Air India and IHG link loyalty programmes across flights and hotels - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Air India and IHG Hotels & Resorts are linking their loyalty programmes in a new partnership spanning air travel and accommodation. Members of Air India’s Maharaja Club can earn Maharaja Points when staying at IHG properties worldwide, while members of IHG One Rewards can convert their hotel points into Maharaja Points for future travel.

The agreement combines Air India’s network across India and five continents with IHG’s portfolio of more than 7,100 hotels in over 100 countries. Both companies see the partnership as a way to extend loyalty benefits beyond their traditional core businesses and accompany customers through a larger part of their journey.

Hotel stays earn Maharaja Points

Maharaja Club members will receive two Maharaja Points for every US dollar spent on qualifying stays at most IHG Hotels & Resorts.

A different rate applies at Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, IHG Residences and IHG Army Hotels, where members earn one Maharaja Point for every US dollar spent.

IHG One Rewards members can also transfer existing points into Air India’s programme. The conversion rate is 1,000 IHG One Rewards Points for 200 Maharaja Points, with 1,000 points set as the minimum amount for an exchange.

IHG has more than 160 million loyalty members

The cooperation gives Air India access to one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty communities. IHG One Rewards has more than 160 million members globally.

“India continues to be one of IHG’s most important growth markets, and we are focused on expanding our presence while building deeper and more meaningful engagement with our guests,” said Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia at IHG Hotels & Resorts.

Jain said linking IHG One Rewards with Maharaja Club would provide members with greater choice and flexibility while strengthening the relevance of IHG’s loyalty programme in India.

Air India expands Maharaja Club beyond flying

For Air India, the partnership is part of a broader transformation of Maharaja Club from a conventional airline frequent flyer scheme into a travel and lifestyle loyalty programme.

“Maharaja Club is evolving alongside Air India's transformation, with a strong emphasis on creating richer experiences for our members beyond the flight itself,” said Sunil Suresh, Head of Marketing, Loyalty and E-commerce at Air India.

The airline recently passed the milestone of adding more than 100 brands to the Maharaja Club partner network between FY2023 and FY2026. During FY2026, members completed more than 4.2 million transactions with partners across travel, hospitality, lifestyle and everyday spending.

Triple points offered until the end of 2026

The companies are accompanying the launch with a limited promotion. Maharaja Club members who register for the offer can earn three times the regular number of Maharaja Points on qualifying IHG stays between 15 September and 31 December 2026.

There are no blackout dates during the promotional period.

IHG plans another 110 hotels in India

The partnership also comes as IHG prepares for substantial expansion in the Indian market. The hotel group currently operates 53 properties across seven brands in the country, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Vignette Collection, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express.

Another 110 hotels are in the pipeline and are scheduled to open over the next three to five years. The loyalty partnership with Air India therefore connects two expanding networks at a time when both companies are seeking a larger share of the Indian and international travel market.

Image Credit: © AI generated illustration using material courtesy of IHG