Air India, the national carrier of India, has undergone major transformations since its acquisition by the TATA group. These include a merger with Vistara, securing the largest fleet order in the aviation industry, and a complete rebranding, including a revamp of its loyalty program, Flying Returns. Although many of its aircraft still feature outdated amenities, these are set to be retrofitted with the new livery. Air India continues to be the sole provider of direct long-haul routes. The revamped Flying Returns program is designed to elevate the travel experience for frequent flyers, offering them enhanced convenience and a wealth of benefits.
Membership Tiers & Benefits
The Air India Flying Returns program offers four membership tiers, starting with the entry-level Red tier, which can be achieved simply by signing up. Advancement to higher tiers depends on meeting specific criteria, such as tier points or revenue flights with Air India and its Star Alliance partners within the last 365 days.
Once members reach an elite tier, they enjoy its benefits for a year, with renewal based on activity during the same period. Below are the qualifications for each Flying Returns elite status tier:
- Red: Automatically granted upon signing up for Flying Returns.
- Silver: 15,000 tier points (with at least 4,500 tier points on Air India) or 30 flights (with at least four flights on Air India).
- Gold: 30,000 tier points (with at least 9,000 tier points on Air India) or 60 flights (with at least eight flights on Air India).
- Platinum: 45,000 tier points (with at least 13,500 tier points on Air India) or 90 flights (with at least 12 flights on Air India).
The primary benefit of Flying Returns Red status is the ability to earn and redeem points. Additional benefits offered at each higher tier, beyond those of the preceding one, include:
- Silver: Star Alliance Silver status, 50% discount on domestic flight standard seats, one upgrade voucher for a domestic flight, priority check-in and boarding, reduced change fees for domestic flights, an additional 10kg baggage allowance (on weight-based systems), and priority waitlist clearance.
- Gold: Star Alliance Gold status, lounge access with one guest, complimentary standard seat selection, two upgrade vouchers for domestic flights, Fly Early benefit on domestic flights, enhanced baggage allowance (an extra 20kg on Air India and Star Alliance partner flights), one free ticket change per domestic flight up to 24 hours before departure (or 72 hours for international Air India flights), and reduced cancellation fees for domestic flights.
- Platinum: Complimentary seat selection on Air India flights, three upgrade vouchers for domestic flights, two free ticket changes per Air India flight up to 24 hours before departure, waived cancellation fees for domestic flights, and an additional 20kg baggage allowance.
Earning Through Flying Air India Flights
Air India offers a straightforward and rewarding structure for earning points on flights:
- For every ₹100 spent:
- Red Members: Earn 6 reward points.
- Silver Members: Earn 8 reward points.
- Gold Members: Earn 9 reward points.
- Platinum Members: Earn 10 reward points.
Booking via the Air India website or mobile app adds a bonus of 2 reward points per ₹100 spent.
Earning Through Star Alliance Flights
Flying with Star Alliance airline partners in eligible fare classes allows you to earn both reward and tier points.
- Reward points: Based on flight distance and fare class (details on the partner airlines page).
- Tier points: Earn 1 tier point for every 2 reward points accumulated on Star Alliance flights.
Co-Branded Credit Cards
Air India collaborates with SBI Card to offer two co-branded credit cards:
- SBI Air India Signature
- SBI Air India Platinum
- Earn up to 4% reward points on all purchases (exclusions apply).
- Booking Air India tickets with these cards can earn up to 30% reward points.
- Additional points can be earned upon reaching spending milestones.
Air India is expected to expand its co-branded card options soon, enhancing loyalty program benefits further.
Transfer Partners
Air India Flying Returns miles can be earned by converting reward points through the following banking partners:
- SBI Card
- SBI Miles Elite, Prime, and Basic: Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio.
- Axis Bank
- Burgundy Magnus & Burgundy Private: 5:4 ratio.
- Magnus & Reserve: 5:2 ratio.
- Other cards: 10:1 ratio.
- Atlas card: 1:2 ratio.
- Citi Bank
- Premier Miles: 2:1 ratio.
- Prestige: 1:4 ratio.
- Ultima: 1:5 ratio.
- ICICI Bank
- Private Metal Credit Card: 1:1 ratio.
- Other cards: 6:1 ratio.
- HSBC Bank
- Premier Credit Card: 1:1 ratio.
Car Rental Partners
Earn Flying Returns points with car rental bookings:
- Zoom Car: 5 points per ₹100 spent.
- Discover Car: 10 points per ₹100 spent.
- bookairportcab.com: 5 points per ₹100 spent.
Hotel Stays
Earn Flying Returns points while staying at partner hotels:
- Roseate: 7 points per ₹100 spent.
- Soneva: 5 points per ₹100 spent.
- Evolve Back: 7 points per ₹100 spent.
- The Set Collection: 5 points per ₹100 spent.
- Rainforest: 10 points per ₹100 spent.
- The Grand Dragon Ladakh: 20 points per ₹100 spent.
- The Leela Palaces: 5 points per ₹100 spent.
Lifestyle
Earn points while shopping with these lifestyle brands:
- The Bicester Collection: 5 points per €4 spent.
- IGP: 10 points per ₹100 spent.
- Ferns N Petals: 11 points per ₹100 spent.
- Kiehl’s: 5 points per ₹100 spent.
- Tattva: 13 points per ₹100 spent.
Experiences
Accumulate Flying Returns points with these unique experiences:
- GetYourGuide: 10 points per ₹100 spent.
- Fratelli: 11 points per ₹100 spent.
- Sherpa: 25 points per ₹100 spent.
- KidZania: 7 points per ₹100 spent.
- Antara River Cruises: 10 points per ₹100 spent.
Maximize Your Rewards
Whether you’re booking flights, shopping, or indulging in exclusive experiences, the Air India Flying Returns program offers ample opportunities to earn points and elevate your travel experiences!
Buying Points
Purchasing Flying Returns Points
Air India provides an option to purchase Flying Returns points, though the value may not always be optimal. However, this can be helpful when you’re just short of points for booking a flight and want to avoid extra costs. While there haven’t been any point sales yet, you can maximize your point return by using credit cards that offer bonus points on airline purchases, such as the Axis Atlas card. To buy points, simply log into your profile and go to the ‘buy points’ section. Points are priced at ₹1.5 each.
Redeeming Flying Returns Points
Redeeming for Air India Flights
You can redeem your Flying Returns points for booking award seats or upgrading your seat class on Air India flights. Air India offers two fare types: Value Fare and Prime Fare.
- Value Fare: Points required are fixed for early bookings, with a range for maximum and minimum points.
- Prime Fare: Typically available for bookings closer to the travel date, offering more flexibility but at a higher premium.
For example, a one-way Economy ticket from CCU to DEL with Value Fare will cost between 5,000 and 8,500 Flying Returns points, while the Prime Fare costs 10,500 points—more than double the lowest Value Fare.
For international flights, booking Economy fare is often advantageous, especially during peak seasons when ticket prices are high. For instance, flying DEL to LHR in Economy requires 30,000 Flying Returns points. However, Business and First Class redemption rates are significantly higher:
- Business Class: 1,25,000 points
- First Class: 1,55,000 points
Sometimes, booking through other Star Alliance programs like Air Canada or Singapore Airlines may be more economical for premium cabins, even if you’re flying with Air India partners. A major benefit of the Flying Returns program is the larger seat availability in the same class, allowing you to book extra seats for companions after securing your own through alternative Star Alliance routes.
Although the old award chart is outdated, you can easily calculate your miles requirement using Air India’s miles calculator.
Redeeming for Star Alliance Flights
Air India previously stated that all Star Alliance partner airlines would be available for online bookings under the revamped program, but as of now, only award flights operated by United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, and Austrian Airlines can be booked online. Flights operated by other Star Alliance partners must be booked via phone.
Additionally, only one-segment awards are available for Star Alliance airlines, and there’s no fixed award chart. Instead, Flying Returns members are directed to use the points calculator to determine award rates. It’s advisable to prioritize Air India flights, as other Star Alliance partners typically require more points. For example, a First Class flight from DEL to SFO costs 300,000 Flying Returns points with Star Alliance partners, whereas booking with Air India directly would cost 235,000 points, saving you 65,000 points on a direct flight.
Family Pooling
Air India provides a unique family pooling feature, which allows a family head to pool miles from up to 8 family members (maximum of 9 individuals, including the family head). When any family member earns points, a designated percentage of those points is transferred automatically to the family head’s account.
To set up a family pool, the head of the family must request it through customer care, specifying the percentage allocation. The process typically takes 7-14 working days to complete.
Points Expiry
Flying Returns points expire 24 months from the date they are earned. However, each time you take a paid Air India flight, the expiration date of all your reward points will be extended by another 24 months. This ensures that your points remain valid for longer as you continue flying with Air India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Air India Flying Returns, and how does it work?
Air India Flying Returns is the airline’s frequent flyer program that allows members to earn points (called Flying Returns Points) on flights with Air India and its Star Alliance partners. Points can be redeemed for award flights, seat upgrades, or other rewards. Members earn points based on the distance traveled, ticket class, and fare type.
How can I join the Flying Returns program, and is there any membership fee?
Joining Flying Returns is free and straightforward. You can sign up by visiting the official Air India website and completing the registration form. Once registered, you will receive a unique membership number that you can use to earn and redeem points.
How can I redeem Flying Returns points for Air India flights?
To redeem points, log into your Flying Returns account on the Air India website, navigate to the ‘Redeem Points’ section, and search for award flights. You can use points to book tickets or upgrade your seat class. The points required depend on the fare type (Value Fare or Prime Fare) and the route.
Do Flying Returns points expire, and how can I extend their validity?
Flying Returns points expire 24 months after earning. However, you can extend the validity of your points by taking a paid Air India flight. Each flight resets the expiration date for all points in your account, granting an additional 24 months of validity.
What is the Family Pooling feature in Flying Returns, and how can I set it up?
The Family Pooling feature allows up to 8 family members (plus one family head) to pool their Flying Returns points into a single account managed by the family head. This makes it easier to accumulate points for rewards. To set it up, the family head must submit a request through Air India’s customer care, specifying the percentage of points each member will contribute. The setup process usually takes 7-14 working days.
Bottom Line
Air India is making strides toward becoming a world-class airline, despite currently falling behind in terms of its hard product. With the largest fleet expansion in its history, the airline has signaled a strong commitment to elevating its services. A standout development is the launch of India’s first A350 flights, now operating on international routes. The revamped First and Business Class cabins are a step forward, aligning Air India more closely with global benchmarks.
That said, significant challenges remain. Retrofitting aircraft with updated configurations and improving staff performance are critical areas requiring attention. On a positive note, the enhancements to the Flying Returns loyalty program showcase promising progress. The coming five years will be pivotal for Air India as it transforms into a flagship carrier that meets global standards. With India positioning itself as an aviation hub, the country deserves an airline that reflects its aspirations and showcases its potential on the global stage.
