Air India’s Maharaja Club Named ‘Program of the Year’ at the Freddie Awards 2026

Air India’s Maharaja Club has been crowned “Program of the Year” in the Middle East & Asia Pacific region at the Freddie Awards 2026, a major leap from its “Up and Coming Program of the Year” recognition in 2025.

Awards:
Winner of Program of the Year; runner-up in Best Promotion, Best Elite Program, Best Redemption Ability, and Best Customer Service.

Global Benchmark:
The Freddie Awards, established in 1988, are voted on by over 7 million travelers annually in 13 languages, including Hindi.

Program Transformation:
Redesigned in 2024, Maharaja Club shifted from miles-based to spend-based points, simplified tiers, and added customer-friendly features.

Recent Enhancements:
- Reduced redemption levels on 90% of Air India routes.
- Tier-based rules for award flight rescheduling/cancellations.
- Lower thresholds for tier progression.
- Points earning and redemption extended to Air India Express flights.

Partnerships:
Over 100 partners across airlines, hospitality, retail, lifestyle, and financial services. Members can earn/redeem points with 25 Star Alliance airlines and access 1,100+ lounges worldwide.

Leadership Statement:
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized building a program that extends beyond travel into everyday experiences.

This recognition positions Maharaja Club as one of the fastest-evolving loyalty programs in the region, now competing head-to-head with global hotel and airline programs.