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Emirates airline is going the extra mile to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the economic challenges currently gripping businesses across the globe.
To celebrate a successful first year for Business Rewards – the Dubai-based international carrier’s innovative loyalty programme tailor-made for SMEs – 5,000 bonus Miles are being offered when each new account is activated.
With firms in 55 countries across the airline’s network recognising the broad range of benefits available, the 24/7 online rewards scheme has grown from strength to strength and now has more than 5000 registered accounts across the globe.
Russell Sheldon, Senior Vice President Network Passenger Sales Development, said: “Business Rewards has been fantastically popular, with cost-conscious companies attracted to the great value and benefits it offers both themselves and their employees.
“Small and medium-sized companies are often the most vulnerable in periods of economic uncertainty and we are delighted to be able to help them keep their costs down – and reward their loyalty to Emirates – with bonus Miles.
“A large number of our members are based in Dubai and, as a company committed to the development of Dubai, Emirates recognises the role these firms played in its remarkable growth. And with SMEs accounting for around 80% of the businesses operating in the UAE, they will continue to play a vital part in its future success.”
The award-winning programme has been so popular that Emirates – which serves 100 destinations in 60 countries across six continents – recently launched customised versions for the French and German markets.
A key factor in the success of the free-to-join Business Rewards scheme – which gives members two Miles for every $1 they spend on travel – has been the mutual benefits it offers both SMEs and their staff.
Each time a registered employee books an Emirates flight, the company earns Business Rewards Miles, while the individual traveller continues to earn personal Miles from Skywards, Emirates’ frequent flyer programme for regular passengers.
The company can then redeem accumulated Business Rewards Miles against future bookings or – like many firms – use them to recognise the efforts of hard-working employees through staff incentive schemes.
The programme also provides a convenient online portal for administrators at SMEs to manage employee travel on Emirates airline. The company must register with Business Rewards in the country where it is located, but it can accumulate Miles for travel undertaken by employees at all their branches into one central account. The offer of 5000 bonus Miles is only available until 30th September 2009 to new or existing members who have yet to make a booking.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
