Rewards from Etihad, airberlin

Etihad Airways and airberlin have integrated their Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) loyalty programs — Business Connect and business points. From today (June 11), SMEs which participate in either airline’s business travel loyalty program will be rewarded for flying on codeshare flights operated by Etihad Airways, airberlin and NIKI. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer said: “We are delighted to be able to introduce the smartest and most rewarding loyalty scheme to the market, targeted at SME businesses who are looking for ways to optimize their business travel spend whilst adding convenience and value to their travel experience. This joint collaboration between airberlin and Etihad Airways is yet again another demonstration of the added value we are bringing to corporate travel.” Paul Gregorowitsch, chief commercial officer at airberlin, “Our SME business points program is a highly successful and appreciated concept amongst SMEs, with currently more than 10,000 registered members. By teaming up with Etihad Airways’ Business Connect, we are taking our SME program to the next level. Members of both programs now have a wider range of possibilities to earn rewards, and at the same time it could lower their travel expenses.” “For example, now points can also be used for award flights in Business Class with airberlin to destinations in North America such as Los Angeles or Vancouver and with Etihad Airways to destinations in Asia, Australia, the Gulf States or South Africa,” he said. Established two years ago, airberlin’s business points is a free bonus points program for SMEs, including: public bodies, associations, law firms, medical and dental practices, and consulting companies. From today airberlin business points members can earn points when flying on qualifying routes with codeshare partner Etihad Airways. These points can ultimately be redeemed by SMEs as awards flights. Etihad Airways’ Business Connect program, also set up over two years ago, is a free mileage earning program for SMEs. Built on the same platform as the award winning Etihad Guest frequent flyer program, members earn Etihad Guest miles for their business every time one of their employees flies. Business Connect members can now earn Etihad Guest miles when flying on qualifying routes with codeshare partner airberlin or its Austrian subsidiary NIKI. These miles can ultimately be redeemed for free flights, upgrades and rewards from the Etihad Guest reward shop.