Air India, the flag carrier airline of India, offers a loyalty program known as the Flying Returns. This program is designed to reward frequent flyers and enhance their flying experience.

About Flying Returns program

The Flying Returns program is all about rewarding loyalty. From the first flight to each subsequent adventure, Air India cherishes the loyalty of its customers. The program offers a trove of exclusive rewards and privileges, all crafted with the customer in mind.

Flying Returns is not just limited to Air India. It extends to all 25 members of the Star Alliance, making it a truly global program. This means that no matter where you fly, you can start earning points.

How to join the Flying Returns program?

Joining the Flying Returns program is a simple process that can be completed in three easy steps:

1. Enter Personal Details: Fill out your personal information, ensuring your name exactly matches the name on your passport or other official government identification documents.
2. Share Contact Information: Provide an email address and phone number not already registered with an existing Flying Returns account.
3. Create Your Account: After providing the necessary details, you can create your account for free.

Once you’ve joined, you can start earning points whenever you fly with Air India.

Earning Points

Every time you fly with Air India or any of its Star Alliance partners, you earn points. The points are earned when you buy an economy, business, or a first-class ticket. The more you fly, the more points you accumulate.

Spending Points

The points you earn are not just numbers; they hold real value. You can use your Flying Returns points to book or upgrade a flight. This means that the more you fly, the more rewarding your future flights can be.

How to Check Points Balance?

Checking your Flying Returns points balance is quite straightforward. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Online Check: Visit the Flying Returns page on the Air India website. Log in to your account to check your points balance.
2. Phone Call: You can also call the customer service center at 1860 233 1407 to inquire about your points balance.

Sharing Points

One of the unique features of the Flying Returns program is the ability to share points with family. This means that you can pool your points together with your family members to get even more out of the program.

Premium Tiers

The Flying Returns program has four tiers: Red, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Members start at the Red tier and advance to higher tiers as they accumulate more tier points or take the required number of flights. Each tier offers its own set of benefits, with higher tiers offering more exclusive privileges.

1. Red: This is the basic membership tier that you get just for joining the program.
2. Silver: This is the entry-level status. It requires earning 15,000 tier points (minimum 4,500 tier points on Air India flights) OR 30 flights (minimum four flights on Air India). Members at this tier earn 8 Flying Returns points per INR 100 spent on Air India, which is a 33% increase from the standard rate.
3. Gold: This is the mid-level status. It requires earning 30,000 tier points (minimum 9,000 tier points on Air India flights) OR 60 flights (minimum eight flights on Air India). Members at this tier earn 9 Flying Returns points per INR 100 spent on Air India, which is a 50% increase from the standard rate.
4. Platinum: Earn 45,000 tier points with a minimum of 13,500 tier points on Air India OR take 90 flights with a minimum of 12 flights on Air India. Members at this tier earn 10 Flying Returns points per INR 100 spent on Air India, which is a 66% increase from the standard rate. They also enjoy all the benefits of the Gold tier, along with some additional privileges.

Members at these tiers enjoy enhanced benefits, earning bonuses on top of the standard 6 FR points/Rs 100 spent on Air India.

Partner Offers

Being a part of a powerful global network, members can earn and redeem points across 28 Air India’s partner airlines. This enhances the reach and flexibility of the program.

Members can also utilize partner services, including hotel bookings, car rentals, and credit card partnerships, to earn additional Flying Returns points. For example, members can earn 5 Flying Returns points for every INR 100 spent at The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts.

Redemption Options in Flying Returns program

The Flying Returns program offers a flexible and convenient way to use your points. Here are some of the redemption options:

1. Award Flights: Most Flying Returns members use their points for award flights with Air India and partner airlines. You can redeem your Flying Returns points for award flights and flight upgrades with esteemed Star Alliance partners.
2. Flight Upgrades: If you’re looking for a more comfortable flying experience, you can use your points to upgrade your flight.
3. Partner Flights: Unlock a vast network of major airlines and hundreds of global destinations through the world’s largest alliance network.
4. Points Top-Up: If you’re short on points, you can top up your points by purchasing up to 50% of your current balance at the time of redemption.

Tips to Earn Points in the Air India Flying Returns program

Sure, here are some tips to earn points in the Air India Flying Returns program:

1. Fly with Air India or Star Alliance Airlines: Every time you fly with Air India or any Star Alliance airline, you earn points.
2. Book Directly on Air India’s Website or Mobile App: Earn bonus points when you book directly on Air India’s website or mobile app. You can get 2 extra reward points for every INR 100 spent on Air India flights when booking through Air India’s website or mobile app.
3. Utilize Partner Services: Earn points when you book a hotel, rent a car, or buy services or products from any of Air India’s 20+ loyalty partners, such as Axis Bank, Citi, FNP, IGP, and Zoomcar.
4. Spend-Based Earnings on Air India Flights: In the revamped Flying Returns program, you’ll earn 6 tier points per 100 Indian Rupees (about $1.20) regardless of your elite status.
5. Earn Rewards Points Based on Your Elite Status: Red members will earn 6 rewards points per 100 Rupees, Silver members will earn 8 rewards points per 100 Rupees, Gold members will earn 9 rewards points per 100 Rupees and Platinum members will earn 10 rewards points per 100 Rupees.

Remember, the more you fly and utilize partner services, the more points you can earn!

Conclusion

Air India’s Flying Returns program rewards frequent flyers with benefits. Points can be earned on flights and partner services, and exclusive privileges are available at premium tiers. The program is designed to make flying with Air India rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions about Air India’s Flying Returns Program

Q1: What is Flying Returns?

Flying Returns, launched in 1994, is one of India’s oldest and most rewarding frequent flyer programmes. The programme expanded its member benefits in 2014 when Air India joined Star Alliance.

Q2: Why should I become a member of Flying Returns?

With multiple ways to earn points, Flying Returns offers one of the most beneficial frequent flyer programmes in India. You can earn points every time you fly with Air India or any Star Alliance airline.

Q3: How can I earn points in Flying Returns?

You can earn points every time you fly with Air India or any Star Alliance airline. You can also earn bonus points when you book directly on Air India’s website or mobile app. Additionally, you can earn points when you book a hotel, rent a car, or buy services or products from any of Air India’s 20+ loyalty partners.

Q4: How can I spend my Flying Returns points?

You can redeem points for flight tickets and upgrades for yourself, friends and family members on Air India and Star Alliance airline flights.

Q5: Do Flying Returns points expire?

Flying Returns points never expire as long as you keep travelling with Air India. The expiry date for all your points is extended by 24 months from the date of travel every time you take an Air India flight (not valid for reward flights).

Q6: What are the benefits of moving up the tiers in Flying Returns?

Moving up the tiers gets you additional benefits like lounge access, priority check-in and boarding, additional baggage allowance, and more.

Stay tuned for more updates on Air India’s Flying Returns program and other travel news.