Air India Maharaja Club Co-Branded Credit Cards Coming Soon – What We Know So Far

The Indian credit card market has seen multiple airline co-branded launches recently, with partnerships involving airlines such as IndiGo and Etihad. These cards are primarily targeted at frequent flyers who prefer earning airline-specific rewards rather than generic travel points.

IndiGo, currently India’s largest airline, already offers multiple co-branded credit cards in association with IDFC First Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and SBI Card. Similarly, Etihad has returned to the Indian market through BOBCARD with its Etihad Guest co-branded credit cards.

However, despite Air India’s scale and its ongoing transformation, there is currently a noticeable gap.

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Air India Maharaja Club Credit Cards Coming Soon

As of now, there are no new Air India co-branded credit cards open for application. Earlier Air India-linked cards were discontinued, and no replacement has been formally launched yet.

That said, discussions and industry rumours around new Air India co-branded credit cards have been ongoing for some time. While there has been speculation about a potential partnership with IDFC First Bank, Air India has not officially confirmed any issuing bank or card structure so far.

What has been confirmed is that Air India plans to introduce Maharaja Club co-branded credit cards as part of a broader loyalty programme enhancement.

Maharaja Club Loyalty Programme Set for Expansion

Air India has shared its roadmap to strengthen the Maharaja Club loyalty programme over the coming year. The focus is on improving both earning and redemption opportunities for members.

Key enhancements announced include:

• Redemption and accrual of Maharaja Points on flights operated by Air India Express
• Continued benefits such as member-only fares and no blackout dates on award redemptions
• Priority services and excess baggage allowances for eligible members
• Expansion of the partner ecosystem to increase the value of Maharaja Points
• Improved access to best-priced award flights

Air India has also clearly stated that the upcoming Maharaja Club co-branded credit cards will be central to creating more everyday earning opportunities, allowing members to earn points beyond just flying.

What Remains Unknown About Air India Credit Cards

Despite the confirmation that co-branded cards are coming, several critical details are still undisclosed.

Until Air India releases an official product announcement, these details remain speculative.

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Existing Club Vistara IDFC FIRST Cards Get Extension

In a separate update shared with cardholders, Air India has confirmed that Club Vistara IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards will continue to remain active until 30 September 2026.

During this extended validity period:

• Cardholders will continue to earn spend-based Maharaja Points on eligible transactions
• Existing card benefits related to regular spends will remain applicable

However, milestone-based ticket vouchers will not be issued for spends made during this extended phase. Following 30 September 2026, these cards will be closed as part of the final transition after the airline merger.

Bottom Line

While the Indian market has seen multiple airline co-branded credit card launches in recent years, Air India’s absence has been noticeable. That gap is expected to close in 2026 with the launch of Maharaja Club co-branded credit cards.

Although crucial details such as issuing partners, card features, and launch timelines are still under wraps, Air India’s public commitment to expanding the Maharaja Club programme strongly indicates that a refreshed credit card strategy is underway.

For now, travellers and frequent flyers will need to wait for an official announcement to understand exactly what the new Air India Maharaja Club credit cards will offer.