Free Luxury Travel

​Ever since the Tata Group took the reins and merged Club Vistara with Flying Returns to create the all-new Air India Maharaja Club, frequent flyers have been eagerly waiting to see how the airline elevates its premium tier experience. ​The wait is officially over. Today, my physical Air India Maharaja Club Gold welcome kit finally landed on my doorstep. ​If you are a frequent flyer chasing elite airline status in India, you are probably wondering: What does the new physical kit look like in person? And more importantly, are the Maharaja Club Gold benefits actually worth the loyalty hustle? ​Let’s dive into a detailed unboxing, review the newly upgraded 2026 program benefits, and break down exactly what this status means for your next luxury travel journey. ​ Unboxing the New Air India Maharaja Club Gold Kit ​Air India has completely overhauled its design language, leaning heavily into a premium aesthetic that beautifully balances modern luxury with vintage aviation nostalg...

 ​Planning a trip to Central Asia? If you are looking for the best places to stay in Tashkent, you have likely run across the Courtyard by Marriott Tashkent. During my recent journey to Uzbekistan’s iconic capital city, I spent 5 nights at this modern property. ​By utilizing my Marriott Bonvoy points and leveraging my Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, this stay turned into an absolute masterclass in travel hacking and award travel value. Here is my comprehensive, honest review of the property, from the elite perks to the overall guest experience. The Power of Points: Award Booking and Gold Elite Perks ​When booking a hotel in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, finding the perfect balance between location, comfort, and point redemption value is key. I booked my 5-night stay entirely with Marriott Bonvoy points, which is a fantastic way to keep out-of-pocket costs low while exploring emerging destinations along the Silk Road. ​Upon arrival, my Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status paid o...

 My trip to Tashkent in March 2026 was one of the most exciting international trips I had planned in recent times. Uzbekistan had been on my bucket list for a long time because of its beautiful Silk Road cities, affordable luxury hotels, stunning metro stations, and rich history. While searching for flights from Mumbai to Tashkent on Skyscanner, I noticed that there were only limited direct flight options available between India and Uzbekistan. The main airlines operating on this route were IndiGo, Air India and Uzbekistan Airways. After comparing prices and schedules, I decided to fly with Uzbekistan Airways in economy class for my one-week Uzbekistan trip. Why I Chose Uzbekistan Airways for My Uzbekistan Trip Initially, I found the flight on Skyscanner, but instead of booking through a third-party website, I booked directly through the official uzairways.com⁠� because I own an Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card which gives 5X reward points on airline website bookings. Booking through Sk...

 After spending an incredible 3 nights in Colombo, it was finally time to head back to India. My return flight from Colombo to Mumbai was booked on SriLankan Airlines⁠� using Qatar Privilege Club Avios points, making this another amazing luxury budget travel experience using points and miles. I checked out from Courtyard by Marriott Colombo and headed towards Bandaranaike International Airport using the airport bus from Colombo Bus Stand. If you are looking for the cheapest and most economical way to reach Colombo Airport from Colombo city, the airport bus is honestly a fantastic option for budget travellers and backpackers visiting Sri Lanka. Since my flight was scheduled in the early evening and I was travelling using public transport, I decided to leave early to avoid any last-minute issues. I reached the airport well ahead of time expecting to relax and explore the lounges at Colombo Airport. However, this time my experience with SriLankan Airlines was slightly mixed compared ...

 One of the absolute highlights of my Sri Lanka trip was my luxurious 1-night stay at ITC Ratnadipa Colombo — the first international property by ITC Hotels outside India. What makes this stay even more special? I booked it completely free using points as a Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite member, making it an incredible luxury redemption experience. If you're planning a Sri Lanka trip and wondering whether ITC Ratnadipa is worth it — this detailed review covers everything from booking, check-in experience, rooms, dining, and overall value. Booking ITC Ratnadipa Colombo Using Points As a Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, I redeemed my points for this stay. Typically, bookings made on points do not include breakfast, but surprisingly, my stay included it — a great added perk. One downside I noticed is that unlike most Marriott properties: There is no direct email contact for the hotel The Marriott Bonvoy app chat doesn’t work for this property I emailed the general ITC Hotels support requesting...

 If you’re flying out of Bandaranaike International Airport and wondering about lounge access, this detailed review of the Palm Strip Lounge Colombo Airport will help you decide whether it’s worth visiting—especially if you’re flying economy. During my recent trip in January 2026, I visited this lounge while flying from Colombo to Mumbai on SriLankan Airlines in economy class. Since economy tickets don’t include lounge access, I used my Priority Pass (issued with American Express Platinum Charge Card) to enter the lounge for free. How to Access Palm Strip Lounge Colombo Airport for Free Currently, the Palm Strip Lounge is the only lounge at Colombo Airport accessible via Priority Pass (as of January 2026). This makes it the default option for most travelers holding premium credit cards. I used my Priority Pass digital card, which is super convenient—no need to carry the physical card in your wallet. Entry was smooth, and the check-in process was quick without any waiting. Pro Tip:...

 After spending an incredible week exploring Uzbekistan, it was finally time to head back to India. My return journey was on Uzbekistan Airways from Tashkent to Mumbai, scheduled at 8 AM. Since I was flying in economy class, I made sure to maximize my travel experience by using my Priority Pass to access the Anjir Business Lounge—the only lounge at Tashkent International Airport that allows complimentary entry via Priority Pass. First Impressions of Anjir Lounge Before my visit, I checked Google reviews—and honestly, they were quite negative. That set my expectations pretty low. However, my actual experience turned out to be surprisingly good. The lounge wasn’t crowded since I arrived early in the morning. With a capacity of around 30 people, it felt calm and peaceful—perfect before an international flight. Priority Pass Access – Smooth & Hassle-Free One thing I really appreciated was that the lounge accepts digital Priority Pass cards. No need to carry a physical card, which i...