A couple of years ago, Air India announced the first version of the revised Flying Returns, which turned into Maharaja Club when Club Vistara merged into Flying Returns. From there, we are now seeing the second version of Maharaja Club, which was unveiled on April 1, 2026.
Air India Upgrades Maharaja Club Perks
Air India today announced significant enhancements to its Maharaja Club loyalty programme, delivering greater value and flexibility to members. These are being rolled out from April 1, 2026.
Greater flexibility in managing Award Flights
Cancellations and rescheduling fees for Award Flights (both domestic and international) will follow a simplified, tier-based structure, hereon. The new structure will provide comfort to frequent travellers when travel plans change.
- Platinum members will be able to cancel or reschedule award tickets free of charge up to 2 hours before departure
- Gold members will be able to cancel or reschedule award tickets free of charge up to 7 days before departure
- Silver members will be able to cancel or reschedule award tickets free of charge up to 30 days before departure
Within these windows, no fees apply, and Maharaja Points will be fully redeposited. Outside the specified windows, a flat 25% fee will apply (charged in cash for rescheduling or deducted in Maharaja Points for cancellations). No-show bookings will continue to follow the existing policy with no refunds permitted.
Upgrades will be refunded when cancelled
Cancellations of upgrades made using Maharaja Points will now see those points refunded to the member, no questions asked. Interestingly, this is valid for points but not upgrade certificates.
Faster progression through membership tiers
Air India has now made it easier and quicker to earn and retain status by reducing flight-count thresholds for tier qualification, though the spend-based requirement for tier qualification remains unchanged:
- Platinum Tier: Now requires 60 flights (previously 90), including a minimum of 12 Air India Flights
- Gold Tier: Now requires 45 flights (previously 60), including a minimum of 8 Air India Flights
- Silver Tier: Now requires 20 flights (previously 30), including a minimum of 4 Air India Flights
The Tier Points qualification criteria remain unchanged. Flights taken over the past 365 days will be assessed retrospectively against the new thresholds, with eligible members automatically upgraded to their qualifying tier.
Extending travel privileges to companions of members
Air India will now accord the same travel privileges to companions of Maharaja Club Platinum and Gold members as they receive as members. One co-passenger, if travelling on a single PNR along with a Platinum or Gold member, will receive priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling, in addition to lounge access. All of these are free and soft perks, but regarding seat assignments, cancellations, or changes, members are not given the concessions (which involve waiving off real money)
Crediting Maharaja Points within 2 hours of flight or sooner
Air India will credit Maharaja Points for flights on Air India or Star Alliance partner carriers within 2 hours of the flight, or sooner. Mahara Club members now see their Maharaja Points reflected almost instantly, sometimes even before take off.
Air India has also made significant changes to redemption rates, with most Economy Class rates going down and Premium Cabins seeing an uptick on some routes. A separate post will address that question because there is more to it than just the headlines.
Bottomline
Air India has done a great job restructuring benefits and perks for elite members and reducing qualification/requalification requirements to improve the programme. The airline has also reduced redemption requirements for most routes, and status holders receive significant benefits, including waivers of charges for redemption cancellations.
What do you make of the changes made by Air India Maharaja Club for Elite members and the qualification criteria?
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Overall these are some great changes. Although I hear that PE redemptions have gone up significantly and business redemptions are a mixed bag. Miles for the flight these days are credited as soon as I board the aircraft. Given the recent changes in Axis transfer partners, suddenly Air India transfers are not looking that bad.
Great move