Visa and Etihad Guest have renewed their exclusive cobrand deal in the UAE for another 7 years. This partnership enables Etihad Guest to further grow its’ cobrand card portfolio with key financial partners in the UAE and drive innovation in the country’s payment ecosystem. Visa’s global platform, digital first approach, and unmatched card benefits will further augment the growth of the Etihad Guest programme. As global and UAE travel trends continue to be on the rise, this partnership will further provide Etihad Guest customers with market leading customer value propositions including a secure payment product with benefits of earning miles and enjoying rewards such as global lounge access. At the same time, cardholders benefit from convenient services like concierge and insurance. Etihad boasts six banking partnerships in the UAE which are enabled through its cobrand partnership with Visa. As a result, Etihad Guest cobrand cardholders can earn rewards through everyday spending on their credit cards, making travel even more attractive. The partnership complements Etihad’s current growth journey as the airline continues to expand its network, offering Etihad Guest members an even greater choice of destinations when spending their rewards. Arik De, Chief Revenue Officer, Etihad, said: “With more than 9 million members globally, the Etihad Guest programme offers our members and guests a richly rewarding travel and lifestyle experience. As two leading and trusted global brands, we’re proud to renew our exclusive partnership with Visa, giving us further ability to enhance and evolve the Etihad Guest programme for our members in the UAE both locally and as they travel the world with Etihad. These are part of the exciting array of offerings we are adding as we further cement Etihad …
Read More »Etihad Guest and UTU partner to reward Etihad guest members
Singapore-based travel-tech company utu (utu Pte Ltd) has announced that Etihad Guest, the frequent flyer programme of the UAE’s national airline Etihad Airways, will now allow Etihad Guest members to shop tax-free globally with the utu Tax-Free Card. Etihad’s Vice President Loyalty & Partnerships, Kim Hardaker said, “With nearly 8 million members globally, we’re constantly innovating and expanding our network of global partners to provide even greater rewards for being an Etihad Guest member. Today, we’re pleased to join forces with utu to allow our members to earn Miles as well benefit from utu’s tax refunds capabilities.” Under the partnership, Etihad Guest members can now use the utu Tax-Free Card to: Earn 6,250 miles (worth US$125) for every US$100 tax refunded on the utu Tax-Free Card. To celebrate the launch, until 30 November 2022, Etihad Guest Members can simply download and register on the utu Tax Free App and select Etihad Guest as the default rewards programme to receive 500 Etihad Guest miles. The first VAT transactions (accumulated) of U$100 in the UAE or U$150 for refunds from the rest of world qualifies for an additional 2000 bonus Etihad Guest Miles. Commenting on the new partnership, Asad Jumabhoy, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder at utu said, “We are incredibly excited to announce our new partnership with Etihad Guest. For utu travellers, it is even more exciting as they can now select one of the most popular airline programmes, Etihad Guest, as their rewards programme when converting their VAT refunds to miles.” As the UAE’s national carrier, Etihad operates to more than 70 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. The Etihad Guest …
Read More »Etihad Guest partners with Mashreq bank to launch a points transfer programme
Etihad Guest, loyalty programme of Etihad Airways in partnership with Mashreq, has launched a points transfer programme for members to benefit from. Members can now convert Mashreq Salaam Points into Etihad Guest Miles with a conversion ratio of 22 Salaam Points for every 1 Etihad Guest Mile. Etihad Guest members can simply visit the authorised Mashreq Mobile app to convert Salaam points into Etihad Guest Miles. Members who transfer Salaam Points to Etihad Guest before 20 July 2022 can enjoy 20% extra Bonus Miles as an introductory offer. Kim Hardaker, Vice President Loyalty & Partnerships, Etihad Airways, said: “We’re excited to partner with Mashreq Bank so our Etihad Guest members can now transfer Salaam Points into our programme. The collaboration is designed to both encourage new customers and allow existing loyalty members to reap more benefits from partnering with two strong local brands. Members benefit by accelerating towards their next reward, whether they choose to redeem on flights with Etihad Airways and our 20 partner airlines, upgrades and so much more.” Etihad’s loyalty programme has relaxed its mileage expiration policy. Mashreq card holders can now benefit from miles that will only expire after 18 months of inactivity, and can be kept active by buying, earning, redeeming, or transferring miles. Kartik Taneja, Head of Payments at Mashreq, said: “As the travel industry continues to chart a positive course of recovery, we are delighted to introduce instant redemption of Salaam Points for the award-winning Etihad Guest Miles loyalty program, where the conversion can be completed swiftly and seamlessly via our Mashreq Mobile app. Our vision to become the region’s most progressive bank, enabling innovative possibilities, involves helping our customers take instant journeys …
Read More »Etihad Guest partners with Air Arabia’s AirRewards
Etihad Guest has partnered with Air Arabia’s loyalty programme AirRewards, to allow members of both schemes to benefit from reciprocal points and miles transfers. These could be spent on flights with Etihad and Air Arabia, holidays, shopping and more. Kim Hardaker, Head of Loyalty & Partnerships, Etihad Airways, said, “This partnership will provide both Etihad Guest and AirRewards with the opportunity to significantly broaden the travel reach, rewards and programme benefits for our respective members. The collaboration is designed to both engage with new customers, while further improving the benefits for our existing loyalty members.” When transferring miles, Etihad Guest members will now receive 1 AirReward Point for every 2 Etihad Guest Miles. AirRewards can be transferred to Etihad Guest Miles at the conversion rate of 2 AirRewards Points for every 1 Etihad Guest Mile. In response to the pandemic, both airline’s loyalty programmes have implemented initiatives to protect member benefits and further engage with their loyal communities. Etihad Guest ensured that no member had their status downgraded by gifting monthly bonus Tier Miles, offering double Tier Miles promotions, reinstating expired miles and removing the GuestSeat change fee.
Read More »Etihad Airways codeshares with Saudia
Etihad Airways and SAUDIA, announced a new reciprocal loyalty agreement, expanding on the existing codeshare deal between the two airlines. Members of the Etihad Guest and ALFURSAN programmes can now earn and redeem miles on flights across both carriers’ networks. Loyalty programme members from both airlines will also be able to earn Tier Miles and Tier Segments, helping them progress to the next tier level faster. In addition, members will be able to earn miles on Etihad and SAUDIA codeshare flights. Terry Daly, Executive Director Guest Experience, Brand & Marketing, Etihad Airways, said, “As the aviation industry begins to restart and guests return to the skies, this partnership strengthens the airlines’ commitment to growing inbound business and tourism in their respective markets. It complements Etihad’s existing codeshare agreement with SAUDIA and opens more destinations for Etihad Guest members to earn and spend their miles through travel.” Khalid Al-Bassam, Chief Commercial Officer, SAUDIA, commented, “We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Etihad through this latest agreement, which further builds on our shared history of successful collaboration. By offering our guests more opportunities to earn miles we are bringing greater value, flexibility and convenience to their travel experience, which will help fuel growth in demand and contribute to our goal of enhancing the Kingdom’s aviation and tourism sectors.” The partners are also re-launching their codeshare cooperation beyond each other’s hubs. Under this extensive commercial partnership, which has seen more than 110,000 passenger journeys facilitated over the past two years, SAUDIA has added its ‘SV’ code to 15 destinations on the Etihad network in Saudi Arabia, Asia, the US and Europe. In addition, Etihad has added its ‘EY’ code to SAUDIA destinations …
Read More »‘Etihad Guest’ brings more flexible options
Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, concluded 2020 with a positive outlook following a series of corporate social responsibility activations and member initiatives. During 2020, the programme and its members donated 48 million miles to support relief campaigns for COVID-19, Australia’s bushfires and the explosion in Beirut. In addition to this, multiple projects were launched to support and reward loyalty members globally. Etihad Guest and its members donated 23 million miles to buy ventilators, masks and soaps for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, 22 million miles supported Australia’s bushfires which equated to feeding over 1,100 koalas for one year, and 3 million miles were used to support home renovations following the Beirut explosion, in addition to food, medical and hygiene supplies. Throughout 2020, Etihad Guest continued its transformation journey to enhance its customer experience and as a result of the pandemic, evolved with the changing landscape. To recognise members who were unable to travel, Etihad Guest gifted monthly bonus Tier Miles to ensure guest statuses were not downgraded, reduced the tier requirements and provided various Tier Miles promotions. Expired miles were also reinstated, transferring to friends and family enabled and the GuestSeat change fee was removed. Kim Hardaker, Head of Loyalty & Partnerships, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “Last year, Etihad Guest focused on delivering the greatest flexibility and support for members around the globe. The programme expanded customer choice, connectivity, and convenience by growing its partnerships with Aldar, Miral, Majid Al Futtaim and ADNOC. This year, Etihad Guest will continue to leverage those partnerships and form new collaborations to provide our members with more benefits both on the ground and in the air.”
Read More »Etihad announce new rewarding partnership with Trip.com
Etihad Guest has partnered with Trip.com, the leading international online travel service provider, to offer Etihad Guest Members rewarding new travel options. Trip.com has an international presence in more than 200 countries and regions, and this partnership will provide holidaymakers with the opportunity to earn Etihad Guest Miles on accommodation bookings made through the website. Etihad Guest members will now be rewarded with 3 Etihad Guest Miles for every 1 USD spent on accommodation bookings at more than 1.4 million properties available through the portal. Yasser Al Yousuf, Vice President Commercial Partnerships, Etihad Airways, said, “This year, we’re committed to growing our partnership footprint, to bring more choice and greater rewards to our valued Etihad Guest members. This new partnership with Trip.com will increase our presence across the Far East. As global travel restrictions are eased, many of our guests are excited to travel again, and our partnership with Trip.com will further reward them, wherever their travel may take them.” “As travellers around the world look towards their next trips, we are delighted to be partnering with Etihad Guest to maximise benefits for travellers from the Middle East and around the globe,” said Trip.com Group Chief Marketing Officer Bo Sun.
Read More »Etihad introduces travel programme for UAE government employees
Etihad Airways is offering federal government employees up to 15% off flights with the launch of its UAE Government Employee Travel Programme. Travellers who enrol into the programme for free will be able to check in at Abu Dhabi International Airport using a dedicated counter and will receive 15kg additional baggage allowance. When travelling to the USA or Canada, travellers can bring an extra bag weighing up to 23kg in Economy and up to 32kg in Business and First class. Duncan Bureau, Senior Vice President Sales and Distribution, Etihad Airways said, “We are delighted to partner with the UAE Government to offer its employees exclusive travel discounts, benefits and rewards. Whether booking for business or leisure, we hope this new travel programme will encourage more residents to start flying again.”
Read More »Etihad Guest unveils new deals and offers
Etihad Guest has launched exciting new offers for members to enjoy, from points transfers to discounted redemptions and more.Members who convert a minimum of 5,000 Etihad Guest Miles from other loyalty programmes between now and August 31, 2020 will receive one Tier Mile for every mile transferred, encouraging guests to help maintain or even upgrade their Tier status which will enable them to enjoy additional benefits. Points can be transferred from other loyalty programmes including, Air Miles, Citibank, Emirates NBD, Etisalat and First Abu Dhabi Bank. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group said, “In addition to the many deals that Etihad Guest is unveiling, we are currently offering a massive sale on miles redemption with a 30% discount on Guest Seats, hotel stays and car rentals when booking with Travel Rewards, valid for travel until 31 May 2021. Selected items on the Reward Shop are also discounted by 30%. We hope our members will enjoy taking part in these summer prizes”. UAE members who have the Etihad Guest mobile app will also save 30% when they redeem their miles through the app at Aldar malls across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain (WTC, Yas Mall, Al Jimi Mall) until 27 August 2020.In partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, members can take advantage of unbeatable brand discounts of up to 80% until 31 August 2020 across 21 malls participating in the summer-long Unbox Amazing promotion in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. Additionally, 1,000,000 Etihad Guest Miles, among other prizes are up for grabs as part of a series of Shop & Win prize draws. Members who spend more than AED 200 at any …
Read More »Etihad Airways shares status and re-start plans
Etihad plans to operate a reduced network of scheduled passenger services from May 1 to June 30, with the aim of gradually returning to a fuller schedule as and when the global situation improves; subject to UAE government imposed travel restrictions being lifted on passenger travel. Etihad is also continuing to operate a growing schedule of special passenger flights allowing foreign nationals in the UAE the opportunity to travel out of the country, and to carry essential belly-hold cargo such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies. To date, the airline has also repatriated almost 600 UAE nationals on return services. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “We remain cautiously optimistic and will push ahead with our plans to resume normal flying, while striving to better serve and support our customers and our employees. While the intention is to assume a ‘business as usual’ approach to the restart of our operations, the aviation landscape has changed, and how it will look month by month is difficult to predict. This has necessitated a fundamental shift in focus for us. However, the cumulative gains achieved by our ongoing transformation, and the unwavering support of our shareholder, has left us in a relatively strong position to withstand any instability. We will pivot on this and act with agility to seize opportunities we may not have previously considered. “We are implementing a series of network-wide route and fleet efficiencies, while conducting an extensive brand study and trialing new service concepts in our guest experience proposition. We are also using this time to drive further internal improvements in the efficient use of automation and technology across all areas of the business, while …
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