Free Luxury Travel

  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 p...

 If you're a frequent flyer like me who loves to optimize travel using loyalty points and elite benefits, this post is for you. On my recent trip from Udaipur to Mumbai, I booked my Air India flight entirely on points — spending just ₹715 on taxes. Here's a detailed breakdown of my journey, the benefits I enjoyed as a Maharaja Gold member, and what to expect if you're flying from Udaipur Airport. ✈️ Booking with Points on Air India App I booked my one-way flight from Udaipur (UDR) to Mumbai (BOM) using 6,000 Flying Returns points via the Air India app. The app experience was seamless, and I was pleasantly surprised to find award availability on my preferred date. The only amount I paid was ₹715 in taxes — making this flight almost free! I earned an additional 10x rewards by making this payment of INR 715 through american express platinum charge card. This card gives 1 point for every 40 INR spent, but I got accelerated 10x points as Amex and Air India has an ongoing offer. ...

 Recently, I had the pleasant surprise of being upgraded to Premium Economy for free while flying from Hong Kong to New Delhi on Air India, operated on a Vistara aircraft—a post-merger collaboration that’s becoming increasingly common as the two airlines integrate. ✈️ Booking & Check-in Experience I had originally booked an Economy Class ticket for this flight. However, as I approached the check-in counter at Hong Kong International Airport, I was informed by the staff that Economy Class was oversold, and there was a chance I might get upgraded to Premium Economy. Despite that hopeful news, I was issued an Economy boarding pass at the counter. Thanks to my Maharaja Gold status, I was able to check in through the Business Class counter, bypassing a long and winding queue in the Economy section. One of the many perks of Gold status! In addition to the expedited check-in, I also received priority baggage tags, which ensured my luggage would be among the first on the carousel in De...

 As a frequent traveler and luxury enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for ways to elevate my travel experience without breaking the bank. Recently, I had the chance to enjoy my first-ever business class flight, and the best part? It was completely free, thanks to a cabin upgrade voucher I received from my Axis Vistara Infinite Credit Card. This flight was from Delhi to Mumbai on Air India, and here’s everything you need to know about how it happened and why it was such a memorable experience. How I Got the Upgrade Before the Vistara-Air India merger, Axis Vistara Infinite cardholders received cabin upgrade vouchers that could be used with Vistara. Post-merger, these vouchers have been migrated to Air India’s Maharaja Club, and they come with some key differences: The voucher is valid only on domestic routes. It cannot be redeemed online—you need to request the upgrade at the airport during check-in. Only one voucher is needed for an upgrade from economy to business class (assumi...

 As someone who enjoys luxury travel without breaking the bank, I recently had the opportunity to fly business class from Mumbai to Udaipur, thanks to a complimentary voucher issued by my Axis Vistara Infinite Credit Card. What made the experience even sweeter? The ticket, which would have cost around ₹21,000, was practically free — I only paid ₹415 in taxes! Booking Experience: Seamless and Straightforward This particular flight was booked using the business class voucher I received as part of the Axis Vistara Infinite card benefits. Although Vistara has now officially merged with Air India, there were no issues redeeming the voucher, which was issued before the merger. The voucher is now visible in the Air India app, under the loyalty section > vouchers, and redemption works much like a regular booking — just select your flight and apply the voucher at checkout. Airport Experience: Premium All the Way Check-in at Mumbai T2 was a breeze with a dedicated counter for business cla...