By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026
The short answer: Air India transformed its old Flying Returns program into Maharaja Club in 2024, then issued a 2026 award chart it called a revaluation. The result was mixed: economy awards fell roughly 30 percent on most routes and business was cut on many, but premium economy rose about 35 percent across dozens of routes and first class climbed around 48 percent on most. For premium-cabin flyers it was a devaluation dressed as an upgrade.
Flying Returns becomes Maharaja Club
Air India retired its long-running Flying Returns program and launched Maharaja Club in 2024 as part of its post-privatization overhaul and Vistara merger. The rebrand promised faster earning, quicker upgrades, and easier elite status, and on the earning side it delivered improvements. But the headline question for award travelers is always what redemptions cost, and the 2026 chart update answered it unevenly.
The mixed 2026 chart
Air India marketed the 2026 chart as a revaluation offering better value, and for economy it largely was: economy award prices fell about 30 percent on most domestic and international routes, with domestic awards starting from just 1,500 points and Europe from 35,000. Business was cut on many routes too. But premium economy quietly rose about 35 percent across 99 routes, and first class got more expensive on most routes, by roughly 48 percent on average. The cheaper cabins improved while the premium cabins were devalued. See earn and burn.
What it means
Maharaja Club is now a more useful program for economy and many business redemptions, and a worse one for premium economy and first. As a relatively new transferable and Rove partner with improving award space, it is worth watching, but read the current chart for your specific cabin and route rather than trusting the better-value marketing. See the devaluation overview.
Frequently asked questions
Did Air India devalue Maharaja Club?
In part. Its 2026 chart cut economy awards about 30 percent and reduced business on many routes, but it raised premium economy roughly 35 percent across 99 routes and first class about 48 percent on most, so premium cabins were devalued even as economy improved.
What is Air India Maharaja Club?
Maharaja Club is Air India loyalty program, launched in 2024 to replace Flying Returns as part of the airline overhaul and Vistara merger. It earns Maharaja Points, redeemable on Air India and Star Alliance partners.
How much are Air India award flights now?
Domestic awards start from about 1,500 points and one-way international from 10,000, with Europe from 35,000 and the US from 40,000. Economy fell about 30 percent in 2026, but premium economy and first class rose.
Is Maharaja Club worth it?
It is more useful for economy and many business redemptions after 2026, and less so for premium economy and first class. As a newer transferable and Rove partner, check the current chart for your cabin before transferring.
Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. Every card is ranked by what it actually returns, with all points valued at a flat 1 cent and offers verified against issuer sources. About the author.
