Air India Maharaja Club: Complete Guide
BilTrip Guide #007. Published: September 14, 2026. Updated: September 2026.
What Is Air India Maharaja Club?
Air India Maharaja Club is Air India's frequent-flyer and loyalty programme. Members can earn Maharaja Points through eligible Air India, Air India Express and Star Alliance partner flights, non-airline partners and points-conversion partners. Its tiers are Red, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Maharaja Points are redeemable rewards; Tier Points determine membership status.
Maharaja Club at a Glance
The reward currency is Maharaja Points and status is based on Tier Points or eligible flight segments. Eligible Air India earning uses base fare plus fuel surcharge, while Air India Express uses base fare. Eligible direct bookings currently earn 2 additional Maharaja Points per ₹100. Air India is a Star Alliance member. Eligible Air India Express earning and redemption began for flights from 22 May 2026. Family Pool and points-validity rules are subject to current programme terms.
Maharaja Points vs Tier Points
Maharaja Points can fund eligible rewards and upgrades. Tier Points cannot be redeemed and are used primarily for Silver, Gold and Platinum status. A large redeemable balance does not automatically create a high tier.
What Are the Maharaja Club Membership Tiers?
Current eligible Maharaja Point rates per ₹100 are 6 for Red, 8 for Silver, 9 for Gold and 10 for Platinum. Tier Points are currently 6 per ₹100 across the tiers. Air India uses eligible base fare plus fuel surcharge; Air India Express uses eligible base fare.
How Do You Earn Maharaja Points on Air India?
Eligible revenue tickets earn according to tier and qualifying fare components, not necessarily the total ticket amount. Eligible direct website or app bookings currently receive 2 additional Maharaja Points per ₹100. A Red member with ₹10,000 of eligible Air India base fare plus fuel surcharge could earn 600 base points plus a 200-point eligible direct-booking bonus, subject to rules and exclusions.
How Does Air India Express Work With Maharaja Club?
Eligible Air India Express flights from 22 May 2026 can earn Maharaja Points and Tier Points. Add the Maharaja Club ID before travel because retrospective Air India Express claims are not currently available in the same way as Air India claims. Eligible customers must choose between Maharaja Points and Tata NeuCoins for the same booking.
Can You Earn Maharaja Points With Star Alliance Airlines?
Yes, on eligible participating partner flights. Earning depends on factors such as airline, booking class, cabin and fare. Air India Express is integrated into Maharaja Club but is not itself a Star Alliance member.
How Can You Earn Maharaja Points Without Flying?
Eligible hotels, retail, lifestyle, travel services, experiences, banking relationships and conversion partners can contribute. Air India announced in May 2026 that Maharaja Club had crossed 100 partnerships and recorded more than 4.2 million partner transactions in FY26. Check the current partner directory before acting.
How Do You Redeem Maharaja Points?
Eligible uses include Air India, Air India Express and Star Alliance partner award flights, plus Air India cabin upgrades. Eligible Air India Express Economy awards currently start from 1,500 Maharaja Points, subject to route, availability, pricing and terms. Cash + Points is available on eligible Air India bookings, and taxes and fees may remain payable.
Do Maharaja Points Expire?
Qualifying activity matters. Eligible Air India or Air India Express flight activity can currently extend the wider Maharaja Points balance by 24 months from travel. Non-airline points have current validity rules, and expired points cannot currently be restored. Check the account's actual expiry date.
How Does Maharaja Club Family Pool Work?
Under current rules, the Family Head pays a ₹500 setup fee, can invite up to eight eligible relatives, and receives future eligible Maharaja Points earned by participating members. Existing points, Tier Points and tier segments remain individual. Only the Family Head redeems pooled points for eligible members.
How Do You Claim Missing Maharaja Points?
Eligible Air India travel can currently be claimed for the previous 12 months. Star Alliance partner windows vary by airline, including 365, 210 or 180 days. Air India Express retrospective claims are currently more restrictive, so add the membership ID before travel.
Who Is Maharaja Club Best Suited To?
It may suit regular Air India and Air India Express travellers, Star Alliance travellers, Indian members with transferable rewards, families able to use Family Pool, and travellers combining domestic and international trips.
What Should You Watch Out For?
Check eligible fare components, partner booking classes, award availability, Air India Express membership details, Tata NeuCoins alternatives, taxes and fees, expiry dates, Family Pool terms and current partners before earning, transferring or redeeming.
Is Maharaja Club a Good Airline Loyalty Programme?
It combines Air India, Air India Express, Star Alliance, partner earning, points conversion, status and Family Pool, but is not automatically the best programme for every traveller. Match the programme to your routes, airlines, earning options and planned redemptions.
Where BilTrip Fits
BilTrip independently covers Maharaja Club because it is relevant to Indian travellers. This guide does not imply Air India or Maharaja Club is a confirmed BilTrip partner. BilTrip partners, earn rates and conversion ratios should only be treated as available when officially announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
The full guide visibly answers whether Maharaja Club is free to join; the difference between Maharaja Points and Tier Points; current earning rates and direct-booking bonuses; Air India Express and Star Alliance earning and redemption; points validity; Family Pool; bank-point transfers; and whether Air India is a BilTrip partner.
Understand the Programme Before You Transfer the Points
Start with the journey, check whether Maharaja Club can get you there, confirm award availability, points required, remaining taxes and fees, transfer reversibility and expected redemption value.
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