New Enhancements to Air India Loyalty Programme Deliver Greater Flexibility Value and Faster Rewards for Members
(IN SHORT) Air India has introduced significant enhancements to its Maharaja Club loyalty programme, including reduced points requirements for award flights and upgrades, faster tier progression and improved flexibility for cancellations and rescheduling. Economy Class redemptions have been reduced by around 30% on many routes, while new tier thresholds make it easier for members to achieve elite status. Additional benefits include extending privileges to companions and faster crediting of points. The changes, effective from April 2026, are part of Air India’s broader transformation strategy aimed at delivering greater value and improving the overall customer experience.
(PRESS RELEASE) NEW DELHI, 2026-Apr-1 — /Travel PR News/ — Air India has unveiled a major overhaul of its Maharaja Club loyalty programme, introducing a series of enhancements designed to increase value, flexibility and accessibility for its members.
The updates, rolling out from 1 April 2026, are based on extensive customer feedback collected over the past year and aim to make rewards easier to earn and redeem while improving the overall member experience.
One of the most significant changes is a broad reduction in Maharaja Points required for award flights and cabin upgrades across more than 90% of Air India’s network. Economy Class redemptions have been reduced by around 30% on average across 80% of domestic routes and 75% of international routes, while Business and Premium Economy redemptions have also seen notable reductions on many routes. Domestic award flights will now start from 1,500 points, and upgrades from 4,000 points, with international redemption levels standardised across regions to improve clarity and accessibility.
In addition to improved redemption value, the airline has introduced a simplified, tier-based system for flight cancellations and rescheduling. Members will benefit from defined windows of flexibility depending on their status, allowing Platinum members to make changes free of charge up to two hours before departure, while Gold and Silver members receive extended advance windows. Outside these windows, a flat fee structure will apply, ensuring transparency and consistency.
The programme also introduces faster tier progression by lowering the number of flights required to achieve status. Platinum status now requires 60 flights, Gold 45 and Silver 20, making it easier for frequent travellers to access premium benefits. Existing flight activity over the past year will be reassessed under the new thresholds, allowing eligible members to be upgraded automatically.
Nipun Aggarwal stated that the enhancements are part of Air India’s broader transformation strategy, with a focus on making loyalty rewards more meaningful and aligned with customer expectations. He noted that the changes reflect direct feedback from frequent flyers and aim to deliver greater flexibility and long-term value.
Further improvements include extending elite travel privileges—such as priority check-in, boarding and lounge access—to one companion travelling on the same booking as Platinum or Gold members. Additionally, Maharaja Points earned on Air India and partner flights will now be credited within two hours or sooner, enabling members to track and use their rewards more efficiently.
The latest updates build on the programme’s transformation since 2024, when it transitioned to a spend-based earning system. With more than 10 million members globally, Maharaja Club continues to expand its partnerships across banking, retail, hospitality and travel sectors, offering more opportunities to earn and redeem points.
SOURCE: Air India Ltd.
