Etihad Airways and airberlin have integrated their small and medium-sized enterprise loyalty programmes – Business Connect and business points. 

From today, companies which participate in either airline’s business travel loyalty programme will be rewarded for flying on codeshare flights operated by Etihad Airways, airberlin and NIKI.

Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer, Peter Baumgartner, said:  “We are delighted to be able to introduce the smartest and most rewarding loyalty scheme to the market, targeted at SME businesses who are looking for ways to optimise their business travel spend while adding convenience and value to their travel experience.

“This joint collaboration between airberlin and Etihad Airways is yet again another demonstration of the added value we are bringing to corporate travel.”

Established two years ago, airberlin’s business points is a free bonus points programme for SMEs, including: public bodies, associations, law firms, medical and dental practices, and consulting companies.

From today airberlin business points members can earn points when flying on qualifying routes with codeshare partner Etihad Airways. 

These points can ultimately be redeemed by SMEs as awards flights.

Paul Gregorowitsch, chief commercial officer at airberlin, added: “Our SME business points programme is a highly successful and appreciated concept amongst SMEs, with currently more than 10,000 registered members.

“By teaming up with Etihad Airways’ Business Connect, we are taking our SME programme to the next level. Members of both programmes now have a wider range of possibilities to earn rewards, and at the same time it could lower their travel expenses.

Business Connect programme

Etihad Airways’ Business Connect programme, also set up over two years ago, is a free mileage earning programme for SMEs.

Built on the same platform as the award winning Etihad Guest frequent flyer programme, members earn Etihad Guest miles for their business every time one of their employees flies.

Business Connect members can now earn Etihad Guest miles when flying on qualifying routes with codeshare partner airberlin or its Austrian subsidiary NIKI.

These miles can ultimately be redeemed for free flights, upgrades and rewards from the Etihad Guest reward shop.

Etihad Airways is considered the World’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards.