The region's leading coalition loyalty programme, Air Miles Middle East, will implement changes to its flight offers effective from Sunday July 10, 2011.
Air Miles Middle East will introduce a dynamic pricing structure that calculates redemptions based upon a number of factors, including time left until departure, route chosen and airline selected.
This development means anyone redeeming Air Miles for flights will now benefit from increased flexibility and the ability to book first and business class travel, one way rewards and also use low cost airlines, which will reduce the Air Miles required for many members.
For instance, a return flight to London flying with Lufthansa under the new pricing structure could now require nearly half the Air Miles that would have been needed using the old system. However - depending upon the same booking factors - the Air Miles required for the same flight with an alternative airline may have increased, meaning members need to remain flexible when booking airlines using the new structure.
Air Miles Middle East's CEO, Mark Mortimer-Davies, explains the changes: "We've decided to introduce this dynamic Air Reward pricing model for our members, which truly delivers our promise of any airline, anytime, anywhere.
"Members will notice a number of benefits from the new system, but above all there is now full freedom when using Air Miles to book travel - with bookings starting from 50,000 Air Miles. However, this new system makes it even more important for members to remain flexible and book flights earlier using their Air Miles in order to obtain the lowest possible prices."
Air Miles reward prices are based upon the best available fares across all airlines for the chosen dates and times of travel and members now have the freedom to book with multiple airlines, choose one way or return tickets and also select economy, business or first class seats.
Mortimer-Davies adds: "This is another major advantage to our members of being part of a coalition loyalty programme, as we are not tied to a particular brand, service or indeed airline. Therefore, members can accumulate Air Miles at a huge number of partners, making it easier to achieve rewards more quickly and giving us the opportunity to offer the best deals across different airlines.
"A recent survey by global market research firm, TNS, showed members and non-members of coalition loyalty programmes would like to see a better choice of flights and rewards from multiple airlines - this new flight proposition is well placed to deliver their needs," he explains.
As an added benefit to members of the new system, any restrictions to last minute travel will now only be imposed by the airline concerned, meaning bookings 24 hours prior to departure are now often possible while the Air Miles call centre is open.
Members can collect Air Miles when making everyday purchases from market-leading companies across the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, including HSBC, Spinneys, Lamcy Plaza and Damas and all members earn Air Miles twice when using their Air Miles card and HSBC credit card together at partner outlets.
Air Miles members can book flights using Air Miles by calling the Customer Service Centre from 9am-6pm (UAE time) Sunday to Thursday. Members should have their account details, passport and credit card details to hand.
www.airmilesme.com-Ends-
- Air Miles Middle East is managed by Rewards Management Middle East, which is 60 per cent owned by Groupe Aeroplan Inc., a global leader in loyalty management
- Air Miles' fully interactive website (www.airmilesme.com) allows members to check their Air Miles balance any time, providing the balance of Miles earned as well as allowing members to redeem online from a huge choice of rewards - the website also contains information about where members can earn Air Miles and details of any upcoming promotions
For more media information, please contact:
Ian Hainey
Custard Communications for Air Miles Middle East
+971 50 466 1368
ian@welikecustard.com
© Press Release 2011
