Nectar points will be able to be exchanged for easyJet flights, following the creation of a new partnership between the UK’s largest loyalty programme and the UK’s largest airline. The initiative is backed by Nectar founding partner, Sainsbury’s.

The partnership allows Nectar collectors to exchange their Nectar points for any easyJet flights to over 550 destinations in 30 countries with no restrictions or time limits. They can pay for the flight and taxes in full using Nectar points, or use a combination of Nectar points and cash to complete the transaction.

Sainsbury’s will be supporting the easyJet addition to Nectar through in-store promotional activity as well as other direct marketing initiatives.

Sainsbury’s CEO, Justin King, said:

“Our customers often ask for new ways to spend their Nectar points and flights are one of the most popular requests. easyJet joining Nectar now means that many families will be able to book flights in time for their summer holidays with the points they have collected through simply doing their weekly shop at Sainsbury’s.”

Nearly a million Nectar collectors have enough points to pay for flights to popular destinations like Malaga, Alicante, Nice or Amsterdam and it is estimated that approximately 300,000 flights per annum will be booked using Nectar points

David Johnston, CEO of Groupe Aeroplan Europe, the company that owns and operates Nectar, said:

“We are delighted to welcome easyJet as a Nectar rewards partner and to be able to offer our collectors the option to use their points to pay for flights. In the current climate this is a great way to be savvy and make your money work harder. “

easyJet CEO, Carolyn McCall, said:

“This partnership with Nectar is an exciting new initiative for easyJet. It offers greater flexibility for our existing customers as well as opening up opportunities to new Nectar customers. Unlike traditional flight point schemes, it will allow customers to choose to get a discount on any flight, any day across the easyJet network. This partnership is the first commercial initiative for easyJet since the new brand license agreement and demonstrates how, through partnering, we can offer even more to our customers.”

Nectar has over 17 million collectors earning Nectar points at partners including Sainsbury’s, Homebase, BP and most recently, British Gas. In addition, points can be earned at over 500 online partners including Amazon and ebay. Other rewards partners include Vue Cinemas, Argos and Eurostar.

From the 22nd March customers should go to nectar.com for full details on how to book flights using Nectar points.