I have not been able to follow-up effectively and apologize to FTers for that. Someday, I will get a chance to post my archives here (from the various loose notes, spreadsheets and links I have archived).
Award travel to India has changed a lot. There is long thread on Buzz regarding OW awards.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/009294.html
The following is a US west coast centric summary. US East COast is actually easier to get much better deals (work with reputable TAs in NYC, CHI or DTT).
The toughest challenge is during peak time (Dec-Feb and mid-June-early Sep). Other times, 1stair.net gives you a good idea of the biz class fares about $3K-$4K RT in business class. Travel agents can get you fares from $1700 (China Airlines, etc.) to $3000 (most airlines) in business class.
Here are some promotions that specialists in India travel are/were offering during Nov/Dec 2003:
Lufthansa: Business class seats for about $4K adult price and get a confirmed upgrade to First Class. LH has biz fares from various cities to MAA or select gateways in India for $3.5K-$4K. LH has many unpublished promotions with TAs. LH is flying 28 flts a week to India in Jan-Feb 04 and is very aggressive in filling its seats using TAs.
TG: LAX-MAA in business class for $2,800 for adult. This is again a special fare available only through TAs. They also offer similar fare to DEL (didn't check BOM, CCU). They will be offering direct flts to BLR in 2004.
AA/BA: In conjunction with the now expired business class fare sales to Europe (AA offered $900-$1100 in business I class to Europe from many gateways for travel JDec23-Dec 30 returning by Jan 2). BA offered OK fares from LHR-India. AA code shares to BKK and you can get others from there. Business class via Pacific is much easier to interline as most Pacific based carriers service biz pax fairly well during reservations and ground services.
NW/KLM: They had a 2 for 1 to Europe for trips between Dec 23-Jan2 which some TAs were combining with onward travel to India for reasonable fares. They do offer promos with TAs but these seem hard to find (NW upgraded $2300 RT Y fare to BF at the time of booking through some TAs).
DL/AF: AF had a lot of business class specials to India in 2003. DL worked with some of them. I don't fly them much so I can't recall the details.
VS: They increased frequency to 3 times a week during part of Jan/Feb 2004 from LON (they use AI's rights). One of the few airlines you can redeem awards using AMEX rewards.
Most Airlines: Offer great fares to BKK. BKK-India used to be very limited availability in the past (TG, IA/AI, CX) but now there is significantly improved availability (BKK direct or via SIN, KUL, etc.). You can get many RT fares to India in the $2300-$3000 during peak time and about $500 less during non-peak travel. ANA, UA, JAL, etc.
AC: AC now has a non-stop polar route flt YYZ-DEL. They have not been discounting J much through the TAs I work with, but I will checkout when I am in Toronto next qtr. It is very convenient for those going to DEL.
AI: Has 2 for 1 deals in F/J but it is based on IATA fares which is high. The discounted fare offered by TAs is not really a steal ($3K-$4K for Biz) but with the introduction of improved seating, new aircraft, 24-hr call center, some of the FTers have been pleased with this option. They fly from ORD, JFK, EWR and plan to start to west coast in 2004. They code share with SQ and MH out of LAX and dump low fare biz class if the load factor is low (I saw one for $2200 RT LAX-BLR on MH codeshare during non-peak months).
SQ: The published fares are among the highest (almost the same as US, European carriers). They do offer specials but very targeted. 1stair.net is one decent source. Many TAs have access during off peak time though peak time they quote high rates.
CMB Routing: India has significantly opened up the CMB-India route. You find great RTW fares from CMB and great OW biz pricing West Coast-BKK-CMB. CMB connectivity to most Indian metros should grow high double digits in 2004 and later. I find no problems getting J/D seats from CMB at decent rates (I usually fly to BLR or MAA For $300 RT). CX has decent availabilty on BKK-CMB in J/D.
2nd tier carriers: China Airlines, Eva Air, etc. have great promotions through agents. CI had low cost upgrades from coach for several quarters in 2003 and have similar promotions through TAs. I have posted elsewhere that I consider CI business pretty much enhanced economy. TPE-DEL is better as it is usually empty (there were 4 of us in a fairly busy season once while the coach is practically FULL). Eva is a little better in business but definitely not comparable to CX, SQ or even MH. I have not checked out Aerofloat, etc that do offer a lot of deals and one stop connectivity to North America (772/767 craft).
AMEX 2-for-1 Platinum is a good deal if you route through BKK (for example ANA offers $4300 RT for 2 to BKK and you can get BKK to India on TG for about $600 RT discounted).
None of these are available through Travelocity/Expedia/Orbitz but only through any seasoned travel agent specializing in India. Some of the TAs I have mentioned in other posts are Pan Air Travels (310-915-0088) in LA area, Future Travels (Suraj 630 424 1060 EXT 104) in Detroit Area, International Travels (or some such variation) in the LA area. I look for at least 8 to 10 years in business, no BBB complaints as a minimum or a strong personal reference.
There seems to be a revival of business class travel to India both from the corporate side and leisure side. I find biz class in India very full on a variety of airlines but with some of the ideas mentioned above have always been able to get something even with a short notice.
[This message has been edited by enjoystravel (edited Dec 11, 2003).]