About Ajay

Ajay Awtaney is the Founder and Editor of Live From A Lounge (LFAL), a pioneering digital platform renowned for publishing news and views about aviation, hotels, passenger experience, loyalty programs, travel trends and frequent travel tips for the Global Indian. He is considered the Indian authority on business travel, luxury travel, frequent flyer miles, loyalty credit cards and travel for Indians around the globe. Ajay is a frequent contributor and commentator on the media as well, including ET Now, BBC, CNBC TV18, NDTV, Conde Nast Traveller and many other outlets.

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#redcarpettrip: Introduction and Trip Index

by Ajay 9 Comments

two glasses of wine on a table overlooking a body of water

Our honeymoon trip was a year in the planning, and had some amazing experiences included, largely due to the power of miles and points and status. We went to Los Angeles, Bora Bora, Las Vegas, Washington D.C. and New York, and flew some of the most coveted products such as Singapore Airlines Suites Class and Etihad Apartments on our way in and out.

This post is intended to be a sort of an index of the entire trip report which will be published over the days. In all earnestness, if I could do it, you can do it too!

Watch out inside for all the details of this #redcarpettrip

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#redcarpettrip: We are back to base!

by Ajay 9 Comments

two teddy bears next to a couple of glasses of champagne

Shipra and myself just got back from a megatrip over 22 days, where we flew Singapore Airlines Suites Class, the Etihad Apartments, went to Los Angeles, Bora Bora, Las Vegas, Dallas, Washington D.C. and New York and had some amazing experiences.

This is a recap of the trip in pictures, while we get set to post an elaborate trip report for you, along with all the details!

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Ia Orana: Hello from Bora Bora Islands!

by Ajay 6 Comments

Hello from the wonderful islands of Bora Bora! Shipra and I were looking forward to spending some time away from our respective workplaces, so we have been planning a trip largely on miles and points and status privileges over the course of the year. 
Here’s what we have been up to so far!

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Big changes to Air India Flying Returns: Child Membership introduced, upgrade transfers stopped, new base tiers

by Ajay 18 Comments

Air India has been quietly coming up to speed with the times on their frequent flyer program. Just yesterday, they have launched new features such as Child Membership, and introduced a Primary Active membership at the base tier as well.

Some of the key changes include the inability to transfer your upgrade vouchers to anyone here on, as well as the pseudo move to revenue-based earning by linking percentage of miles earned to flown miles and the RBD multiplier. Hence, deep discounted tickets don’t get as many miles anymore!

Read on and share your views on the program in the comments section

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Your Air India Flying Returns account needs paperwork

by Ajay 7 Comments

a screenshot of a computer

Air India’s Flying Returns frequent flyer program is implementing new security measures to authenticate users, which includes a verification process for everyone, to prevent the creation of bogus accounts, and to weed out existing bogus accounts.

As a part of this measure, if you already have an Air India Flying Returns account, you should log into the account and provide the Air India team with information and certain identity documents to authenticate your account.

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Hyatt’s Diamond status outright available

by Ajay 1 Comment

Hyatt Gold Passport last night announced on Twitter the offer to give an outright status match to top-tier members of competing hotel chain’s loyalty programs. This helps you to Hyatt Diamond status till March 2017, along with 4 suite upgrades which can be confirmed at the time of reservation and some other nice perks.

Here is how to help yourself to the diamond status by making an application to Hyatt Gold Passport.

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Free Club Vistara Gold Status for HDFC Bank Infinia card holders

by Ajay 4 Comments

a man looking at a tablet

Club Vistara is offering a 1-year upgrade to Club Vistara Gold for HDFC Infinia card holders, and Silver status to HDFC Regalia card holders. While the hard benefits are limited, there are soft benefits such as random upgrades. Here is how to get the Gold status if you qualify for it.

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