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Best frequent flyer programs in India

Once considered an elite privilege, now known as a basic mode of travel, air travel has become afforable and accessible to every member of the Indian society. Major airlines in India have acknowledged the growth of air traffic by expanding fleets as well as launching and operating flights to plethora of domestic and international destinations. To further increase the air passenger traffic, airlines are acknowledging frequently traveling passengers by providing them with benefits for their loyalty. Read on to know the best frequent flyer programs offered by airlines in India.

Check out the below ratings

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Overview

A frequent-flyer program is a loyalty program offered by airlines. The frequent-flyer programs are designed to encourage air passengers to enroll in the program to accumulate points (also called miles, kilometers, or segments) which may then be redeemed for tickets or other rewards. Points earned under FFPs may be based on the class of fare, distance flown on that airline or its partners, or the amount paid. Many credit card companies and banks partner with airlines to offer a co-branded credit card or the ability to transfer points in their loyalty program to an airline's program. The frequent-flyer programs are a cost-saving strategy for anyone flying more than once a year and avail tickets at discounted prices. Below are some of the best frequent flyer programs or loyalty programs rated on the benefits offered.

Table of Contents

Vistara

Vistara offers its frequent flyer program called Club Vistara. It is a value-based frequent flyer program wherein your points are calculated on the value of your base fare. As opposed to a miles-based program where your earnings are calculated based on the distance travelled, in a value-based program, your points are calculated based on the value of the ticket fare purchased by you. Vistara has partnered with Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank and SBI Bank to offer co-brand credit cards adding to the frequent flyer program. Any individual can become a member of Club Vistara by simply registering themselves on the official website www.airvistara.com, Vistara mobile app or enroll through the Vistara World app. Club Vistara membership card can be downloaded from the website www.airvistara.com or mobile app by logging into your CV account.

Vistara has 4 tiers: CV Base, CV Silver, CV Gold and CV Platinum. Members continue to enjoy Club Vistara Base privileges for a lifetime as the CV Base membership does not have an expiry date, however, validity of each tier is 12 months post which member's tier is evaluated against accumulated points. Number of CV Points per INR 100 varies depending on the tier. Check out the official Club Vistara page for more information. We have compiled a list of the best frequent flyer programs in India, do check out the ratings before making a decision!

Indigo

Indigo offers a 6E Rewards' Program. It is not a frequent flyer program, but a rewards program owned, managed, and operated by IndiGo linked to a co-branded card wherein members can earn 6E Rewards by using their co-branded card on IndiGo and other merchants and redeem the 6E Rewards for 6E Rewards Benefits including Indigo flight tickets.

Ka-ching 6E rewards and 6E rewards XL are the offered credit cards by Indigo partnered with Kotak Mahindra Bank and HDFC Bank. The 6E Rewards' Program rewards 1 6E Rewards point per 1 INR. To apply for Indigo's rewards program, visit goindigo.in. We have compiled a list of the best frequent flyer programs in India, do check out the ratings before making a decision!

SpiceJet

Spice Club is SpiceJet's loyalty or frequent flyer program. Spice Club points are calculated on the value of your base fare of your ticket.

There are 4 tiers in the Spice Club: Classic, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Whether you travel for work or leisure, unlock an assured bouquet of benefits as a SpiceClub member. As you fly more with SpiceJet and advance through the tiers, you continue to enjoy unmatched benefits and privileges for a superlative flying experience. The program rewards 10 SC points per Rs 100. SpiceJet has partnered with Axis Bank to provide SpiceJet Axis Bank Voyage and Voyage Black Credit Cards. To know more about the frequent flyer program or sign up to become a member, visit www.spiceclub.spicejet.com/home

We have compiled a list of the best frequent flyer programs in India, do check out the ratings before making a decision!

Air India

Air India's frequent flyer program, one of the best frequent flyer programs in India, is called Air India's Flying Returns. Members can avail privileges and earn points each time they fly on a qualifying fare ticket on any class or sector on the extensive network of Air India or 25 Star Alliance member airlines.

There are 3 tiers: Silver Edge Club 25,000 Flying Returns points within the same year Golden Edge Club 50000 tier status points in their account for over a year Maharaja Club 75,000 tier status points in their account for one year. Validity of each tier is 12 months.

Family Pool - MeraParivar is the name of the family pool programme offered by Air India to its Frequent Flyer Programme members. Family Pooling allows two or more individual members, who are related to each other, to link their accounts. This allows all the accruals in each account to be automatically transferred to the account of the 'Pramukh' or head of family, who can redeem the Flying Returns points. Use the points calculator to understand the eligible points per travel. Sign up to join the membership.

We have compiled a list of the best frequent flyer programs in India, do check out the ratings before making a decision!

Ratings

*The ratings table provide an opinion and an estimate, please visit the official websites for detailed information.

Airline Frequent Flyer Program Joining/Annual Fee Rating
Indigo 6E Rewards Program INR 700 to 2500 + applicable taxes for credit card 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Air India Flying Returns Program No charge for Flying Returns membership 4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Vistara Club Vistara Program & Club Vistara Co-Brand credit cards No charge for Club Vistara Base membership
INR 1,499 to 2,999 + applicable taxes for credit card 		3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
SpiceJet Spice Club Program & SpiceJet Axis Bank Voyage credit cards No charge for Spice Club membership
INR 750 to 2000 + applicable taxes for credit card 		2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆