Union Bank–Air India Deal Lets Credit Cardholders Swap Points for Free Flights, Upgrades, and More

Union Bank of India has joined hands with Air India, allowing its credit card holders to convert their reward points to Maharaja Points, the airline's loyalty currency.

UBI credit card holders will now have the facility to convert their credit card reward points to Maharaj points and redeem them for flight tickets, seat upgrades, excess baggage and other benefits across Air India's domestic and international network.

How the Conversion Works
The value of Union Bank reward points depends on the type of credit card a customer holds. For example, holders of the Union Bank Platinum Credit Card, Union Bank SELECT RuPay Credit Card, and Union Bank Signature Credit Card can convert their points at a ratio of six to one. In simple terms, six Union Points equal one Maharaja Point.

The worth of a Maharaja Point is not fixed. It varies according to its utilisation. When redeemed for flight tickets or upgrades, the value generally falls between Rs.0.25 and Rs.1. This variation is linked to the price of tickets at the time of booking.

Step-by-Step Process
Customers who wish to convert their points must log in to the Union Rewardz portal, which is the online platform where Union Bank manages its reward system. After login, they have to enter their Maharaja Club ID, the membership number for Air India's loyalty programme, under the section called "Air Miles Redemption", and after entering the ID, customers need to specify how many Union Points they want to convert.

The converted Maharaja Points are then credited to the customer's Air India account within seven working days.

Rules and Restrictions
There are certain conditions attached to this conversion. Customers must have an active Maharaja Club ID before they can request the transfer. Both the Union Rewardz account and the Maharaja Club account must be active at the time of conversion.

Once a request is submitted, it cannot be cancelled or reverted to the Union Points. This makes it important for customers to check their details carefully before submitting the request.

Benefits for Travellers
The linking of credit card points with travel rewards enables the cardholders to have access to a range of benefits, such as discounted flight tickets on Air India's domestic and international network, seat upgrades to higher classes, priority check-in, and additional baggage allowance, making the travel smoother and more rewarding. As Union Bank of India said on its website, the partnership "lets people turn daily spending into flying benefits."

The UBI cardholders will be able to enrich their everyday purchases by converting their UBI points to Maharaj Points. This also facilitates planning trips, enjoying upgrades, and accessing travel privileges that go beyond the usual benefits of a credit card.