Etihad Guest launches Gold Elite tier
Originally published on www.businesstravellerme.com 15/06/2011 - Filed under: News »
Etihad Airways' most frequent flyers who chalk up 125,000 Tier miles or take more than 60 flights within any consecutive 12-month period can now apply for Gold Elite status.
The new tier is designed to further incentivise Gold members with additional service benefits and rewards.
They include excess baggage allowance of 20kgs, and Coral economy seat guarantees at 12 hours' notice (24 hours' notice in Gold).
Gold Elite members can nominate a third party, such as a family member or secretary, to manage bookings and account information on members' behalf, as well as one person a year to receive free Silver membership and access a 'dedicated channel' when shopping at the online Reward Shop.
But not all the benefits are novel. Upgrades from Coral to Pearl, and Pearl to Diamond, must still be booked 48 hours in advance, as per Gold policy, and members can bring 'self + guest' to Pearl Business Class lounges, but this is also a benefit in Gold.
Membership is valid for a maximum three years and three months, although to stay in the Elite banding, passengers must earn 100,000 Tier Miles or 48 Tier segments during the last full calendar year.
Barry Green, Vice President - CRM & Loyalty for Etihad Airways, said it has around 350 eligible passengers in its database who will be invited to join Gold Elite today.
Gold Elite members receive their card in a green and gold pack which also contains luggage tags and a booklet of vouchers with offers such as $1,000 off Diamond Class flights.
Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, said it was working on a retail initiative whereby Etihad Guest cards could be accepted universally.
"Wouldn't it be great if you could use your Etihad Guest card wherever you are in the world, whether it's Abu Dhabi or Fifth Avenue?"
Etihad Guest has proved popular internationally with only 25% of its 1.2m members located in the UAE.
Baumgartner hinted that its upcoming A380s would have genuinely new features on board, and took issue with Emirates' showers on board its A380s. "That's not really innovation," he said.
For more information, visit etihadairways.com
Report by Dominic Ellis
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