{"id":138354,"date":"2026-04-02T13:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=138354"},"modified":"2026-04-02T01:24:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T19:54:08","slug":"air-india-slashes-reward-points-by-up-to-64","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/02\/air-india-slashes-reward-points-by-up-to-64\/","title":{"rendered":"Air India Slashes Reward Points by Up to 64% in Major Maharaja Club Overhaul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEW DELHI-<\/strong> Tata Group-owned Air India (AI)<\/a> has announced major upgrades to its Maharaja Club loyalty programme, effective progressively from 1 April 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The updates deliver lower Maharaja Points for award flights and cabin upgrades, faster tier progression, greater booking flexibility, and extended privileges to companions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These changes, based on extensive member feedback, significantly increase value for Air India passengers flying from major hubs including Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Bengaluru (BLR), and Hyderabad (HYD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The revised programme makes both domestic short trips and long-haul international journeys more rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo- Air India<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India Maharaja Club Upgrades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air India has reduced Maharaja Points requirements for award flights and cabin upgrades across at least 90%<\/strong> of its network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economy Class<\/strong> redemptions dropped by around 30% on 80% of domestic routes and 75% of international routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Class<\/strong> saw reductions of about 15% on 70% of domestic routes and 25% on 35% of international routes. Premium Economy<\/strong> recorded cuts of around 13% on 30% of domestic routes and 12% on 17% of international routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domestic award flights now start from 1,500 Maharaja Points, while cabin upgrades begin at 4,000 points. International one-way award flights are standardised with Europe (including the UK) from 35,000 points, the US and Australia from 40,000 points, and Canada from 50,000 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These changes bring better value on more than 90% of routes, though a small number of sectors see no change or marginal increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: Air India<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Economy Class Redemption Changes (Partial Listing)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Domestic Routes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Sector<\/th>Existing Points<\/th>Revised Points<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Goa (Mopa) \u2013 Hyderabad<\/td>7,000<\/td>2,500<\/td>64% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Chandigarh<\/td>5,000<\/td>3,000<\/td>40% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Chennai<\/td>7,500<\/td>6,000<\/td>20% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Ahmedabad<\/td>4,000<\/td>3,500<\/td>13% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Bengaluru \u2013 Chennai<\/td>2,000<\/td>1,500<\/td>25% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Mumbai \u2013 Amritsar<\/td>9,500<\/td>5,500<\/td>42% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Bhopal<\/td>5,000<\/td>3,000<\/td>40% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Goa (Dabolim)<\/td>9,000<\/td>5,000<\/td>44% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Guwahati<\/td>8,500<\/td>6,000<\/td>29% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Patna<\/td>6,500<\/td>5,000<\/td>23% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Mumbai<\/td>5,000<\/td>5,000<\/td>0%<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Bangalore<\/td>8,000<\/td>7,000<\/td>13% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Kolkata<\/td>5,000<\/td>5,000<\/td>0%<\/td><\/tr>
Bangalore \u2013 Mumbai<\/td>4,000<\/td>4,000<\/td>0%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

International Routes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Sector<\/th>Existing Points<\/th>Revised Points<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Delhi \u2013 San Francisco<\/td>77,000<\/td>40,000<\/td>48% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Mumbai \u2013 Newark<\/td>67,000<\/td>40,000<\/td>40% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Vancouver<\/td>87,000<\/td>50,000<\/td>43% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Melbourne<\/td>61,000<\/td>40,000<\/td>34% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Chicago<\/td>65,000<\/td>40,000<\/td>39% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 New York (JFK)<\/td>62,000<\/td>40,000<\/td>36% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Amritsar \u2013 Birmingham<\/td>53,000<\/td>35,000<\/td>34% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Mumbai \u2013 Mauritius<\/td>25,000<\/td>12,000<\/td>52% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Mumbai \u2013 Doha<\/td>23,000<\/td>12,000<\/td>48% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Jeddah<\/td>26,000<\/td>12,000<\/td>54% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Tokyo<\/td>35,000<\/td>30,000<\/td>14% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Dubai<\/td>16,000<\/td>12,000<\/td>25% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Bangkok<\/td>16,000<\/td>12,000<\/td>25% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 London<\/td>30,000<\/td>35,000<\/td>17% \u2191<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Bali<\/td>25,000<\/td>12,000<\/td>52% \u2193<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Air India Boeing 787-9 Premium Economy | Photo: Air India<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Premium Economy Redemption Changes (Partial Listing)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Domestic Routes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Sector<\/th>Existing Points<\/th>Revised Points<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Hyderabad \u2013 Goa (Mopa)<\/td>12,000<\/td>9,000<\/td>25% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Guwahati<\/td>16,500<\/td>13,000<\/td>21% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Mumbai \u2013 Varanasi<\/td>15,000<\/td>12,000<\/td>20% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Bengaluru \u2013 Delhi<\/td>17,000<\/td>14,000<\/td>18% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Mumbai<\/td>13,000<\/td>15,000<\/td>15% \u2191<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Bengaluru<\/td>17,000<\/td>14,000<\/td>18% \u2193<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

International Routes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Sector<\/th>Existing Points<\/th>Revised Points<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Delhi \u2013 San Francisco<\/td>1,24,000<\/td>1,00,000<\/td>19% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Vancouver<\/td>1,29,000<\/td>1,10,000<\/td>15% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Newark<\/td>1,08,000<\/td>1,00,000<\/td>7% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Dubai<\/td>29,000<\/td>40,000<\/td>38% \u2191<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 London (Heathrow)<\/td>66,000<\/td>85,000<\/td>29% \u2191<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Bali (Denpasar)<\/td>40,000<\/td>45,000<\/td>13% \u2191<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Photo: Air India<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Business Class Redemption Changes (Partial Listing)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Domestic Routes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Sector<\/th>Existing Points<\/th>Revised Points<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Delhi \u2013 Chennai<\/td>30,000<\/td>24,000<\/td>20% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Goa (Dabolim)<\/td>29,000<\/td>25,000<\/td>14% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Patna<\/td>20,000<\/td>17,000<\/td>15% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Mumbai \u2013 Amritsar<\/td>19,000<\/td>17,000<\/td>11% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Udaipur<\/td>21,000<\/td>15,000<\/td>29% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Coimbatore<\/td>39,000<\/td>32,000<\/td>18% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Kolkata<\/td>33,000<\/td>28,000<\/td>15% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Mumbai \u2013 Hyderabad<\/td>21,000<\/td>16,000<\/td>24% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Bengaluru \u2013 Hyderabad<\/td>20,000<\/td>16,000<\/td>20% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Mumbai<\/td>23,000<\/td>20,000<\/td>13% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Bengaluru \u2013 Mumbai<\/td>21,000<\/td>19,000<\/td>10% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Bengaluru<\/td>31,000<\/td>25,000<\/td>19% \u2193<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

International Routes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Sector<\/th>Existing Points<\/th>Revised Points<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Delhi \u2013 Chicago<\/td>1,75,000<\/td>1,30,000<\/td>26% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 New York (JFK)<\/td>1,80,000<\/td>1,30,000<\/td>28% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Vancouver<\/td>1,80,000<\/td>1,30,000<\/td>28% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 San Francisco<\/td>1,85,000<\/td>1,30,000<\/td>30% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Mumbai \u2013 Newark<\/td>2,00,000<\/td>1,30,000<\/td>35% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Mumbai \u2013 London (Heathrow)<\/td>1,25,000<\/td>1,00,000<\/td>20% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 London (Heathrow)<\/td>1,25,000<\/td>1,00,000<\/td>20% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Mumbai \u2013 Mauritius<\/td>70,000<\/td>50,000<\/td>29% \u2193<\/td><\/tr>
Delhi \u2013 Dubai<\/td>46,000<\/td>50,000<\/td>9% \u2191<\/td><\/tr>
Mumbai \u2013 Dubai<\/td>43,000<\/td>50,000<\/td>16% \u2191<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Air
Photo: Air India<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stronger Value on Award Flights and Upgrades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The enhancements make quick getaways and long-haul travel far more accessible. Redemption levels are now lower and standardised across regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key examples include Delhi (DEL) to San Francisco (SFO) dropping from 77,000 to 40,000 points and Mumbai (BOM) to Mauritius from 25,000 to 12,000 points in Economy. Similar meaningful reductions appear across Business and Premium Economy classes on most sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India<\/strong>, said: \u201cOur Maharaja Club members are at the heart of Air India\u2019s ongoing transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These enhancements are designed to ensure that every Maharaja Point they earn carries more meaning, more flexibility, and more possibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"AI
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Flexibility in Managing Bookings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air India (AI) introduced a simplified tier-based structure for award flight cancellations and rescheduling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platinum members can cancel or reschedule free of charge up to 2 hours before departure. Gold members enjoy this facility up to 7 days before departure, while Silver members get it up to 30 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within these windows, points are fully redeposited. Outside the window, a flat 25% fee applies. No-show bookings continue with no refunds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Points used for upgrades are now refunded automatically upon cancellation. This change gives members confidence to book upgrades more freely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: Air India<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Elite Tier Status and Extended Benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The airline lowered flight-count thresholds for tier qualification while keeping spend requirements unchanged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platinum now requires 60 flights (previously 90) with a minimum of 12 Air India (AI) flights. Gold needs 45 flights (previously 60) with a minimum of 8 Air India flights. Silver requires 20 flights (previously 30) with a minimum of 4 Air India flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tier Points criteria remain the same. Flights from the past 365 days will be retrospectively assessed, and eligible members will receive automatic upgrades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aggarwal added: \u201cWe recognise that many of our loyal customers may have found progressing through tiers to be harder than it should be… By easing the flight count thresholds, our valued members now have a more achievable path to the privileges they\u2019ve earned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platinum and Gold members can now extend their travel privileges to one companion travelling on the same PNR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Companions receive priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling, and lounge access alongside the member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rapid Points Crediting and Continued Growth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Maharaja Points earned on Air India (AI) flights and Star Alliance partner carriers will now be credited within 2 hours of flight completion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These updates build on the 2024 redesign that shifted from a legacy miles-based system to a fairer spend-based structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maharaja Club<\/a> currently serves over 10 million members worldwide with simplified rules, strong global benchmarks, and growing partnerships across banking, retail, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Air India Redefines Premium Travel with First Maharaja Lounge at Delhi Airport<\/a><\/blockquote>