Originally Posted by PiperAtGatesofDawn

Here are my suggestions / things to consider:
1. Booking dates - You're booking flights on a Friday and a Sunday. Those are really bad days to travel because that's when people are finishing or starting their business trips. Hence ticket prices will be higher on those days. See if you can play around with those dates a little bit. Traveling on a Saturday afternoon or a Tues/Wed is usually a cheaper option

2. If you change your flight dates does AI awards availability open up? Check for awards availability from BOM as well not just HYD. Worst case you can buy rev tix to BOM.

3. How many miles are you short on 9W. If it isn't too much you can look at purchasing miles from Jet. It's expensive to purchase miles from any airlines. So do it only if you need a small quantity of miles (and also depending on how you value your miles vs. spending Rs. 1.7L)