Emirates Skywards, the frequent flyer programme of Dubai-based airline Emirates, has now become the official loyalty programme of low-cost carrier Flydubai, replacing its former Open programme.
The integration of the budget airline into Emirates Skywards means that members earn Skywards Miles as well as Tier Miles when travelling on flights operated by Flydubai.
Former members of Flydubai’s Open programme are also eligible to enrol in Emirates Skywards in order to continue accruing miles and status. As previously reported by Business Traveller, Open members have been able to convert their miles manually at a rate of one Skywards Mile for every two Open points.
Any unredeemed Open points by this stage will be converted into a Flydubai voucher that will be sent to members’ registered email addresses today.
The integration of the two airlines’ loyalty programmes follows increased collaboration between the two carriers, which has notably included a codesharing agreement between the carriers on a number of routes.
“We are pleased to announce the expansion of our loyalty programme to now include two airlines – Emirates airline and Flydubai,” said Nejib Ben Kedher, senior vice president of Emirates Skywards.
“The strategic move will bring even more benefits to our members giving them opportunities to earn and spend Miles on an extended global route network, as well as select privileges on both airlines.”
Along with miles earning, members can also redeem miles on Flydubai flights, which can be supplemented with partial payments using cash.
From a status perspective, existing Silver, Gold and Platinum members will receive certain benefits when flying on Flydubai services regardless of their class of travel. This includes extra baggage allowance and priority check-in at the budget airline’s business class counters.
Travellers who enrol in the programme also receive a “first flight bonus” when taking their first flight on either Emirates or Flydubai within the first six months of joining.
Members can also use a miles calculator on the Emirates website in order to work out how many miles they can earn in each fare class of their chosen flight.
