Award flight · one-way
Delhi → Mahé was a hole in the board, and it is now 24 priced ways to buy the seat, economy from 17,500 on Copa ConnectMiles and business from 40,000 on Aeroplan. First is on the board too at 75,000 via Aeroplan — the published chart carries the cabin, so we print it. Aeroplan bands the 4,357 km on distance and AAdvantage prices the region flat; the dynamic Flying Blue row is shown as an honest estimate and can never be crowned THE PLAY.
The play · first
Feed it: 37,500 Axis EDGE Miles (1:2) · 75,000 SBI Travel Credits (1:1) · 1,87,500 Axis EDGE Reward Points (5:2)
| Program | Metal / routing | Points | Surcharge | All-in ₹ | vs play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Star Alliance partner metal, Aeroplan distance-band award (4,357 km) | 75,000 | — | ₹75,000 | the play |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | oneworld partner metal, AAdvantage region award | 80,000 | — | ₹80,000 | 1.1× |
The play · business
Feed it: 20,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:2) · 40,000 SBI Travel Credits (1:1) · 1,00,000 Axis EDGE Reward Points (5:2)
| Program | Metal / routing | Points | Surcharge | All-in ₹ | vs play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Star Alliance partner metal, Aeroplan distance-band award (4,357 km) | 40,000 | — | ₹40,000 | the play |
| Air China PhoenixMiles | Star Alliance metal (CA own + LH/SQ/TG/EVA), India→Sub-Saharan Africa — Air China PhoenixMiles | 58,000 | — | ₹52,200 | 1.3× |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | Air France / KLM / SkyTeam metal, Flying Blue (dynamic) | ~55,000 | — | ₹55,000 | 1.4× |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | oneworld partner metal, AAdvantage region award | 55,000 | — | ₹55,000 | 1.4× |
| Aegean Miles+Bonus | Star Alliance partner metal, India→Sub-Saharan Africa — Aegean Miles+Bonus | 55,000 | — | ₹55,000 | 1.4× |
| Copa Airlines ConnectMiles | Star Alliance partner metal, India→Sub-Saharan Africa — Copa ConnectMiles (fixed region chart) | 55,000 | — | ₹55,000 | 1.4× |
| Avianca LifeMiles | Star Alliance partner metal, India→Sub-Saharan Africa — Avianca LifeMiles (no fuel surcharge) | 65,000 | — | ₹65,000 | 1.6× |
| EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | Star Alliance metal (EVA own via Taipei + Air India/LH/SQ/TG), India→Sub-Saharan Africa — EVA Infinity MileageLands | 67,000 | — | ₹67,000 | 1.7× |
| Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards | oneworld partner metal (Qatar Qsuite/Cathay/JAL/BA), India→Sub-Saharan Africa — Alaska Atmos (no fuel surcharge) | 75,000 | — | ₹75,000 | 1.9× |
| United MileagePlus | Star Alliance partner metal, India→Sub-Saharan Africa — United MileagePlus (no fuel surcharge) | ~85,000 | — | ₹85,000 | 2.1× |
| TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | Star Alliance partner metal, India→Sub-Saharan Africa — TAP Miles&Go | 1,60,000 | — | ₹1,60,000 | 4.0× |
The play · economy
Feed it: 42,001 Amex Membership Rewards (2.4:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 84,001 RBL Reward Points (4.8:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 14,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:1.25 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy)
| Program | Metal / routing | Points | Surcharge | All-in ₹ | vs play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copa Airlines ConnectMiles | Star Alliance partner metal, India→Sub-Saharan Africa — Copa ConnectMiles (fixed region chart) | 17,500 | — | ₹17,500 | the play |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | Air France / KLM / SkyTeam metal, Flying Blue (dynamic) | ~25,000 | — | ₹25,000 | 1.4× |
| Air China PhoenixMiles | Star Alliance metal (CA own + LH/SQ/TG/EVA), India→Sub-Saharan Africa — Air China PhoenixMiles | 32,000 | — | ₹28,800 | 1.6× |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Star Alliance partner metal, Aeroplan distance-band award (4,357 km) | 30,000 | — | ₹30,000 | 1.7× |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | oneworld partner metal, AAdvantage region award | 30,000 | — | ₹30,000 | 1.7× |
| Avianca LifeMiles | Star Alliance partner metal, India→Sub-Saharan Africa — Avianca LifeMiles (no fuel surcharge) | 35,000 | — | ₹35,000 | 2.0× |
| Aegean Miles+Bonus | Star Alliance partner metal, India→Sub-Saharan Africa — Aegean Miles+Bonus | 35,000 | — | ₹35,000 | 2.0× |
| Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards | oneworld partner metal (Qatar Qsuite/Cathay/JAL/BA), India→Sub-Saharan Africa — Alaska Atmos (no fuel surcharge) | 37,500 | — | ₹37,500 | 2.1× |
| United MileagePlus | Star Alliance partner metal, India→Sub-Saharan Africa — United MileagePlus (no fuel surcharge) | ~45,000 | — | ₹45,000 | 2.6× |
| EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | Star Alliance metal (EVA own via Taipei + Air India/LH/SQ/TG), India→Sub-Saharan Africa — EVA Infinity MileageLands | 51,000 | — | ₹51,000 | 2.9× |
| TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | Star Alliance partner metal, India→Sub-Saharan Africa — TAP Miles&Go | 90,000 | — | ₹90,000 | 5.1× |
All-in ₹ = points × the program's house value (valuation index) + the sourced one-way surcharge; a dash means the carrier doesn't publish it and the ranking counts it ₹0 — the row's note carries the caveat. “Dynamic” and estimated (~… est.) rows never compete for the play — the crown is always a verified, bookable price. Feed-ins come from the same transfer data as the optimizer, multi-hop chains included.
Aeroplan prices Star partner awards by total distance flown; this row is the direct great-circle band, and a connecting routing that flies farther can land one band up. A valid Star routing — nonstop, or via a Star hub inside the maximum permitted mileage — is assumed. Aeroplan charges NO fuel/carrier surcharge on any Star partner award — only a CA$39 partner booking fee plus taxes.
Feed it: 37,500 Axis EDGE Miles (1:2) · 75,000 SBI Travel Credits (1:1) · 1,87,500 Axis EDGE Reward Points (5:2)
AAdvantage prices partner awards on a fixed region-to-region chart, so a connection costs no extra miles. A valid oneworld routing — Qatar via Doha, British Airways via London, Cathay via Hong Kong, SriLankan via Colombo — is assumed. AAdvantage passes NO fuel surcharge on partner awards except British Airways / Iberia metal (heavy YQ) — you pay only government taxes.
Feed it: 2,40,000 Amex Membership Rewards (3:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 4,80,000 RBL Reward Points (6:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 80,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy)
Aeroplan prices Star partner awards by total distance flown; this row is the direct great-circle band, and a connecting routing that flies farther can land one band up. A valid Star routing — nonstop, or via a Star hub inside the maximum permitted mileage — is assumed. Aeroplan charges NO fuel/carrier surcharge on any Star partner award — only a CA$39 partner booking fee plus taxes.
Feed it: 20,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:2) · 40,000 SBI Travel Credits (1:1) · 1,00,000 Axis EDGE Reward Points (5:2)
Air China PhoenixMiles prices its own metal (India→Beijing, resumed Apr-2026) plus Star partners. North Asia is its only genuine strength; elsewhere it is a weak Star pricer with heavy fuel surcharges (why the currency sits at ₹0.90). India-origin levels are not published, so all values are estimated off trans-Pacific anchors. One-way (current PhoenixMiles).
Feed it: 1,39,200 Amex Membership Rewards (2.4:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 2,78,400 RBL Reward Points (4.8:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 72,500 HSBC Reward Points (1.25:1 via Accor Live Limitless (ALL))
Flying Blue prices dynamically — no fixed chart. Air France/KLM pass carrier (YQ) surcharges on own metal — typically €90–110 economy / €200–300 business one-way long-haul; intra-region SkyTeam ~€15–40. Typical one-way business runs 45k–75k; award space and travel date drive the real number.
Estimate Dynamic program — estimate is a distance-band estimate (this region-pair is not separately anchored) (range 45k–75k); not a fixed chart price, and never crowned THE PLAY.
Feed it: 55,000 HDFC Reward Points (1:1) · 27,500 Axis EDGE Miles (1:2) · 55,000 HSBC Reward Points (1:1)
AAdvantage prices partner awards on a fixed region-to-region chart, so a connection costs no extra miles. A valid oneworld routing — Qatar via Doha, British Airways via London, Cathay via Hong Kong, SriLankan via Colombo — is assumed. AAdvantage passes NO fuel surcharge on partner awards except British Airways / Iberia metal (heavy YQ) — you pay only government taxes.
Feed it: 1,65,000 Amex Membership Rewards (3:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 3,30,000 RBL Reward Points (6:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 55,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy)
Aegean Miles+Bonus prices Star partner metal off its zone chart (one-way shown = half the published round-trip). India→Europe ~55k business and India→Japan ~42.5k business (its flat "Far East" zone) are sweet spots. Niche for Indians: no direct card feed except Marriott Bonvoy 3:1, and awards only display once you hold the full balance.
Feed it: 1,32,000 Amex Membership Rewards (2.4:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 2,64,000 RBL Reward Points (4.8:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 44,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:1.25 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy)
Copa ConnectMiles prices Star partner metal off its FIXED region chart (India sits in Copa’s "Central Asia" zone). Standout value — India→Europe 45k business, India→Africa 17.5k economy on EgyptAir/Ethiopian — but NO Indian card feeds ConnectMiles (buy-miles or a US co-brand only), so treat it as a reference benchmark, not a wallet-reachable route.
Feed it: 1,32,000 Amex Membership Rewards (2.4:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 2,64,000 RBL Reward Points (4.8:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 44,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:1.25 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy)
LifeMiles prices Star partner metal with NO fuel surcharge — its edge; India→Europe business ~63k is the headline sweet spot (beats Aeroplan). Business is the value cabin here; economy is mediocre. The chart is semi-fixed/unpublished, so some bands are estimates.
Feed it: 1,95,000 Amex Membership Rewards (3:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 3,90,000 RBL Reward Points (6:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 1,30,000 HDFC Reward Points (2:1)
EVA Infinity MileageLands prices Star metal off its zone chart (India = "Central/South Asia" zone; one-way = half round-trip). EVA own metal via Taipei covers Japan/N-Asia/SE-Asia/US/Europe; Gulf/Africa/Oceania are partner-metal only. India→US business ~97.5k (possibly ~55-60k on a fully-EVA routing).
Feed it: 67,000 HSBC Reward Points (1:1) · 7,44,445 Amex Membership Rewards (11.11:1 via Hilton Honors)
Alaska Atmos prices oneworld metal off its FIXED Asia-Pacific distance chart with ZERO fuel surcharge (~$20 partner fee only) — the marquee play is India→USA in Qatar Qsuite for 85k business. Economy is poor value (the chart jumps 7.5k→25k); treat this as a BUSINESS program for Indian flyers. One-way.
Feed it: 1,80,001 Amex Membership Rewards (2.4:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 3,60,001 RBL Reward Points (4.8:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 60,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:1.25 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy)
United went fully dynamic in 2020 (no fixed chart), so ~45,000 is a typical Saver partner level to Sub-Saharan Africa. United levies no fuel surcharge — taxes only, its real edge — but Aeroplan often prices the same Star seat lower, so compare before burning United miles.
Estimate United MileagePlus Saver partner level (no fuel surcharge), India→Sub-Saharan Africa on Star Alliance metal; United went fully dynamic in 2020, so this is a typical Saver that moves with availability and cabin scarcity.
Feed it: 42,500 Axis EDGE Miles (1:2) · 2,12,500 Axis EDGE Reward Points (5:2) · 1,70,000 Amex Membership Rewards (2:1 via Marriott Bonvoy)
TAP Miles&Go prices Star partner metal off its flat "Asia"-origin chart — intra-Asia is 40k/60k regardless of distance (great to Tokyo, poor to Colombo). Heavy fuel surcharges on Lufthansa-group and TAP metal (worst to Europe); steer value via Turkish/EgyptAir/Ethiopian to dodge the YQ.
Feed it: 3,84,001 Amex Membership Rewards (2.4:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 7,68,001 RBL Reward Points (4.8:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 1,28,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:1.25 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy)
Copa ConnectMiles prices Star partner metal off its FIXED region chart (India sits in Copa’s "Central Asia" zone). Standout value — India→Europe 45k business, India→Africa 17.5k economy on EgyptAir/Ethiopian — but NO Indian card feeds ConnectMiles (buy-miles or a US co-brand only), so treat it as a reference benchmark, not a wallet-reachable route.
Feed it: 42,001 Amex Membership Rewards (2.4:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 84,001 RBL Reward Points (4.8:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 14,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:1.25 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy)
Flying Blue prices dynamically — no fixed chart. Air France/KLM pass carrier (YQ) surcharges on own metal — typically €90–110 economy / €200–300 business one-way long-haul; intra-region SkyTeam ~€15–40. Typical one-way economy runs 18k–40k; award space and travel date drive the real number.
Estimate Dynamic program — estimate is a distance-band estimate (this region-pair is not separately anchored) (range 18k–40k); not a fixed chart price, and never crowned THE PLAY.
Feed it: 25,000 HDFC Reward Points (1:1) · 12,500 Axis EDGE Miles (1:2) · 25,000 HSBC Reward Points (1:1)
Air China PhoenixMiles prices its own metal (India→Beijing, resumed Apr-2026) plus Star partners. North Asia is its only genuine strength; elsewhere it is a weak Star pricer with heavy fuel surcharges (why the currency sits at ₹0.90). India-origin levels are not published, so all values are estimated off trans-Pacific anchors. One-way (current PhoenixMiles).
Feed it: 76,800 Amex Membership Rewards (2.4:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 1,53,600 RBL Reward Points (4.8:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 40,000 HSBC Reward Points (1.25:1 via Accor Live Limitless (ALL))
Aeroplan prices Star partner awards by total distance flown; this row is the direct great-circle band, and a connecting routing that flies farther can land one band up. A valid Star routing — nonstop, or via a Star hub inside the maximum permitted mileage — is assumed. Aeroplan charges NO fuel/carrier surcharge on any Star partner award — only a CA$39 partner booking fee plus taxes.
Feed it: 15,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:2) · 30,000 SBI Travel Credits (1:1) · 75,000 Axis EDGE Reward Points (5:2)
AAdvantage prices partner awards on a fixed region-to-region chart, so a connection costs no extra miles. A valid oneworld routing — Qatar via Doha, British Airways via London, Cathay via Hong Kong, SriLankan via Colombo — is assumed. AAdvantage passes NO fuel surcharge on partner awards except British Airways / Iberia metal (heavy YQ) — you pay only government taxes.
Feed it: 90,000 Amex Membership Rewards (3:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 1,80,000 RBL Reward Points (6:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 30,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy)
LifeMiles prices Star partner metal with NO fuel surcharge — its edge; India→Europe business ~63k is the headline sweet spot (beats Aeroplan). Business is the value cabin here; economy is mediocre. The chart is semi-fixed/unpublished, so some bands are estimates.
Feed it: 1,05,000 Amex Membership Rewards (3:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 2,10,000 RBL Reward Points (6:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 70,000 HDFC Reward Points (2:1)
Aegean Miles+Bonus prices Star partner metal off its zone chart (one-way shown = half the published round-trip). India→Europe ~55k business and India→Japan ~42.5k business (its flat "Far East" zone) are sweet spots. Niche for Indians: no direct card feed except Marriott Bonvoy 3:1, and awards only display once you hold the full balance.
Feed it: 84,001 Amex Membership Rewards (2.4:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 1,68,001 RBL Reward Points (4.8:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 28,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:1.25 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy)
Alaska Atmos prices oneworld metal off its FIXED Asia-Pacific distance chart with ZERO fuel surcharge (~$20 partner fee only) — the marquee play is India→USA in Qatar Qsuite for 85k business. Economy is poor value (the chart jumps 7.5k→25k); treat this as a BUSINESS program for Indian flyers. One-way.
Feed it: 90,001 Amex Membership Rewards (2.4:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 1,80,001 RBL Reward Points (4.8:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 30,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:1.25 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy)
United went fully dynamic in 2020 (no fixed chart), so ~45,000 is a typical Saver partner level to Sub-Saharan Africa. United levies no fuel surcharge — taxes only, its real edge — but Aeroplan often prices the same Star seat lower, so compare before burning United miles.
Estimate United MileagePlus Saver partner level (no fuel surcharge), India→Sub-Saharan Africa on Star Alliance metal; United went fully dynamic in 2020, so this is a typical Saver that moves with availability and cabin scarcity.
Feed it: 22,500 Axis EDGE Miles (1:2) · 1,12,500 Axis EDGE Reward Points (5:2) · 90,000 Amex Membership Rewards (2:1 via Marriott Bonvoy)
EVA Infinity MileageLands prices Star metal off its zone chart (India = "Central/South Asia" zone; one-way = half round-trip). EVA own metal via Taipei covers Japan/N-Asia/SE-Asia/US/Europe; Gulf/Africa/Oceania are partner-metal only. India→US business ~97.5k (possibly ~55-60k on a fully-EVA routing).
Feed it: 51,000 HSBC Reward Points (1:1) · 5,66,667 Amex Membership Rewards (11.11:1 via Hilton Honors)
TAP Miles&Go prices Star partner metal off its flat "Asia"-origin chart — intra-Asia is 40k/60k regardless of distance (great to Tokyo, poor to Colombo). Heavy fuel surcharges on Lufthansa-group and TAP metal (worst to Europe); steer value via Turkish/EgyptAir/Ethiopian to dodge the YQ.
Feed it: 2,16,001 Amex Membership Rewards (2.4:1 via Marriott Bonvoy) · 4,32,001 RBL Reward Points (4.8:1 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy) · 72,000 Axis EDGE Miles (1:1.25 via Club ITC → Marriott Bonvoy)
Or pick any two hubs — 2,153 corridors priced.