Etihad Airways loyalty programme welcomes one millionth traveller

Loyal Etihad Airways flyer Frithjof Hilgers, a passenger on the flight from Abu Dhabi to Munich last week, was named the one millionth Etihad Guest member and was rewarded with 100,000 Etihad Guest miles.

Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme, was launched in August 2006 and has established itself as one of the airline industry’s fastest-growing and most innovative schemes.

Etihad Guest Miles can be redeemed against 1,800 flight and non-flight gifts from the airline’s Reward shop, featuring products from more than 200 partners.

Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer Peter Baumgartner said Etihad Guest was targeting another 500,000 members over the next two years.

This year, Etihad welcomed more than 10 key partners to its loyalty programme, including Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Hyatt Hotels, Marriott Vacation Club, Fairmont Hotels, Raffles Hotels, Swissotel hotels, Cristal Hotels UAE, Regus Office Solutions Worldwide, Gulf News, and Kaya Skin Clinic.

Since August, Etihad Guest members earned and redeemed “miles” with the airline’s major partner, Virgin Blue Group, comprising V Australia, Virgin Blue and Pacific Blue, following the integration of the airlines’ Etihad Guest and Velocity frequent flyer programmes.

Other Etihad Guest rewards range from flights, hotel accommodation and car rental to retail discounts and products on its online Reward Shop.