Air India has been on everyone’s radar recently. While many travelers are happy with the revised points requirement for flight redemptions, a lot of users were eagerly waiting for the option to redeem Maharaja Club Points on Air India Express flights.
Now, Air India has officially announced that Maharaja Club members can use their points to book Air India Express award flights. This marks another major update for the airline’s loyalty program and gives members more redemption options across both domestic and international routes.
Not only can users redeem Maharaja Club Points on Air India Express bookings, but they can also earn Maharaja Points on eligible flights. Members will earn points on eligible base fares, excluding fuel surcharge (YQ) and other applicable charges. Eligible bookings will also help members earn Tier Points, which can be used for Maharaja Club tier progression.
How to Earn Maharaja Points on Air India Express Bookings?
- Passengers need to add their Maharaja Club ID while booking an Air India Express flight through the Air India or Air India Express website or app.
- The Maharaja Club ID can also be added later through the “Manage Booking” section or during web check-in before departure.
- Maharaja Points will only be credited if the Maharaja Club ID is added before travel. Members will not be able to claim missing points later if the ID was not linked to the booking before the flight.
Bottom Line
Air India allowing Maharaja Club members to earn and redeem points on Air India Express flights is a welcome move for frequent travelers. With award flights starting from just 1,500 points, members now get more ways to use their Maharaja Points across a larger network. The addition of Tier Points earning on eligible Air India Express bookings also makes the loyalty program more rewarding for regular flyers.
FAQs
How Can You Earn Maharaja Points on Air India Express Flights?
Passengers can earn Maharaja Points on eligible Air India Express flights by adding their Maharaja Club ID during booking. The ID can also be added later through the “Manage Booking” section or during web check-in before the flight. Points are awarded only on the base fare and do not include fuel surcharge (YQ) or other additional charges.
How Can You Redeem Maharaja Points Earned on Air India Express?
Members can use their accumulated Maharaja Points to book award flights on Air India, Air India Express, and Star Alliance partner airlines. Redemptions can be made through the Air India website, mobile app, or by contacting customer support.
Will You Earn Bonus Points on Website or App Bookings?
Yes, members will earn an additional 2 Maharaja Points for every ₹100 spent when booking directly through the official Air India or Air India Express website or app. However, this extra reward is not available on Air India Express codeshare flights.
Are Maharaja Club Tier Benefits Available on Air India Express Award Flights?
Tier benefits for Maharaja Club members will be introduced on Air India Express flights in phases over the coming months. However, lounge access benefits will continue to remain exclusive to Air India flights.
Can Maharaja Points or Upgrade Vouchers Be Used for Upgrades?
No, Maharaja Points and One-Class Upgrade Vouchers cannot currently be used to upgrade Air India Express flights or Air India Express-operated codeshare flights.
Can You Change the Maharaja Club ID After Adding It to a Booking?
No. Once a Maharaja Club ID has been linked to a booking, it cannot be changed or replaced with another ID.
Can You Earn Maharaja Points on Cash + Points Bookings?
No, Maharaja Points on Air India Express flights are currently earned only on eligible cash bookings.