I recently flew from Doha (Hamad International Airport) to Mumbai in Premium Economy on Air India, and the journey turned out to be a seamless and comfortable experience—largely thanks to my Maharaja Gold status. Here's a detailed review covering every aspect of the trip, including lounge access, airport facilities, boarding, and in-flight experience.
✨ Check-in Experience at Hamad International Airport (HIA)
Hamad International Airport, consistently ranked among the world’s best airports, lived up to its reputation. As a Maharaja Gold elite member, I was able to bypass the long economy check-in queues and use the dedicated Business Class counter for check-in. This saved me a considerable amount of time and effort, especially during peak evening hours.
Though I didn't need priority baggage tags since I chose to travel with only cabin luggage, the Gold status also ensured a priority boarding pass and an invitation to the Oryx Lounge, which was printed directly on my boarding pass.
🛂 Immigration, Security & Airport Exploration
Post check-in, immigration was smooth and efficient. The security clearance was quick, with courteous staff and minimal waiting.
With some time before boarding, I explored the stunning Hamad International Airport. The airport is nothing short of a luxury destination in itself—with its high-end shopping outlets, luxury cars on display, and the famous orchard garden accessible via a quick internal train ride. Of course, no visit to HIA is complete without a photo stop at the iconic Giant Teddy Bear installation.
🥂 Lounge Access – Al Maha & Oryx Lounge
I first visited the Al Maha Lounge, accessible for free via Priority Pass. The lounge was quite spacious with a variety of comfortable seating options. The buffet had a good selection of vegetarian dishes, including pasta, noodles, and a dessert spread that included cakes and pastries.
After spending about 30 minutes there, I made my way to the Oryx Lounge, which I accessed using the Air India invitation on my boarding pass. The lounge was visibly more premium in ambiance, quieter, and less crowded. Interestingly, the food spread was nearly identical to Al Maha, with the exception of a few beverage choices—ginger ale being a notable addition. I tried the vegetarian Moroccan soup, which was absolutely delicious.
✈️ Boarding & In-Flight Experience on Premium Economy
Thanks to priority boarding privileges as a Maharaja Gold member, I once again skipped a large queue and boarded the flight quickly.
The aircraft was an Airbus A321, operated by Vistara under Air India management. While the aircraft did not feature personal infotainment screens, the Premium Economy seats were well-cushioned, spacious, and quite comfortable for a short-haul flight.
We were offered refreshing towels post-takeoff, and soon after, a menu card was distributed for meal selection. I opted for the vegetarian meal, which turned out to be flavorful and satisfying. The beverage service included standard options and was served with a smile by the courteous cabin crew.
🛬 Arrival in Mumbai
The flight landed 30 minutes behind schedule, but that didn’t affect my overall experience. With no checked-in baggage and fast-track eGates at Mumbai International Airport, I cleared immigration in mere seconds and exited the terminal smoothly.
💳 Points & Rewards Earned
One of the biggest perks of this trip was maximizing the value through credit card rewards and airline loyalty:
✨ 10X Membership Rewards Points: I booked this Air India flight using my American Express Platinum Charge Card, which earned me 10X Membership Rewards points—a fantastic return on spend, especially for travel bookings.
✈️ Flying Returns Miles: Since I credited the flight to my Air India Flying Returns account, I also earned Air India miles, further adding to my travel rewards balance.
This combination of credit card bonus points + airline miles made the journey not just enjoyable but also highly rewarding.
✅ Final Verdict
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Airport Experience (HIA): ★★★★★
Lounge Experience: ★★★★
Flight Comfort: ★★★★★
Service & Food: ★★★★★
Value of Maharaja Gold Status: Priceless
This journey reaffirmed how valuable Maharaja Gold status can be—even when flying in Premium Economy. From priority check-in, boarding, and dual lounge access to a smooth in-flight experience, it made my travel day significantly more enjoyable.
Comments
Post a Comment