Maharaja Club
Maharaja Club is the frequent-flyer programme of Air India, the flag carrier of India. The programme traces its origins to Flying Returns, which was launched in 1994.[1]
Air India substantially redesigned Flying Returns in April 2024, replacing its largely distance-based points model with a spend-based system and introducing revised membership tiers and benefits.[2] Following the merger of Vistara into Air India in November 2024, Vistara's Club Vistara loyalty programme was integrated with Flying Returns and the combined programme was renamed Maharaja Club.[3][4]
Members earn Maharaja Points through eligible spending on Air India and Air India Express flights, flights operated by participating Star Alliance airlines, and selected non-airline partners. Points can be redeemed for services including award flights and cabin upgrades.[5]
History
[edit source]Flying Returns
[edit source]Air India's frequent-flyer programme was introduced as Flying Returns in 1994.[1] It operated as the airline's loyalty programme for approximately three decades before undergoing a major restructuring following Air India's acquisition by the Tata Group.
In April 2024, Air India announced the first major overhaul of Flying Returns in more than a decade.[2] The revised programme moved away from awarding points principally according to distance flown and adopted a spend-based model under which points earned on Air India tickets were linked to eligible expenditure.
The redesign also introduced the Red, Silver, Gold and Platinum tier names, provisions allowing points to remain valid for active members, redemption without designated blackout dates, and a cash-and-points payment option.[6]
Integration of Club Vistara
[edit source]Plans to combine Flying Returns with Club Vistara, the loyalty programme of Vistara, were announced as part of the merger of Vistara into Air India. The two airlines were both controlled by the Tata Group prior to their consolidation.
Ahead of the merger, Club Vistara members were given the ability to link their accounts with Flying Returns accounts. Club Vistara points were transferred to Flying Returns at a 1:1 ratio, while membership status was mapped between the corresponding tiers of the two programmes.[7]
Following the completion of the airline merger on 12 November 2024, Club Vistara was absorbed into Air India's loyalty programme.[3] Existing Club Vistara points, including certain points that had been due to expire shortly before the merger, were transferred into the Air India programme with extended validity.[8]
Air India subsequently renamed Flying Returns as Maharaja Club. The name refers to a character historically associated with Air India's branding.[4] The programme's points became known as Maharaja Points and membership numbers as Maharaja Club IDs.
Membership and tiers
[edit source]Membership in Maharaja Club is available without an enrolment or annual membership fee.[1] The programme uses four membership levels: Red, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Red is the entry-level tier, while the three higher tiers are obtained through qualifying activity.
As of August 2026, Air India publishes both points-based and flight-based routes to achieving elite status.[5]
| Tier | Tier Points requirement | Minimum Tier Points on Air India or Air India Express | Alternative flight requirement | Minimum Air India or Air India Express flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Entry-level membership | — | — | — |
| Silver | 15,000 | 4,500 | 20 flights | 4 |
| Gold | 30,000 | 9,000 | 45 flights | 8 |
| Platinum | 45,000 | 13,500 | 60 flights | 12 |
The benefits associated with higher tiers can include priority airport services, additional baggage allowance, lounge access, upgrade vouchers and other travel benefits. The precise benefits vary by tier and may also depend on the operating airline and route.[5]
Earning points
[edit source]Maharaja Club distinguishes between Maharaja Points, which are redeemable rewards, and Tier Points, which contribute towards membership status.
Under the spend-based earning structure published by Air India as of August 2026, members earn Maharaja Points for each ₹100 of eligible spending on Air India or Air India Express according to their tier.[5]
| Membership tier | Maharaja Points per ₹100 | Tier Points per ₹100 |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 6 | 6 |
| Silver | 8 | 6 |
| Gold | 9 | 6 |
| Platinum | 10 | 6 |
Air India also offers additional points for certain bookings made directly through its website or mobile application.[5]
Members may also earn points through participating Star Alliance airlines and through commercial partners in sectors such as hotels, financial services and car rental.[5]
Redemption
[edit source]Maharaja Points may be redeemed for award flights and cabin upgrades. Air India also operates a "Cash + Points" option under which members can use a combination of points and money towards eligible Air India bookings.[5]
The programme does not designate blackout dates for Air India award redemption, although the availability of award seats can vary.[6] Members may also combine points through a family-pooling facility.[5]
Under the programme's activity policy, the validity of a member's Maharaja Points is extended when the member completes an eligible Air India or Air India Express flight within the specified activity period. Air India states that eligible activity extends the expiry date of the member's points by 24 months.[5]
Star Alliance
[edit source]Air India is a member of Star Alliance, allowing Maharaja Club members to earn and redeem points on eligible flights operated by participating alliance airlines. Air India states that Maharaja Club has earning arrangements with the other Star Alliance member airlines.[5]
Eligible higher-tier Maharaja Club members can also receive alliance-related benefits when travelling on Star Alliance carriers, subject to the applicable status and operating-airline rules.
Membership growth
[edit source]The programme's membership expanded during Air India's restructuring and the consolidation with Vistara. According to The Hindu BusinessLine, Air India had approximately 2.6 million loyalty-programme members before its privatisation. Membership had increased to about 4.7 million by the April 2024 Flying Returns revamp and exceeded 10 million following the integration of Vistara in November 2024.[9]
The airline has sought to expand the programme through its enlarged route network, participation by Air India Express and partnerships with businesses outside the airline sector.[9]
Recognition
[edit source]At the Freddie Awards in 2025, Maharaja Club received the Up and Coming Program Award for airlines in the Middle East and Asia/Oceania region.[10]
At the 2026 Freddie Awards, Maharaja Club received the Program of the Year award for airlines in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region.[11]
See also
[edit source]References
[edit source]- 1 2 3 Kulkarni, Sneha (22 November 2024). "Maharaja Club, new loyalty program for fliers after Vistara-Air India merger: Know eligibility, benefits, bonus, and fee". The Economic Times. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Air India launches revamped customer reward programme with added features". The Economic Times. Press Trust of India. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Air India-Vistara merger: How it affects Club Vistara, CV Points, and co-branded credit cards—explained". Mint. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Introducing Maharaja Club, Air India's loyalty programme in an all-new avatar". Air India. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "About Maharaja Club". Air India. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Air India launches revamped Flying Returns loyalty program". ETTravelWorld. 6 April 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ Singh, Surbhi Gloria (27 September 2024). "Vistara-Air India merger: Link Club Vistara and Flying Returns accounts now". Business Standard. New Delhi. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ Chadha, Sunainaa (6 November 2024). "Air India merger: What happens to Vistara credit cards, rewards, benefits". Business Standard. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- 1 2 Phadnis, Aneesh. "Air India eyes 5x growth in loyalty members". The Hindu BusinessLine. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "2025 Annual Freddie Awards (33rd)". Freddie Awards. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "Winner's Circle". Freddie Awards. Retrieved 12 August 2026.