Latest news with #MaharajaClub
Mint
11-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Air India's Maharaja Club loyalty program: What is it and how can you benefit from it?
Are you a frequent flyer who takes regular flights for official work and/or personal reasons? If yes, your regular Air India flights can earn you a host of privileges through the Maharaja Club program. In this article, we will understand what the Maharaja Club is, its features and benefits, and how to transfer credit card reward points to the program and book free Air India flights. Maharaja Club is the frequent flyer program (FFP) of Air India. It provides members with reward points and other benefits based on membership tier. The member benefits include redeeming points for free flights, cabin upgrades, excess baggage allowance, lounge access, priority check-in and boarding, and more. The higher the membership tier, the more the member benefits. Let us look at the various membership tiers, their criteria, and their benefits. Tier benefits Red Silver Gold Platinum Qualification criteria Base tier 15,000 tier points (4,500 through Air India flights) OR 30 flights (4 through Air India) 30,000 tier points (9,000 through Air India flights) OR 60 flights (8 through Air India) 45,000 tier points (13,500 through Air India flights) OR 90 flights (12 through Air India) Maharaja points per Rs. 100 spent on Air India 6 8 9 10 Tier points per Rs. 100 spent on Air India 6 6 6 6 Priority connect through a dedicated helpline NA Yes Yes Yes Fee waiver for itinerary changes for domestic flights NA Rs. 1,000 flat fee for 1X change per ticket Free for 1X change per ticket Free for 2X change per ticket Fee waiver for itinerary changes for international flights NA NA Free for 1X change per ticket Free for 2X change per ticket Fee waiver for domestic flight cancellation NA NA Rs. 1,199 fee Free Complimentary seat selection NA NA On standard seats On all seats Cabin upgrade vouchers upon tier renewal and upgrade NA 1X – 6 months validity 2X – 9 months validity 3X – 12 months validity Priority check-in NA Yes Yes Yes Excess baggage allowance NA +5 kg +20 kg +20 kg Lounge access with 1 guest NA NA Yes Yes Priority boarding NA Yes Yes Yes The above are some of the member benefits. To know about the entire list of benefits and their detailed terms and conditions, refer to the Air India website. The membership of Maharaja Club is lifetime free. A member starts with the Red tier and can work their way up to the Platinum tier, as mentioned in the above table. A member earns 2 bonus Maharaja points per Rs. 100 spent for direct bookings on the Air India website and App. They can earn and redeem Maharaja points for flights on Air India and any of the 24 Star Alliance partner airlines. A member can earn Maharaja points by booking flight tickets and flying with Air India or any of the 24 Star Alliance partner airlines. Maharaja points can also be earned on every purchase made with partners. Some of these partners include: Ferns N Petals Apple Store Online Zoomcar Fitpass Matrix Cellular iCruise Avis Healthians Labs Walmart Victoria's Secret The above are some of the partners. For the entire list of partners, refer to the Air India website. Members usually earn 4 to 24 Maharaja points for every Rs. 100 spent on the partner brands. To know the partner-specific details about points earned for every Rs. 100 spent, refer to the Air India website. Some banks have partnered with Air India to allow their credit cardholders to transfer credit card reward points to the Maharaja Club. These banks include: Yes Bank AU Small Finance Bank HDFC Bank DBS Bank SBI Card ICICI Bank HSBC Axis Bank The transfer ratio differs among banks and among different cards offered by the same bank. For example, the transfer ratio for HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card is 3:1 (3 reward points = 1 Maharaja point). For HDFC Bank Infinia and Diners Black credit cards, the transfer ratio is 2:1. The Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card offers one of the best transfer ratios of 1:2 (1 reward point = 2 Maharaja points). The transfer ratio for ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is 1:1. For HSBC Premier and Travel One credit cards, the transfer ratio is 1:1, while for HSBC Platinum, it is 2:1. To know about the transfer ratios for all banks and their credit cards, refer to the Air India website. Once you submit a request for the transfer of credit card reward points, it may take 2 to 10 days for the Maharaja points to reflect in your Maharaja Club Account. To know about the timelines for the transfer of credit card reward points of various banks, refer to the Air India website. In the earlier section, we understood how to convert credit card reward points into Maharaja Club points. You can then use the Maharaja points to book free flights on Air India and any of the 24 Star Alliance partner airlines. You can use the 'Points Calculator' on the Air India website to know how many Maharaja points are required for booking a flight. You need to enter travel details like place of origin, destination, travel class, membership tier, etc. It will show you the points requirement for value fare and prime fare. Members can use the Maharaja points for cabin class upgrades also. For example, a member can upgrade from Economy to Premium Economy, Premium Economy to Business, or Business to First Class, etc. using Maharaja points. Air India is India's second-largest domestic airline after Indigo. Along with good domestic connectivity, it has a strong international flight network. Being a Star Alliance member, it allows you to fly with any of the 24 alliance partner airlines. With the Maharaja Club program, you can earn and redeem Maharaja points on flights taken with Air India or the Star Alliance partner airlines. Depending on the membership tier, the other benefits include cabin class upgrade, complimentary seat selection, lounge access, excess baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding, etc. You can transfer credit card reward points to your Maharaja Club account and use them to book free flights and/or upgrade cabin class. Hence, if you are a frequent Air India flyer, you must join the Maharaja Club and enjoy its benefits. Gopal Gidwani is a freelance personal finance content writer with 15+ years of experience. He can be reached at LinkedIn.
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
In message to loyalty club members, Air India CEO assures airline prioritising safety
Air India on Thursday reached out to members of its loyalty programme, assuring them that the airline is prioritising flight safety. The carrier, grappling with last Thursday's deadly crash of one of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft in Ahmedabad, also told its loyalty programme members that the pilots of that aircraft were highly experienced, and the plane was well maintained with a clean bill of health. 'At Air India, your safety is our highest priority and always has been since we took over the airline in 2022. In this context, we want to share some important facts about Flight AI171 to provide clarity during this difficult time…The flight was led by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a highly experienced pilot and trainer with over 10,000 hours flying widebody aircraft. First Officer Clive Kunder, had over 3,400 hours of flying experience… The plane was well-maintained, with its last major check in June 2023 and the next scheduled for December 2025. Its right engine was overhauled in March 2025, and the left engine was inspected in April 2025. Both the aircraft and engines were regularly monitored, showing no issues before the flight,' Air India CEO Campbell Wilson stated in an email to members of Air India's Maharaja Club loyalty programme. 'These are the facts as we know them today. We, together with the entire aviation industry, await the official investigation report to understand more,' Wilson added. An Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft—operating flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed moments after take-off last Thursday. The ill-fated aircraft had 242 people on board, but only one survived the accident. There were several casualties on the ground as well. This was the worst aviation disaster involving an Indian airline in at least four decades, and the first-ever crash of the Boeing 787 anywhere in the world. The crash is being investigated by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Additionally, a high-level multi-disciplinary committee of the government is also examining the causes behind the crash with the view to further strengthen the aviation safety ecosystem and formulate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for preventing and handling such accidents in the future. 'We are reaching out with heavy hearts following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, 2025. The loss of 241 passengers and crew members, along with 34 people on the ground, has left us all in deep sorrow. Words cannot express the pain we feel for the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event. We are fully committed to doing all we can to support the families impacted and are also working closely with authorities to understand the cause of this tragedy. Our thoughts are with everyone touched by this loss,' Wilson's letter read. Wilson also gave an update to Air India frequent flyers on the status of the safety inspections of its wide-body fleet and the additional measures being taken by the airline. These are among the reasons behind Air India deciding to curtail its wide-body international flights by 15 per cent till mid-July. 'Arising from this tragedy, and as directed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on June 14, 2025, we have been conducting thorough safety inspections on our 33 Boeing 787 aircraft. So far, inspections have been completed on 26 and these have been cleared for service. The remaining aircraft are currently in planned maintenance and will have these additional checks done before being released into service. Following the review, the DGCA has confirmed that our Boeing 787 fleet and maintenance processes fully meet safety standards,' Wilson stated in the email. The time required to perform these enhanced safety checks, along with the 'application of extra caution', and external factors like airspace closures in West Asia and night curfew at various international airports, has led to higher-than-usual number of cancellations on Air India's long-haul network over the past few days. Additionally, as a 'confidence-building measure' Air India has decided to continue enhanced pre-flight safety checks on its Boeing 787 fleet and even its Boeing 777 aircraft, for the time being. 'Given the time these additional checks will consume and the potential impact on schedules, we have decided to reduce our international widebody flights by around 15% starting June 20, 2025 through to at least mid-July. This will also allow us to have more backup aircraft ready to handle any unexpected issues. We understand that this temporary reduction to our schedule may affect your travel plans, and we're deeply sorry for any inconvenience. If your flight is impacted, we will contact you to offer rebooking on another flight at no extra cost, or a full refund. We will share the updated international schedule within the next few days,' Wilson stated. The Air India CEO said that this is a challenging time for the airline, and it is 'grateful' for customers' support and understanding that 'safety must always come first'. Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
Arabian Post
11-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Loyyal Expands Maharaja Club with Global Shopping Rewards
Air India has partnered with blockchain-based loyalty specialist Loyyal to allow Maharaja Club members to earn points on everyday purchases across key brands in the United States and the United Kingdom. The collaboration enables members to accrue Maharaja Points on shopping at major retailers such as Walmart, Victoria's Secret, New Balance, GAP, Victorinox and Alamo – marking a significant expansion of the airline's loyalty programme. Members now earn up to 99 Maharaja Points per USD 100 spent at Walmart, 310 points per GBP 100 at Victoria's Secret, 300 points at Victorinox, 45 at New Balance, 180 at GAP and 64 points at Alamo. These offerings are accessible via the Maharaja Club Partner Offers page on Air India's website, where members can select a brand and follow on-screen prompts to initiate their purchases. Shailesh Kumar Singh, Head of Loyalty at Air India, commented that the alliance with Loyyal 'makes it easier for our members to earn Maharaja Points on everyday essentials and shopping, without needing to fly frequently'. Meanwhile, Loyyal CEO Ashish Kumar Singh noted that the initiative 'significantly boosts the earning potential for Maharaja Club's members,' adding that it enriches daily experiences and complements travel benefits. ADVERTISEMENT The partnership follows a broader revamp of the Maharaja Club, which adopted a simplified tier structure, updated identity and enhanced customer features. Air India has added more than 50 non-airline partners over the last 18 months, supporting its transformation under the strategy and leveraging its Star Alliance membership. The move aligns with global loyalty trends, where airlines increasingly engage shoppers via retail partnerships. By enabling points accrual through non-travel spend, loyalty programmes become more relevant to everyday consumer behaviour, fostering engagement beyond flight activity. Consumers, meanwhile, gain tangible value even during non-travel periods. Maharaja Club's integration with Star Alliance further enhances its value proposition. As noted by Air India's own commentary, elite-tier members benefit from worldwide priority check-in, lounge access at over 1,100 locations, extra baggage allowance, and the ability to accrue and redeem points across the alliance's 25 carriers. These features remain central to the programme's repositioning. Industry analysts highlight that Loyyal's blockchain-based platform offers secure, transparent point tracking and easier integration of diverse partners. Though Air India and Loyyal have not disclosed technical details publicly, Loyyal's existing reputation in travel loyalty schemes supports confidence in seamless implementation. Under the agreement, Air India continues to broaden access to Maharaja Points across shopping categories. The move targets customers traveling abroad or residing outside India, reinforcing Air India's global outreach following its Tata Group-led transformation. In support, the programme emphasises that points can be redeemed for award flights and cabin upgrades through Air India or Star Alliance partners. The timing of the launch coincides with Air India's widened network with new interline agreements and route expansions, such as recent pacts with airlines like airBaltic, Cyprus Airways and Uzbekistan Airways, aimed at increasing global connectivity. As passengers gain more travel options, the value of earning and using loyalty points is projected to grow. As more household and lifestyle brands are added to the programme, members could diversify their point accrual even further. Air India has indicated that additional partners will be announced in due course, though specifics have not yet been released. Maharaja Club members benefit from streamlined user experience with clearly stated earning rates for each participating brand. For example, spending at Victoria's Secret yields 310 points per GBP 100, while spending at Victorinox delivers 300 points per USD 100 – figures that are prominently showcased on the shopping portal. Air India's alignment with Loyyal fits within its hospitality-driven repositioning under along with fleet modernisation, training investments, new routes, and enhanced premium services. The airline aims to appeal to international leisure and business travellers – particularly those based abroad – by offering points that can accrue through both travel and lifestyle spending. Industry commentators suggest that Loyyal's blockchain solution offers underlying benefits including transparent audit trails, fraud reduction and easy tracking of reward accrual from non-travel sources. This increases both partner and consumer confidence in the integrity of the loyalty ecosystem.
Trade Arabia
11-06-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Loyyal sets up global network for Air India's Maharaja Club members
Loyyal, a leader in blockchain-powered loyalty solutions, has announced that it has sealed its partnership network for Air India's Maharaja Club frequent flyer programme. This initiative allows Maharaja Club's members to earn loyalty points through everyday purchases across popular brands across the USA and UK beyond India. With Loyyals' ecosystem of world-leading brands like Alamo, New Balance, Walmart, Victorinox, Victoria's Secret and GAP, Maharaja Club members can now enjoy earning Maharaja points on their purchases with these brands. More partner brands will be joining soon, further expanding opportunities to earn and enjoy exclusive rewards, said the company in a statement. This landmark initiative showcases Air India's commitment to enhancing the loyalty experience for its members by allowing them to earn points through purchases in markets across the USA and UK, it stated. According to Loyyal, the new partnerships are designed to maximise the earning potential of Maharaja Club members by extending opportunities beyond air travel. Members can earn points across various categories including fashion, health and beauty, dining, entertainment, and retail. This broadened scope adds significant value to the Maharaja Club, aligning with the lifestyles and preferences of its members, it added. On the strategic tieup, Loyyal CEO Ashish Kumar Singh said: "We are thrilled to work with Air India to enhance the Maharaja Club experience through our expanded network of partners across the globe to enrich each member's journey." "This initiative significantly boosts the earning potential for Maharaja Club's members, allowing them to earn points through everyday purchases across the US and UK," noted Singh. "The Maharaja Club is designed to go the extra mile, ensuring members feel recognized, acknowledged, and privileged at every step. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to making every journey with Air India exceptional, enriching the daily lives of members with meaningful opportunities that ultimately enhance their travel experiences," he added. Using Loyyal's Access Point platform, which leverages blockchain technology, the onboarding of new partners is seamless and efficient, allowing members to effortlessly engage with a variety of merchants. This innovation ensures that Maharaja Club members have access to a wealth of attractive rewards that complement their spending habits. "We're happy to partner with Loyyal as we continue to make Maharaja Club even more rewarding for our rapidly expanding member base across the globe," remarked Shailesh Kumar Singh, the Head of Loyalty, Air India.
Mid East Info
10-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Loyyal Launches Global Partner Network Across USA & UK for Air India's Maharaja Club Loyalty Members Unlocking Everyday Everywhere Rewards
New Partnerships Across USA and UK Bring Everyday Rewards to Over 10 million Maharaja Club Members, powered with Loyyal's ecosystem of brands and partners. Dubai, UAE – June 2025: Loyyal, a leader in blockchain-powered loyalty solutions, is excited to announce the launch of its partnership network for Air India's Maharaja Club frequent flyer programme. This initiative allows Maharaja Club's members to earn loyalty points through everyday purchases across popular brands across the USA and UK beyond India. With Loyyals' ecosystem of world-leading brands like Alamo, New Balance, Walmart, Victorinox, Victoria's Secret and GAP, Maharaja Club members can now enjoy earning Maharaja points on their purcases with these brands. More partner brands are joining soon, further expanding opportunities to earn and enjoy exclusive rewards. This landmark initiative showcases Air India's commitment to enhancing the loyalty experience for its members by allowing them to earn points through purchases in markets across the USA and UK. The new partnerships are designed to maximize the earning potential of Maharaja Club members by extending opportunities beyond air travel. Members can earn points across various categories including fashion, health and beauty, dining, entertainment, and retail. This broadened scope adds significant value to the Maharaja Club, aligning with the lifestyles and preferences of its members. 'We are thrilled to work with Air India to enhance the Maharaja Club experience through our expanded network of partners across the globe to enrich each member's journey,' said Loyyal CEO Ashish Kumar Singh. 'This initiative significantly boosts the earning potential for Maharaja Club's members, allowing them to earn points through everyday purchases across the USA and UK. The Maharaja Club is designed to go the extra mile, ensuring members feel recognized, acknowledged, and privileged at every step. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to making every journey with Air India exceptional, enriching the daily lives of members with meaningful opportunities that ultimately enhance their travel experiences.' Using Loyyal's Access Point platform, which leverages blockchain technology, the onboarding of new partners is seamless and efficient, allowing members to effortlessly engage with a variety of merchants. This innovation ensures that Maharaja Club members have access to a wealth of attractive rewards that complement their spending habits. 'We're happy to partner with Loyyal as we continue to make Maharaja Club even more rewarding for our rapidly expanding member base across the globe,' said Shailesh Kumar Singh, Head of Loyalty, Air India. 'This partnership makes it easier for our members to earn Maharaja Points on everyday essentials and shopping, without needing to fly frequently. By combining points earned from such purchases with those from flying, members can quickly unlock free flights or cabin upgrades and enjoy a transforming Air India experience.' About Loyyal: Loyyal is renowned for its innovative Blockchain-powered SaaS e-platform, designed to empower the loyalty industry with rapid growth and scalability at the lowest possible cost. About Air India Group: The Air India group – comprising of full-service global airline Air India and low-cost regional carrier Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline's inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries customers to 55 domestic and 48 international destinations across five continents. Returning to the Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India group is in the midst of a five-year transformation program, As part of the transformation, Air India placed the then largest-ever order for 570 new aircraft in 2023. In 2024, sister airlines Air Asia India and Vistara were successfully merged into Air India Express and Air India respectively, and the Airline opened South Asia's largest aviation training academy. A new flying school is scheduled to open in 2025, and construction of a greenfield maintenance base, to be operational in 2026, is underway. In addition to receiving new aircraft, all existing aircraft are progressively undergoing a full interior refit. With transformation underway across all facets of the business and India's rich legacy of hospitality, Air India is committed to being a world class global airline with an Indian heart.
