Frequent Air India flyers can get more from their trips through the Maharaja Club, the airline’s loyalty programme. Membership offers benefits such as priority check-in, lounge access, extra baggage allowance, complimentary seat selection, and reduced fees on eligible changes.
The programme has four tiers, Red, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with more benefits unlocked as you move up. Members earn Maharaja Points on eligible flights and can redeem them for award flights and other rewards. Air India’s membership in the Star Alliance network also extends selected benefits when travelling with partner airlines.
This guide covers the Maharaja Club membership tiers, how to earn and redeem Maharaja Points, and ways to make the most of your membership.
| Air India Maharaja Club Explained
The Air India Maharaja Club is Air India’s frequent flyer program with four tiers, Red, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, that reward frequent flying with priority check-in, lounge access, extra baggage allowance, fee waivers, and seat selection.
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What is the Air India Maharaja Club?
The Maharaja Club is Air India’s frequent flyer programme, launched in 1994 as Flying Returns. Its integration with Vistara’s loyalty programme and Air India’s membership in the Star Alliance network have expanded the benefits available to frequent travellers.
Air India serves domestic and international routes, while Air India Express operates many shorter domestic and regional journeys within the group’s network. The Maharaja Club offers multiple membership tiers, with benefits such as priority check-in, lounge access, additional baggage allowance, fee waivers, and complimentary seat selection.
For frequent flyers, the savings do not have to come only from loyalty benefits. Since flight costs can add up across multiple trips, using verified vouchers can help reduce the upfront cost of eligible bookings. For example, you can check for exclusive Air India Express coupon codes and apply one at the payment stage when booking an eligible Express flight. This can complement the value you get from your Maharaja Club membership and make regular travel more cost-effective.Air India Maharaja Club Membership Tiers and Benefits
Below, find the details of the Air India Maharaja Club tiers and their benefits.
- Booking Benefits
| Benefit Category | Red | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
| Earn Points | Air India, AI Express, Star Alliance | Air India, AI Express, Star Alliance | Air India, AI Express, Star Alliance | Air India, AI Express, Star Alliance |
| Earn with Non-Airline Partners | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Redeem Points | Air India, AI Express, Star Alliance | Air India, AI Express, Star Alliance | Air India, AI Express, Star Alliance | Air India, AI Express, Star Alliance |
| Priority Connect Helpline | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Domestic Itinerary Change Waiver | Standard Fee | ₹1,000 + GST (1x, up to 24h prior) | Free (1x, up to 24h prior) | Free (2x, up to 24h prior) |
| International Itinerary Change Waiver | Standard Fee | Standard Fee | Free (1x, up to 72h prior) | Free (2x, up to 24h prior) |
| Domestic Flight Cancellation Fee Waiver | Standard Fee | Standard Fee | ₹1,199 + GST flat fee (up to 24h prior) | Free (up to 24h prior) |
| Award Flight Change/Cancellation Waiver | Standard Fee | Free (up to 30 days prior) | Free (up to 7 days prior) | Free (up to 2 hrs prior) |
| Complimentary Seat Selection | No | 100% off Standard Seats | 100% off Standard Seats | 100% off All Seats (incl. Exit/Bulkhead) |
| Cabin Upgrade Vouchers (Tier Renewal/Upgrade) | None | 1x (Valid 6 months) | 2x (Valid 9 months) | 3x (Valid 12 months) |
- Airport Benefits
| Benefit Category | Red | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
| Complimentary Fly Prior | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Waitlist Clearance | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Check-In | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Excess Baggage Allowance (Weight System) | Standard | +5 kg (11 lb) | +20 kg (44 lb) | +20 kg (44 lb) |
| Excess Baggage Allowance (Piece System) | Standard | Standard | 1 extra piece (up to 23 kg/50 lb) | 1 extra piece (up to 23 kg/50 lb) |
| Star Alliance Excess Baggage | Standard | Standard | +20 kg or 1 extra piece (up to 23 kg) | +20 kg or 1 extra piece (up to 23 kg) |
| Lounge Access (with 1 guest) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Boarding | Standard | Second Priority Boarding | First Priority Boarding | First Priority Boarding |
| Did You Know: Air India is a member of Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline network, which it joined in 2014. This partnership gives its passengers access to over 1,000 destinations across 195 countries. |
Air India Maharaja Club: Membership Tiers Qualification Criteria
To qualify for different Maharaja Club tiers, you need to earn a certain number of Tier Points or complete a set number of flights within a year. A minimum number of flights must be on Air India to count toward your tier. Check the table below for more details.
| Tier | Tier Points Required | Flight Requirements (Alternative) | Maharaja Points per ₹100 | Tier Points per ₹100 |
| Red | Auto-enrollment | Auto-enrollment | 6 | 6 |
| Silver | 15,000 (min. 4,500 on Air India) | 20 flights (min. 4 on Air India) | 8 | 6 |
| Gold | 30,000 (min. 9,000 on Air India) | 45 flights (min. 8 on Air India) | 9 | 6 |
| Platinum | 45,000 (min. 13,500 on Air India) | 60 flights (min. 12 on Air India) | 10 | 6 |
| Note: Red Tier members earn 6 Maharaja Points per ₹100 spent on Air India flights, increasing to 8, 9, and 10 points for Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers, respectively (based on base fare excluding taxes). All members earn 6 Tier Points per ₹100 spent, regardless of status level. Bonus: Members earn an extra +2 Maharaja Points per ₹100 when booking directly on the Air India website or app. |
Air India Maharaja Club Tier Benefits
Each tier offers a range of rewards and privileges that grow with your travel frequency, giving you access to better services, extra points, and greater flexibility. Below, find the benefits offered at each tier.
| Tier | Key Benefits |
| Red | • Earn Maharaja Points on Air India, Air India Express, Star Alliance partners, and non-airline partners.
• Points remain valid for active members with qualifying flights. • Redeem points for award flights and cabin upgrades. |
| Silver | • Higher earning rate of 8 Maharaja Points per ₹100 spent.
• Priority Connect dedicated helpline and priority airport services, including check-in, waitlist and boarding. • Complimentary standard seat selection and +5 kg excess baggage allowance. • 1x domestic cabin upgrade voucher and discounted itinerary change fees. |
| Gold | • Complimentary airport lounge access for you and 1 guest.
• Fly Prior benefit for same-day earlier domestic flights. • Higher excess baggage allowance of +20 kg or 1 extra piece, plus Star Alliance Gold status. • 2x cabin upgrade vouchers, along with itinerary change and cancellation fee waivers. |
| Platinum | • Maximum earning rate of 10 Maharaja Points per ₹100 spent.
• All Gold benefits, plus 3x cabin upgrade vouchers and complimentary selection across all seats, including exit rows. • Highest priority for upgrades and waitlists, with 100% fee waivers on cancellations and itinerary changes. |
Ways to Earn Maharaja Points
- Earn with Star Alliance Partner Airlines: You can earn Maharaja Points when you fly with any of the Star Alliance partner airlines—the world’s largest airline network. These include AEGEAN Airlines, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Asiana Airlines, Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, South African Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, Singapore Airlines, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines.
- Family Pool: Combine Maharaja Points from up to 9 family members into one shared pool. A designated Family Head can manage and redeem the pooled points on behalf of the group for reward flights and upgrades.
- Buy Points: If you want to top up, you can purchase Maharaja Points in batches of 100 at ₹1.50 per point. Purchased points are credited immediately and can be used toward booking award flights or cabin upgrades (Note: purchased points do not count toward earning or maintaining elite tier status).
- Sign-Up Bonus: New Maharaja Club members can earn 1,000 bonus Maharaja Points after completing their first eligible paid flight with Air India or Air India Express. When planning your first qualifying trip, you can book an Air India ticket online through the airline’s website or app and earn the bonus after completing the flight.
| Pro Tip: Book eligible flights through the Air India website or app to earn 2 bonus Maharaja Points for every ₹100 you spend. You can redeem your accumulated points on future eligible bookings, while using exclusive Air India coupon codes on qualifying purchases can help lower your fare and stretch your travel budget further. |
More Ways to Earn Maharaja Points
Besides flying, you can earn Maharaja Points through Air India’s extensive network of partners. Whether you book luxury stays, enjoy fine dining, shop at popular retail stores, or convert your credit card rewards, every activity helps you collect points faster and get closer to exciting rewards. See below for full details.
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Co‑Branded & Bank Credit/Debit Cards
The bank partners mentioned below allow you to earn points directly on spending or convert existing credit card reward points into Maharaja Points for flights, upgrades, and more.
| Partner | Details & Benefits |
| SBI–Air India Co‑Brand Card | Accumulate up to 10 Maharaja Points for every Rs. 100 spent on Air India ticket purchases, alongside complimentary airport lounge access and instant award redemptions. |
| SBI Miles Credit Card | Transfer accumulated Travel Credits at a 1:1 ratio into Maharaja Points to book flight tickets across Air India and Star Alliance network carriers. |
| SBI AURUM | Cardholders can exchange AURUM Reward Points for Maharaja Points to redeem premium cabin upgrades and award flights. |
| Axis Bank | Convert EDGE REWARDS Points or EDGE Miles directly into Maharaja Points to unlock flight rewards and seat upgrades. |
| HDFC Bank | Convert credit card Reward Points into Maharaja Points to book award seats or upgrade your cabin class on upcoming journeys. |
| ICICI Bank | Exchange ICICI Bank Reward Points from eligible credit cards into Maharaja Points for your travel bookings. |
| HSBC Bank | HSBC cardholders can convert reward points into Maharaja Points, usable for travel redemptions on Air India and Star Alliance partners. |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank | Transfer Kotak Air Miles directly into Maharaja Points to secure complimentary flights and cabin upgrades. |
| IndusInd Bank | Convert IndusInd Credit Card reward points into Maharaja Points toward flight bookings and cabin class upgrades. |
| YES Bank | Transfer YES Reward Points to Maharaja Points to redeem flight awards and elevate your travel experience. |
| RBL Bank | Exchange RBL Bank Reward Points for Maharaja Points to claim award tickets and cabin upgrades. |
| DBS Bank | Convert DBS reward points into Maharaja Points to book award flights and request cabin upgrades. |
| Bandhan Bank | Transfer Delight Points directly into Maharaja Points to access flight redemptions and partner benefits. |
| Federal Bank | Convert Federal Bank Reward Points into Maharaja Points to book award flights and secure cabin upgrades. |
| Punjab National Bank (PNB) | Exchange PNB Reward Points for Maharaja Points to redeem flight tickets and upgrade seats. |
| Union Bank of India | Transfer Union Points into Maharaja Points to unlock award travel and seat upgrade options. |
| Central Bank of India | Exchange Cent Points for Maharaja Points to fund award flights and cabin upgrades. |
| Karur Vysya Bank | Convert Anmol Points into Maharaja Points to book award travel and cabin upgrades. |
| South Indian Bank | SIB cardholders can convert accrued loyalty points into Maharaja Points for flight redemptions. |
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Fintech, E-Commerce & Everyday Rewards
These platforms offer point conversions and rewards through digital shopping, surveys, and app engagement.
| Partner | Details & Benefits |
| Commbitz | Collect an impressive 30 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on global travel SIM cards and international roaming packages. |
| Flipkart | Exchange Flipkart SuperCoins directly for Maharaja Points to accelerate your next flight booking. |
| Jupiter | Convert accumulated Jupiter Jewels into Maharaja Points to redeem award tickets and cabin upgrades. |
| Audi India | Receive 2 Maharaja Points for every 3 Audi Club Reward Points converted from your luxury automotive profile. |
| HeyMax/Magnify/Maximize | Transfer Max Miles, Mag Miles, or MaxCoins into Maharaja Points for flight redemptions and class upgrades. |
| e-Rewards | Participate in market research surveys to earn Maharaja Points deposited directly into your account balance. |
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Lifestyle & Retail
Earn points on everyday fashion, electronics, cosmetics, and lifestyle shopping across Indian retailers.
| Partner | Details & Benefits |
| FirstCry India | Earn up to 19 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent when purchasing baby gear, kids’ apparel, and parenting products. |
| Forest Essentials | Receive 7 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on luxury Ayurvedic skincare, hair care, and beauty products. |
| adidas India | Earn starting from 6 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on athletic wear, footwear, and sporting gear. |
| Levi’s India | Collect 5 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on jeans, denim jackets, and casual apparel. |
| Ajio India | Earn up to 4 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on online fashion, footwear, and trend collections. |
| Myntra India | Receive up to 4 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle shopping orders. |
| Neeman’s India | Earn 4 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on eco-friendly, sustainable footwear crafted from natural materials. |
| Swarovski India | Collect 4 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on crystal jewelry, watches, and luxury accessories. |
| Apple Store Online | Earn 4 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on official online purchases of iPhones, Macs, iPads, and accessories. |
| United Colors of Benetton | Receive 4 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent across fashion apparel, knitwear, and accessories. |
| FARFETCH India | Earn 3 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on luxury designer fashion and high-end boutique labels. |
| Nike.com India | Collect 3 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on performance sportswear, sneakers, and training gear. |
| Puma India | Earn 3 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on activewear, athleisure, and athletic shoes. |
| HP Store India | Earn up to 2 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on laptops, desktops, printers, and computing tech. |
| Lenovo India | Receive up to 2 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on PCs, tablets, monitors, and computer accessories. |
| Pepperfry India | Earn up to 2 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on home furniture, furnishings, and interior decor. |
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Experiences & Leisure
Earn points while enjoying entertainment, theme parks, sightseeing, and unique travel activities.
| Partner | Details & Benefits |
| Madame Tussauds | Earn up to 16 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on admission tickets to iconic wax museum attractions. |
| Kairali | Receive 15 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on authentic Ayurvedic wellness packages and holistic treatments. |
| SEA LIFE Aquariums | Collect up to 12 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on entry tickets to interactive marine life attractions. |
| GetYourGuide | Earn 10 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent when booking guided city tours, day trips, and local experiences. |
| LEGOLAND | Receive up to 10 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on theme park admission passes and family tickets. |
| isango! | Earn 8 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on global sightseeing tours, attraction passes, and activities. |
| KidZania | Collect 7 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on entry passes to interactive children’s edutainment parks. |
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Travel Services, Visas & Mobility
Earn Maharaja Points when arranging visa processing, international roaming, and car rentals.
| Partner | Details & Benefits |
| Sherpa | Earn 25 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on processing service fees for e-visas and entry travel documentation. |
| Atlys | Receive 13 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on service fees for hassle-free visa application handling. |
| Discover Cars | Collect 10 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on global car rental reservations. |
| Kolet | Earn 10 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on digital travel eSIMs for international mobile connectivity. |
| Matrix Cellular | Receive 10 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on international SIM cards and global roaming plans. |
| Zoomcar | Collect 5 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on self-drive car rentals across destinations in India. |
| AVIS | Earn up to 4 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on luxury chauffeur-driven or self-drive vehicle rentals. |
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Hotels & Cruises
Earn points on ocean cruises, resort staycations, and hotel bookings.
| Partner | Details & Benefits |
| Cordelia Cruises | Earn 10 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on domestic luxury ocean cruise vacations and cabin fares. |
| Evolve Back | Receive 10 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on heritage and wilderness resort stays in eco-friendly destinations. |
| Sterling Holiday Resorts | Collect 10 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on immersive resort stays across 50+ leisure spots in India. |
| Onefinerate.com | Earn 6 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on curated hotel bookings and luxury stays. |
| Booking.com | Receive 5 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on eligible stay reservations at hotels and accommodations globally. |
| iCruise | Collect 5 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on international ocean cruise holiday packages. |
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Wellness, Health & Fitness
Earn points on health diagnostics, fitness memberships, and luxury grooming.
| Partner | Details & Benefits |
| Healthians | Earn 14 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on preventative health checkups, blood tests, and lab diagnostics. |
| Tattva | Receive 13 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on relaxing spa therapies and holistic wellness treatments. |
| Kimirica | Collect 10 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on luxury bath products, body care sets, and vegan toiletries. |
| Tata 1mg | Earn up to 8 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent ordering medicines, booking lab tests, or purchasing health products. |
| FITPASS | Receive 7 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on flexible gym memberships and workout passes. |
| Truefitt & Hill | Collect 5 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on barbershop services, luxury grooming, and men’s skincare. |
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Gifting
Earn points when ordering flowers, cakes, hampers, and gifts for loved ones.
| Partner | Details & Benefits |
| Ferns N Petals (FNP) | Earn 11 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent ordering fresh flowers, custom cakes, and occasion gift hampers. |
| IGP | Receive 4 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 spent on personalized gifts, floral arrangements, and festival hampers. |
Difference Between Maharaja Points and Tier Points
Maharaja Points are the rewards you earn every time you book and fly with Air India or its partner airlines. These points build up based on how much you spend on tickets and services, plus transactions with non-airline partners like hotels, car rentals, and linked credit cards.
Tier Points decide your membership level within the Maharaja Club. The more Tier Points you earn, the higher your tier climbs, from Red to Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Unlike Maharaja Points, Tier Points can’t be redeemed for rewards. They simply reflect your current status in the program.
Wrapping Up
The Air India Maharaja Club rewards frequent flyers with priority check-in, lounge access, extra baggage allowance, fee waivers, and more, with benefits that grow as you move from Red to Platinum. Whether you’re just starting to earn Maharaja Points or aiming for your next tier upgrade, understanding how the program works helps you get more value from every trip. Keep track of your Tier Points, make use of partner earning opportunities, and let your everyday spending work toward better travel experiences.
FAQs
What are the benefits of Air India Maharaja Club membership?
Members earn and redeem Maharaja Points on flights and partner services, plus get priority check-in, lounge access, extra baggage allowance, fee waivers on itinerary changes, and complimentary seat selection. Benefits grow as you move up from Red to Platinum tier.
What is the difference between Maharaja Points and Tier Points?
Maharaja Points are redeemable rewards earned on flights and partner spending. Tier Points determine your membership level, Red, Silver, Gold, or Platinum, and can’t be redeemed for rewards themselves.
Who can use the Air India Maharaja Lounge?
Lounge access is available to Gold and Platinum tier members, typically with one guest. Eligible passengers flying Air India or Star Alliance partner airlines may also access lounges depending on ticket class and airline policy.
How do I qualify for Maharaja Club Gold membership?
Gold membership requires 30,000 Tier Points, including a minimum of 9,000 earned on Air India, or 60 flights with at least 8 on Air India, within a qualification period. Upgrades apply automatically once you qualify.
How do I add family members to my Maharaja Club account?
Create a Family Pool by contacting Air India customer support as the Family Head. Members give consent to join, and up to 9 family members, including parents, siblings, children, and spouses, can pool their points together.
Do Maharaja Club points expire?
Maharaja Points are valid for 2 years by default, but each paid Air India flight extends that validity by another 2 years. Points earned from award tickets don’t count toward this extension.
How can I earn Maharaja Points without flying?
You can earn points through co-branded credit cards, hotel stays, car rentals, retail shopping, and other non-airline partners across categories like lifestyle, wellness, and experiences, all listed in the program’s partner network.
Can I buy Maharaja Points directly?
Yes. Points can be purchased in batches of 100, priced at ₹1.50 per point, and are credited to your account immediately for use on award flights, upgrades, or maintaining tier status.
What is the “Fly Prior” benefit?
Fly Prior lets Gold and Platinum members request an earlier flight on the same route at no extra cost, subject to seat availability, useful when plans change unexpectedly.
What is the minimum requirement to reach Silver tier?
Silver tier requires 15,000 Tier Points, with at least 4,500 earned on Air India, or 30 flights including a minimum of 4 on Air India, within a qualification period.
