If you are a frequent flier, definitely after a certain period, you will look for an advantage in flying with a specific airline. Of course, it is natural to expect some benefit when you are associated with something for a longer time, and this is where frequent flier programmes come into the picture. The more you fly and spend with a specific airline, the more you will be rewarded. But do you know Air India has a frequent flier program for its regular fliers? Let's get to know what the programme is all about.
Air India Flying Returns (FR):
Flying Returns is India's first frequent flyer programme and one of the most rewarding programmes. As a member, you can earn FR points when you fly with Air India. As the Airline is a Star Alliance member, you can earn FR points on 26 Star Airline partners on eligible fare-paying tickets and redeem them for award travel faster than other programmes.
Bonus Points: On higher fares, such as full-fare Economy and Business/First Class, you can earn bonus FR points and clock FR points fast.
Register: You can Join the program by visiting Air India's website or at the URL loyalty.airindia.in and get registered by filling in the details.
Flying Returns programme is for Individual membership in their personal capacity only. Each individual member can maintain only one FR account with a unique registered email and a unique registered mobile number along with a full expanded name as in the passport, without initials.
Membership Tiers:
Including the Base Membership, there are four membership tiers in the program. As soon as you register for the program, you will be enrolled into the Base Membership, followed by Silver Edge Club, Gold Edge Club and The Maharajah Club, as you accrue more FR points.
Let's look into the Benefits and Privileges of Base Membership:
Benefits and Privileges of Base Membership:
- You can accrue FR points on tickets purchased for yourself in any currency and country.
- You can accrue FR points on all fare-paying tickets, and earn FR points depending on the booking class. On full-fare Economy tickets, and Business/First Class fares, you earn bonus FR points.
- Air India code-share flights with other airlines qualify for accrual of FR points, not for redemption into award tickets.
- You can also purchase bonus FR points from the Flying Returns programme on falling short for redemption.
- Award tickets may be issued for the member or any other person by the member.
- Separate check-in counters for members are available at select domestic airports.
- Members travelling with only hand baggage in Executive or Economy class can avail the Tele Check-in facility at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
As a privileged club member, you enjoy a number of benefits for the other three tiers as below:
| Sl.No | Silver Edge Club | Golden Edge Club | The Maharajah Club |
| 1 | Members attaining 25000 Tier Status points in their Flying Returns account in the preceding 365 days will automatically join Silver Edge Club. | Members attaining 50000 Tier Status points in their Flying Returns account in the preceding 365 days will automatically join Golden Edge Club | Members attaining 75000 Tier Status points in their Flying Returns account in the preceding 365 days will automatically join The Maharajah Club. |
| 2 | 15% FR bonus points over and above the normal accrual as Tier Bonus | 25% FR bonus points over and above the normal accrual as Tier Bonus | 30% bonus FR Points over and above the normal accrual as Tier Bonus. |
| 3 | Additional baggage allowance of 10 Kgs for weight concept flights (over and above ticketed Free Baggage Allowance) on AI operated flights for Primary Active/ Active status account members. | Additional baggage allowance of 20 Kgs. (over and above ticketed Free Baggage Allowance) for weight concept flights for Primary Active/Active status account members. | |
| 4 | 1 additional piece as per cabin class. Free baggage allowed where piece concept is applicable for Primary Active/Active status account members. | ||
| 5 | Additional baggage allowance is not available on Air India flights operated with ATR/CRJ aircraft, on Airline Partner's flights and on Air India code share flights (i.e. Air India marketed and operated by a Partner Airline or Partner Airline marketed and operated by Air India). | ||
| 6 | Golden Edge Club (GEC) Members (corresponding to Star Gold) are eligible for additional baggage allowance on Star Alliance member airlines operated flights also. | The Maharaja Club (TMC) Members (corresponding to Star Gold) are eligible for additional baggage allowance on Star Alliance member airlines operated flights also | |
| 7 | Two upgrade vouchers at the time of invitation to the Club. | Three upgrade vouchers at the time of invitation to the Club. | |
| 8 | One upgrade voucher at the time of invitation to the Club. | Use of Air India Lounge with 1 guest at select domestic and international airports when travelling on AI designated flights and Star Alliance member airlines flight. | |
| 9 | Dedicated check-in counters at select airports. | ||
| 10 | Priority Check In and Boarding. | ||
| 11 | Priority delivery of baggage. | ||
| 12 | Lifestyle privileges / tie-ups with non airline partners. | ||
| 13 | Fixed cancellation/refund/rebooking fee will be INR 1000/- per Coupon for tickets on all fare types issued on domestic sectors on AI flights. However No-Show/ Gate No-Show charges applicable as per the fare basis (RBD) shall be applicable. | No cancellation/refund/rebooking fee will be levied for tickets on all fare types including 'Single User Super Saver' issued on domestic sectors on AI flights for self only, provided FFP Number is duly endorsed on the ticket & reflected in PNR. However No-Show/ Gate No-Show charges as per the fare basis (RBD) shall be applicable. | |
Membership Cards:
Base and New FR members are issued with a Virtual Card, an image of which can be viewed and downloaded from your Account. Physical Card & Free Upgrade Vouchers are issued only to tier Members who belong to Silver Edge Club, Golden Edge Club and The Maharajah Club.
Earning FR Points:
To ensure you receive FR Points credit, you need to provide your Flying Returns 9 digit membership number for each reservation. Also, you may present your Flying Returns membership number when you check in at the airport. You must ensure that ticket is issued in the same manner in which the name appears on your Membership Account.
The credit of FR Points:
FR Points are credited only after a member has actually completed travel and not immediately after reservation/ticketing/check-in. For more details about the membership programme, you can visit Air India website or call the customer care number.
Air India recently bolstered its domestic network. The Airline is now operating 20 additional flights on the key metro routes. Air India is also upgrading its technology behind the dynamic ticket pricing, so you can expect the Airline to emerge stronger, and better and your membership will be worth it. If you are a frequent flyer with Air India, you may consider opting for the Base Membership and gradually accrue points and get into higher tiers.
