Everything That Changed in Maharaja Club, April 2026
Air India rolled out six enhancements to Maharaja Club starting April 1, 2026. Lower award prices, simpler cancellations, easier tier progression, and more. Here's the full list.
At the end of 2025, Air India shared a roadmap of what was coming to Maharaja Club in 2026: better award pricing, Air India Express redemptions, a co-branded credit card. Four months in, they're delivering. Six enhancements rolled out starting April 1, 2026. Some are live now, others take effect after April 15. Here's everything in one place.
1. Lower Award Redemption Rates
The award chart got a major overhaul. Economy redemptions dropped 30-50% on most routes. The old distance-based pricing has been replaced with flat regional tiers.
Some highlights:
- Delhi to Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, Bali: 12,000 points (was 18,000-25,000)
- Delhi to San Francisco: 40,000 points (was 77,000)
- Domestic starting from 1,500 points
- Business class down 25-45% on long-haul routes
The lowest-value award fares, which were previously only available 90+ days before departure, are now available up to 30 days before departure.
Full breakdown: Air India's New Award Chart: Every Route That Got Cheaper
2. Simplified Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules
The old penalty chart system (separate tables for domestic, international, different INR fees per tier) has been replaced with one table:
| Tier | Free Window | Fee Outside |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum | Up to 2 hrs before departure | N/A |
| Gold | Up to 7 days before departure | 25% |
| Silver | Up to 30 days before departure | 25% |
| Red | No free window | 25% |
Points used for cabin upgrades are also now refunded on ticket cancellation.
Full guide: Maharaja Club Award Cancellation Rules
3. Easier Tier Progression (After April 15)
Flight count thresholds for tier qualification have been cut significantly:
| Tier | Old | New |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | 30 flights | 20 flights |
| Gold | 60 flights | 45 flights |
| Platinum | 90 flights | 60 flights |
Tier Points thresholds stay the same. Flights from the past 365 days will be reassessed, and eligible members upgraded by April end.
Full details: Air India Just Made It Easier to Earn Maharaja Club Status
4. Faster Points Accrual
Maharaja Points are now credited within 2 hours of flight completion on Air India and Star Alliance partner flights. Previously this could take days or weeks.
5. Priority Privileges for a Co-Passenger
Gold and Platinum members can now extend priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling to one co-passenger travelling on the same booking (PNR). This takes effect after April 15.
If you've ever had Gold status and watched your spouse or parent stand in the regular check-in line while you breeze through priority, this fixes that. One person on your booking gets the same treatment you do: priority counter, priority boarding, bags out first.
6. Upgrade Awards
Upgrade awards now start from 4,000 Maharaja Points for domestic sectors and 20,000 for international. Business class domestic redemptions are about 9% lower on average, with some routes discounted up to 50%.
How to Make the Most of These Changes
If you have Maharaja Club points sitting in your account, the lower award chart means they go further now. Delhi to Singapore for 12,000 points is genuinely competitive with any program.
If you don't have points yet, Mag Miles on the Magnify app transfer to Maharaja Club at 1:1. You can also transfer from credit card reward points.
Check your options at magnify.club/app.
