Air India and Standard Chartered have announced a strategic partnership combining the airline’s Maharaja Club loyalty programme with the bank’s international banking and cross-border wealth management capabilities. The proposition, expected to become available in the coming weeks, is designed to address the travel, lifestyle and financial needs of affluent Indian customers with international connections.
Air India Maharaja Club Status for Eligible Clients
Under the partnership, Standard Chartered will offer Air India Maharaja Club Gold or Silver status to eligible Affluent Global Indian clients in Singapore and the UAE.
Maharaja Club membership provides travel benefits, including additional baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding, airport lounge access, upgrade vouchers and bonus Maharaja Points. Benefits vary according to the membership tier.
Gold members also receive benefits on eligible Air India journeys and Star Alliance Gold status, providing access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, priority airport services and additional baggage benefits. Members also receive recognition across 25 other Star Alliance member airlines, in addition to Air India.
Standard Chartered Offers Cross-Border Wealth Solutions
Eligible Air India customers who bank with Standard Chartered in the UAE or Singapore will have access to dedicated relationship management support, market outlook insights from the bank’s Chief Investment Office, invitations to exclusive thought leadership events and tailored wealth solutions designed to address their cross-border financial requirements.
Rajesh Kannan, Head, Wealth and Retail Banking, UAE & Jersey, and Head, Global Indian Clients, Standard Chartered, said,
“This partnership brings together two trusted heritage brands to create a distinctive proposition for Global Indians, whose lives, business and ambitions increasingly span borders. By combining Air India’s expanding global footprint with Standard Chartered’s international network and wealth capabilities, we are delivering exclusive multi-market travel benefits to our affluent clients while supporting their broader global lifestyle, business and wealth management needs.”
Air India Expands Maharaja Club’s International Reach
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said,
“As Air India continues its transformation into a world-class global airline, we are focused on deepening our engagement with the global Indian community. This partnership with Standard Chartered enables us to expand Maharaja Club across key international markets, offering customers immediate access to premium status, enhanced travel benefits and global recognition. Combined with Standard Chartered’s cross-border banking and wealth management expertise, the proposition supports the increasingly international lifestyles of our customers while strengthening their connection with Air India.”
Maharaja Club Expands Loyalty Benefits and Partnerships
Redesigned in 2024 with a simplified structure, customer-focused features, renamed tiers and an updated identity, Maharaja Club has added millions of members since its relaunch.
Members can earn and redeem Maharaja Points on Air India and Air India Express flights serving 104 destinations across North America, Europe, including the UK, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The programme also extends these opportunities across 25 other Star Alliance member airlines.
In addition, Maharaja Club has partnerships with more than 100 brands across hospitality, retail, lifestyle and financial services, enabling members to earn Maharaja Points through a broader range of travel and everyday spending.
Eligible Air India journeys offer additional benefits, including complimentary seat selection, applicable fee waivers, extra baggage allowance, lounge access, priority airport services, upgrade vouchers and bonus Maharaja Points, subject to the programme’s terms and conditions.
