Air India Cut Its Award Prices: Delhi–Goa Now 5,000 Points
Air India's April 2026 overhaul cut many economy award prices: Delhi–Goa 9,000 → 5,000, Goa–Hyderabad 7,000 → 2,500. Which routes got cheaper, and the cards that feed Maharaja Club.
2 min read · Published 13 November 2026 · Checked
Short answer
Short answer: In April 2026 Air India cut many economy award prices. Domestic economy now starts at 1,500 points, and Southeast Asia and the Middle East from 12,000. The biggest drops were on routes like Delhi–Goa (9,000 → 5,000) and Goa–Hyderabad (7,000 → 2,500). Not every route got cheaper: Delhi–Srinagar and Mumbai–Kochi went up.
Old vs new prices (economy, one way)
| Route | Before | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goa (Mopa) → Hyderabad | 7,000 | 2,500 | −64% |
| Delhi → Goa | 9,000 | 5,000 | −44% |
| Mumbai → Rajkot | 5,000 | 3,000 | −40% |
| Delhi → Srinagar | 6,500 | 7,000 | +8% |
| Mumbai → Kochi | 4,500 | 5,500 | +22% |
| Delhi → Kuala Lumpur | 18,000 | 12,000 | −33% |
| Mumbai → Bangkok | 16,000 | 12,000 | −25% |
| Chennai → Singapore (business) | 42,000 | 50,000 | +19% |
Source: AwardWallet, April 2026. The lowest 1,500-point level isn't always available.
Is it a good deal? Do the maths
Value per point = (cash fare − taxes you still pay) ÷ points
Illustration: if Delhi–Goa costs ₹6,000 in cash and ₹500 in award taxes, 5,000 points saves ₹5,500, or ₹1.10 per point. Compare that with ₹0.40–₹0.60 for an IndiGo BluChip.
How to get Maharaja Club points
| Source | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Axis Atlas EDGE Miles | 1:2 | Moved to Group A in September 2026; Group A annual cap 30,000 EDGE Miles |
| HDFC Infinia / Diners Black | 2:1 | Each HDFC point becomes half a Maharaja point. Often worse than ₹1 on SmartBuy |
| Flying Air India | Earn on fares | Also Tata Neu partner spends |
| Taj / Tata Neu NeuCoins | ₹1 against Air India fares | A cash-like alternative to points |
Axis Atlas example: 2,500 EDGE Miles → 5,000 Maharaja points → Delhi–Goa one way.
Booking tips
- Search award seats on the Air India app or website before transferring points.
- Mid-week and off-peak dates are most likely to show the lowest prices.
- Use points on expensive short sectors, where cash fares are high for the distance.
FAQ
Did all Air India awards get cheaper? No. Many economy awards fell, but some routes rose, and Chennai–Singapore business went up.
What's the best card for Air India points? Axis Atlas, at 1:2 within its annual cap. HDFC's 2:1 halves your points.
Prices are from AwardWallet's April 2026 report and may have changed since. Checked 13 November 2026.
Sources: AwardWallet: Air India award chart changes · Air India: Maharaja Club enhancements · Magnify: Axis EDGE partners, Sept 2026 · CardAdvisor: HDFC transfers · CardGenius: NeuCoins
Written by
PerkNavigate Editorial Team
Figures checked on 13 November 2026. Point values change; confirm in the programme's own app before you transfer or redeem. Not financial advice (disclaimer).