Air India Slashes Reward Flight Points, Revises Maharaja Club Benefits and Tier Rules

Air India has revised its Maharaja Club loyalty programme from 1 April 2026, lowering redemption thresholds and adjusting member benefits, as per an announcement made by the company.  

The update follows feedback collected over more than a year and shows changes in travel behaviour.  

Reduction in Points Required 

The airline has reduced the number of points needed for award bookings and upgrades across a large part of its network. Domestic award flights now start at 1,500 points, while cabin upgrades begin at 4,000 points.  

International redemption levels have been standardised. One-way economy fares now start at 35,000 points for Europe, 40,000 for the United States and Australia, and 50,000 for Canada.  

Economy redemption levels have declined by around 30% on most domestic routes and 25% on international routes. Business class reductions are lower but still present across several routes.  

Route-Level Changes 

Data shared by the airline shows notable reductions on selected routes. Delhi-San Francisco economy redemption has been cut from 77,000 to 40,000 points, while Mumbai-Mauritius has fallen from 25,000 to 12,000 points.  

Some domestic routes, including Delhi-Mumbai and Bengaluru-Mumbai, show no change in redemption levels. A small number of routes have recorded marginal increases, indicating a mixed adjustment rather than a uniform reduction.  

Changes to Cancellations and Tier Access 

A tier-based structure has been introduced for cancellations and rescheduling. Platinum members can make changes up to 2 hours before departure without charge, while gold and silver members have earlier cut-off windows. Outside these limits, a 25% fee applies.  

The airline has also reduced flight requirements for tier upgrades. Platinum now requires 60 flights, down from 90, while gold and silver thresholds have also been lowered.  

Additional Programme Updates 

Points earned from flights will now be credited within 2 hours, including those from partner airlines.  

Airport privileges such as priority services and lounge access will be extended to one companion travelling on the same booking for eligible members.  

Read More: Airtel Tops Mobile Additions in February; Jio Holds Wireless Base Leadership! 

Conclusion 

The revised structure reduces redemption costs on most routes, eases tier progression requirements, and introduces limited operational changes to cancellations and benefits. 

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