Have you recently taken flights with Air India, Star Alliance or Air Vistara but weren’t enrolled in their Maharaja Club loyalty program? Don’t worry – you haven’t lost those valuable miles! Through Air India’s Retro Claim process, you can claim miles from your past flights and boost your rewards balance. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about retroactive mileage claims with Air India.
What is an Air India Retro Claim?
A Retro Claim allows you to claim miles for flights you took before becoming a Maharaja Club member or flights where you forgot to add your membership number. This feature ensures you don’t miss out on earning miles from your previous travels with Air India, Vistara, or other Star Alliance partners.
Why Should You Make a Retro Claim?
Making a Retro Claim is crucial for maximizing your loyalty program benefits:
- Convert past travels into valuable miles
- Accumulate miles that can be redeemed for future travel rewards
- Claim miles from both Air India and partner airline flights
- Potentially earn status miles that count toward elite membership tiers
Related – Air India Maharaja Club points do expire
Time Limit for Retro Claims
It’s important to note that Retro Claims have a specific timeframe:
- Air India – You can claim miles for flights taken up to 365 days (12 months) prior to your claim date
- Air Vistara – Claims can be submitted within 180 days (6 months)
- Star Alliance – Depending on the airline, timeline differs
- 180 days – Air New Zealand, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Lot Polish Airlines, Singapore, South African
- 210 days – ANA (All Nippon Airways)
- 365 days – Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eva Air, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Swiss Air, Tap Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines
How to Submit a Air India Retro Claim
Let’s have a look at step by step process of claiming your past flights with Maharaja Club
Step 1: Create Your Maharaja Club Account
Before making a Retro Claim, ensure you have an active Air India Maharaja Club account. New members receive a welcome bonus of 1,000 miles upon joining – an extra incentive to start claiming your past miles!
Step 2: Gather Your Flight Information
You’ll need:
- Your ticket number (13-17 digits, found on your booking confirmation or ticket or digital boarding pass)
- Flight dates and route details
- Booking reference number (PNR)
Step 3: Submit Your Claim
- Log in to your Maharaja Club account
- Navigate to the Retro Claim page
- Enter your flight details and ticket number
- Submit the claim
- Look for the success message
Processing Time and Troubleshooting
Once you receive the success message, your miles should appear in your account within 5 minutes. If you don’t see that, there is a mismatch in either name, flight details. In this case, raise a customer support ticket and upload your boarding pass as a proof.
For new accounts, Air India also gives 1000 bonus points along with the claim submitted.
Related – Here is a guide to retro claim your Indigo Flights
Conclusion
Whether you’re a new Maharaja Club member or simply forgot to add your membership number to a recent flight, the Retro Claim system helps you maximize your rewards. Remember to claim within the 12-month window and keep your flight documentation handy for a smooth claiming process. Retro claiming for each family member is important since you can pool your miles.