Significant changes to the Air India Maharaja Club membership program are effective immediately as officially announced earlier today, Wednesday, April 1, 2026 — and these changes promise to deliver substantially greater value, flexibility, and recognition to members.
Significant Changes to Air India Maharaja Club Effective Immediately
The enhancements are shaped by insights gathered from greater than a year of active listening of feedback from members.
According to the official press release from Air India, the key enhancements at a glance include:
- Reduced Maharaja Points requirement for Award Flights and Cabin Upgrades across at least 90 percent of routes served by Air India.
- A new simplified, tier-based structure for rescheduling and cancellation of Award Flights to provide greater booking flexibility to members.
- Reductions to the flight count thresholds to accelerate tier progression for members.
- Extension of travel privileges to companions travelling along with members.
More Value Than Ever on Award Flights
While most routes see meaningful reductions in points required, a small number of routes see no change or a marginal increase. Overall, greater than 90 percent of the network now offers better value than before. These reductions mean members can access Award Flights more often, redeem points more confidently, and enjoy greater value from every trip.
- Maharaja Club members will now enjoy lower redemption levels across domestic and international routes, making both quick getaways and long-haul travels more rewarding. Award Flights on domestic routes now start from 1,500 Maharaja Points, while Cabin Upgrades begin at 4,000 Maharaja Points.
- Redemption levels for international travel have been standardised across regions, making Award Flights more accessible. For example, one-way Award Flights to:
- Anywhere in Europe — including the United Kingdom — start from 35,000 Maharaja Points
- United States and Australia start from 40,000 Maharaja Points
- Canada start from 50,000 Maharaja Points
- Economy Class redemption fares have reduced by approximately 30 percent on average across 80 percent of domestic routes and 75 percent of international routes.
Business Class redemption fares have reduced by approximately 15 percent on average across 70 percent of domestic routes and by approximately 25 percent on average across 35 percent of international routes. - Premium Economy redemption fares have reduced by approximately 13 percent on average across 30 percent of domestic routes and by approximately 12 percent on average across 17 percent of international routes.
Greater Flexibility on Managing Award Flights
Cancellations and rescheduling fees for Award Flights — both domestic and international — will follow a simplified tier-based structure, offering the maximum flexibility to members. The new structure is designed to provide greater comfort to frequent travellers when travel plans change.
- Platinum Elite members can cancel or reschedule free of charge up to two hours before departure
- Gold Elite members can do so up to seven days before departure
- Silver Elite members can do so up to 30 days before departure
Within these windows, no fees apply and Maharaja Points will be fully redeposited. Outside the specified windows, a flat fee of 25 percent will apply — charged in cash for rescheduling or deducted in Maharaja Points for cancellations. No-show bookings will continue to follow the existing policy with no refunds permitted.
Additionally, cancellations of upgrades made using Maharaja Points will now see those points refunded to the member — no questions asked. This change gives members the confidence to upgrade more freely, knowing that their points remain protected if plans change.
Faster Progression Through Membership Elite Tiers
Air India has now made it easier and quicker to earn and retain status by reducing flight-count thresholds for tier qualification, though the spend-based requirement for tier qualification remains unchanged:
- Platinum Elite Tier: Now requires 60 flights — previously 90 flights — including a minimum of twelve Air India Flights
- Gold Elite Tier: Now requires 45 flights — previously 60 flights — including a minimum of eight Air India Flights
- Silver Elite Tier: Now requires 20 flights — previously 30 flights — including a minimum of four Air India Flights
The Tier Points qualification criteria remain unchanged. Flights taken over the past 365 days will be retrospectively assessed under the new thresholds, with eligible members automatically upgraded to their qualifying tier.
Extending Travel Privileges to Companions of Members
Air India will now accord the same travel privileges to companions of Maharaja Club Platinum members and Gold members as they receive as valued members. One co-passenger — if travelling on a single PNR along with a Platinum or Gold member — will receive priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling, in addition to lounge access.
Crediting Maharaja Points Within Two Hours of Flight — or Sooner
Air India will credit Maharaja Points earned on Air India flights or those with Star Alliance partner carriers within two hours of flight or sooner. Mahara Club members now see their Maharaja Points reflected almost instantly, making it easier to track progress and plan future redemptions.
Final Boarding Call
These latest improvements mostly seem like they are for the better for members of the Air India Maharaja Club membership program going forward. They build on the transformation Maharaja Club has undergone since its redesign in 2024.
Maharaja Club today counts greater than 10 million members across the world.
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Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
