Air India Upgrade Options: Upgrade Now with Upgrade+

Last Updated on Dec 6th, 2024 by Neha Sharma, Leave a Comment

Elevate your travel experience with Air India’s Upgrade+ program, offering seamless options to enjoy the luxury of business class or premium economy. Whether you’re looking to upgrade at booking, bid for a premium seat, or use frequent flyer miles, Air India ensures your journey is exceptional.

Types of Air India Upgrade

Upfront upgrades – Passengers can upgrade to a higher travel class by paying an additional fee, offering more comfort and premium services. 

Choose your seat –  This option allows passengers to select their preferred seat, such as a window, aisle, or extra legroom seat, for a small fee. 

Buy an extra seat – Passengers can book an additional adjacent seat for extra comfort or to secure special equipment or items. 

Star Alliance seat assignment – Frequent flyers within the Star Alliance network can access seat selection benefits based on their membership level, ensuring a seamless travel experience.

How to Upgrade with Upgrade+

Air India offers several methods for upgrading your seat
Steps to Upgrade::

• Upgrade at Booking: When booking a ticket online, Air India sometimes provides an option to purchase an upgrade upfront.
• Air India Bid for Upgrade: Through its “Air India Upgrade Plus” program, passengers can bid for an upgrade to business class or premium economy. You decide the bid amount, & Air India informs you before departure if it’s successful.
• Miles Upgrade: Frequent flyers can use their Flying Returns miles to upgrade in Air India from economy to business class, depending on availability.
• Last-Minute Upgrades: At the airport, you may inquire about upgrade availability. These upgrades are often offered at discounted rates but depend on seat availability.
• Online Upgrade: If you’ve already booked a ticket you can check Air India online upgrades via the “Manage Booking” section of its website.

How does it work?

Upgrading with Air India is a simple process:

1. Check Eligibility: Use the widget provided on the upgrade page to determine if you are eligible to receive an upgrade invitation.
2. Select Your Upgrade: Choose your preferred upgrade option. You can request an upgrade up to 12 hours before your eligible flight’s departure.
3. Submit Details: Enter your credit card details for verification, review the terms and conditions, and submit your upgrade request.
4. Receive Confirmation: Within two hours, you’ll receive a confirmation email detailing the upgrade offer for each leg of your journey.

What is the Process of Purchasing an Upgrade?

You can purchase an Air India upgrade in the following ways:

1. During Ticket Booking: If upgrades are available, you can select them while booking your ticket.
2. Through Manage Booking: Log in to the Manage Booking section on the Air India website to upgrade your seat after booking.
3. At the Airport: Upgrades can also be purchased at the check-in counter, depending on seat availability.

Eligibility for Air India Upgrades

The eligibility for Air India upgrades depends on your ticket type and seat availability. Heavily discounted tickets are usually not eligible for upgrades. Make sure to review the fare conditions of your booking to confirm upgrade options.

Benefits of Upgrading

• Enhanced Comfort: Lie-flat seats in business class ensure you arrive rested, even after long-haul flights.
• Priority Services: Enjoy priority check-in, boarding, & baggage handling.
• Gourmet Dining: Business class offers multi-course meals, often featuring regional cuisines.
• Access to Lounges: Upgraded tickets typically grant you access to premium lounges at airports, such as the Maharaja Lounge.
• Baggage Allowance: Business class upgrades often include additional baggage allowances.   

Costs of Air India Upgrades

The cost of upgrades varies depending on the route and demand:

• Business Class: The price can range from $150 to $1,000, depending on the route and time of purchase.
• Premium Economy Upgrades: Upgrades to Premium Economy typically cost between $50 and $300, based on seat availability, flight distance, and demand.

Upgrade Policies

Air India’s upgrade policies emphasize flexibility:

• Upgrades depend on seat availability.
• Some promotional tickets and heavily discounted fares are not eligible for upgrades.
• If bidding, only successful bids are charged; unsuccessful bids incur no cost.

Related – How to manage Air India Booking

Aircraft and Routes with Premium Services

Air India’s recently upgraded fleet includes Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A320neo planes, which feature updated business class cabins. International routes, such as New York to Delhi or London to Mumbai, often have the best upgrade opportunities.

Tips for Successful Upgrades

• Book Flexible Fares: Flexible or mid-tier fares are more likely to be eligible for upgrades.
• Monitor Availability: Use Air India’s website or customer service to track upgrade availability.
• Bid Strategically: Check average bid amounts on forums and place a competitive offer.

Related – Track Air India Flights

Comparison Table: Upgrade Options

Method	Cost	Eligibility	Timeframe
Upgrade Plus Bid	Varies by route	Economy tickets eligible	Up to 48 hours pre-flight
Miles Upgrade	Depends on route miles	Frequent Flyer members only	At booking or later
Last-Minute Upgrade	Discounted at the airport	Depends on seat availability	On the day of departure
Online Upgrade	Mid-range costs	Most economy tickets	After booking

Best Routes to India via Air India for USA Passengers

Discover Air India’s premium routes offering upgraded services for passengers traveling from the USA to India. Routes include:

• New York (JFK) to Delhi (DEL)
• Chicago (ORD) to Delhi(DEL)
• San Francisco (SFO) to Bengaluru (BLR)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can i upgrade Air India flight ticket?

A: Yes, you can upgrade your Air India flight ticket, depending on the ticket type, availability, and the method you choose. Air India provides multiple ways to upgrade.

Q: Does Air India give free upgrades?

A: Air India does not offer free upgrades. However, passengers can purchase cabin upgrades through its Upgrade+ program, available between 72 to 12 hours before departure or at the airport during check-in, subject to availability. Upgrades are offered for a fixed fee and provide access to premium services, but the original fare conditions remain applicable.

Q: Can I upgrade on domestic flights?

A: Yes, upgrades are available, but options are more common on international routes.

Q: Are Air India upgrades worth it?

A: For long-haul flights, the added comfort, service, and amenities make upgrading highly worthwhile.

Q: Do upgrades include lounge access?

A: Yes, business class upgrades typically include access to exclusive lounges.

Q: Does Air India upgrade to business class?

A: Yes, Air India offers upgrades to Business Class for eligible passengers. You can purchase an upgrade during booking, through Manage Booking, or at the airport if seats are available.

Q: How to get free business class upgrade Air India?

A: Free upgrades are rare and usually offered at the airline discretion. Being a frequent flyer, traveling during off-peak times, or checking in early may improve your chances.

Q: How to upgrade Air India Economy to business class?

A: You can upgrade from Economy to Business Class by paying an additional fee during booking, using the Manage Booking feature, or at the check-in counter based on seat availability.

Q: What is included in Upgrade+?

A: With Upgrade+, you will be treated to a selection of gourmet food and beverages, increased baggage allowance, lounge access, priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling.

Q: What is not included in my Upgrade+?

A: Fare conditions, cancellation, rebooking fees, and accrual of Maharaja Points are based on your original booking.

Plan Your Journey with Air India

Planning to elevate your next Air India journey? MyTicketsToIndia brings you unbeatable deals and discounts on flights from the USA to India, ensuring a premium travel experience at the best price. With 14 years of expertise, we assist you in booking upgrades like Air India’s business class or premium economy for added comfort. Our dedicated team is available 24/7 to make your trip seamless. Whether you’re looking for last-minute upgrades or bidding advice, call or chat with us anytime for hassle-free bookings and expert guidance.