (up to 23 kg) for piece-based flights.
• Enjoy free seat selection.
• Access lounges with one guest.
• Experience priority boarding.
• Flight Cancellation or Change (when booked directly):
  • Two free changes (24 hours before departure) for domestic flights.
  • Two complimentary ticket changes (72 hours before departure) for international flights.
  • Free cancellations for domestic flights.
• Benefit from priority waitlist clearance.
• Access priority and premium customer service.
• Get 10% off on Avis rentals.
• Enjoy Avis President’s Club membership.

Partnerships and Added Value

Star Alliance:
As a member of Star Alliance, you can access over 1,000 destinations worldwide. Enjoy partner benefits like shared lounges and tier recognition, making your travel experience more comfortable and rewarding across all member airlines.

Non-Airline Partners:

With non-airline partners, you can earn and redeem points at renowned global hotel chains like Marriott and Hyatt, allowing you to accumulate points with every rupee spent on your stay.

For instance, when you book a stay at The Leela Palaces, you can earn approximately 5 points for every ₹100 spent.

Myth-Busting: Clearing Up Common Concerns

To Conclude , becoming a member of Air India’s Maharaja Club Loyalty Program opens the door to a world of exclusive rewards and unparalleled travel experiences. With access to a vast global network through the Star Alliance ( The biggest Airline Alliance In the World ), members can explore new destinations while enjoying the benefits of earning and redeeming Maharaja Points. This program not only enhances your journeys with exceptional perks but also allows you to create lasting memories with every flight. Join the Maharaja Club today and embark on a journey where every mile brings you closer to extraordinary experiences.

Remember, every point brings you closer to unforgettable travel experiences – free flights, upgrades, and luxury stays. The more you learn and use these strategies, the more doors will open to incredible adventures.

At Milesly, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Whether you’re just starting and looking for your best suitable card or looking to level up your rewards game, we’ve got you covered. Join us and unlock the full potential of your miles and points.

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