Air India and Standard Chartered have announced a 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, will target eligible affluent clients in Singapore and the UAE.
Under the arrangement, eligible Standard Chartered clients will receive Air India Maharaja Club Gold or Silver status. The partnership aims to provide premium travel benefits alongside financial services for Global Indians with international lifestyles and wealth management needs.
Maharaja Club status brings premium travel benefits
Eligible Standard Chartered clients in Singapore and the UAE will receive Maharaja Club Gold or Silver status, depending on the applicable programme provisions.
Maharaja Club benefits include additional baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding, airport lounge access, upgrade vouchers and bonus Maharaja Points. The benefits vary by membership tier and are subject to programme terms and conditions.
Gold members also receive Star Alliance Gold status. This provides access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, priority airport services and additional baggage benefits.
The status also offers recognition across the 25 other airlines in the Star Alliance network, extending eligible travel privileges beyond Air India-operated flights.
Standard Chartered to offer cross-border wealth services
The partnership will also provide eligible Air India customers who bank with Standard Chartered in Singapore or the UAE with dedicated relationship management support.
Clients will receive market outlook insights from the bank’s Chief Investment Office, invitations to exclusive thought leadership events and tailored wealth solutions. These services are designed to address the financial needs of customers managing their lives and assets across multiple markets.
Rajesh Kannan, Head of Wealth and Retail Banking, UAE and Jersey, and Head of Global Indian Clients at Standard Chartered, said the partnership combines the two brands’ international networks to support affluent customers.
He said the proposition would offer multi-market travel benefits while addressing clients’ broader lifestyle, business and wealth management requirements.
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Air India, said the partnership would expand Maharaja Club’s reach across key international markets.
He added that the arrangement would give customers access to premium membership status, enhanced travel benefits and global recognition as the airline continues its transformation.
Maharaja Club expands its international reach
Air India redesigned Maharaja Club in 2024, introducing a simplified structure, renamed tiers and updated programme features. The airline said the programme has added millions of members since the redesign.
Members can earn and redeem Maharaja Points on Air India and Air India Express flights serving 104 destinations across North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The programme also extends to flights operated by 25 other Star Alliance member airlines.
In addition, partnerships with more than 100 brands across hospitality, retail, lifestyle and financial services allow members to earn Maharaja Points through travel and everyday spending.
The Standard Chartered partnership adds another financial services relationship to Maharaja Club’s partner network, linking airline loyalty benefits with international banking and wealth management services for eligible customers.
