Latest news with #frequentflyer
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Etihad Airways and Azul Brazilian Airlines launch loyalty partnership
Partnership opens 137 Brazilian destinations including São Paulo, Salvador and Recife. Azul Fidelidade members gain access to Etihad's expanding network. Abu Dhabi, UAE – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and Azul Brazilian Airlines have launched a frequent flyer partnership agreement. The agreement enables members of both Etihad Guest and the Azul Fidelidade programme to earn and redeem their respective loyalty currency on either carrier. Etihad Guest members can redeem their miles on flights, worldwide hotel stays and holidays, or shop from a variety of products from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop. Azul Fidelidade member miles can be spent on hotel stays, car rentals, products and services at Azul Fidelidade Shopping. Mark Potter, Managing Director Etihad Guest, said: 'Signing this frequent flyer agreement with Azul Brazilian Airlines is both exciting and significant for Etihad Guest. The partnership opens up Azul's impressive network for our members to be rewarded for their travel adventures, offering more ways to earn and redeem their miles when exploring destinations across the Americas. We also look forward to welcoming Azul Fidelidade members onboard Etihad Airways, showcasing our signature Emirati hospitality and offering them the ability to earn or redeem their miles when they choose to travel across our rapidly expanding global network, also bringing more people to our home in Abu Dhabi.' The partnership transforms how members explore South America. Etihad Guest members can now use their miles to discover Brazil's cultural capitals – from the bustling streets of São Paulo to the colonial charm of Salvador and the beaches of Recife. The agreement also unlocks Azul's routes to popular destinations like Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Curaçao, creating new possibilities for onwards travel throughout the Americas. For Azul Fidelidade members, the partnership opens doors to Etihad's rapidly expanding network. Members can earn miles exploring Asia's emerging destinations including Krabi's pristine beaches, Phnom Penh's vibrant night markets, or the bustling energy of Taipei. Cristina Yoshida, Director of Azul Fidelidade, Azul Brazilian Airlines, also commented, 'We are very excited to open the door for our customers to explore the extraordinary destinations offered by Etihad Airways in the Middle East and Asia, while also welcoming new members eager to discover Brazil. This partnership reinforces Azul's commitment to offering more global benefits in collaboration with companies recognized for excellence in service and customer experience.' The partnership launches as both airlines continue to grow their networks. Etihad recently announced 27 new destinations for 2025 expanding the network to more than 100 spectacular destinations around the world, while Azul maintains Brazil's largest domestic network with over 137 destinations. For more information, please visit or About Etihad Airways Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the world's leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Together with Etihad's codeshare partners, Etihad's network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more. To learn more, visit About Azul Brazilian Airlines Azul S.A. (B3: AZUL4, NYSE: AZUL) is the largest airline in Brazil by number of departures and cities served, offering more than 800 daily flights to 137 destinations. With an operational fleet of approximately 200 aircraft and over 15,000 crew members, the airline operates a network of 250 nonstop routes. Azul was ranked the 2nd most on-time airline in the world in 2023 by Cirium, a leading aviation analytics company. In 2020, Azul was named the best airline in the world by TripAdvisor, marking the first time a Brazilian airline received the top spot in the Traveler's Choice Awards. For further details: Duty Media Officer Etihad Airways Email: dutymediaofficer@
The Australian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Australian
How Qantas Frequent Flyer, Velocity compare to other airline loyalty programs
Analysis of the best frequent flyer programs for Australian travellers has ranked Virgin Atlantic as number one based on the average value of each point earned. Australian Frequent Flyer's Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart undertook the detailed analysis in an effort to throw some light on one of the murkiest areas of loyalty schemes. It was noted the value of points varied dramatically based on redemptions — with Qantas Frequent Flyer members getting the equivalent of 0.46 cents a point for a gift card, and as much as 3.66c a point for a domestic flight cabin upgrade. Overall, Qantas points were valued at an average 1.8c per point, just ahead of Virgin Australia's Velocity on 1.7c, and behind Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club at 2.1c. Qatar Airways' Privilege Club 'avios' were worth an average 2c a point, and Cathay Pacific and Air France loyalty programs 1.9c a point. At the other end of the scale was Air New Zealand airpoints — estimated to be worth a mere 1c per point, and Etihad Guest and Emirates' Skywards at 1.3c. Mr Graham acknowledged Virgin Atlantic did not fly to Australia, but said the airline offered 'relatively good value redemptions with lower points requirements than other programs for similar flights'. 'In addition, Virgin Atlantic is part of SkyTeam, and there is very good reward flight availability on key routes, including from Australia to Asia with partner airlines such as Garuda Indonesia and Vietnam Airlines,' he said. 'With Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, you can also book trans-Tasman flights on Air New Zealand as well as economy class flights on Virgin Australia.' On the homegrown front, it was noted it was easy to earn large amounts of points with Qantas Frequent Flyer and Virgin Velocity, particularly through points-earning credit cards. But, Qantas points were considered slightly more valuable, partly due to higher airfares with more inclusions and better access to lounges. Mr Graham said there was no question the best use of Qantas points was for business class reward flights between Australia and Asia, closely followed by using points for upgrades and domestic flights. 'For example, a business class redemption from Sydney to Tokyo through Qantas Frequent Flyer would net you around 3.4 cents per point of value, more than seven times the value of a gift card,' he said. 'The same Sydney-Tokyo business class redemption through Velocity Frequent Flyer is worth around 2.7 cents per point.' Velocity chief executive Nick Rohrlach said the program made it easier to earn and redeem points across a wide range of partners, and competitive fares meant members could access rewards sooner. 'While points valuations can vary depending on methodology and timing, we remain focused on providing a rewarding and accessible program that meets the needs of Australian travellers,' said Mr Rohrlach. Loyalty expert Adele Eliseo of The Champagne Mile said the Australian Frequent Flyer analysis showed there was 'value hiding in programs that may not be on most Australians' radar'. 'As a UK-based program, Virgin Atlantic isn't as easy to earn into as Qantas or Velocity but it's accessible to Australians Amex Membership Rewards,' Ms Eliseo said. 'Virgin Atlantic's high valuation is partly built on access to Air New Zealand's premium cabin seats, with standout redemptions like 15,000 miles for business class from Australian cities to Auckland.' She said it was somewhat ironic that while Air New Zealand's own program delivered some of the weakest returns, 'international partners monetised its best inventory'. 'Air New Zealand's own program Airpoints Dollars, is little more than a fixed cash rebate,' said Ms Eliseo. Although there was no question that airline loyalty programs differed considerably, Mr Graham said the best rule of thumb was to not tie yourself down to just one. 'Collecting points with multiple airline programs — or better, flexible credit card reward programs that let you transfer your points out as needed — ensures you can get the best value for your points every time you want to redeem them,' he said. 'It also helps spread the risk, in case a particular airline devalues its frequent flyer program at short notice.' Read related topics: Qantas Robyn Ironside Aviation Writer Robyn Ironside is The Australian's aviation writer, and has twice been recognised by the Australasian Aviation Press Club (in 2020 and 2023) as the best aviation journalist. She has been with The Australian since 2018, and covered aviation for News Corp since 2014 after previously reporting on Queensland state politics and crime with The Courier-Mail. Aviation A 737 aircraft has been severely damaged after becoming detached from a tug vehicle and colliding with it at Melbourne Airport. Aviation The Boeing 747 was being towed for maintenance when the incident happened, leaving an enormous rip in the side of the aircraft.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-boarding-passes-KEEPBOARDINGPASS0725-99b7a25ea063453893d6bbf1126f41e6.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
Why Travel Experts Say You Should Never Throw Away Your Boarding Pass
You prepared for your trip, printed your boarding pass, and made it to your destination. At this point, it might be tempting to toss your ticket or delete the saved screenshot of your boarding pass—but you may want to hang on to it a bit longer. Keeping your boarding pass can offer a few unexpected benefits even after your journey ends. It's a small habit that can potentially save you time, money, and stress down the line. A Record of Your Journey Airlines occasionally lose track of flight records—especially when it comes to mileage credit. If you ever need to prove that you were on a flight, your boarding pass serves as solid evidence. It's especially wise to hang on to a printed version, as mobile boarding passes can sometimes disappear once a flight lands. Having that tangible proof can also come in handy for lounge access or verifying eligibility for upgrades. For Frequent Flyer Mile Discrepancies We all hope mileage programs work flawlessly, but technical glitches happen. If your frequent flyer miles don't post correctly, your boarding pass can help customer service resolve the issue quickly. 'If you're part of an airline's loyalty program, your boarding pass might be necessary to claim missing points or miles. Sometimes, airlines have technical issues, and your miles may not be automatically credited,' the blog UniMoniTravel states. 'Having your boarding pass allows you to provide the necessary proof to claim your rewards.' In Case of Travel Disruptions Delays, cancelations, and lost luggage are unfortunate realities of air travel. If you need to file a claim with travel insurance or take advantage of credit card protections, your boarding pass can provide essential information that helps validate your case. Keeping it on hand makes navigating these issues easier. To Protect Your Personal Information If you're using a paper boarding pass, be careful of how you dispose of it. The bar code contains a lot of sensitive data, including your frequent flyer number, which may be linked to your email address, phone number, or other personal details. Hold on to your pass until you're sure it's no longer needed and shred it or destroy it securely when you're ready.
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Forbes
Travel Week 2025: The Forbes Vetted Getaway Guide
W ith busy schedules and the constant demands of work and life, it's harder than ever to find time to fully unplug. Still, according to recent research from the University of Georgia, taking a vacation is not only more beneficial to your health and well-being than previously thought, but the positive effects of time off last much longer than your hotel reservation. That's why we assembled the Forbes Vetted Getaway Guide, your trusted resource for quick-yet-satisfying trip ideas that will help you unwind without using all of your PTO days. Each destination below has been handpicked by our frequent-flyer editors as either a relaxing location that you can soak in over a few days or a must-see city that can be easily reached with a direct flight. For those looking to dig their toes in the sand, we've got top-rated beach retreats and luxurious all-inclusives in the Caribbean and Mexico, plus easy-to-reach U.S. coastal towns with tons of character. Mountainous hot spots, like Aspen and Jackson Hole, offer a uniquely calm and scenic vibe to help city dwellers escape the gridlock and connect with nature. And European trips to beloved places like Rome and Mallorca are perfect for travelers looking for spontaneous adventure and late-in-the-game deals. Once your stay is booked, check out our picks for the very best luggage and travel accessories to efficiently prep for your trip, from carry-ons and weekender totes to crossbody bags that will keep your essentials close. And don't miss the genius packing guides featuring practical tips and in-flight necessities, recommended by seasoned jet-setters like Shay Mitchell, Neil Patrick Harris and our very own globe-trotting senior travel editor, who has stamped her passport in more than 40 countries. CREDITS Editing: Astrid Taran, Kim Peiffer, Jennifer Ferrise
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Aussie with 1.5 million points details insane holiday
Andy Pudmenzky has two obsessions – collecting frequent flyer points and visiting theme parks – and he's found a way to combine both. The thrillseeker from Brisbane recently turned his childhood love of roller-coasters into the ultimate European adventure – booking a return business class seat on Singapore Airlines to Frankfurt, using some of his 1.5 million Velocity points. 'There were four of us. One of my friends lives in Germany so he met us there and three of us saved up points and flew together on business class from Brisbane,' Andy told The 42-year-old used his expertise to help his mates accumulate enough points to cover their flights, giving them some handy tips. 'The main thing was to get enough points to be able to fund the trip (around 180,000 points each way),' he said. 'The first thing I asked them was 'what card have you got' and they said 'oh just one from my bank'. 'I said, 'oh, no, no – some are good but make sure you get one that earns you points with your frequent flyer program' in which this case was Velocity. 'For me personally, and the one I always recommend is American Express Platinum because out of all the cards I've seen and looked at, you get the most points per dollar. It also has some good benefits like free lounge access locally here on the Virgin network and free international insurance which is a fairly big chunk.' After signing up to the Amex card, the boys also got 60,000 bonus points which Andy said helped towards covering their reward seat. 'The rest was just every day spending and Flybuys (Coles) and all the other ways you can get points (such as Velocity e-store).' It was the first time the friends used points to secure business class flights and since then they've become equally as obsessed in accumulating points to travel in luxury. The group flew business on Singapore Airlines (a Virgin Australia partner), with Andy joking the first time he ever flew with the airline, he had no idea business seats were flat lay. 'First I thought 'jeez this is a really wide seat' and then the flight attendant mentioned that it goes into a bed as well – I thought it just reclined a bit more (than economy),' Andy laughed. The marketing guru and avid photographer said the moment they touched down in Frankfurt, they were refreshed, recharged and keen to embark on their 27-day long trip. The boys gallivanted around Europe in a hire car, covering 4,300km, visiting 14 theme parks across eight different countries. Andy was personally living his best life, having hopped on more than 50 roller-coasters including his favourite – the 110km/h Toutatis coaster in Parc Asterix in France. He rode it six times in one day. 'I would have ridden it more if the lines weren't so long,' he laughed. The 42-year-old said, however, in terms of his favourite theme park, it's Europa-Park in Germany. 'It's a huge park. People often spend about two days there. It's actually made by a rollercoaster manufacturer.' Other theme parks they visited were in Denmark and Belgium. He also completed his 100th unique coaster on the trip. 'The purpose of this trip was just to go to theme parks. A work friend actually said, 'Oh cool are you going to Europe, you get to see all the churches and monuments' – and I said 'Oh no I've done that all before, this is all just roller-coasters'. 'He was like 'what'? He thought it was definitely a bit strange,' Andy laughed. Andy now has his sights set on Japan for his next rollercoaster holiday. 'I am going to head south to Hiroshima – there's tonnes of theme parks there including Disney and Universal, so I'll definitely be checking those out as well.' Andy started collecting points around 10 years when he signed up to Velocity. He said it has helped him visit more than 20 countries, including seeing his family back home in Germany. He has used his points in both economy and business classes. He said flying at the pointy end was once 'so out of reach', but now he's managed to make it a reality. 'It wasn't until I saw people on social media saying they were flying internationally in business class. It was so out of reach for a younger me. The I started looking into it a bit more and learned about points hacking and that you can use these points to get rewards seats to really make intentional travel on business class possible.' He chose Virgin's Velocity program for their pros. 'Just looking at the network available – so you look at where the points can take you, where the airline goes, where their partners go.' Andy has around 1.5 million points and counting. After all, he's going to need all the points he can get if he's going to fund his rollercoaster obsession and visit every theme park across the globe.
