If you fly often – especially to and from India – you’ve probably heard about Flying Returns, Air India’s frequent flyer program. On paper, it sounds great: points for every trip, upgrades, free flights, lounge access, the works. But here’s the real question every traveler asks: is Flying Returns worth it?
Well, that depends on how much you fly, where you’re going, and how well you use the program’s perks. And that’s exactly what this guide is here for. We’ll walk you through the nuts and bolts: how to earn Air India points, the membership tiers explained, how to redeem your miles, and the hidden gems inside Star Alliance benefits. By the end, you’ll know whether this is just another airline gimmick or one of the best loyalty programs for Indian travelers.
Oh, and here’s a little insider tip: you can combine your points with an Air India promotion code for international flights for max savings. That’s how you stretch every mile further.
Let’s dive in.
What is Air India’s Flying Returns Program?
At its core, Flying Returns is Air India’s way of saying “thanks” to loyal travelers. For every mile you fly with Air India or its partners, you earn points (sometimes called “miles” in airline lingo). Stack up enough of these, and suddenly you’re flying for free, sitting in a higher class, or chilling in a premium lounge while everyone else fights for overhead bin space.
The program has been around for years but has gone through several revamps. Today, it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other major loyalty programs like Emirates Skywards and Singapore KrisFlyer – with one big advantage: it’s the only Indian airline program directly tied to Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline network. That means your Air India miles aren’t just for Delhi to Mumbai hops; you can use them on Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and dozens more.
In short? Flying Returns gives Indian travelers a ticket to the global stage.
How to Earn Air India Points (Miles)
Earning points in Flying Returns is pretty straightforward, but like all airline programs, the devil is in the details.
1. Flying with Air India
This is the most obvious way. Every time you book an Air India ticket, you earn points based on your fare class and distance flown. Higher fare categories (Premium Economy, Business, First) rack up way more points than discounted economy fares. So yes, a Delhi-New York round-trip in Business will earn you a hefty balance compared to a discounted Delhi-Bangalore Economy ticket.
2. Flying with Star Alliance Partners
This is where Flying Returns gets interesting. Because Air India is a full member of Star Alliance, you can earn points on 26+ partner airlines. Flying United to San Francisco? Singapore Airlines to Sydney? Lufthansa to Frankfurt? Yep, all those flights can still credit miles to your Flying Returns account. It’s a great way to keep your points consolidated even if Air India isn’t the one operating your flight.
3. Beyond Flights: Everyday Earnings
Not flying every month? No problem. Flying Returns has tie-ups with credit cards, hotel chains, and retail partners. You can earn points while staying at partner hotels, renting cars, or swiping a co-branded credit card. For frequent business travelers, this is where points pile up quickly.
- Pro tip: To ensure you get all your points, follow our guide on booking flights directly with Air India. Third-party bookings sometimes mess up mileage credit.
So, whether you’re globe-trotting every week or just taking one big vacation a year, there are ways to grow your balance steadily.
Flying Returns Tiers Explained
Like most frequent flyer programs, Flying Returns has different status levels — think of them as loyalty VIP clubs. Each tier comes with perks that make traveling smoother.
1. Base Tier (Flying Returns Member)
Everyone starts here. You’ll earn points on flights and can redeem them, but don’t expect many extra perks beyond the basics.
2. Silver Edge Club
This is the entry-level elite status. You’ll usually need a certain number of miles or flight segments in a calendar year to qualify. Benefits include:
- Priority waitlist handling
- Bonus points on flights
- Some recognition at check-in counters
3. Golden Edge Club
Now we’re talking. Golden Edge gets you:
- Business Class lounge access on select flights
- Extra baggage allowance
- Higher mileage bonuses
- Faster check-in and boarding
4. Maharajah Club
The top dog of Flying Returns. Think of it as Air India rolling out the red carpet. Perks include:
- Guaranteed Business Class upgrades (space permitting)
- Premium lounge access worldwide
- Hefty baggage allowance
- Top-tier recognition across Star Alliance airlines
And yes, higher status tiers in Flying Returns often come with an increased baggage allowance – a lifesaver if you’re someone who doesn’t believe in traveling light.
The key is consistency. If you fly Air India (or its Star Alliance buddies) often enough, climbing tiers can seriously upgrade your travel life.
Redeeming Air India Points
Alright, so you’ve built up a healthy stack of points. What can you actually do with them? Here are your main options:
1. Free Flights
The most common redemption. Use your points to book domestic or international flights with Air India. Just be aware: award seat availability can be competitive, so booking early helps.
2. Upgrades
This is where Flying Returns shines. Imagine booking an Economy ticket to New York and upgrading to Premium Economy or even Business using miles. That’s a massive value. And if you’re curious about what each upgrade gets you, check out our cabin class comparison to see what you’re aiming for.
3. Partner Flights
Because of Star Alliance, you’re not limited to Air India flights. Use your points for trips with carriers like Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, United, ANA, and more. Want to fly Tokyo to LA on ANA? Your Flying Returns miles have you covered.
The sweet spot? Long-haul upgrades. A small pile of miles can turn an exhausting 15-hour flight into a lie-flat, champagne-in-hand journey.
Star Alliance Benefits with Flying Returns
This deserves its own spotlight. Star Alliance is the largest airline network in the world, covering over 195 countries. By being a Flying Returns member, you’re essentially plugging into this massive system.
Here’s what that means:
- Earning miles globally: Any Star Alliance flight earns you Air India points.
- Redeeming worldwide: You can redeem your Air India points for flights operated by any of the 26 member airlines.
- Status recognition: If you’re Golden Edge or Maharajah Club, Star Alliance honors your perks across its airlines – priority boarding, lounge access, and even extra baggage in some cases.
This alone makes Flying Returns one of the best airline loyalty programs for India, especially if you’re a frequent international traveler.
Is Flying Returns Worth It? (Honest Review)
Time for the million-dollar question: is Flying Returns actually worth joining?
Here’s the straight answer: yes, if you use it smartly.
The Pros
- Wide network thanks to Star Alliance.
- Great for long-haul international flyers (India–US, India–Europe).
- Valuable upgrades, especially if you hate long-haul economy.
- Status tiers that genuinely improve travel comfort.
The Cons
- Award seat availability can sometimes feel limited.
- Taxes and surcharges on “free” flights can add up.
- Requires consistency – if you only fly Air India once every two years, you won’t see much benefit.
But overall? For regular travelers, especially those heading to the US or Europe often, Flying Returns is a game-changer. For occasional fliers, it can still be rewarding if you know how to maximize points and redemptions.
Tips to Maximize Your Flying Returns Membership
Want to get the most bang for your (air) buck? Here are a few practical tips:
- Book early for award seats. They sell out quickly, especially on popular routes.
- Mix points with cash savings. Always check if you can stack with an Air India discount code for extra value.
- Use a co-branded credit card. Earn points on your everyday spending.
- Don’t let points expire. Keep activity on your account to reset expiry dates.
- Target upgrades over short-haul flights. That’s where you get the most value per point.
Travel smarter, not harder.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Flying Returns is Air India’s regular flyer scheme – essentially a loyalty scheme for frequent passengers. Each time you travel by Air India or any of its partners within the Star Alliance, you accumulate points (miles) which can eventually be used to book free tickets, upgrade to seats, or other travel privileges. The more frequently you travel, the sooner you move up to higher membership levels with benefits such as priority check-in, additional baggage allowance, and access to lounges.
It was Air India itself that revealed a huge $400 million refit programme to overhaul its older, legacy planes. This is part of the airline’s larger turnaround following its takeover by the Tata Group. The refit concerns cabin modernization across Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class, so passengers can look forward to new seats, upgraded inflight entertainment, and a more comfortable ride.
In Flying Returns, points are often referred to as “CV points.” The value of each point depends on how you use it. If you redeem them for short domestic flights, the value might not be very high. But when you use CV points for long-haul flights or upgrades to Premium Economy or Business Class, the value per point increases
Air India’s own frequent flyer program is Flying Returns. What distinguishes it is that it is part of Star Alliance, so your Flying Returns account is linked to 26 airlines abroad. You not only earn and redeem points on Air India flights, but also on airlines such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, United, and so on.
If you’re looking purely at global reach, Air India’s Flying Returns is arguably the best frequent flyer program in India. Why? Because it gives you Star Alliance benefits, something no other Indian airline program offers. That said, if you only fly domestically, IndiGo’s 6E Rewards or Vistara’s Club Vistara might be simpler options.
You just need to head over to Air India’s official website and sign up under the “Flying Returns” section. Registration is free, and once you’re in, you’ll get a membership number that you can use every time you book flights. From your very first journey, you’ll start earning points.
No doubt, the best use for your Air India miles is for upgrades on long-haul flights. An upgrade from Economy to Premium Economy or Business Class can transform your travel experience, and the redemption value is much greater than using points for short flights. Booking early also increases your chances of finding available award seats.
Yes, you can! At GetTopDiscounts, we regularly feature exclusive deals and promo codes for Air India. That means you can save money upfront on your booking and still earn Flying Returns points on your flight. It’s a win-win: stack your savings with discounts while building your points balance for future upgrades and free flights.
Yes, it does. Air India recently added Premium Economy cabins on select aircraft, and you can use Flying Returns points to either book directly into Premium Economy or upgrade from Economy. For many travelers, this is the sweet spot – better comfort than Economy but at a fraction of the miles needed for Business Class.
Yes, they do. Air India miles generally expire after 3 years if there’s no activity in your account. But the good news is, almost any activity – flying, redeeming, or even earning miles through partners – can extend their life. So make sure to keep your account active to protect your hard-earned points.
Conclusion
So there you have it – the complete lowdown on Air India’s Flying Returns program. From racking up points on domestic hops to redeeming them for Business Class upgrades on New York flights, the program can deliver serious value if you play it right.
It’s not perfect, sure. Award seats can be competitive, and you need to stay active to really benefit. But if you’re a regular traveler, especially on long-haul routes, Flying Returns is one of the most rewarding loyalty schemes in India.
Final tip: don’t just let your miles sit idle. Redeem them smartly, and whenever possible, pair them with an Air India promotion code for international flights. That’s when you truly unlock the best of both worlds: free upgrades, extra savings, and a smoother journey from check-in to landing.
