The Air India Club Vistara loyalty program has merged with Air India’s Maharaja Club, ending Vistara’s independent frequent flyer program. If you’ve been earning Club Vistara CV points, here’s everything you need to know about the transition, what happens to your rewards, and whether the new program delivers value.

Quick Reference Sheet

What is Air India Club Vistara Loyalty Program

The Air India Club Vistara loyalty program was Vistara Airlines’ reward scheme from 2015-2024. Members earned CV points on flights and through credit cards like SBI card and HDFC Vistara cards. The Vistara loyalty programme emphasized quality service with generous lounge access and upgrade benefits.When Tata Group merged Vistara into Air India, the club Vistara frequent flyer program integrated completely into Maharaja Club. This wasn’t a partnership but a full absorption. All Vistara tier points, Club Vistara reward points, and membership benefits transferred to the larger Air India system.

Related: Yatra eCash & Club Membership 2026 

Club Vistara Membership Tiers

Maharaja Club Equivalents: Your tier transferred directly (Silver→Silver, Gold→Gold, Platinum→Platinum), but benefit details changed. International options expanded while some domestic perks reduced.

What Happens To CV Points After Merger

Your Club Vistara points converted automatically at 1:1 ratio. If you had 40,000 CV points, you received 40,000 Maharaja Club miles. Points maintain their original expiration dates (typically 3 years from earning).You can no longer book Vistara-branded flights, but all former Vistara routes now operate as Air India flights. Your club Vistara CV points work on these routes plus Air India’s broader network and Star Alliance partners.

Note for 2026: If you earned CV points in early 2023, they may expire in 2026. Check your account urgently to avoid losing miles.

How to Earn Points Now

• On Flights: Earn miles on all Air India flights (including former Vistara routes). Rate: 1 mile per Rs. 1 in Economy, 1.5 in Premium Economy, 2 in Business.
• Credit Cards:
  SBI Air India Maharaja Club Card (formerly SBI Vistara): 2 miles per Rs.100 on Air India bookings.
  HDFC co-branded cards: Similar earning, check updated terms
• Star Alliance Partners: Earn on United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and 22+ other carriers—a major upgrade from the vistara frequent flyer membership. Other: Hotel partners (Taj, ITC), car rentals, and shopping portals.

How to Redeem Points

• Domestic Flights: Start at 5,000 miles for short routes (Delhi-Mumbai). Former Vistara routes bookable with Air India miles.
• International: Asia from 20,000 miles (economy), Europe from 50,000, USA from 60,000.
• Upgrades: Economy to Premium 8,000-15,000 miles, Premium to Business 20,000-35,000 miles.
• Example: 50,000 Club Vistara CV points (now miles) gets you:
• Round-trip Delhi-Bangkok economy (40,000 miles + taxes)
• One-way Business Delhi-Dubai (35,000 miles + taxes)
• Four domestic round-trips economy

Who Should Join Maharaja Club

Join if you:

• Fly Air India internationally or 6+ times yearly
• Travel premium cabins (better earning and redemption value)
• Hold SBI/HDFC co-branded cards
• Already participate in Star Alliance programs
• Transferred Club Vistara Gold or Platinum status

The Air India Club Vistara loyalty program merger benefits international travelers significantly through Star Alliance access.

Credit Card Transfer Guide

• SBI Vistara Card: Rebranded as SBI Air India Maharaja Club Card. Same earning rates, annual fee unchanged. CV points automatically converted.
• HDFC Vistara Cards: Now earn Maharaja Club miles. Important: Club Vistara Gold Silver membership getting discontinued on HDFC cards means complimentary tier status was removed. Lounge access reduced or removed depending on card variant.
• Strategy Shift: Consider cards transferring to Star Alliance partners (Singapore Airlines, United) for more flexibility than direct Maharaja Club earning. Credit Card Comparisons

Who Should Avoid

Skip if you:

• Fly domestic economy only 1-2 times yearly (miles expire before meaningful redemption)
• Exclusively book budget carriers
• Prioritize service quality over network size (Vistara’s service was superior)
• Relied on credit card complimentary status (now discontinued)
• Primarily fly Emirates, Qatar, or other non-Star Alliance airlines

Common Mistakes With CV Points

• Not verifying transfers: Log into Maharaja Club to confirm your balance matches old CV points.
• Letting points expire: Converted points keep original expiration dates. Check your account.
• Ignoring Star Alliance: The biggest merger advantage is booking Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Thai Airways with your miles.
• Assuming identical benefits: Your tier transferred but specific perks changed. Gold tier lounge access is now limited vs. unlimited before.
• Not updating credit cards: Ensure your card issuer has your new Maharaja Club number.

Comparison Club Vistara vs Maharaja Club

Verdict: Maharaja Club wins on network breadth. Club Vistara wins on domestic service and value. Choose based on your travel patterns.

Final Verdict

The Air India Club Vistara loyalty program merger trades Vistara’s boutique service for Air India’s expansive reach. For frequent international travelers, Star Alliance access justifies membership. Domestic-focused flyers may find the vistara frequent flyer programme’s old intimacy lost. As of 2026, over a year post-merger, Air India has stabilized the transition. Your Club Vistara points remain valuable.

The Vistara loyalty programme is gone, but for adaptable travelers, the evolution opens global doors that were previously closed.

FAQs

Q1. What is Air India Club Vistara Loyalty Program?
Ans- The Air India Club Vistara loyalty program was Vistara’s frequent flyer scheme that merged with Maharaja Club in November 2024, transferring all members and points.

Q2. Do my Club Vistara CV points expire after merger?
Ans- No, CV points converted to Maharaja Club miles at 1:1 and maintain original expiration dates (typically 3 years from earning).

Q3. Can I still use Club Vistara points for Vistara flights?
Ans- Vistara flights no longer exist. Use converted Maharaja Club miles on Air India flights operating the same routes.

Q4. What happened to my Club Vistara Gold membership benefits?
Ans- Gold status transferred to Maharaja Club Gold with expanded international network but reduced domestic lounge access from unlimited to limited locations.

Q5. Which credit cards earn Maharaja Club miles now?
Ans- SBI Air India Maharaja Club Card and HDFC Air India co-branded cards replaced their Vistara equivalents with similar earning rates.

Q6. Is Vistara frequent flyer program better than Maharaja Club?
Ans- Club Vistara offered superior service and redemption value. Maharaja Club provides wider network and Star Alliance access. Neither is universally better.

Q7. How do I access my transferred Vistara tier points?
Ans– Log into airindia.com/maharaja-club using your old Club Vistara credentials to access your automatically transferred account.

Q8. Can I earn miles on Star Alliance partners?
Ans- Yes, earn and redeem Maharaja Club miles on all 26 Star Alliance carriers including Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and United.