{"id":3494,"date":"2026-04-22T06:44:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T06:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/frequent-flyer-programs-india-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T18:27:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T18:27:51","slug":"frequent-flyer-programs-india-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/frequent-flyer-programs-india-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequent Flyer Programs India 2026: Miles, Points &#038; Upgrades"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n      \"headline\": \"Frequent Flyer Programs India 2026: Miles, Points & Upgrades\",\n      \"description\": \"Complete guide to India's frequent flyer programs in 2026 \u2014 IndiGo BluChip, Air India Flying Returns, SpiceClub, and the Club Vistara merger. Earn rates, upgrade redemption, credit cards that earn air miles on Indian spending, and when redeeming miles is worth it.\",\n      \"datePublished\": \"2026-04-21T09:00:00+05:30\",\n      \"dateModified\": \"2026-04-21T09:00:00+05:30\",\n      \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"HappyFares\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/happyfares.in\"},\n      \"publisher\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"HappyFares\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/happyfares.in\"},\n      \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\"@type\": \"WebPage\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/frequent-flyer-programs-india-2026\"}\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What happened to Club Vistara's frequent flyer program?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Club Vistara was merged into Air India's Flying Returns program in late 2024 following the Vistara\u2013Air India merger. Former Club Vistara members had their accumulated CV Points converted to Air India Flying Returns reward points at a fixed conversion rate. Elite tier status was also migrated \u2014 Gold CV members received equivalent Flying Returns tier recognition.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Which is the best frequent flyer program in India for domestic flyers?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"IndiGo BluChip offers the highest earn rate for domestic-only travellers \u2014 up to 16 BluChips per Rs 100 spent at the top tier, with a straightforward 1 BluChip = Rs 1 redemption value. Air India Flying Returns is the better choice if you also fly internationally, thanks to Star Alliance access across 26 partner airlines.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"When is redeeming miles for flights worth it in India?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Miles deliver the best rupee value when redeemed for long-haul international Business or First Class tickets. A Business Class seat to Europe or the USA that costs Rs 2\u20134 lakh can often be redeemed for 60,000\u2013100,000 miles, giving a per-mile value of Rs 3\u20135. Redeeming for domestic economy tickets gives far lower value \u2014 typically Rs 0.50\u20131 per point.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Can I earn frequent flyer miles when booking through HappyFares?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Yes. Enter your frequent flyer membership number during the booking process on happyfares.in. The airline credits miles to your loyalty account based on your fare class and membership tier, exactly as they would on a direct booking. This applies to IndiGo BluChip, Air India Flying Returns, SpiceClub, and all major international programs.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Which credit cards in India earn the most airline miles?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"For Air India Flying Returns: HDFC Infinia and Diners Club Black offer transferable points. For Emirates Skywards: the Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank card earns up to 2.5 Skywards Miles per Rs 100. For Singapore KrisFlyer: the KrisFlyer SBI Card earns 5 miles per Rs 200. For general flexibility, HDFC Infinia and Axis Magnus offer points redeemable across multiple airline programs.\"\n          }\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script><\/div>\n<article>\n<h1>Frequent Flyer Programs India 2026: Miles, Points &#038; Upgrades<\/h1>\n<p>Indian airlines collectively carried over 152 million domestic passengers in 2024\u201325, according to DGCA traffic data \u2014 and every one of those flights is an opportunity to earn loyalty points that could pay for future travel. ([DGCA Monthly Traffic Statistics](https:\/\/www.dgca.gov.in), 2025) Yet surveys consistently show fewer than 30% of Indian leisure travellers actively use a frequent flyer program, leaving significant value unclaimed on every trip.<\/p>\n<p>The Indian loyalty landscape changed substantially in 2024 with the Vistara\u2013Air India merger and the resulting absorption of Club Vistara into Flying Returns. In 2026, the main programs available to Indian travellers are IndiGo BluChip, Air India Flying Returns (now incorporating former Vistara members), and SpiceClub \u2014 plus a range of international programs accessible via Indian credit card partnerships.<\/p>\n<p>This guide covers how each program works, how to earn miles faster on domestic routes, when redemption is genuinely worthwhile, and which credit cards accelerate your points balance between flights.<\/p>\n<p>[INTERNAL-LINK: how to upgrade your flight seat using miles \u2192 flight-upgrade-tips-india-2026]<\/p>\n<p>> **TL;DR:** India&#8217;s three main domestic loyalty programs in 2026 are IndiGo BluChip (best domestic earn rate \u2014 up to 16 points per Rs 100), Air India Flying Returns (Star Alliance access, best for international travel), and SpiceClub (spend-based, good for SpiceJet network). Club Vistara merged into Flying Returns in 2024. Best redemption value: long-haul international Business Class, not domestic economy. Enter your loyalty number on [happyfares.in](https:\/\/happyfares.in) to earn miles on every booking. ([DGCA](https:\/\/www.dgca.gov.in), 2025)<\/p>\n<h2>What Are India&#8217;s Active Frequent Flyer Programs in 2026?<\/h2>\n<p>Three domestic airline loyalty programs are active in India in 2026. Two international programs \u2014 Emirates Skywards and Singapore KrisFlyer \u2014 also have meaningful Indian user bases and dedicated credit card partnerships with Indian banks. Here is where each program stands.<\/p>\n<p>[INTERNAL-LINK: full comparison of Indian and international FFPs \u2192 frequent-flyer-programs-2026]<\/p>\n<h3>IndiGo BluChip<\/h3>\n<p>IndiGo relaunched its loyalty program as <strong>BluChip<\/strong> in 2024, replacing the earlier 6E Rewards structure. BluChip is spend-based \u2014 you earn BluChips for every rupee you spend, not for distance flown. The earn rate scales with your membership tier.<\/p>\n<h4>How BluChip Earning Works<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Base tier (Blu 3):<\/strong> 8 BluChips per Rs 100 spent on base fare and fuel surcharge<\/li>\n<li><strong>Booking via IndiGo app or website:<\/strong> +4 bonus BluChips per Rs 100 (total 12 at base tier)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Blu 2 tier<\/strong> (Rs 1 lakh spend + 4 flights in 12 months): +2 additional bonus per Rs 100<\/li>\n<li><strong>Blu 1 tier<\/strong> (Rs 2 lakh spend + 8 flights in 12 months): +4 additional bonus per Rs 100 \u2014 up to 16 total<\/li>\n<li>Eligible add-ons (seat selection, excess baggage, fast-track) also earn BluChips<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Redemption<\/h4>\n<p><strong>1 IndiGo BluChip = Rs 1<\/strong> \u2014 no complex award charts, no blackout dates. You can redeem BluChips for yourself or up to five nominees. BluChips are valid for 24 months from earning date, extended by any earn or redeem activity.<\/p>\n<p>BluChip is the most transparent domestic loyalty program in India. The 1:1 redemption rate means you always know exactly what your balance is worth. The limitation: BluChips can only be redeemed on IndiGo flights. There&#8217;s no international transfer or hotel partner ecosystem.<\/p>\n<p>[ORIGINAL DATA: At BluChip&#8217;s base earn rate (8 per Rs 100) on a typical Rs 4,000 domestic fare, you earn 320 BluChips worth Rs 320. At Blu 1 tier with app booking (16 per Rs 100), the same fare earns 640 BluChips \u2014 worth Rs 640 or roughly 16% effective cashback on the base fare.]<\/p>\n<h3>Air India Flying Returns (Maharaja Club)<\/h3>\n<p>Flying Returns is India&#8217;s most internationally connected loyalty program, powered by Air India&#8217;s membership in the <strong>Star Alliance<\/strong> \u2014 a network of 26 airlines including Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, United Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. The program was overhauled in 2023\u201324 and now operates under the Maharaja Club branding with spend-based earning and four tiers.<\/p>\n<h4>Tier Structure and Earn Rates<\/h4>\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"9\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:14px;\">\n<thead style=\"background:#8b0000;color:#fff;\">\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align:left;\">Tier<\/th>\n<th>Requirement<\/th>\n<th>Earn Rate (per Rs 100)<\/th>\n<th>Key Benefits<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Red<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Base (free)<\/td>\n<td>6 reward points<\/td>\n<td>Earn &amp; redeem on Air India + Star Alliance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#f5f5f5;\">\n<td><strong>Silver<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>15,000 tier points or 30 flights<\/td>\n<td>8 reward points<\/td>\n<td>Priority check-in, extra baggage, Star Alliance Silver<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Gold<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>30,000 tier points or 60 flights<\/td>\n<td>Enhanced rate<\/td>\n<td>Lounge access, Star Alliance Gold, upgrade priority<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#f5f5f5;\">\n<td><strong>Platinum<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>45,000 tier points or 90 flights<\/td>\n<td>Highest rate<\/td>\n<td>1,000+ lounges, guaranteed upgrades, companion benefits<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h4>What the Club Vistara Merger Means in 2026<\/h4>\n<p>Club Vistara \u2014 Vistara&#8217;s well-regarded loyalty program \u2014 was merged into Flying Returns in late 2024 following the Vistara\u2013Air India merger completion. Former Club Vistara members had their CV Points converted to Flying Returns reward points at a fixed conversion ratio. Elite status was also migrated: Gold CV members received Flying Returns tier recognition at an equivalent level.<\/p>\n<p>In 2026, there is no separate Club Vistara program. All Vistara flights now operate as Air India flights, and loyalty earning and redemption flows entirely through Flying Returns. Former Vistara members who had not yet migrated their accounts should contact Air India&#8217;s Flying Returns helpline to complete the migration and claim any pending points. ([Air India Flying Returns](https:\/\/www.airindia.com\/in\/en\/flying-returns.html), 2025)<\/p>\n<p>[UNIQUE INSIGHT: Former Club Vistara Gold and Platinum members who migrated to Flying Returns effectively gained Star Alliance Gold or Silver status \u2014 unlocking lounge access at 1,000+ airports worldwide that Vistara&#8217;s program never provided. The merger was broadly positive for frequent Vistara flyers in terms of program breadth.]<\/p>\n<h3>SpiceJet SpiceClub<\/h3>\n<p>SpiceClub is SpiceJet&#8217;s spend-based loyalty program. It rewards members for every rupee spent on airfare and eligible add-ons, with a redemption rate of <strong>1 SC Point = Rs 0.50<\/strong>. The program has four tiers \u2014 Classic, Silver, Gold, and Platinum \u2014 with higher tiers unlocking benefits like free tickets, waived change and cancellation fees, priority boarding, and complimentary upgrades where available.<\/p>\n<p>SpiceClub is worth joining if you fly SpiceJet regularly, particularly on routes where SpiceJet has a strong Tier 2 and Tier 3 city presence. Points are valid for 24 months from the date of earning.<\/p>\n<h2>How to Earn Miles Faster on Indian Domestic Routes<\/h2>\n<p>Domestic flights in India are typically short \u2014 under two hours \u2014 which means the points accumulated per flight are modest at standard earn rates. These strategies accelerate your balance without flying more.<\/p>\n<h3>1. Book Through the Airline&#8217;s Own App or Website Where Possible<\/h3>\n<p>IndiGo BluChip, for example, awards a channel bonus of +4 BluChips per Rs 100 for direct app or website bookings. Over a year of regular travel, this channel bonus compounds meaningfully.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Add Your Loyalty Number to Every Booking<\/h3>\n<p>This sounds obvious, but a significant portion of miles go uncredited simply because the loyalty number wasn&#8217;t entered at booking. When you book on <a href=\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">happyfares.in<\/a>, there is a field to enter your frequent flyer number. Fill it in every time \u2014 the airline credits the miles automatically after the flight. Retroactive claims are possible for most programs but require administrative effort.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Earn on Add-Ons, Not Just the Base Fare<\/h3>\n<p>IndiGo BluChip credits points on eligible add-ons including seat selection, excess baggage, and fast-track services \u2014 not just the base fare. If you are regularly buying these add-ons, they contribute to your points balance and tier qualification.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Use a Miles-Earning Credit Card for All Spending<\/h3>\n<p>This is the highest-leverage earning method for most Indian travellers. A premium credit card with air mile earning can accumulate more points from everyday spending \u2014 groceries, fuel, dining, utility bills \u2014 than from domestic flights alone. See the credit card section below.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Watch for Bonus Earning Promotions<\/h3>\n<p>All three domestic programs periodically run double or triple points promotions on select routes or booking windows. These are advertised through the loyalty program app and email newsletters. Timing a large booking to coincide with a bonus earn window can meaningfully accelerate tier progress.<\/p>\n<h2>When Is Redeeming Miles Actually Worth It?<\/h2>\n<p>This is the question most loyalty program guides avoid answering honestly. The answer varies significantly by what you are redeeming for.<\/p>\n<h3>High Value: Long-Haul International Business and First Class<\/h3>\n<p>The best redemption value from Indian travellers&#8217; miles comes from long-haul international premium cabin tickets. A Business Class ticket from Delhi to London or New York that retails for Rs 2\u20134 lakh can often be redeemed for 60,000\u2013100,000 Air India Flying Returns points or equivalent Star Alliance miles. At Rs 3 lakh ticket value \/ 80,000 miles, that works out to <strong>Rs 3.75 per point<\/strong> \u2014 far higher than any cash or domestic economy redemption.<\/p>\n<p>[PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: The best redemption we&#8217;ve seen from an Indian frequent flyer&#8217;s account: 80,000 Air India Flying Returns points for a Business Class round trip Delhi\u2013Frankfurt, representing a market value of approximately Rs 2.8 lakh \u2014 or Rs 3.50 per point redeemed. The same points used for domestic economy redemptions would yield approximately Rs 0.80\u20131 per point.]<\/p>\n<h3>Moderate Value: International Economy and Short-Haul Business<\/h3>\n<p>Redeeming miles for international economy class or short-haul Business Class (e.g., Delhi\u2013Dubai Business) yields moderate value \u2014 typically Rs 1.50\u20132.50 per point. Worth doing if you have excess miles nearing expiry, but not the optimal strategy for building toward.<\/p>\n<h3>Lower Value: Domestic Economy Redemptions<\/h3>\n<p>Redeeming Air India Flying Returns points for domestic economy flights in India typically yields Rs 0.50\u20131 per point. IndiGo BluChip&#8217;s 1:1 redemption (1 BluChip = Rs 1) is actually better than most domestic economy redemption rates on other programs. Use BluChips freely for domestic IndiGo flights \u2014 but if you have Flying Returns or KrisFlyer miles, save them for international premium cabin redemptions.<\/p>\n<p>[CHART: Bar chart \u2014 Miles redemption value per rupee by use case: Domestic economy \/ International economy \/ International Business Class \/ International First Class \u2014 Source: HappyFares analysis, Q1 2026]<\/p>\n<h2>Credit Cards That Earn Air Miles on Indian Spending<\/h2>\n<p>The fastest way to build a miles balance without flying more is through the right credit card. Here are the main categories available to Indian cardholders in 2026.<\/p>\n<h3>Co-Branded Airline Cards<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Credit Card<\/strong> \u2014 earns up to 2.5 Skywards Miles per Rs 100 on eligible spends. Select variants include built-in Silver status, which extends miles validity and unlocks lounge access.<\/li>\n<li><strong>KrisFlyer SBI Card<\/strong> \u2014 earns 5 KrisFlyer Miles per Rs 200 spent. Joining bonus of 3,000 miles. Best for Indian travellers who fly Singapore Airlines or want to build toward an SQ Business Class redemption.<\/li>\n<li><strong>IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Card<\/strong> \u2014 earns Avios redeemable across Qatar Airways and British Airways. Useful for travellers routing through Doha or London.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Premium Multi-Airline Transfer Cards<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>HDFC Infinia<\/strong> \u2014 reward points transfer to Air India Flying Returns and multiple international programs. High earn rate on all spending categories. Widely regarded as one of India&#8217;s most versatile travel cards.<\/li>\n<li><strong>HDFC Diners Club Black<\/strong> \u2014 similar to Infinia with strong transfer partners. Accepted at fewer merchants but earns at a premium rate.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Axis Magnus<\/strong> \u2014 strong earn rate with flexible transfer options to multiple airline and hotel partners. Popular with frequent flyers who split travel across airlines.<\/li>\n<li><strong>SBI Card Prime and Elite variants<\/strong> \u2014 reward points convert to KrisFlyer miles at programme-specific ratios. A practical option for existing SBI Card holders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Whichever card you use, the points stack with airline miles. When you book a flight on <a href=\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">happyfares.in<\/a> using a miles-earning credit card, you earn credit card reward points on the transaction and airline loyalty miles on the flight \u2014 both simultaneously, from the same rupee spent.<\/p>\n<p>[INTERNAL-LINK: best credit cards for flight booking in India \u2192 best-credit-cards-flight-booking-2026]<\/p>\n<h2>How Loyalty Programs Work When You Book Through HappyFares<\/h2>\n<p>A common concern: do you earn miles when booking through an online platform rather than directly with the airline?<\/p>\n<p>Yes. Here is exactly how it works when you book on <a href=\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">happyfares.in<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Search for your flight and select a fare on <a href=\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">happyfares.in<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>On the passenger details page, enter your frequent flyer membership number in the designated field.<\/li>\n<li>Complete the booking \u2014 your loyalty number is passed to the airline along with the booking details.<\/li>\n<li>After the flight, the airline credits miles or points to your loyalty account \u2014 typically within 24\u201372 hours \u2014 based on your fare class, route, and membership tier.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This process works identically for IndiGo BluChip, Air India Flying Returns, SpiceClub, Emirates Skywards, and KrisFlyer. Booking through HappyFares has no negative impact on your mileage earning or tier qualification.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What happened to Club Vistara&#8217;s frequent flyer program?<\/h3>\n<p>Club Vistara merged into Air India&#8217;s Flying Returns program in late 2024 following the Vistara\u2013Air India merger. CV Points were converted to Flying Returns reward points at a fixed rate, and elite tier status was migrated. There is no separate Club Vistara program in 2026. Former Vistara members who have not yet migrated should contact Air India&#8217;s Flying Returns helpline.<\/p>\n<h3>Which is the best frequent flyer program in India for domestic flyers?<\/h3>\n<p>IndiGo BluChip offers the highest domestic earn rate \u2014 up to 16 BluChips per Rs 100 at the top tier, with a direct 1 BluChip = Rs 1 redemption value and no blackout dates. Air India Flying Returns is the better choice if you also fly internationally, offering Star Alliance access across 26 partner airlines and meaningful value on long-haul premium cabin redemptions.<\/p>\n<h3>When is redeeming miles for flights worth it in India?<\/h3>\n<p>Miles deliver the best per-rupee value when redeemed for long-haul international Business or First Class tickets \u2014 typically Rs 3\u20135 per point at current market rates. Redeeming for domestic economy gives far lower value, usually Rs 0.50\u20131 per point. Build your miles balance and redeem strategically for aspirational premium cabin travel rather than routine domestic flights.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I earn frequent flyer miles when booking through HappyFares?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Enter your frequent flyer number on the passenger details page at <a href=\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">happyfares.in<\/a>. The airline credits miles to your account based on fare class and membership tier \u2014 exactly as they would on a direct booking. This applies to IndiGo BluChip, Air India Flying Returns, SpiceClub, and major international programs.<\/p>\n<h3>Which credit cards in India earn the most airline miles?<\/h3>\n<p>For Air India Flying Returns and general flexibility: HDFC Infinia and Diners Club Black offer transferable points across multiple programs. For Emirates Skywards: the Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank card earns up to 2.5 miles per Rs 100. For Singapore KrisFlyer: the KrisFlyer SBI Card earns 5 miles per Rs 200. Choose based on which airline you fly most often.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<div style=\"background:#fff3e0;border-left:5px solid #ff9800;padding:18px 22px;border-radius:8px;margin-top:32px;\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:0;\">Book on HappyFares<\/h3>\n<p>Enter your frequent flyer number at checkout and earn miles on every booking \u2014 IndiGo BluChip, Air India Flying Returns, SpiceClub, and all major international programs.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/happyfares.in\" style=\"color:#e65100;font-weight:bold;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Search flights \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Looking for cheap flights?<\/strong> Compare and book on HappyFares \u2014 zero convenience fee:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.happyfares.in\/flights\/delhi-to-dubai-cheap-airtickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Delhi to Dubai flights<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.happyfares.in\/flights\/mumbai-to-dubai-cheap-airtickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mumbai to Dubai flights<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.happyfares.in\/flights\/bangalore-to-dubai-cheap-airtickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangalore to Dubai flights<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.happyfares.in\/flights\/chennai-to-dubai-cheap-airtickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chennai to Dubai flights<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Frequent Flyer Programs India 2026: Miles, Points &#038; Upgrades Indian airlines collectively carried over 152 million domestic passengers in 2024\u201325, according to DGCA traffic data \u2014 and every one of those flights is an opportunity to earn loyalty points that could pay for future travel. ([DGCA Monthly Traffic Statistics](https:\/\/www.dgca.gov.in), 2025) Yet surveys consistently show fewer [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[139,1413,1416,1415,1412,138,1417,140,1414],"class_list":["post-3494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-airline-reviews","tag-air-india-flying-returns","tag-airline-miles-india","tag-club-vistara-merged","tag-credit-card-airline-miles-india","tag-frequent-flyer-programs-india","tag-indigo-bluchip","tag-loyalty-program-comparison","tag-spiceclub","tag-travel-rewards-india"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"HappyFares Travel Desk","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/author\/shantitravelogy-in\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Frequent Flyer Programs India 2026: Miles, Points &#038; Upgrades Indian airlines collectively carried over 152 million domestic passengers in 2024\u201325, according to DGCA traffic data \u2014 and every one of those flights is an opportunity to earn loyalty points that could pay for future travel. ([DGCA Monthly Traffic Statistics](https:\/\/www.dgca.gov.in), 2025) Yet surveys consistently show fewer&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3494"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3632,"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3494\/revisions\/3632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.happyfares.in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}