Air India and Standard Chartered have announced a strategic partnership to offer premium travel privileges and cross-border wealth management services to affluent Indian clients in Singapore and the UAE, combining the airline’s Maharaja Club loyalty programme with the bank’s international banking and wealth management capabilities.
Under the partnership, which is expected to become available in the coming weeks, eligible Standard Chartered clients will receive Air India’s Maharaja Club Gold or Silver status, providing access to enhanced travel benefits and privileges across international journeys.
Maharaja Club status offers premium benefits
Standard Chartered will offer eligible Affluent Global Indian clients in Singapore and the UAE Maharaja Club Gold or Silver membership, depending on the applicable eligibility criteria.
Benefits include additional baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding, airport lounge access, upgrade vouchers and bonus Maharaja Points, with privileges varying by membership tier.
Gold members also receive Star Alliance Gold status, providing access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, priority airport services and additional baggage benefits. The status also offers recognition across 25 other Star Alliance member airlines.
The benefits are aimed at customers whose travel, business and financial interests span multiple international markets.
Cross-border wealth management support
Beyond travel privileges, eligible Air India customers banking with Standard Chartered in Singapore or the UAE will receive dedicated relationship management support, investment outlook insights from the bank’s Chief Investment Office, invitations to exclusive thought leadership events and tailored wealth solutions.
The offering is designed to address the financial requirements of Global Indians managing wealth, business interests and personal commitments across borders.
Rajesh Kannan, Head of Wealth and Retail Banking, UAE & Jersey, and Head of Global Indian Clients, Standard Chartered, said the partnership combined two established brands to serve affluent customers whose lives and ambitions increasingly spanned international markets.
He said the proposition would combine Air India’s global network with Standard Chartered’s international banking and wealth management capabilities to provide multi-market travel benefits and support customers’ broader financial needs.
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said the partnership would help the airline deepen its engagement with the global Indian community and extend Maharaja Club across key international markets.
He said the collaboration would offer customers premium membership status, enhanced travel benefits and global recognition while complementing their international lifestyles through Standard Chartered’s cross-border banking services.
Maharaja Club expands its global reach
Air India redesigned its Maharaja Club loyalty programme in 2024, introducing a simplified structure, revised membership tiers and customer-focused features. The programme has since added millions of members.
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 covers 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-related and everyday spending.
The tie-up with Standard Chartered adds an international banking dimension to the loyalty programme, linking premium airline benefits with wealth management services for affluent customers in two key overseas markets