In India, three airlines currently offer a loyalty programme, Air India, Vistara and SpiceJet. Air India’s frequent flyer programme, Flying Returns (Flyingreturns.co.in), allows you to earn benefits not just on Air India, but 27 other airlines that are members of the Star Alliance, including United, Thai and Singapore Airlines (Staralliance.com). The Air India programme is structured in such a manner that it only benefits long-haul frequent flyers. If you are a Star Alliance frequent flyer, however, you would do well to assess the programmes of other Star Alliance members and sign up for them if this works better for you. Though Oneworld is a smaller alliance than Star Alliance, the benefits—including top-tier members getting access to first class check-in counters and first class lounges—are better.

Source: Mint May 14, 2019 15:11 UTC