Feb 6, 2015, 12:35 am
Last edit by: GuyFromBOM
AI-FR FAQs
Flight Ops
AI - Web Check-In
Baggage Info
Air India - Flying Returns FFP
FFP - Earning
FFP - Redemption
Contact Details
Membership Kit Related
Flight Ops
- All Air India flights in the range AI10 - AI399 and AI900 - AI999 operate from International terminals.
- At BOM - CSIA, all Air India flights (domestic and international) operate from International Terminal : T2 - with effect from October 1, 2015
- At AMD - Ahmedabad SVP Airport, all Air India flights operate from International Terminal : T2- including flight AI614.
- Check-in desks close 45 minutes before STD (Domestic flights)
- Check-in desks close 60 minutes before STD (Domestic flights operating from International Terminal) (For International flights refer to the copy of eticket)
- AirIndia Express is the LCC subsidary of AI (all Y seating) and doesn't have FFP concept in their systems.
- All flights operating under 9I-xxxx series or AI 9xxx are operated by AirIndia Regional (aka Alliance Air - subsidary of AI). FFP benefits: Mileage Earning Only- NO REDEMPTION.
AI - Web Check-In
- Web Check-In facility is available for most AI operated flights (except flights operated by 9I) from 48 hours prior to departure.
- Web Check-In on Mobile
Baggage Info
- AI-FR members get excess baggage allowance of 10kgs (Silver Club), 20kgs (Gold & Maharaja Club) OR 1 piece (upto 23kgs / 50lbs) for Silver, Gold & Maharaja Club members.
- StarAlliance Gold members flying on AI flights, get excess baggage allowance of 20kgs OR 1 piece (upto 23kgs / 50lbs).
- AI Baggage Allowance
Air India - Flying Returns FFP
FFP - Earning
- Earning AI-FR miles on AI flights
- Earning AI-FR miles on StarAlliance partner flights
- Earning AI-FR miles on Code-share flights operated on behalf of AI
FFP - Redemption
- Redeeming AI-FR miles for AI flights / upgrade (Redemption on AI flights can be processed online)
- Redeeming AI-FR miles for StarAlliance Awards / StarAlliance Upgrade Awards (Currently only processed at the AI City Offices)
- AI-FR miles CANNOT BE REDEEMED on Codeshare flights
- Award Request Form
- Upgrade Request Form
Contact Details
- AI Helpdesk - India
- AI Helpdesk - International locations
- For issues related to Flying Returns account: Helpline Numbers - 011-24624074, 011-24624075
- One of the easiest way to contact AI is using chat option from the AirIndia website. They are usually available 24x7. Next best option would be the AI team on Twitter
Membership Kit Related
- Contact the Membership Kit dispatch team on +91 (0)22 61342252 (Monday to Friday between 10:00 to 17:00) or send an email to: [email protected]
AirIndia - FlyingReturns
Feb 15, 2017 | 10:13 pm
#241
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 94
I know I'm probably out of luck here but nevertheless thought I would ask if anyone has had any success in a similar situation with AI.
I'm planning my family's annual holiday and am looking for 4 seats in business class for myself, hubby & our 2 kids from pretty much any destination in Europe back to DEL. I've checked every destination AI flies to but am only getting a maximum of 2 seats against redemption in business class.
The flights are of course mostly empty right now since I am planning 10 months out in advance but as I said before, redemption is limited to 2 seats in business class.
Would appealing to anyone in AI lead to a possibility of them opening up 2 more seats? I know the call centres won't help but maybe someone has a contact at AI Flying Returns that I could reach out to. A few years ago I was in a similar situation & writing to management at 9W lead to them opening up 2 extra seats for me for a DEL-HKG sector.
Ever since they implemented the new Star Alliance redemption rates it's no longer possible for me to use AI miles to book on another carrier since it costs too much. We have about 750,000 miles so that would just about cover 4 return India-Europe tickets.
Just a FYI, from DEL to either MXP, FCO & LHR I'm getting 4 seats, but not on the way back.
Fingers crossed that maybe Keyser or anyone else can help. Thanks in advance guys.
I'm planning my family's annual holiday and am looking for 4 seats in business class for myself, hubby & our 2 kids from pretty much any destination in Europe back to DEL. I've checked every destination AI flies to but am only getting a maximum of 2 seats against redemption in business class.
The flights are of course mostly empty right now since I am planning 10 months out in advance but as I said before, redemption is limited to 2 seats in business class.
Would appealing to anyone in AI lead to a possibility of them opening up 2 more seats? I know the call centres won't help but maybe someone has a contact at AI Flying Returns that I could reach out to. A few years ago I was in a similar situation & writing to management at 9W lead to them opening up 2 extra seats for me for a DEL-HKG sector.
Ever since they implemented the new Star Alliance redemption rates it's no longer possible for me to use AI miles to book on another carrier since it costs too much. We have about 750,000 miles so that would just about cover 4 return India-Europe tickets.
Just a FYI, from DEL to either MXP, FCO & LHR I'm getting 4 seats, but not on the way back.
Fingers crossed that maybe Keyser or anyone else can help. Thanks in advance guys.
Feb 16, 2017 | 12:53 am
#242
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,705
thanks for the vote of confidence but unfortunately i no longer have any contacts with flying returns....i know some people at ai but they don't seem to want to interfere with the workings of the flying returns program....but there are a few regulars here who know some people or have been in contact with some of the decision makers of the flying returns team....perhaps they can help....
Feb 20, 2017 | 12:32 pm
#243
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Chennai
Programs: Aeroplan, Marriott LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 220
This is crazy
Alas, Santa brings bad news for AI-FR !
Their aesthetically pleasing new Star Alliance award chart is now confirmed. The changes take place from tomorrow, 23rd December 2016.
Here's their old chart valid till midnight, 22nd December 2016: http://flyingreturns.co.in/images/do...ward_chart.pdf
And here's the new one. valid from 23rd December 2016 onwards: http://www.flyingreturns.co.in/image...pdated_SAC.pdf
Salient Summary of Enhancements-
- Every single redemption is costlier now, other than some intra-region short flights.
- India to North America: Y redemption goes from 55k one way to 100k one way. 81% increase.
- India to Europe: Y redemption goes from 32.5k one way to 90k one way. 177% increase.
- India to South Pacific: Y redemption goes from 42.5k one way to 90k one way. 146% increase.
- First Class redemptions were 250% of Economy in the earlier chart. Now they go up to 300%.
- No Date Changes allowed once award is booked, you have to cancel award and start new.
- If you cancel the award, you will forfeit 20% miles used for booking.
- Cancellations allowed only till 72 hours before the journey.
Now for the silver lining (!) :
- New chart allows for either 3 layovers, or 2 layovers + 1 stopover. This eliminates a huge frustrating nature of previous chart.
Previous chart only allowed for point-to-point ticketing. e.g. a BOM-FRA-EWR award used to cost BOM-FRA sector + FRA-EWR sector points. That's gone away now thankfully (hopefully?).
- No Fuel surcharge ! ^
However, they will collect INR 1000 per sector as ticketing fees.
- Intra-region short flights < 500 miles are cheaper across the board now. For Intra-USA, flights < 1000 miles also come out ahead in the new chart. In all other regions however, flights > 1000 miles go up.
I wished they might have implemented online booking of partner awards to at least counter their grossly incompetent agents, but I guess I will have to wait for next Christmas for that! I might have to ask myself why the AI-SBI card still loiters around in my wallet anymore.
Thoughts?
P.S.: Those who have a redemption coming and might now look at the old chart wistfully, you might want to move a bit quicker !!
Their aesthetically pleasing new Star Alliance award chart is now confirmed. The changes take place from tomorrow, 23rd December 2016.
Here's their old chart valid till midnight, 22nd December 2016: http://flyingreturns.co.in/images/do...ward_chart.pdf
And here's the new one. valid from 23rd December 2016 onwards: http://www.flyingreturns.co.in/image...pdated_SAC.pdf
Salient Summary of Enhancements-
- Every single redemption is costlier now, other than some intra-region short flights.
- India to North America: Y redemption goes from 55k one way to 100k one way. 81% increase.
- India to Europe: Y redemption goes from 32.5k one way to 90k one way. 177% increase.
- India to South Pacific: Y redemption goes from 42.5k one way to 90k one way. 146% increase.
- First Class redemptions were 250% of Economy in the earlier chart. Now they go up to 300%.
- No Date Changes allowed once award is booked, you have to cancel award and start new.
- If you cancel the award, you will forfeit 20% miles used for booking.
- Cancellations allowed only till 72 hours before the journey.
Now for the silver lining (!) :
- New chart allows for either 3 layovers, or 2 layovers + 1 stopover. This eliminates a huge frustrating nature of previous chart.
Previous chart only allowed for point-to-point ticketing. e.g. a BOM-FRA-EWR award used to cost BOM-FRA sector + FRA-EWR sector points. That's gone away now thankfully (hopefully?).
- No Fuel surcharge ! ^
However, they will collect INR 1000 per sector as ticketing fees.
- Intra-region short flights < 500 miles are cheaper across the board now. For Intra-USA, flights < 1000 miles also come out ahead in the new chart. In all other regions however, flights > 1000 miles go up.
I wished they might have implemented online booking of partner awards to at least counter their grossly incompetent agents, but I guess I will have to wait for next Christmas for that! I might have to ask myself why the AI-SBI card still loiters around in my wallet anymore.
Thoughts?
P.S.: Those who have a redemption coming and might now look at the old chart wistfully, you might want to move a bit quicker !!
I was just going through the reward redemption....these guys are really crazy. 100K one way to US/Canada is ridiculous. There is no easy way to earn as well unless you fly AI only and spend enormous amount of money in SBI card. I feel they don't give a damn about the customers. From Star Alliance perspective this may be good option for other airline members. Do people still collect AI miles...
Feb 21, 2017 | 1:57 am
#244
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 160
I was just going through the reward redemption....these guys are really crazy. 100K one way to US/Canada is ridiculous. There is no easy way to earn as well unless you fly AI only and spend enormous amount of money in SBI card. I feel they don't give a damn about the customers. From Star Alliance perspective this may be good option for other airline members. Do people still collect AI miles...
Feb 21, 2017 | 2:01 am
#245
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,705
there are still some decent redemption routes within north america & also within europe but redeeming on star alliance carriers from & to india makes no sense now....
Feb 23, 2017 | 9:18 pm
#246
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 94
I know I'm probably out of luck here but nevertheless thought I would ask if anyone has had any success in a similar situation with AI.
I'm planning my family's annual holiday and am looking for 4 seats in business class for myself, hubby & our 2 kids from pretty much any destination in Europe back to DEL. I've checked every destination AI flies to but am only getting a maximum of 2 seats against redemption in business class.
The flights are of course mostly empty right now since I am planning 10 months out in advance but as I said before, redemption is limited to 2 seats in business class.
Would appealing to anyone in AI lead to a possibility of them opening up 2 more seats? I know the call centres won't help but maybe someone has a contact at AI Flying Returns that I could reach out to. A few years ago I was in a similar situation & writing to management at 9W lead to them opening up 2 extra seats for me for a DEL-HKG sector.
Ever since they implemented the new Star Alliance redemption rates it's no longer possible for me to use AI miles to book on another carrier since it costs too much. We have about 750,000 miles so that would just about cover 4 return India-Europe tickets.
Just a FYI, from DEL to either MXP, FCO & LHR I'm getting 4 seats, but not on the way back.
Fingers crossed that maybe Keyser or anyone else can help. Thanks in advance guys.
I'm planning my family's annual holiday and am looking for 4 seats in business class for myself, hubby & our 2 kids from pretty much any destination in Europe back to DEL. I've checked every destination AI flies to but am only getting a maximum of 2 seats against redemption in business class.
The flights are of course mostly empty right now since I am planning 10 months out in advance but as I said before, redemption is limited to 2 seats in business class.
Would appealing to anyone in AI lead to a possibility of them opening up 2 more seats? I know the call centres won't help but maybe someone has a contact at AI Flying Returns that I could reach out to. A few years ago I was in a similar situation & writing to management at 9W lead to them opening up 2 extra seats for me for a DEL-HKG sector.
Ever since they implemented the new Star Alliance redemption rates it's no longer possible for me to use AI miles to book on another carrier since it costs too much. We have about 750,000 miles so that would just about cover 4 return India-Europe tickets.
Just a FYI, from DEL to either MXP, FCO & LHR I'm getting 4 seats, but not on the way back.
Fingers crossed that maybe Keyser or anyone else can help. Thanks in advance guys.
Feb 23, 2017 | 11:13 pm
#247
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: India
Programs: SkyTeam Elite Plus, Accor Gold
Posts: 953
I am in the same boat as Keyser, used to know a few ones at AI; but nobody wants to interfere in their FFP.
You can easily get their Chairman's email with a bit of searching, but I don't know how responsive he is.
You can easily get their Chairman's email with a bit of searching, but I don't know how responsive he is.
Feb 26, 2017 | 5:16 pm
#248
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Gold, AA Platinum, SQ Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,651
the only scenarios they will interfere in are:
1. A large long term revenue potential
2. Very close ties (even if someone here has ties and is willing to help, I don't think this is something where third party influence works)
i will I'll love to be proven wrong though.
Feb 27, 2017 | 3:28 am
#249
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,705
i am very sure OP can reach out to chairman but I will be extremely surprised if he (or anyone in management) will want to interfere in this.
the only scenarios they will interfere in are:
1. A large long term revenue potential
2. Very close ties (even if someone here has ties and is willing to help, I don't think this is something where third party influence works)
i will I'll love to be proven wrong though.
the only scenarios they will interfere in are:
1. A large long term revenue potential
2. Very close ties (even if someone here has ties and is willing to help, I don't think this is something where third party influence works)
i will I'll love to be proven wrong though.
back in the good old days when jet actually cared for their customers, i remember a number of occasions where i got jet to open up award space for an extra seat in first class on the del-jfk route....i was flying this route 5-6 times a year in paid first....a few times i wanted to take my wife along with me & even though there was no award space jet would ask me to book her ticket in premire & they would internally deduct the extra miles from my account to reissue the ticket in first class....
i would never expect flying returns to do the same thing....
Mar 6, 2017 | 12:34 pm
#250
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: NJ
Posts: 78
Mar 6, 2017 | 11:14 pm
#251
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,705
Mar 12, 2017 | 2:57 pm
#252
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 130
I have quite a few miles in my flying returns account but the account is currently in "Dormant" state. I called in to redeem a Star Alliance partner award and I was told that due to my account being in Dormant status, I cannot redeem any miles.
I tried to look into the T&C and only found this.
https://www.flyingreturns.co.in/html/terms.php
Would I be able to get around this issue? I am out of India and won't be able to take a revenue flight anytime soon...
I tried to look into the T&C and only found this.
https://www.flyingreturns.co.in/html/terms.php
2.15 If a member does not have at least one flight accrual transaction in his / her Flying Returns account in the preceding 12 months, as on the last day of any given month, then the account shall automatically become “Dormant”. If an FR account has been dormant for 2 years (24 consecutive months) then it will expire & Air India shall have the right to cancel / terminate the Member's membership.
Mar 12, 2017 | 11:07 pm
#253
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,705
i wonder if flying with a star alliance partner & crediting the miles to flying returns would take care of this problem????perhaps a call to confirm this would be the right start....
Mar 13, 2017 | 7:52 am
#254
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 130
Mar 29, 2017 | 12:59 am
#255
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Goa, India
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, QR/SQ/AI Gold
Posts: 1,523
I'm trying to book a LAX-SFO award ticket using AI miles but Flying Returns shows no availability even though United has saver awards available.
Should I try calling AI?
Should I try calling AI?