IndiGo has debuted its new loyalty program – BluChip. This new program will replace the existing 6E Rewards program and will become the default program for all IndiGo passengers going forward. Right now, IndiGo BluChip is launched only for those who pre-registered for the same last month. If you did pre-register, login on the IndiGo website and you will be issued a 9 digit numeric BluChip account number. All you will need to do is authenticate your account with both email and mobile number. While IndiGo is just getting started with its BluChip loyalty program, we have got access to it. So, here is your one-stop guide to this new program from IndiGo and how to make the most of it.
IndiGo BluChip: Earning BluChips on IndiGo flights and services
We earn 8 IndiGo Bluchips per Rs 100 spent on IndiGo flights irrespective of the channel you use to book it. So, you can use OTAs like MakeMyTrip etc. or HDFC SmartBuy too. The BluChips are earned on the base fare and fuel surcharge components of your ticket fare. Any taxes and other charges imposed by the airports are excluded. This is the base earn rate. If you qualify for the higher tiers that we will list below, you can also earn up to 4 bonus BluChips per Rs 100.
If you use IndiGo website or app to book your flights, you earn 4 bonus BluChips per Rs 100. This brings the total earn rate to 12 BluChips per Rs 100 which is quite good.
Ancillary services for 6e Add-ons like Seat Select, Excess Baggage and Fast Forward earn 8 IndiGo Bluchips per Rs 100.
IndiGo BluChip Tiers and Tier Benefits
IndiGo BluChip program has three tiers – IndiGo BluChip Blu 3, IndiGo BluChip Blu 2 and IndiGo BluChip Blu 1. The base tier is Blu 3. Here are the details of the benefits offered by the three tiers.
IndiGo BluChip Blu 3 | IndiGo BluChip Blu 2 | IndiGo BluChip Blu 1 | |
---|---|---|---|
Earn Rate | 8 IndiGo BluChips/Rs 100 | 8 IndiGo BluChips/Rs 100 | 8 IndiGo BluChips/Rs 100 |
Tier Bonus | None | 2 IndiGo BluChips/Rs 100 | 4 IndiGo BluChips/Rs 100 |
Bonus for IndiGo Website & App Bookings | 4 IndiGo BluChips/Rs 100 | 4 IndiGo BluChips/Rs 100 | 4 IndiGo BluChips/Rs 100 |
6E Addons Earn Rate | 8 IndiGo BluChips/Rs 100 | 10 IndiGo BluChips/Rs 100 | 12 IndiGo BluChips/Rs 100 |
6E Prime | No passes | 20 passes | 40 passes |
Pre-Book Seat, Excess Baggage, Fast Forward | 10% discount | 20% discount | 30% discount |
IndiGo BluChip Tier Qualification Criteria
- The base Blu 3 Tier has lifetime validity, however, is reviewed annually for the purpose of assignment of Tier Benefits.
- Members need to spend a minimum of Rs 1 Lakh and complete 04 IndiGo flights to upgrade or retain Blu 2 Tier
- Members need to spend a minimum of Rs 2 Lakh and complete 08 IndiGo flights to upgrade or retain Blu 1 Tier
- Blu 1 and Blu 2 Tiers are valid for a period of 12 months. Members need to qualify for retaining or upgrading their Tiers basis the above-mentioned Tier eligibility criteria.
Retro Claim BluChips for IndiGo Flights
If you have taken any IndiGo flights in the past 90 days, you can raise a retro claim to get the BluChips for those flights. We just claimed all the PNR numbers we had and the BluChips were immediately credited with an email notification.
Redeeming IndiGo BluChips
Each IndiGo BluChip is worth Rs 1. So, this is a simple earn and burn program where we do not need to calculate value per mile. BluChips can be redeemed directly on the IndiGo website/mobile app by doing a booking. You can even use your BluChips partially and pay the rest by credit card. Just like the earn rules, you can use BluChips to pay only for the base fare and fuel surcharge. Other levies and taxes etc. will have to paid through other payment modes.
- You need a minimum of 500 IndiGo Bluchips to start the redemption.
- Only IndiGo marketed and operated flights are eligible for redemptions. IndiGo marketed Codeshare Partner operated flights are not eligible for redemption.
- There are no blackout dates for redemption bookings
Add Nominees to use BluChips for bookings
IndiGo BluChip program has support to add nominees for whom you can also use your accumulated BluChips. However, there is no family pooling. You earn BluChips only for the flights that you have taken.
IndiGo BluChips Validity
IndiGo BluChips are valid for a period of 24 months from the date of credit in members account. However, IndiGo BluChips will be extended for another calendar month if the Member does an eligible Accrual or a Redemption activity on IndiGo or any Program Partner.
What’s coming next on the IndiGo BluChip program?
We should soon see the IndiGo BluChip open up to all customers. Along with that, there will be a launch of co-brand credit cards and other program partners where we can earn BluChips on spends. This will be similar to how the current 6E Rewards program runs.
Talking of 6E Rewards, there is no mention of when and how the 6E Rewards program will merge into BluChip or if it will happen at all.
Final Thoughts
Among Indian airlines, Vistara Club has been one of the our favourite airline programs. IndiGo has had the 6E Rewards program for sometime now but it never really gained popularity for many reasons.
The IndiGo BluChip loyalty program is a new attempt from IndiGo to reward its frequent fliers. And, it is a good one at that. If you find the concept of airmiles to be tedious, then this is a great option as you can treat the points as good as cash. We hope to see IndiGo BluChip co-brand credit cards soon and also other program partners.