Etihad Guest, the new loyalty programme from Etihad Airways, has achieved another milestone with the announcement that the programme has its first UAE national Silver Members.
Since its launch in August, more than 50,000 members have joined the Etihad Guest programme, and there are now 42 Silver Members and 1 Gold Member worldwide.
“Etihad is delighted to welcome our first UAE Silver Members of the Etihad Guest programme. The programme was only launched in August and to gain silver status so quickly illustrates how much they enjoy flying with Etihad, and how quickly Etihad Guest members are rewarded for their loyalty,” said Peter Baumgartner, Head of Marketing at Etihad Airways.
One of the first UAE nationals to qualify for Silver Membership is Mr. Abdulaziz Abdulla Alkhaili, a frequent business traveller from Abu Dhabi, who has accrued the necessary 25,000 Etihad Guest Miles.
A special ceremony was held at Etihad’s new Premium Check-in facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport to welcome Mr. Alkhaili, where he was presented with his new membership card and gift by officials from Etihad’s management team.
To celebrate the landmark occasion of the programme’s first Silver Members, Etihad will personally deliver the membership upgrade packs to the first 100 members regardless of where they live in the world.
Thereafter, every new Silver Member will automatically receive an upgrade pack that contains their new Etihad Guest Silver Card, a unique gift and an exclusive “thank you” gesture.
“Our focus is always to ensure that we go the extra distance to reward our Guests for choosing to fly with Etihad. Wherever our Guests are in the world they will enjoy the personal treatment and luxuries afforded to them from Etihad,” added Raymond Korban, Regional General Manager, UAE and Oman.
Amongst the plethora of benefits available to Etihad Guest Silver Members, Etihad will also offer 25 percent extra Etihad Tier Miles on every flight, waiting list priority and seat guarantees.
Furthermore, Silver Members are given special lounge access, excess baggage allowance and bonus Etihad Guest Miles when travelling in the Pearl or Diamond Zone.
Etihad Guest Silver Members will retain their membership status for the remainder of the calendar year in which they qualify, including the next calendar year.
Etihad Guest members can also apply for the recently launched co-branded HSBC Etihad Guest Card, which is the only co-branded credit card with the national carrier within the region.
The unique card which includes the HSBC Etihad Guest Classic Card, the HSBC Etihad Guest Privilege Card and the HSBC Etihad Guest Exclusive Card, allows members to earn miles on all their purchases at home and abroad.
“Loyalty deserves recognition which is what our members receive at every level of the programme regardless of the tier of membership. We are constantly expanding the ways in which our members can earn and spend their miles,” continues Baumgartner.
The hospitality-focused Etihad Guest programme offers members the opportunity to earn and redeem miles through flights as well as via travel, leisure, lifestyle, retail and financial partners from the unique Reward Shop.
Etihad Guest Membership is free and mile accrual is immediate, with individuals from every country aged two-years old and upwards eligible to join. For more information or to enrol online, visit: www.etihadguest.com.
About Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest was launched globally on 30 August 2006 to cater to the world’s growing number of service-conscious airline customers.
The pioneering loyalty programme offers its members a flexible range of features and “payment” options, whether using purely miles or a cash contribution, immediate redemption potential, a wide range of non-flight partners and the chance to earn miles on reward flights through cash contributions.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, is the world’s leading new airline and currently offers flights for Guests and cargo to 47 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.
Etihad Crystal Cargo – www.crystalcargo.ae – offers a comprehensive range of cargo services throughout Etihad’s network, and services its many all-cargo destinations and world-wide charters with a fleet of modern regional freighter aircraft.
Etihad Holidays - www.etihadholidays.com - offers a range of innovative holiday options in 82 destinations including skiing, fly-drives, cruises, tours, stopovers, inbound programmes and city breaks.
Through these exciting divisions, Etihad Airways is changing the way people see the world.
Etihad Airways has been awarded the titles of the World’s Leading New Airline in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and the World’s Leading Flat-bed Seat in 2006 by the World Travel Awards.
Etihad has also been voted the Airline of the Year in the Middle East by the 2006 Pax International Magazine Readership Awards, for its outstanding food and service.
For more information about this award-winning aviation group, please visit www.etihadairways.com.
