[IMAGE — alt text: “Air India Maharaja Club logo with credit cards”]
If you fly Air India — or plan to start — the fastest way to build up Maharaja Club points isn’t flying more, it’s putting your everyday spending on the right credit card.
I hold two of the cards on this list myself, IndusInd Tiger and Axis Horizon to accumulate the points.
Whether you prefer a fee-free option or a card with enhanced lounge access and better transfer value, the list below features verified Maharaja Club transfer options to match your needs.
1. IndusInd Tiger — Lifetime Free
| Annual Fee | ₹0 — Lifetime Free |
| Reward Rate | 1–6 pts / ₹100 (spend-slab based) |
| Transfer Ratio | 1:1 |
| Lounge Access | 8 domestic + 2 intl./year (no spend condition) |
| Review | Read Review |
⚡️ Get ₹500 Welcome Voucher (limited period offer) ⚡️
This is the one I use to funnel everyday spending into Maharaja points at zero cost.
Free movie tickets, golf access, 1:1 transfer ratio, and lounge access with no spend requirement — exceptional for a lifetime free card.
2. Axis Horizon — Best for Lounge Access
| Annual Fee | ₹3,000 + GST |
| Reward Rate | 2% base, 5% via Travel EDGE portal |
| Transfer Ratio | 1:1 |
| Lounge Access | 32 domestic + 8 intl./year |
| Review | Read review |
No other card on this list touches Horizon’s 40 total lounge visits a year, with no spend condition attached.
The 5,000 EDGE Mile welcome bonus also comes close to covering the first year’s fee outright.
3. SBI Card MILES PRIME
| Annual Fee | ₹2,999 + GST |
| Reward Rate | ~2% on travel, ~1% other |
| Transfer Ratio | 1:1 |
| Lounge Access | 8 domestic + 4 intl./year, bonus visits on high spend |
If you’re looking to diversify beyond a single bank, the SBI Card MILES PRIME is a practical mid-tier travel choice. You get 3000 travel credits / points as a welcome benefit on spending ₹60,000.
It offers the same 1:1 transfer ratio as more expensive cards and provides access to 25 travel partners.
4. HSBC TravelOne — Best Premium Travel Card
| Annual Fee | ₹4,999 + GST |
| Reward Rate | 4% on travel / international, 2% other |
| Transfer Ratio | 1:1 |
| Lounge Access | 6 domestic + 4 intl./year |
| Application | Apply here |
Travel One is a premium travel card popular for Accor ALL transfer but you can also transfer points to Air India as per your needs.
But it’s available in limited cities as of now.
5. HDFC Infinia — HNI, Invite Only
| Annual Fee | ~₹12,500 + GST |
| Reward Rate | ~3.33% |
| Transfer Ratio | 2:1 |
| Lounge Access | Unlimited |
| Application | Invite-only |
Infinia gets recommended everywhere as the ultimate travel card, and for most purposes it is.
But you can’t apply for it directly. Include it on your radar if you’re already invited, not as a card to chase for this specific goal.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Transfer Ratio | Lounge Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IndusInd Tiger | ₹0 — Free | 1:1 | 8 domestic + 2 intl./year | Zero cost, entry point |
| Axis Horizon | ₹3,000 + GST | 1:1 | 32 domestic + 8 intl./year | Lounge Access + Travel EDGE bookings |
| SBI Card MILES PRIME | ₹2,999 + GST | 1:1 | 8 domestic + 4 intl./year | Stacking card to earn more points |
| HSBC TravelOne | ₹4,999 + GST | 1:1 | 6 domestic + 4 intl./year | High-value travel rewards |
| HDFC Infinia (invite-only) | ~₹12,500 + GST | 2:1 | 12 domestic + intl. (unlimited) | HNIs with huge spends |
How Maharaja Club Transfers Actually Work
- Air India’s loyalty programme, Maharaja Club, accepts point transfers from several bank reward currencies — not just Air India co-branded cards.
- The ratio matters more than the card’s prestige. A 1:1 transfer means 1 bank reward point becomes 1 Maharaja point. A 2:1 ratio means you need double the points for the same miles — a real, easy-to-miss value gap.
- Transfers are usually one-way and irreversible, so it’s worth confirming your Maharaja Club account is linked correctly before you transfer.
- Most banks cap how many points you can transfer to any one partner per year — check this if you’re a heavy spender.
Can You Stack More Than One?
Absolutely. Holding multiple cards allows you to maximize different benefits.
For example, use the IndusInd Tiger for daily spending and the Axis Horizon for travel bookings and its extensive lounge access. Check out full comparison →
As long as the total annual fees are offset by the travel value you receive, stacking is a smart strategy to accelerate your points.
Final Verdict
If you’re starting from zero, IndusInd Tiger costs nothing and gets you into the Maharaja Club game immediately.
If you want to diversify, stack Axis Horizon with Tiger.
And if you want premium perks without needing an invite, HSBC TravelOne is the one to apply for.
Disclaimer: This post is based on personal experience and research; not financial advice. I use affiliate links to earn commission at no extra cost to you, so we can bring helpful content for you. Always verify fees, transfer ratios, and card details on official issuer sites before applying. Read full privacy policy & disclaimer here.
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