Indian Airline Frequent Flier Programmes Compared (2026 Edition)
Indian airline loyalty programmes have historically been weak compared to global standards. Until 2023, only Air India had a meaningful programme; IndiGo only joined the loyalty world in 2022 with 6E Rewards.
That's changed. By 2026, every major Indian carrier has a structured loyalty offering — with real earn rates, real redemption value, and real status benefits. Here's the complete 2026 comparison.
The 5 programmes at a glance
| Programme | Airline | Earn rate (economy) | Status tiers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6E Rewards | IndiGo | ~2-3% back | None (flat programme + 6E Prime add-on) | Frequent IndiGo domestic |
| Flying Returns | Air India | ~3-5% back | Silver, Gold, Platinum, Maharajah | International flyers, premium cabin |
| Akasa Rewards | Akasa Air | ~2% back | Currently flat | Akasa-loyal flyers |
| SpiceClub | SpiceJet | ~2-3% back | Silver, Gold, Platinum | SpiceJet domestic + ME |
| Maharajah Club | Air India (premium) | ~5-7% back | By invitation | Top 1% of Air India spenders |
1. IndiGo 6E Rewards (and 6E Prime)
How earning works
Every ₹10 spent earns 1 point. 1 point = ~₹0.30 redemption value. Net: ~3% back on spend.
Status / tiers
The base programme is flat — no formal tiers. 6E Prime is a separate paid add-on that gives free seat selection, free meal, and priority check-in. Costs ₹349-549 per sector.
What you can redeem
- Discounts on future IndiGo flights
- Add-ons (seats, meals, baggage)
- BluChip merchandise and partner offers
Strengths
Largest network in India, simplest earning structure. Points don't expire if you have any IndiGo activity in 24 months.
Weaknesses
No status benefits without paying for 6E Prime per flight. Lower redemption value than Air India for premium cabins. Limited international utility.
Worth it if:
You fly IndiGo 5+ times a year domestically. The programme rewards loyalty without forcing tier-chasing.
2. Air India Flying Returns
How earning works
Earn miles based on flight distance and fare class. Economy: 25-100% of distance flown. Premium economy: 125%. Business: 175-200%. First class: 200-250%.
Status tiers
| Tier | Annual qualifying miles | Key benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | 30,000 | Priority check-in, +25% earnings |
| Gold | 60,000 | Lounge access (Star Alliance), +50% earnings |
| Platinum | 100,000 | Premium check-in, +75% earnings, more lounges |
| Maharajah | By invitation | Concierge, top-tier all benefits |
What you can redeem
- Award flights on Air India and Star Alliance partners
- Cabin upgrades
- Companion vouchers
- Lounge access for guests
Strengths
Star Alliance partnership opens redemption on 25+ international airlines (United, Lufthansa, Singapore, Thai, etc.). Real status tiers with real benefits. International upgrade redemption can be 3-4x value of cash.
Weaknesses
Programme has been undergoing churn since 2023; redemption availability sometimes constrained. Earnings on cheap economy fares are minimal.
Worth it if:
You fly Air India internationally, or you're targeting status for Star Alliance benefits across other airlines.
3. Akasa Rewards
How earning works
Currently a simpler points system — ~2% back on spend, redeemable against future Akasa flights and add-ons.
Status / tiers
None at present. Programme is being expanded; tiers expected by late 2026.
Strengths
Newest fleet, growing network, simple programme. Points don't expire as long as you fly.
Weaknesses
No international footprint. No status/tier benefits yet. Limited redemption options.
Worth it if:
You're already flying Akasa for route reasons (low fares, new aircraft). Don't pick the airline FOR the programme.
4. SpiceJet SpiceClub
How earning works
Tier-based programme with multiplier earning depending on status.
Status tiers
- Silver: 6 sectors / year. Priority check-in.
- Gold: 16 sectors / year. Lounge access.
- Platinum: 30 sectors / year. Premium check-in, complimentary upgrades.
Strengths
Achievable status thresholds (16 sectors = ~Silver+). Fast benefits for moderate flyers.
Weaknesses
SpiceJet's financial volatility makes long-term loyalty risky. Lounge access network smaller than Air India.
Worth it if:
You consistently fly SpiceJet on a regular route — particularly useful for Mumbai/Bengaluru frequent flyers.
5. Air India Maharajah Club
Invitation-only top tier (above Platinum). Reserved for the top ~1% of Air India spenders. Benefits: dedicated concierge, complimentary upgrades, all Star Alliance Gold benefits, free companion tickets, and miscellaneous perks like priority service across the entire airline.
If you're a candidate for Maharajah, you already know it. For everyone else, treat this as aspirational.
How to maximise loyalty value across programmes
Strategy 1: Pick one and stick with it
Loyalty rewards loyalty. Spreading your spend across 5 programmes earns you nothing meaningful in any one of them. Pick the airline you fly most, ignore the rest.
Strategy 2: Stack credit cards
Your credit card's airline points are usually worth 2-4x what the airline programme alone gives. Top combinations:
- Axis Magnus + Flying Returns — transfer Magnus points at 5:2 to Flying Returns; combined value can hit 7-8% back
- HDFC Infinia + 6E Rewards — partner discounts on top of native earnings
- SBI Vistara Card (legacy) — converts to Flying Returns at 1:1
- ICICI Emeralde — flexible points, redeemable across multiple airlines
Strategy 3: Time your redemptions for premium cabins
Indian carriers' premium cabin redemption rates are ~3-4x value of economy. If you have miles, redeem for business class on long-haul rather than economy on short-haul. Your ₹0.30/point becomes ₹1.20/point.
Strategy 4: Watch for programme overhauls
Loyalty programme rules change — usually unfavourably. If you have 50,000+ miles, redeem within 12 months unless you're confident no devaluation is coming.
Which programme should you join?
| You're a... | Programme to focus on |
|---|---|
| Domestic frequent flyer (5-15 sectors/year) | IndiGo 6E Rewards (largest network coverage) |
| International business traveller | Air India Flying Returns (Star Alliance) |
| Premium cabin enthusiast | Air India Flying Returns + premium credit card |
| Akasa-loyal regional flyer | Akasa Rewards |
| Mumbai/BLR commuter on SpiceJet | SpiceClub for tier benefits |
| Occasional flyer (1-3/year) | Don't bother with airline programmes — focus on a flexible-points credit card instead |
The honest take
Indian airline loyalty programmes are still less generous than global benchmarks. A 2-3% earn rate is mediocre by international standards. The way to extract real value is:
- Don't pick airlines based on loyalty programme — pick the cheapest fare for your route
- Focus your spending on the airline you fly anyway
- Use a complementary high-rewards credit card to multiply earnings
- Redeem for premium cabins for max value, not economy
- Accept that loyalty in India is a modest top-up, not a major saving
Compare fares before chasing miles
Tatkal Flights shows the actual fare difference across all airlines — so loyalty doesn't cost you the cheapest ticket.
Search live fares →Frequently asked questions
Which Indian airline has the best loyalty programme?
Air India Flying Returns has the most depth (status tiers, Star Alliance access). IndiGo 6E Rewards has the largest domestic network. Pick based on which airline you actually fly most.
Is IndiGo 6E Rewards worth joining?
Yes if you fly IndiGo 5+ times a year. The 2-3% earnings are modest but accumulate. The programme has no status tiers, so you don't lose anything by waiting longer between flights.
How much are airline miles worth in India?
Typically Rs 0.20-0.30 per point/mile for economy redemption. Premium cabin redemption can hit Rs 1-1.50 per point — 3-5x more value.
Can I transfer credit card points to airline miles?
Yes — Axis Magnus and SBI cards transfer to Flying Returns; HDFC Infinia partners with multiple airlines; ICICI Emeralde points are flexible. Conversion ratios vary.
Do airline points expire in India?
Most programmes require activity within 24 months to maintain points. Air India Flying Returns historically requires earning miles every 36 months.
Should I pick an airline based on loyalty programme?
No. The fare difference between airlines almost always exceeds 6 months of loyalty earnings. Pick the cheapest fare and focus your loyalty on the airline you fly anyway.
Does Akasa have a loyalty programme?
Yes — Akasa Rewards. Currently a simple points system with no tier benefits, but expansion planned for late 2026.
Is Star Alliance Gold (via Air India Platinum) worth chasing?
Only if you fly Star Alliance carriers internationally. The benefits include lounge access at hundreds of airports worldwide, priority boarding, and earnings bonuses on partner airlines.
Can my IndiGo 6E points be used on Akasa or Air India?
No. Each airline programme is separate. There is no inter-airline points exchange in Indian aviation.
Should I pay for 6E Prime?
Only if free seat selection and meal are worth Rs 349-549 to you for that specific flight. For most flights, web check-in 48 hours out gets you a free seat anyway.