Air Express India is a no-frill, low-cost airline from Air India. It was created by the merger of AirAsia & Air India Express to compete with Indigo. Although it works in a low-cost airline segment, it still has a frequent flyer program of international standards. The Air India Express frequent flyer program is integrated with Tata NeuPass membership. Learn more about the Air India Express Tata NeuPass Frequent Flyer program. The Air India Express is also known as AIX Connect.
Why does Air India Express offer FFP in Tata NeuPass?
Tata NeuPass is the super app from Tata Sons that has all the Tata brands in one place for the customers. So, the Air India Express frequent flyer program was also integrated with Tata NeuPass.
How does the Air India Express NeuPass Frequent Flyer Program work?
If you have a Tata Neu account, then Tata Neu coins will be added based on your mobile number and name on the flight ticket. Otherwise, you would have to create a new account.
Register for Air India Express Frequent Flyer Program
Register with the Tata NeuPass app and Air India Express to benefit from the frequent flyer program. However, ensure that you provide the same mobile number on the app and website; otherwise, you will not earn any Neu Coins. You also need to ensure that the person’s name is the same on both the app and website.
Air India Express NeuPass Tier and Eligibility (Badges)
Upon registration or enrollment, you are allocated a Base member tier. This tier gets you the badge of an “Aviator”. Apart from the fancy name, nothing is fancy since this is the base tier.
Interestingly, Air India Express NeuPass tiers have names that are different from industry standards, which makes it a bit confusing. For example, the highest tier usually is Platinum, Diamond, or Titanium, which an ordinary person can resonate with.
However, Air India Express works differently. But still, it could be fun.
Here are the Air India Express NeuPass Badges (Tiers) :
- Aviator: Base Member
- Explorer: 2nd Tier
- Highflyer: 3rd Tier
- Jetsetter: 4th and Highest Tier
Air India Express NeuPass Badges Eligibility Criteria
The Air India Express frequent flyer program has easy eligibility as your eligibility is decided based on the number of flights taken or the amount spent.
Here are the badge-wise eligibility criteria for Air India Express NeuPass FFP:
- Aviator: No criteria
- Explorer: Rs. 30000 spending or five flights
- Highflyer: Rs. 60000 spending or ten flights
- Jetsetter: Rs. 120000 spending or 20 flights
It is easy for travellers to achieve an Explorer badge since most flight customers travel around 4-5 times a year. Aligning their journeys with Air India Express would help them get these easily achievable badges.
Also, unlike its owner, Air India, you can be upgraded to badges based on the amount spent or flights taken. In contrast, the eligibility basis is the same for Air India; however, you either earn a fixed number of points or fly a fixed number of flights.
How many Neu Coins does an Air India Express badge earn?
Every badge of the frequent flyer program of Air India Express earns different Neu Coins.
Here are the badge-wise Neu Coin earnings:
- Aviator: 2 NeuCoins for every INR 100
- Explorer: 4 NeuCoins for every INR 100
- Highflyer: 6 NeuCoins for every INR 100
- Jetsetter: 8 NeuCoins for every INR 100
Note: Above Neu, Coins are only earned if the booking is made directly on the Air India Express website or the Air India Express or Tata Neu mobile app.
No Neu Coins are earned on third-party bookings.
Neu Coins on Corporate Bookings
If you have made a corporate booking, then you will earn half points of the usual points earning so:
- Aviator earns 1 NeuCoins for every INR 100
- Explorer earns 2 NeuCoins for every INR 100
- Highflyer earns 3 NeuCoins for every INR 100
- Jetsetter earns 4 NeuCoins for every INR 100
However, the total amount is considered when calculating the amount spent for badge eligibility.
Claim Neu Coins on Old Flights
If 90 days of your Air India flight have not elapsed, then you can claim Neu Coin on that flight by submitting a claim here.
Spending Considered for Neu Coins and Badges Eligibility
Only the following spending is considered for Neu Coins earnings and Badges Eligibility:
- The base fare of the airline ticket
- Ancillary Spends like:
- Meals (Except In-flight or corporate meals)
- Seat selection
- Excess Baggage (Except Baggage SuperSize)
- In-flight purchases
- Red Carpet Services
- Bundles – Value/Premium/VIP Pack, Value/VIP Pack at Airport
- Lounge charges
- Travel Certificate
- Convenience Fee
However, the following spending is expressly excluded:
- 3rd Party Bookings (Except Corporate)
- Ancillary Spends on:
- Codeshare or Interline flights
- Booking of Avis cars or insurance or lounge access
- Group bookings
- Charter flights
- Sponsored Promotional tickets
- Penalties
- Taxes
- Sponsored promotional tickets
- Vouchers & NeuCoins utilised for booking
Validity of Neu Coins
The Validity of NeuCoin is from the last transaction date in Neu Coins, which effectively means NeuCoin remains valid forever till you earn or use just a single NeuCoin every year. The usual validity is 12 months.
Badge-wise benefits with Air India Express NeuPass
The benefits of an Air India Express NeuPass FFP differ based on your Badge. Here are the badge-wise benefits:
Aviator Badge Holder Benefits
- Discount on Direct Bookings: Rs. 100
- No Blackout Dates for using NeuCoins
Explorer Badge Holder Benefits
- Discount on Direct Bookings: Rs. 150
- No Blackout Dates for using NeuCoins
- Flight Voucher: 1 worth Rs. 2000
- Ancillary Spending Voucher: 1 worth Rs. 500
Highflyer Badge Holder Benefits
- Xpress Ahead (Priority Check-in, Boarding & Baggage)
- Discount on Direct Bookings: Rs. 200
- No Blackout Dates for using NeuCoins
- Flight Voucher: A Rs. 5000 voucher for every 10th flight
- Ancillary Spending Voucher: 2 worth Rs. 500 each
- Standard Seat Selection (subject to availability): Free
- One Flight Change Fee & Free Flight Cancellation
Jetsetter Badge Holder Benefits
- Xpress Ahead (Priority Check-in, Boarding & Baggage)
- Discount on Direct Bookings: Rs. 250
- Blackout Dates for using NeuCoins: No
- Flight Voucher:
- A Rs. 5000 voucher for every 10th flight
- Maximum 5 Vouchers, including Highflyer
- Ancillary Spending Voucher: 4 worth Rs. 500 each
- Standard Seat Selection (subject to availability): Free
- One Flight Change Fee & Free Flight Cancellation
Ancillary Spending Voucher
The Ancillary spending voucher is a decent benefit as you can use them for meals, seat selection, etc. Also, Air India Expres has better meal options than other domestic airlines. So, these vouchers are valuable.
Milestone Benefit After 10 Flight
The best part of Air India Express NeuPass FFP is that you’re given a discount voucher worth Rs. 5K after every 10th Flight. Such a discount voucher hits the ball out of the park as no other low-cost airline in India provides such a benefit. However, these vouchers are limited to 5 in a year. But still, Rs. 25000 worth of vouchers for taking 50 flights is fantastic. We will tell you why shortly
Also, on taking your fifth flight in a year, you’re upgraded to the Explorer Badge, making you eligible for a Discount voucher of Rs. 2000, which is excellent.
Redeem NeuCoins earned from Air India Express NeuPass
NeuCoins can be used on the Tata NeuPass app for all brands. For example, NeuCoins earned on Air India Express can be used for groceries, clothes, or hotel bookings.
How much Reward Value do you get if you take 30 flights annually?
By taking 30 flights a year, you will hold a Jetsetter badge at the end of the year, the highest badge available. Thirty flights with Air India will give you a Silver Tier with some benefits.
Let’s find out the value achieved.
If the average base fare for every flight was INR 4000, and INR 1000 was the airport fee and fuel purchase, then the total flight spending would be Rs. 1.5 lacs. However, only Rs. 1.2 lacs spent will earn Neu Coins.
Here are the benefits you get:
- NeuCoins earned: INR 6800
- Discount Received: INR 5750
- Ancillary Spending Vouchers: INR 3500 (7*Rs. 500)
- Flight Vouchers: INR 17000 (1*2000,3*5000)
The total value in INR is Rs.33000 on a total spending of Rs. 1.5 lacs, giving you a superb reward rate of 22%.
Pro Tip: The Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Credit Card also offers 5% back on purchases made through the Tata Neu App. Axis Atlas is also an excellent way to earn miles on spending at Air India Express by giving you ten converted edge miles for every INR 100 spent.
Air India Express Fare Type
If you book with Air India Express, you have three fares. These fares differ based on baggage benefits and cancellation charges. You can also purchase 20 kg baggage for INR 1300 online while booking.
Xpress Ahead Priority Services
Air India Express offers priority services categorized into three packs, different from the fare type you pay for flights.
- Value Pack:
- Charges INR 700 (Neu member INR 450)
- Free Standard Seat
- Sandwich
- Vista Pack:
- Domestic Charges: INR 1000 (Neu Member INR 700)
- International Charges: INR 1200 (Neu Member INR 900)
- 50% off on Prime Seat
- Hot Meals
- Complimentary beverage
- VIP Pack:
- Domestic Charges: INR 1700 (Neu Member INR 1350)
- International Charges: INR 2750 (Neu Member INR 2000)
- Xpress Ahead: Priority check-in, boarding and baggage delivery
- Free Seat including Prime & Standard Seat
- Hot Meal
- Complimentary beverage
Log in to the Air India Express website or app for Neu Member rates.
Here is the seat map of Air India Express to see which seats are Prime, Standard & Free.
If you have multiple passengers on a single PNR, you must buy Xpress Ahead Priority Services for all passengers; otherwise, you won’t be able to.
Note: The Air India Express website has two pages for Xpress ahead priority services, with one being lower than the other. That page is outdated; you can find the new page here.
Xpress Ahead Addon
Don’t get confused with Xpress Ahead Priority services, as this one focuses explicitly on Priority Check-in, Boarding, and baggage. You can purchase this add-on online and at the airport, too.
- International Xpress Ahead Addon (Excluding Dubai):
- Pre Booking: INR 700
- Airport Purchase: INR 900
- International Xpress Ahead Addon (From Dubai):
- Pre Booking: INR 1000
- Airport Purchase: INR 1350
- Domestic Xpress Ahead Addon:
- Pre Booking: INR 450
- Airport Purchase: INR 500
I was able to see a discounted price of INR 420, which would be beneficial for International Flights.
Air India Express FlyAhead
FlyAhead is a value-added service for domestic passengers who reach the airport at least six hours before their flight. They can use FlyAhead by contacting ground staff and flying earlier than their scheduled flight. This benefit can be INR 1500 without any change or difference in fare. However, it would only work if availability on an earlier flight. Passengers on Corporate and SME fares can opt for this service at INR 500.
And yeah, it is only available on direct domestic flights.
Final Thoughts
The Air India Express NeuPass Frequent Flyer program beats Indigo 6E rewards. The FFP has simple terms and easily achievable badges. The reward rate is above 20% on travel spending, which is incredible. Air India Express works well with add-ons if you want domestic or international travel with better comfort than other low-cost airlines.
