Since Air India’s acquisition by the TATA group, the airline has undergone transformative changes. These include merging with Vistara, placing the largest fleet order in aviation history, and a complete rebranding — with notable updates to its loyalty program, Flying Returns. Although many aircraft still carry outdated features, these are scheduled for retrofitting to align with the airline’s refreshed identity. As the exclusive provider of direct long-haul routes, Air India continues to stand out. The reimagined Flying Returns program is designed to offer frequent flyers more convenience and enhanced benefits.
Membership Tiers & Benefits
The Flying Returns program is structured across four tiers, starting with the entry-level Red tier, which requires no specific qualifications—just sign up. To move up the ranks, members must meet criteria like earning tier points or taking revenue flights with Air India and its Star Alliance partners within the last 365 days.
Once a new elite status tier is reached, members enjoy its perks for a year, with renewal based on recent activity within the same period.
Qualification Requirements for Flying Returns Elite Status
The following are the qualification criteria for each tier within the Flying Returns program:
- Red: Automatically granted upon enrolling in Flying Returns.
- Silver: 15,000 tier points (at least 4,500 points on Air India) or 30 flights (at least 4 on Air India).
- Gold: 30,000 tier points (at least 9,000 points on Air India) or 60 flights (at least 8 on Air India).
- Platinum: 45,000 tier points (at least 13,500 points on Air India) or 90 flights (at least 12 on Air India).
The primary benefit of the Red status is the ability to earn and redeem points. Below are the additional benefits offered at each higher tier:
- Silver: Star Alliance Silver status, 50% discount on domestic standard seats, one upgrade voucher for domestic flights, 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, an extra 20kg baggage allowance on Air India and Star Alliance flights, one free ticket change per domestic flight (up to 24 hours before departure) and for international Air India flights (up to 72 hours before departure), and reduced cancellation fees for domestic flights.
- Platinum: Complimentary seat selection on Air India flights, three upgrade vouchers for domestic flights, two free changes per ticket for Air India flights (up to 24 hours before departure), waived cancellation fees for domestic flights, and an additional 20kg baggage allowance.
Earning Reward and Tier Points
Earning Through Air India Flights
On Air India flights, members can earn reward and tier points as follows:
- For every ₹100 spent:
- Red members: 6 reward points
- Silver members: 8 reward points
- Gold members: 9 reward points
- Platinum members: 10 reward points
Additionally, bookings made through the Air India website or mobile app earn an extra 2 reward points per ₹100 spent. Regardless of tier status, members earn 6 tier points per ₹100 spent on Air India flights.
Earning Through Star Alliance Flights
When flying with eligible Star Alliance partners, you can earn both reward and tier points. The reward points earned depend on your flight distance and fare class. For every 2 reward points earned with a Star Alliance partner, you’ll receive 1 tier point.
Co-branded Credit Cards
Air India offers two co-branded cards in partnership with SBI Card:
- SBI Air India Signature
- SBI Air India Platinum
These cards let you earn up to 4% reward points on most purchases (excluding certain categories). When booking Air India flights with these cards, you can earn up to 30% in reward points. Additionally, there are spending milestones that offer extra points. With the increased focus on loyalty, new co-branded cards may be introduced soon.
Transfer Partners
Air India has established partnerships with various banks for transferring reward points into Flying Returns miles. Here’s a breakdown of the transfer ratios:
- SBI Card: All SBI Miles cardholders can transfer points to Flying Returns at a 1:1 ratio.
- Axis Bank:
- Axis Burgundy Magnus and Axis Burgundy Private customers can transfer at a 5:4 ratio.
- Axis Magnus & Axis Reserve cardholders: 5:2 ratio.
- Other Axis cardholders: 10:1 ratio.
- Axis Atlas cardholders: 1:2 ratio.
- CitiBank:
- Premier Miles points: 2:1 ratio.
- Prestige points: 1:4 ratio.
- Ultima points: 1:5 ratio.
- ICICI Bank:
- Private Metal credit card points: 1:1 ratio.
- Other eligible ICICI credit and debit card points: 6:1 ratio.
- HSBC Bank: Premier credit card points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio.
Car Rental Partners
You can also earn Flying Returns points with Air India’s car rental partners:
- Zoom Car: Earn 5 points per ₹100 spent
- Discover Car: Earn 10 points per ₹100 spent
- bookairportcab.com: Earn 5 points per ₹100 spent
Hotel Stays
Earn Flying Returns points when staying at partnered 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 Spending
Accumulate Flying Returns points with these lifestyle brands:
- The Bicester Collection: 5 points per EUR 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
Earn points on experiences with the following partners:
- 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
Buying Points
Air India allows you to buy Flying Returns points. Although purchasing points may not always offer the best value, it can be useful when you’re just short of points. Points can be bought for ₹1.5 each, and this can be done through your profile by visiting the ‘buy points’ section. Additionally, using cards like the Axis Atlas card for airline purchases may help you earn bonus points to maximize your benefit.
Redeeming Flying Returns Points
Redeeming for Air India Flights
Flying Returns points can be redeemed 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 is characterized by two fixed values that indicate the range of points required when booking tickets well in advance. Prime Fare, on the other hand, is more flexible but comes at a higher price, typically available closer to the travel date.
For example, a one-way flight from CCU to DEL in Economy under Value Fare may cost between 5,000 to 8,500 Flying Returns points, while Prime Fare would require 10,500 points, more than double the minimum Value Fare price.
For international travel, Economy fare is often the most beneficial option, especially during peak seasons when revenue prices are high. For instance, a flight from DEL to LHR on an ex-Etihad 777 aircraft costs 30,000 Flying Returns points for an Economy ticket. However, the required points for Business and First Class increase significantly. Business Class passengers need 1,25,000 points, and First Class passengers need 1,55,000 points for a one-way ticket.
When considering alternative programs like Air Canada or Singapore Airlines, which allow you to book Star Alliance flights, you may find it more economical to book premium cabins through these programs. A key advantage of booking with the Flying Returns program is the availability of more seats in the same class. Therefore, it’s recommended to secure seats with Air Canada or Singapore Airlines first, then use Flying Returns to book additional seats for accompanying travelers.
Redeeming for Star Alliance Flights
While Air India claims that all Star Alliance partner flights will be available for online booking starting in April, the website still specifies that award flights operated by United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, and Austrian Airlines can be booked online. Award flights with other Star Alliance carriers must be booked via phone.
Currently, only one-segment awards on Star Alliance airlines are bookable, and there is no official award chart for these partners. Instead, Flying Returns members are directed to input their flight details into the points calculator to find out the required points. It’s wise to prioritize booking Air India flights as awards with other Star Alliance partners tend to require significantly more points. For example, a First Class ticket from DEL to SFO with a Star Alliance partner costs 300,000 points, while the same ticket with Air India costs only 235,000 points, offering a saving of 65,000 points for a direct flight.
Family Pooling
One standout feature of the Flying Returns program is its Family Pooling option, which allows members to combine points with family members. A family head can designate a percentage of other family members’ points to be pooled into their account. The pool can include up to 8 family members (9 individuals including the family head). When any family member earns points through transfers or revenue flights, the designated percentage of miles will automatically be transferred to the family head’s account.
To set up a family pool, the family head must submit a request to customer care, specifying the percentage allocation. The process typically takes 7-14 working days to complete.
Points Expiry
Flying Returns reward points expire 24 months from the date they are earned. However, each time you fly on a paid Air India flight, you can extend the expiration date of all your reward points by an additional 24 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Air India’s Flying Returns program?
Air India’s Flying Returns is a frequent flyer program designed to reward passengers with miles for their travel. These miles can be redeemed for flight upgrades, free tickets, and various other travel benefits.
How can I join the Air India Flying Returns program?
You can join the Flying Returns program by signing up online on the Air India website or at any Air India ticketing counter. It’s free to join and available to anyone who frequently flies with Air India or its partner airlines.
How do I accumulate Flying Returns miles?
You can accumulate Flying Returns miles by flying with Air India, as well as its Star Alliance partners. The number of miles you earn depends on the class of service, distance flown, and the fare type purchased.
What benefits can I redeem with Flying Returns miles?
Miles earned in the Flying Returns program can be redeemed for flight tickets, seat upgrades, extra baggage allowance, and access to lounges, among other rewards. You can also use miles for booking hotels and car rentals.
How long are Flying Returns miles valid?
Flying Returns miles are valid for three years from the date of accrual. After this period, the miles will expire unless they are used. It’s advisable to regularly check your mileage balance and plan redemptions accordingly.
Bottomline
While Air India is still working to improve its hard product, the airline is on the right path. With one of the largest fleets on order, Air India has shown its commitment to enhancing services. A notable milestone is the introduction of India’s first A350 flights on international routes, with revamped First and Business Class cabins that are beginning to align with global standards.
There is still work to be done, particularly with retrofitting new configurations and improving staff performance. However, the recent updates to the Flying Returns program are promising. The next five years will be pivotal for Air India as it strives to become a global standard-bearer, reflecting India’s growing prominence in the aviation world.
