Loyalty Points Partnership
Air India and IHG Hotels Launch New Loyalty Points Partnership for Travelers
Anonymous
Key Points
1
IHG said IHG One Rewards has “more than 160 million members worldwide,” highlighting the scale of the loyalty base that can convert points into Maharaja Points under the tie-up.
2
As part of the launch, Air India is offering a temporary promotion: Maharaja Club members can earn “three times the usual Maharaja Points” on qualifying IHG stays between September 15 and December 31, 2026, and they must “register for the promotion” to qualify (subject to qualifying-stay terms).
3
Air India provided performance and expansion figures for Maharaja Club’s partner strategy: it “had added more than 100 partners between FY2023 and FY2026,” and Maharaja Club members completed “more than 4.2 million transactions” across partner brands during FY2026, spanning multiple categories (including travel and hospitality).
4
IHG detailed its footprint and growth plan in India: it “currently operates 53 hotels across seven brands in India” and has a pipeline of “110 hotels planned to open over the next three to five years.”
Air India and IHG Hotels & Resorts announced a major loyalty partnership linking their reward programs, Economic Times reported. Maharaja Club members can now earn 2 Maharaja Points per $1 spent at most IHG properties worldwide, with a lower earning rate of 1 point per $1 at select budget brands. The deal also lets IHG One Rewards members convert their hotel points into Maharaja Points at a 1,000-to-200 ratio.
The tie-up connects two massive loyalty bases: Today's Traveller noted IHG One Rewards has over 160 million members globally. Air India is sweetening the deal with a limited-time offer—members earn triple Maharaja Points on qualifying IHG stays through December 31, 2026. The partnership marks Air India's strategy to expand earning opportunities beyond flights and build deeper ties with the hospitality industry.
Double Points on Hotel Stays for Frequent Flyers
Maharaja Club members get rewarded generously at IHG properties. Live From A Lounge explained that members earn 2 Maharaja Points per dollar at most of IHG's premium brands, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn. The earning rate drops to 1 point per dollar at budget-friendly chains like Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites.
The promotion running through the end of 2026 makes the deal even sweeter. Members can earn three times their normal points during qualifying stays if they register beforehand. This temporary boost gives Maharaja Club members a strong incentive to book IHG hotels over competitors during the promotional window.
Converting Hotel Points Into Flight Rewards
IHG One Rewards members gain a new option: convert their accumulated hotel points into Maharaja Points. Market Screener reported the exchange rate is 1,000 IHG points for 200 Maharaja Points, with a minimum of 1,000 points required per conversion. This unlocks value for the 160 million IHG loyalty members who rarely fly Air India.
The conversion feature makes IHG loyalty more valuable for travelers planning trips to or from India. Hotel points that might otherwise sit dormant can now fund long-haul flights on Air India. The partnership essentially gives IHG members a second currency option within the earning ecosystem.
Air India's Rapid Expansion of Partner Brands
Air India is aggressively building its loyalty empire. Economic Times reported that Maharaja Club added more than 100 partners between 2023 and 2026 across multiple categories beyond just travel. Members completed over 4.2 million transactions across partner brands in 2026 alone, demonstrating strong engagement beyond flights.
IHG represents a significant capture of the hospitality category. Today's Traveller noted IHG currently operates 53 hotels across seven brands in India and plans to open 110 more over the next three to five years. This expanding footprint gives Air India members more places to earn points across a key travel category.
Sentiment
Mostly PositiveNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
13
Articles
19
Reach
32
A
AnonymousAuthor
