Air India and IHG hotels and resorts announce landmark loyalty partnership
Air India, India’s leading global airline, and IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, announced a new partnership, enabling Air India’s Maharaja Club members to earn reward points during stays at IHG Hotels & Resorts, while giving IHG One Rewards members the flexibility to exchange their points for Maharaja Points.
Loyalty Integration:
Air India’s Maharaja Club and IHG One Rewards are now connected, allowing members to earn and exchange points across both programs.
Earning Points:
- Maharaja Club members earn 2 Maharaja Points per US$1 spent at most IHG hotels.
- At Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, IHG Residences, and IHG Army Hotels, members earn 1 Maharaja Point per US$1.
Point Conversion:
IHG One Rewards members can convert 1,000 IHG points into 200 Maharaja Points (minimum exchange: 1,000 points).
Launch Offer:
Between 15 Sept – 31 Dec 2026, Maharaja Club members earn 3x Maharaja Points on qualifying IHG stays, with no blackout dates.
Strategic Impact
- Global Reach: IHG’s portfolio of 7,100+ hotels in 100+ countries combined with Air India’s network across India and five continents.
- India Focus: IHG currently operates 53 hotels in India with a pipeline of 110 more in the next 3–5 years.
- Customer Value: Expands Maharaja Club’s ecosystem, making points more relevant for lifestyle and travel beyond flights.
Leadership Voices
- IHG South West Asia MD, Sudeep Jain: Emphasized India’s importance as a growth market and the value of connecting two leading travel brands.
- Air India Head of Marketing, Sunil Suresh: Highlighted the transformation of Maharaja Club into a lifestyle-led program, offering richer experiences beyond flights.
This partnership essentially makes loyalty points more versatile—members can now use them seamlessly across both air travel and hotel stays, strengthening the travel journey end-to-end.
