Flying Returns Programme and Advantage

Q. What is the name of the frequent flyer programme?
A. Flying Returns.Flying Returns is India's first frequent flyer programme, and one of the most rewarding programmes in the region.

Q. What is the advantage of my becoming a member of Flying Returns?
A. As a member, you can avail privileges and earn FR points each time you fly on a qualifying fare (RBD) on any class or sector on the extensive network of Air India or 25 Star Alliance member airline operating more than 19,000 flights every day to 1300 airports in 195 countries. On higher fares, such as business/First Class, you earn bonus FR points, and clock FR points faster. What's more, you accumulate points on select flights of 'code-share' airlines. Points earned with our non-airline conversion partners loyalty programme can be converted to Flying Returns points and transferred to your FR account as per the partner program rules. The points accrued in the FR account can be redeemed for award tickets for self or others, as per member account status, for travel on Air India or 25 Star Alliance member airline.

Membership

Eligibility

Q. What is the eligibility criterion for becoming a member in the Programme?

• A.Membership is open to individuals
• In order to be eligible for FFP Membership, an individual should be two years and above in all the countries except where prohibited by law.
• Members who are 2 years but less than 12 years of age will be enrolled as child member.

Enrolment

Q. How can I enrol?
A. One can enrol by filling up an online form on the website www.airindia.in
Individual is required

• Fill in your personal details. Name to be entered as in the passport. Middle names to beincluded in First Name. Initials and abbreviated names are not acceptable
  AND
• provide a unique Email Id and a unique Mobile phone number which is not registered with any other Flying Returns Account to become a member.
• Separate OTP will be sent on this Email ID and mobile no. which is required to be validated to register as a member.

Q. How should I enter my name on the enrolment form?
A. Your name should be entered exactly as it appears on your passport. Middle names to be included in First Name. Initials and abbreviated names are not acceptable

Q. What address should I enter in my FR Account on enrolment?
A. You may enter a home and business address. We would be mailing all correspondence to your primary address recorded in your Flying Returns account.

Tiers Privileges

Q. When do FR members get physical membership card and free upgrade voucher
A. Physical Card & Free Upgrade Vouchers are issued only to tier Members that is Silver Edge Club, Golden Edge Club and The Maharajah Club.
Base and New FR members are issued with a Virtual Card, image of which can be viewed and downloaded from their FR Account.

Q. Can my card be used by anyone else
A. Each Membership Card is strictly personal to the individual to whom it has been issued and is non-transferable.

Q. What do I do, if my membership card is lost
A. Loss, theft or damage of the Flying Returns card must be reported immediately to Call Centre on telephone no. 1860-233-1407(For calls when in India). FR Points 1000 will be debited from your account for reissuance of the Card.These rates may be revised by Air India from time to time. However, if the membership card remains undelivered due to change in address not updated in member's account, additional fee of the same points will be debited for resending the card.

Q. Where & when do I present the Upgrade Voucher to avail an Upgrade
A. Member is required to present this Upgrade Voucher with Valid Tier Membership Card, at the Check-in counter, along with a Revenue Ticket (not an Award Ticket).

Q. Can I use the upgrade voucher to upgrade a friend or family member? Are Upgrade Vouchers transferable
A. Airport Upgrade vouchers are a privilege extended to individual members of the Tier Clubs of FR, and are valid for travel only on Air India's Domestic services, for use by self only. These "subject to availability - airport upgrade" vouchers are non-transferable, non-extendable, non-refundable and not encashable.

Q. What is the Validity for the Free Upgrade Voucher? Can it be Extended
A. The Free Domestic, Subject to Availability, Airport Upgrade Voucher is a privilege extended to Tier members for use by self. The validity of upgrade vouchers have been changed from 06 months as below, thus the same needs to be updated in above FAQs and other places on website wherever applicable. The upgrade voucher is valid for 6 months from the date of issue for Silver Edge Club, 9 months from the date of issue for Golden Edge Club and 12 months from the date of issue for The Maharajah Club.
For Tier Members residing abroad with a registered address outside of India, these Free Upgrade Vouchers are already post-dated by 1 month, to account for transit.
The Validity of these Domestic Upgrade Vouchers is not extendable.

Q. What is the Extra baggage allowance for FR members
A. Nil for Base Tier members, who are not entitled to any extra baggage allowance over the applicable permitted FBA.
Silver Edge Members are permitted a privilege of 10 Kg or 1 Piece extra as per cabin class, respectively for Weight concept & Piece concept on AI flights only.
Golden Edge and Maharajah Club Members are permitted a privilege of 20 Kg or 1 Piece extra as per cabin class, respectively for Weight concept & Piece concept flights of Both Air India and Star Partner flights.
Note: Extra baggage allowance not applicable on code share flights & AI flights operated by ATR and CRJ Aircraft

*T&C Apply. Extra Baggage allowance & Lounge access subject to change as per government directive.

Earning of points

Q. How can I earn FR Points
A. FR Points can be earned by Flying on Air India, Star alliance member airlines or Code-share flights. Additional points as Web Bonus can be earned by purchasing tickets on Air India websitewww.airindia.in or Mobile App. To ensure you receive FR Points credit, please provide your Flying Returns membership number for each reservation. Also you may present your Flying Returns membership number when you check-in at the airport.You must ensure that ticket is issued in exactly the same manner in which the name appears on your Membership Account. You must ensure that ticket is issued in exactly the same manner in which the name appears on your Membership Account. FR Points are credited only after a member has actually completed travel and not immediately after reservation/ticketing/check-in. Members are not entitled to FR Points for tickets purchased but not used. No FR Points will be credited in respect of flights undertaken on redemption of Awards under Flying Returns. In the event of any up-gradation of the ticket, FR Points will be credited for the class of travel in which the member was ticketed and not for the upgraded class of travel.

Q. I purchase a ticket for another passenger, who is eligible for FR Points credit
A. The person who actually travels on that ticket is the one eligible to earn FR Points credit provided he is a member of our Flying Returns program.

Q. On which flight tickets is earning and accumulation of FR Points permitted
A. The earning or accumulation of FR Points is permitted on revenue tickets against specific booking classes (RBD)only. Travel on, travel industry related discounted tickets, charter flight tickets, non-revenue tickets and award tickets do not qualify towards earning or accumulation of FR Points. Please remember to check with airline or travel agent before you book your flights, as there may be some discounted fares with certain booking class codes(RBD) or designated routes, which have reduced or no qualifying FR Points accrual.

Q. Can I earn points on 'Code-Share' flights
A. You can earn FR Points on select code-share flights of Air India. The accrual of FR Points is permitted on code-share flights. Redemption of FR Points is not permitted on Code-Share flights. Reservation must be made on AI 4 digit flight numbers only. For details please contact the Call Centre on telephone no. 1860-233-1407(For calls when in India) or visit www.airindia.in.

Q. How do I receive FR Points credit for travelling on a partner airline/code share airline
A. Just remember to provide your Flying Returns number when you make your reservation or when checking-in for your flight. You should also keep your ticket receipt and boarding pass until you see the flight FR Points on your Flying Returns Statement.

Q. How is my account credited in multiple - sector journeys
A. In cases of multiple - sector journeys (where a separate flight coupon is issued for each sectorand flight number is not the same), credit of FR Points will be the sum of the FR Points of each sector.

Q. How do I receive credit for FR Points that has not been credited to my account
A. If your FR Points for flights undertaken have not been posted to your account you may login to your FR account, use the option 'Retro Claim', to submit the details of your journey not recorded in FR account, upload copy of your ticket and boarding pass. If all details are in order, the FR points will be credited to your account, else you can use the option to rectify the error and resubmit or forward the claim Air India.
Copy of ticket and boarding pass can also be sent on the following Email:
Missing points/Retro Credit on AI: flyingreturns@airindia.com
Missing points/Retro Credit on Star member airlines: flyingreturns@airindia.com
Claim can be submitted not later than 180 days (six months) after travel for flights taken on Star Alliance or Code Share Airline, and 365 days (12 months) on Air India.

Q. What is the timeline for auto update of FR Points in my FR account - statement in respect of AI or Star flights undertaken by me
A. If the Name in full and correct 9 digit FR Number is correctly reflected on Ticket and PNR (at the time of booking) and matches the details on FR Profile, then it takes 3-14 days for the FR Points to get auto credited in FR account.

Q. What is the timeline for update of FR Points in my FR account - statement in respect of RETRO Credit request made by me for AI or Star flights undertaken by me
A. A FR member can log into the FR Account & claim Online RETRO credit (after waiting for 15 days) for missing FR points not reflecting in account / statement -
For flights undertaken on Air India - in past 365 days.
For flights undertaken on Star Partners on eligible RBD's - in past 180 days.
To make a successful Online Retro Claim, the member is required to upload a copy of the relevant E Ticket and correctly fill in mandatory details like -

• The correct 13 Numeric Digit Ticket Number
• The correct 5 or 6 Digit Alpha Numeric PNR
• Make the claim for self, not other companions or family in same PNR
• The correct 3 or 4 Digit Numeric Flight Number
• All these details are available and reflected on the E Ticket.

If the above details are correct and match our flight records, the missing points will be credited in moments.

Q. What is the validity of FR Points
A. Flying Returns Points shall be valid for redemption till the end of 36th month(3years) from the month of accrual in the FR account.
For example: Points accrued on 10th Jan 2021 shall remain valid for redemption till 31st Jan 2024.
Points transferred from Non-Airline partner will have validity of 12 Months(1 Year).
For example: Points credited on 10th Jan 2022 shall remain valid for till 31st Jan 2023.

Q. Can I receive FR Points credit for travelling on a participant airline prior to my enrolment in the Flying Returns programme
A. No. Any journeys that you have made on Star Alliance member airline or code-share flights prior to your enrolment date are not eligible for FR Pointscredit.
Any journey undertaken on Air India flights, 12 months prior to your enrolment date are eligible for FR Points credit only and not towards counting flights for 'active' status.

Q. Does the programme have other alliances for members
A. Our members who use services of our partners may transfer points accrued in Partners programmes to Flying Returns to avail award tickets. The current partners are Citi Bank, SBI Card.

Q. I am a member of a Partner Airline of Star Alliance. Can I transfer my FFP Points from that (Other than AI) partner membership to my Flying Returns account
A. Air India and all other Star Partner Airlines have their own independent Frequent Flyer Program with separate and different Accrual & Redemption norms.
Transfer, Pull, Pooling or Clubbing together of the mileage points accrued on any independent and separate Star Partner programs with FR is not permitted. However a member can avail of the "Star Award Chart" of the respective airline to avail award redemption on any partner airline including AI.

Redeeming of points

Q. When can I Redeem FR Points
A. Once you have enrolled as a FR member and the profile details are complete, the flight taken by you on Air India or Star Alliance member airlines undertaken after your enrolment date is recorded, and points accrued in the system giving FR account 'Primary Status' , you can redeem FR Points for self. You can redeem for others, when you have a minimum of five flight accrual activities undertaken after FR enrolment date and same is credited into your account which automatically changes the account status to 'Active'.

Q. Where do I make an award request
A. You can avail award tickets through the website www.airindia.in by logging in to your account.
OR
Through Call Centre by calling 1860-233-1407(For calls when in India) from the mobile number registered in the member's Flying Returns account only and clearing additional security measures that Air India has in place at the time of the request for redemption.
OR
Through Air India booking offices.

Award tickets cannot be issued by travel agents

Q. Can I transfer my reward tickets to anyone I wish to
A. Yes. FR Points may be redeemed for award tickets for self, family member or friend subject to the status of the account, is 'active' status. Award tickets cannot be SOLD for a consideration or BARTERED.

Q. When can I use my FR miles for award redemption for Self and for Family/Friends
A. After enrolment, Member needs to undertake one flight for self on AI or Star Partner to make the FR Account Primary Active, after which the member can redeem awards for self.
For redeeming awards for Family/Friends, the member has to undertake 5 (five) flights on AI or Star Partners, to change theFR Account Status to "Active" from Primary Active. After 5 flights are recorded, the Member can redeem for others.

Q. What is difference between Primary Active & Active status of an FR Member
A. Primary Active status: An FR account is in Primary Active status, when the member has undertaken less than five flight activities for accrual of FR points after enrolment and recorded in the FR account. A primary Active Member can redeem Awards for self only
Active Status: An FR member attains active status on completion of 5 flight activities for accrual of FR points (on revenue tickets) after enrolment and recorded in the FR account. An Active member can redeem award tickets for persons other than self

Q. How are the awards issued for multiple sector journeys
A. In case of request for Award Tickets for multiple sector journey on Air India, where a separate flight coupon is issued for each sector and flight number is not the same, FR Points required to be redeemed will be the sum of the FR Points of each sector. This is alsoapplicable on domestic sector added to an international journey to reach/exit gateway point inIndia.
An award ticket on Star Alliance member airlines is issued on one way journey only. The redemption of FR Points is based on the distance between the two cities, the zones in which they fall Facility of stopoverand transfer is not permitted. FR points need to be redeemed for each sector and flightcoupon.

Q. Can I redeem FR points on Air India Subsidiaries or Code Share flights
A. No, Redemption of FR points is not permitted on Air India Subsidiaries ( Air India Express) or Code Share flights.

Q. How many FR Points would be debited for a child award ticket
A. The number of points required for a child redemption ticket is the same as those required for an adult redemption ticket.

How to overcome shortfall of points

Q. For Booking an Award Redemption Ticket, can we pay partially with FR points and remainder shortfall with money
A. Part FR Points & Part Cash / Money option (for points shortfall) is not available for redemption of Award Tickets However FR Members have the following two options and facility to bridge - make up any possible shortfall of FR points.
Purchase TUMPS (Top Up Points) at INR 1.25 per FR Point subject to a maximum of 50% of the Balance of FR Points held. This can be done only at any Booking Office of Air India.
bbb) Revive & extend Expired FR Points that have expired during the last 24 months at payment of INR 0.60 per FR Point.
This can be done either at any Booking Office of Air India or by calling from the Mobile number registered on your FR Profile - our 24 X 7 Call Centre on Toll Free 1860-233-1407(For calls when in India) (and pay with a valid credit card).
Once the shortfall has been bridged as above, Award Ticket can be redeemed online or at the same call centre.

Q. Can I reinstate the expired FR Points miles in my account
A. Yes, FR points that have expired during the past 24 months and reflected as Expired Points in your member Profile, can be partially or entirely revived at a price of 60 paise per point with a validity of 01 year.

This can be done either at any Booking Office of Air India or by calling from the Mobile number registered on your FR Profile - our 24 X 7 Call Centre on 1860-233-1407(For calls when in India) (and pay with a valid credit card).
Birthday Special offer of Revival of FR points at 40 paise per point stands withdrawn from 15th June 2022.
The rate and validity of the schemes may change at Air India's discretion.

Q. Can I pool my FR Points with my family
A. Family Pool is now available. To be a member of the Family Pool the Flying Returns Account should be Primary Active/ Active Status.

Q. Can I purchase FR Points in the event of a shortfall
A. As a member, you can buy points at a rate of Rs.1.25 per FR Pointor as revised from time to time, subject to a maximum of 50% of the points balance in the member's Flying Returns account.

Q. Are taxes payable by me for the award ticket
A. Any Government tax, non-airline charge or other liability incurred by the member as a result of use of any award or upgrade vouchers or other benefits shall be the sole responsibility of the member. FR members shall pay the applicable taxes and surcharges.

Q. I have made a booking for my award ticket and PNR has been given to me before the expiry date of my FR points. Can I pay taxes and get the ticket issued for this PNR after the expiry date of the FR points
A. NO. The FR Points are debited only at the time of issuance of the award ticket on payment of applicable taxes.
Only points valid at the time of issuance of ticket can be utilised for the ticket irrespective of the date of creation of the PNR.

Cancellation of redemption ticket

Q. Is Refund / Reversal / Cancellation of an Award Ticket permitted
A. Yes Refund / Reversal / Cancellation of an Award Ticket is permitted - but with a Penalty charge in FR Points, once the option of change of date or sector change is availed the ticket becomes non-refundable.Cancellation of the Award ticket can not be done through email. Member has to visit any Air India reservation office or contact our call center.

Q. Are Different Rules & Penalty Charges applicable to Air India Award Tickets versus Star Award Tickets
A. Both Air India Awards and Star Alliance awards attract identical rules & penalty charges with regards to refund only.
Date change is permitted on tickets issued for journey on Air India flights at a monetary penalty subject to conditions.
Date change is not permitted on award tickets issued for travel on Star Alliance partners

Q. What do I do if I claim an award and am not able to use it? What will be the cancellation charges or Penalty (if any) for Refund / Reversal / Cancellation of an Award Ticket booked and made against FR Points?

A. For details of rules and procedure governing Redemption tickets /validity of refunded FR points, pleaseClick Here

This is uniformly applicable to all Members - Base and all 3 Tiers.
Cancellation rules and charges are subject to revision from time to time at the discretion of Air India.

Q. Can I advance or postpone my journey on an award ticket
A. You can advance or postpone your award ticket issued for journey on Air India at a monetary penalty provided:

• new date is within the validity of the Award ticket
• change is requested 3 Days prior to scheduled departure of ticketed award ticket
• member does not want to refund the award ticket as all points have expired & have no residual validity.

Q. What will be the charges or penalty for Date Change / Re-booking or for Refund /Cancellation of / on a Revenue / Paid Tickets booked by me on Air India
A. For International Tickets - As per Applicable Fare Rules - for all FR Members irrespective of Tier.
For Domestic Tickets within India on Air India - as follows
For Base Members - As per applicable Fare Rules.
For Silver Edge Club members - Flat Fixed Fee / Charge of INR 1000 per Coupon. (earlier as per Fare Rules applicable)
For Golden Edge & The Maharajah Clubs members - NIL. (earlier INR 200)

Q. How many seats are allocated on a flight for award redemption booking class
A. Inventory of Seats in the 3 Award booking classes that is "X" for Economy Cabin, "I" for Business Cabin and "O" for First Cabin - is dynamically assigned & adjusted, based on the Season (Peak/ Non-Peak), Weekday (Weekend/ Midweek), Direction and Demand for Revenue Tickets.

Q. What will be the charges or penalty for Date Change / Re-booking for Award Tickets booked by me on Air India
A. Date Change is now permitted on AI Award tickets at a monetary penalty on Domestic / International sectors - 20% of quantum of FR points used for the ticket to be rounded off to the next multiple of 5 and converting @1point=1 INR.
The date change is permitted upto 3 Days prior scheduled departure of ticketed flight.

Q. Are the penalties for rebooking flights on Award tickets applicaBle to tier members
A. The monetary date change is uniformly applicable to all Members - Base plus all 3 Tiers(TMC/GEC/SEC)

Q. Can I change the sector of issued award ticket on AI
A. You can change the sector of award ticket issued for travel on Air India only provided
- the new sector is in the same "Zone" for redemption for Awards on AI(Points required for the new sector are same & equal to the points used for existing sector of award ticket) with one applicable monetary penalty (Domestic/International) charge.
The sector change is permitted upto 3 Days prior scheduled departure of ticketed flight.

Q. Can I change the sector of award ticket on AI and do the date of travel at the same time
A. Yes, a date change and a sector change can be done simultaneously with payment of one monetary penalty applicable (Domestic/International) charge.

Q. What will be the charges or penalty for Date Change of revenue tickets upgraded with points
A. Rebooking permitted if presented 3 Days prior departure of scheduled ticketed award flight

• if no change in RBD of revenue ticket:
  - one award date change penalty as applicable to Award tickets (domestic or international) plus re-booking penalty applicable to the revenue ticketed RBD will be collected.
• if there is a change in RBD of revenue ticket:
  - one award date change penalty as applicable to Award tickets (domestic or international) plus fare difference & re-booking penalty applicable to the revenue ticketed RBD will be collected.

Q. After having changed date of travel or sector of travel, if I cancel my travel plan can the award ticket be refunded
A. Once the option of change of date or sector change is availed with award ticket issued for travel on Air India, the ticket is nonrefundable.

Q. What will be the validity of the award ticket on Ai when I change date or sector
A. The original Award ticket is valid for 1 year from date of issue and every re-issued ticket whether for date change or sector change will have diminishing validity. The ticket may be reissued umpteen times but the travel must be completed within the validity of the original ticket.

Demise of Flying Returns Member

Q. In case of demise of member what would happen to the FR points in the FR Account
A. In case of demise of a member the balance of points in the member account shall be transferred to the FR account of spouse (whether linked or not) and thereafter the FR account of deceased be terminated.
In case the spouse is not a member, based on passport details, spouse will be required to become a member, and thereafter points shall be transferred to his/her FR account.
In case of bachelor/spinster, or spouse is not alive the FR account of the deceased member will be terminated forfeiting the balance of points.

Q. I have many questions concerning my Flying Returns account. Where do I seek information
A. Our website www.airindia.in contains a wealth of information. If you still have unanswered questions, please contact the call centre on 1860-233-1407(For calls when in India).