Award-winning Qatar Airways and Starwood Hotels, one of the world’s largest hotel chains, have entered into a strategic partnership to provide members of their respective loyalty programmes with an array of flight and accommodation benefits.

Under the agreement, announced in Dubai during the Arabian Travel Market, the Middle East’s premier travel industry show, members of Privilege Club - Qatar Airways’ frequent flyer programme will be able to earn Qmiles when staying at any of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts brands globally including Westin Hotels, Sheraton Hotels, Four Points by Sheraton, W Hotels, St Regis Hotels and the Luxury Collection.

To celebrate the new partnership, Starwood Hotels is offering Privilege Club members triple Qmiles for each stay at selected Starwood properties around the world during a three-month promotion starting on June 1, 2005.

In addition, members of the Starwood Preferred Guest programme (SPG), who enrol with Privilege Club, will receive 500 bonus Qmiles for their first flight on Qatar Airways during the same promotional period.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the addition of Starwood’s six leading brands added significant depth to the airline’s growing stable of Privilege Club partners.

“Qatar Airways and Starwood Hotels are highly regarded in the industry, focused on quality and customer service, and we are delighted to see both companies forming a very important strategic tie-up.

“Both Qatar Airways and Starwood are industry leaders specializing in the personal touch when it comes to customer service, and together we can ensure that our guests fly and stay in style”, Al Baker said.

“We are very pleased with our partnership with Qatar Airways, a young yet ambitious airline that has achieved a significant growth record over the past few years. We believe that this strategic alliance will add value to our customers at large and enhance their travel experience”, said Philippe Cassis, Senior Vice President and Regional Director for Starwood Hotels in Africa and Middle East.

SPG members will also be able to convert Starpoints into Privilege Club Qmiles, and will receive bonus miles when exchanging at higher point levels. Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, flying to over 60 destinations across the globe from its operational hub in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar in the Arabian Gulf. Operating a young and modern fleet of 40 all-Airbus aircraft, the airline plans to serve a further 10 destinations by the end of 2005, including Tunis and Algiers launched on May 2, and the Greek capital Athens on June 15. US-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. operates 750 properties globally under six brands: Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Four Points by Sheraton and W.

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