Air India promo codes & sales, tested

Air India's loyalty scheme is the Maharaja Club, and the airline is a member of the Star Alliance. Members collect points by flying on Air India and on Air India Express, by flying on any of the roughly 25 Star Alliance partners, and by spending with the airline's other partner businesses. Booking directly with the airline is rewarded with a small bonus. We have not confirmed a reliable way to move points in from outside partners, so do not plan around that.

We value one Air India mile at about 1 US cent, based on published valuations that we refresh twice a year. To judge a redemption, compare the points needed with the cash fare for the same seat, then subtract the taxes, fees and fuel surcharges that still apply to award tickets. If the cash price minus those charges is worth more than the miles you would spend, the award is a reasonable use.

The programme has four tiers, Red, Silver, Gold and Platinum. You move up by earning Tier Points or by completing a set number of qualifying flights in a year. Higher tiers bring priority check-in and boarding, lounge access, extra baggage allowance and bonus points. Fuel surcharges count toward Tier Points, which can help members who fly on fares with high surcharges.

Points can be spent on award seats, on cabin upgrades, and on partner flights across the Star Alliance network. Domestic awards start from around 1,500 points, and upgrades start from around 4,000 points, according to the published figures. Before redeeming, check the total cost including taxes and fees, and confirm that the points have not expired, since they lapse after 24 months without activity.

Across the last 12 months we tracked 26 Air India offers: 13 bonus-mile offers, 8 fare sales, 2 extras and add-ons, 1 other promotion, 1 offer to buy miles, and 1 discount on award tickets or upgrades. Bonus-mile offers were the most common type. Your departure country matters because Air India runs different promotions and fare sales in different markets, so an offer you see may not be available where you live.

A bonus-miles offer gives you extra loyalty miles on top of those you normally earn when you fly, spend on a card, or book through a partner. Before relying on one, check the validity window, since the bonus often applies only to travel or purchases made within certain dates, and confirm the departure country and eligible cabins or fare classes. Also note whether taxes and fees are excluded from the qualifying spend. To judge whether it is genuinely good, compare the value of the miles you would receive with what you would pay in cash for the same trip.

A fare sale offers a percentage off, or a fixed low price, on selected routes and travel dates, usually for a short booking window. Before you pay, check the travel dates, the departure country (sales often apply only to flights leaving from certain markets), the cabin class and fare rules such as baggage, changes, and refunds, and whether the advertised price includes taxes and fees. To judge whether it is genuinely good, compare the final total against recent fares for the same route and dates rather than against the original price shown.

Extras and add-on offers let you buy items like checked bags, seat selection, lounge access, hotel rooms, or car rentals alongside your main booking, often at a discount when bundled. Before you buy, check the travel dates, the departure country, and any cabin or fare conditions, since an extra may apply only to certain flights or rates. Remember to factor in taxes and fees, which can raise the final price. A good deal is one where the bundled price, with all charges included, is lower than buying the same item separately for your exact trip.