Air India and Standard Chartered have teamed up to hand out airline elite status to some of the bank's wealthier clients. The two companies announced the deal on October 21, 2026. Air India calls it a first-of-its-kind partnership, and it is set to launch in the coming weeks.
The offer is narrow. It is aimed at what the two companies call Affluent Global Indian clients of Standard Chartered in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. But it is a sign of how airlines are using status as a perk for banking customers.
What clients get
Standard Chartered will offer Air India Maharaja Club Gold or Silver status to eligible clients in those two markets. The release does not say how clients qualify for each tier, or how long the status lasts.
According to Air India, Maharaja Club status brings perks such as:
- Extra baggage allowance
- Priority check-in and boarding
- Airport lounge access
- Upgrade vouchers
- Bonus Maharaja Points
The perks grow from Silver to Gold. Air India says benefits on eligible Air India journeys can also include free seat selection and fee waivers.
Why Gold matters most
The real prize is Gold. Maharaja Club Gold members also get Star Alliance Gold status, according to the release.
Star Alliance Gold is recognized across 25 other Star Alliance airlines in addition to Air India. Air India says it gives access to more than 1,000 airport lounges around the world, along with priority airport services and extra baggage. For a frequent flyer, that kind of status can be worth more than many card perks.
Banking perks, too
The deal is not only about travel. Air India customers who bank with Standard Chartered in the UAE or Singapore and meet its criteria also get:
- Dedicated relationship management
- Market outlook insights from the bank's Chief Investment Office
- Invitations to thought leadership events
- Wealth solutions built for cross-border needs
What the companies said
Rajesh Kannan, head of Global Indian Clients at Standard Chartered, said the partnership is "delivering exclusive multi-market travel benefits to our affluent clients while supporting their broader global lifestyle, business and wealth management needs."
Nipun Aggarwal, chief commercial officer at Air India, said: "This partnership with Standard Chartered enables us to expand Maharaja Club across key international markets, offering customers immediate access to premium status, enhanced travel benefits and global recognition."
About Maharaja Club
Maharaja Club is Air India's loyalty program. It was redesigned in 2024 with renamed tiers and a new look, and Air India says it has added millions of members since then.
Members can earn and redeem Maharaja Points on Air India and Air India Express flights to and from 104 destinations. Points also work on 25 other Star Alliance airlines. Air India says the program has more than 100 other partners in areas such as hotels, retail and financial services.
What it means for points fans
Most U.S. readers won't qualify, since the offer is limited to certain Standard Chartered clients in Singapore and the UAE. Still, the deal is worth watching as another example of a bank offering airline status as a perk.
If you already hold Star Alliance Gold through another program, the extra value is small. If you don't, a status gift like this can be a valuable perk.
Sources
Photo: S5A-0043 on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
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