The Different Tiers Of Air India’s Flying Returns

Flying Returns is Air India’s loyalty program. Through this, members can collect and spend points with Air India and other Star Alliance airlines. Frequent travelers also earn Tier Points toward elite status, bringing benefits when flying.

The Flying Returns program was completely refreshed this year, with significant changes to earning and spending points as well as elite status qualification. There are new elite levels, qualification criteria, and changed benefits.

Elite status with Flying Returns

Flying Returns offers three elite status levels (plus a standard entry-level). These offer increasing benefits when traveling with Air India and other Star Alliance member airlines.Status is earned based on the number of Tier Points earned each year. Tier points are earned in a similar way to reward points, but only from flights.

• Red is the starting entry level
• Silver is earned with 15,000 Tier Points
• Gold is earned with 30,000 Tier Points
• Platinum is earned with 45,000 Tier Points

Status can also be earned based only on flying – with several flights needed for each level. This is unusual among loyalty programs and may be a good route for those who fly short or lower-priced sectors.

• Silver is earned with 30 flights (including at least four Air India flights)
• Gold is earned with 60 flights (including at least eight Air India flights)
• Platinum is earned with 90 flights (including at least 12 Air India flights)

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How to earn Tier Points

Tier Points are calculated and reported separately from Reward Points, and there are important earning differences. Reward Points are collected and used for award tickets and upgrades, whereas Tier Points only help elevate status.

Tier Points are earned from Air India flights based on the ticket price, as with Reward Points, which includes the base fare and fuel surcharge but excludes taxes. Tier Points are awarded simply at the rate of six points per INR 100 spent. There are no additional earnings for elite status members (as there are with Reward Points).

Photo: Nicolas Economou | Shutterstock

Tier Points are also earned from all flights with Star Alliance member airlines. There are no other airline partners with Flying Returns.

Image: Star Alliance

As with Reward Points, Tier Points for partner airlines are awarded based on the flight length and booking class of the ticket. Earning rates are published on each partner airline’s website, and they can also be checked using the calculator tool. These are the same amounts as those earned for Reward Points. There are no elite bonuses, and the base earning levels for Reward Points and Tier Points are the same.

The tables below show the Tier Point earning rate (same as Reward Points) for United Airlines and Lufthansa.

Elite status benefits with Air India

Elite status offers benefits for regular travelers. As Air India is a member of Star Alliance, some benefits are shared when traveling with any alliance airline. Benefits with Air India include the following at each level.

At entry level Red:

• The ability to earn and redeem Reward Points (Red members earn six Rewards Points per 100 INR spent)

Image: Air India

Silver elite status adds the following benefits:

• Earning bonus on Air India flights (earn eight Rewards Points per 100 INR spent)
• Priority customer service
• Reduced fees for domestic flight itinerary changes (one change for INR 1,000 up to 24 hours before flight)
• Reduced fees for advance seat selection
• One upgrade voucher for a domestic flight with Air India, valid for six months (upgrade vouchers are for a one-cabin upgrade, and they can only be confirmed at airport check-in)
• Additional baggage allowance (10 kg)
• Priority boarding

Gold elite status adds the following benefits (above the Silver benefits):

• Earning bonus on Air India flights (earn nine Rewards Points per 100 INR spent)
• Reduced fees for domestic flight itinerary changes (one free change up to 24 hours before)
• One free change for international flights (72 hours before)
• Free standard seat selection
• Two upgrade vouchers for a domestic flight with Air India, valid for nine months
• Additional baggage allowance (20 kg or one piece)
• Lounge access (with one guest)
• Free change to earlier flights (domestic Air India flights only)

Photo: PhotographerIncognito | Shuttestock

Platinum elite status adds the following benefits:

• Earning bonus on Air India flights (earn ten Rewards Points per 100 INR spent)
• Two free changes for domestic and international flights (24 hours before)
• Free cancelation of domestic flights (24 hours before)
• Free seat selection (all seats)
• Three upgrade vouchers for a domestic flight with Air India, valid for 12 months

Read more about the changes made in 2024 and how they make higher level status earning easier

Elite status benefits with other Star Alliance airlines

As Air India is a member of the Star Alliance, elite status with Flying Returns also gives equivalent elite status with Star Alliance.

• Flying Returns Silver status gives Silver status with Star Alliance
• Flying Returns Gold and Platinum status gives Gold status with Star Alliance

Related

A Complete Guide To Elite Status In The Star Alliance

With status tiers, the only real perks start at Gold.

This status offers benefits when flying with any Star Alliance airline. Silver status with Star Alliance provides minimal benefits. These include:

• Priority waitlist
• Priority airport standby

Gold status with Star Alliance is much more rewarding. It offers:

• Access to business class lounges when flying a member airline (first class with some airlines)
• Priority boarding, check-in, baggage handling, and security (where available)
• One extra checked bag (20kg)

Do you have elite status with Air India Flying Returns? How do you think this has improved with the changes made in 2024? Feel free to discuss the program further in the comments section below.