Air India: Flying Returns

The Ultimate Guide to Air India: Flying Returns

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Introduction to Air India’s Flying Returns Program

Flying Returns is Air India’s frequent flyer program, designed to reward passengers with miles for flights, partner spending, and credit card purchases. As a member of Star Alliance, Flying Returns allows travelers to earn and redeem miles on 25+ global airlines, making it one of the most flexible loyalty programs in India.

Whether you frequently fly within India or travel internationally, Flying Returns provides elite status benefits, bonus miles, flight upgrades, and redemption options for free flights.

This airport guide covers everything you need to know about earning and redeeming Flying Returns miles, elite membership tiers, key benefits, and expert tips to maximize your rewards.

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What is Air India’s Flying Returns?

Flying Returns is Air India’s loyalty program that allows passengers to earn reward miles, achieve elite status, and access travel perks.

Key Features:

✔ Earn miles on Air India & Star Alliance partner airlines
✔ Redeem miles for free flights, upgrades, and services
✔ Achieve elite status for priority benefits and lounge access
✔ Miles never expire for active members

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How to Earn Flying Returns Miles

1. Flying with Air India

Earn miles based on the distance flown and fare class.
Higher-class tickets earn more miles, while discounted economy fares earn fewer miles.

Fare Class	Miles Earned (% of Distance Flown)
First Class	150%
Business Class	125%
Economy Flex	100%
Economy Saver	50%
Discounted Economy	25%

✔ Bonus Miles for Elite Members: Silver, Gold, and Platinum members earn 25% to 50% extra miles.

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2. Flying with Star Alliance & Partner Airlines

Flying Returns members earn miles when flying with 25+ Star Alliance airlines, including:
✔ Lufthansa
✔ United Airlines
✔ Singapore Airlines
✔ Thai Airways
✔ Turkish Airlines

Each airline has its own earning structure based on fare class and distance flown.

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3. Flying Returns Credit Cards

Air India offers co-branded credit cards with SBI Card and American Express, allowing members to earn miles for everyday purchases.

✔ Sign-up bonuses: Earn up to 30,000 miles
✔ Earn miles on daily spending: Dining, fuel, shopping, travel
✔ Annual milestone benefits: Bonus miles for reaching spending thresholds

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4. Hotel, Car Rental & Shopping Partners

Earn extra miles by booking with Air India’s partner brands:

✔ Hotels: Marriott, Hilton, Taj Hotels, ITC Hotels
✔ Car Rentals: Hertz, Avis, Sixt
✔ Shopping: Duty-free, Flying Returns eStore
✔ Dining: Select restaurant partners

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5. Special Promotions & Bonus Offers

Flying Returns offers limited-time promotions such as:
✔ Double or triple miles for booking select flights
✔ Bonus miles for using Air India credit cards
✔ Discounted award flights for select destinations

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How to Redeem Flying Returns Miles

Flying Returns miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and travel perks.

1. Award Flights on Air India & Star Alliance Airlines

✔ Book free flights using miles on Air India & Star Alliance partners.
✔ Redemption rates vary by destination & class.

Route	Miles Required (Economy)	Miles Required (Business)
Domestic India (One-Way)	8,000+ Miles	15,000+ Miles
India – Middle East	15,000+ Miles	30,000+ Miles
India – Europe	30,000+ Miles	60,000+ Miles
India – USA	50,000+ Miles	100,000+ Miles

✔ No blackout dates for award tickets
✔ Higher value when redeeming for international flights

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2. Seat Upgrades

✔ Upgrade from Economy to Business Class using miles
✔ Upgrade from Business to First Class for a luxury experience

✔ Upgrade availability depends on fare class and miles balance.

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3. Extra Baggage & Lounge Access

✔ Redeem miles for extra baggage allowance on Air India flights
✔ Use miles for premium lounge access at select airports

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4. Flying Returns Miles + Cash Option

✔ If you don’t have enough miles, combine miles and cash to book flights.

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Flying Returns Elite Status Tiers

Flying Returns has four membership tiers:

1. Flying Returns Base Member (Entry Level)

✔ Earn miles on Air India & partners
✔ Redeem miles for flights, upgrades, and services

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2. Flying Returns Silver (Star Alliance Silver)

✔ Earn 10% bonus miles on flights
✔ Priority check-in & boarding
✔ Free extra baggage on Air India
✔ SkyTeam Elite benefits

✔ Qualification: Fly 25,000 Tier Points or 25 flights per year

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3. Flying Returns Gold (Star Alliance Gold)

✔ Earn 25% bonus miles
✔ Priority baggage handling & fast-track security
✔ Lounge access at Air India & Star Alliance lounges worldwide
✔ One free upgrade voucher per year

✔ Qualification: Earn 50,000 Tier Points or 40 flights per year

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4. Flying Returns Platinum (Top-Tier Elite Status)

✔ Earn 50% bonus miles
✔ Guaranteed seat availability on full flights
✔ Priority immigration clearance at select airports
✔ Unlimited lounge access worldwide

✔ Qualification: Earn 75,000 Tier Points or 60 flights per year

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Why Join Air India’s Flying Returns?

✔ Best loyalty program for travel in India & Star Alliance routes
✔ Earn & redeem miles on 25+ airlines worldwide
✔ High value for long-haul business class redemptions
✔ Elite status provides premium travel perks
✔ Flexible redemption with Miles + Cash

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Tips for Maximizing Flying Returns Rewards

✔ Fly Air India & Star Alliance airlines to earn the most miles
✔ Use an Air India credit card to boost miles on everyday purchases
✔ Redeem miles for international Business Class tickets for best value
✔ Achieve Gold or Platinum status to enjoy premium benefits
✔ Take advantage of promotions to earn double or triple miles

 

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FAQs About Flying Returns

Q: How do I join Flying Returns?
A: Sign up for free at Flying Returns or via the Air India app.

Q: Do Flying Returns miles expire?
A: Yes, but miles remain active if you earn or redeem miles at least once every 24 months.

Q: What is Flying Returns Platinum status?
A: The highest elite tier, offering Star Alliance Gold benefits, VIP lounge access, priority boarding, and 50% bonus miles.

Q: Can I redeem Flying Returns miles for Star Alliance flights?
A: Yes, you can use miles for flights on 25+ Star Alliance airlines.

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Call to Action

Maximize your travel rewards with Air India’s Flying Returns program! Earn miles, enjoy priority perks, and redeem rewards for free flights and upgrades. Join Flying Returns today at Flying Returns and start your journey to premium travel benefits!