Summary
- Air India’s Flying Returns Program revamp includes revenue-based earning, never-expiring points, and easier tier progression requirements.
- Elite status is now easier to achieve with lowered tier progression requirements and the ability to use spending thresholds or flight segments to reach the next level.
- Members earn additional bonus points for booking directly with Air India and earn points with an expanding range of non-airline partners.
In the latest of a series of updates, Air India is rolling out significant changes to its Flying Returns frequent flyer program. The new simplified structure changes from distance-based earnings to one based on revenue and includes several updates and additional features.
What is changing?
The most significant change for the new program is how miles are earned. From today, April 3rd, the number of Flying Returns Points Members will earn collect per flight will be based on the amount they spend on a ticket rather than the distance flow. A move the airline believes will provide its loyal passengers with a better return on investment.
Flying Returns Points will now never expire, regardless of Membership Tier level, provided the member takes at least one flight on Air India every 24 months. Points can also be redeemed on any flight with no blackout dates, thanks to the new ability to combine points and cash on ticket redemptions. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer at Air India, detailed the research that went into the overhaul:
“The revamp of Flying Returns is an important step forward in the way the ‘new’ Air India intends to serve and delight customers. We spent the past year listening, gathering insights from over 50,000 customers, and benchmarking our program against the best loyalty offerings out there.
“This deep dive, coupled with a complete digital overhaul, has resulted in a much stronger and value-delivering programme that we are proud to present today.”
Photo: Air India
This will be the first time the program has undergone a significant revamp since the airline joined the Star Alliance in 2012. Initially launched in 1994, Flying Returns is India’s oldest airline loyalty program.
An easier path to elite status
One of the most notable changes is the updated tier progression requirement. Flying Returns will continue to offer four Membership Tier levels, which have been renamed more in line with its fellow Star Alliance carriers as follows: Red (from ‘Base’), Silver (from ‘Silver Edge’), Gold (from ‘Golden Edge’), and Platinum (from The Maharaja Club).
Photo: Air India
With the new updates, the requirements to advance have been lowered by 40% across all three status tiers, and members can now use spending thresholds or flight segments to reach the next level. Flights can also be credited to the program from partner carriers, with only a percentage of flights needing to be flown on Air India metal.

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Notably, passengers can now book Star Alliance partner flights online instead of calling the booking center. Members with elite status are also being rewarded with new benefits, including a unified priority call center and free (or discounted) flight changes and cancellations.
More ways to earn points
Flying Returns embers who choose to book directly with the airline will now earn 2 additional bonus Flying Returns Points for every INR 100 ($1.20) spent on Air India’s website or mobile app. The process of pooling points between family members has also been simplified, allowing for swifter access to point redemptions.
The airline is rapidly expanding the number of earning partners with the program. Frequent flyers can now collect Flying Returns Points across a wide range of Air India’s non-airline partners, including car rentals, hotel stays, shopping, lifestyle experiences, and through point transfers.
Photo: Air India
Up next, the airline is looking to introduce new co-branded credit cards, with the United States in mind, and partnerships with other popular brands to provide exclusive travel benefits and privileges to Flying Returns Members.