Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, and leading financial institution Al Hilal Bank have partnered to launch a co-branded Visa credit card in the UAE.

The programme offers UAE residents an attractive package of benefits including Silver or Gold Etihad Guest Tier Status with the first swipe of the card.

Al Hilal Bank Etihad Guest Visa Credit Cards are available in Platinum, Signature and Infinite variants and offer a vast range of travel benefits, with a sign-up bonus of up to 60,000 Etihad Guest Miles, which could be redeemed for a return flight from Abu Dhabi to Etihad destinations such as Bangkok, Cairo, Frankfurt or Seychelles. Guests will receive 15 per cent miles back when booking a reward flight using their miles, and an annual bonus of up to 40,000 miles will ensure members are rewarded on an ongoing basis.

Yasser Al Yousuf, vice president Commercial Partnerships, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Our partnership with Al Hilal Bank and Visa provides our members with the opportunity to earn Etihad Guest Miles on their daily spends from the first transaction on this new credit card. Al Hilal Bank Etihad Guest Visa card users can choose to access a host of exclusive travel benefits, discounts and rewards to complement their lifestyle.”

Amr Al Menhali, chief executive officer, Al Hilal Bank, said: “Co-branded cards make an incredibly powerful customer proposition; they are good for the bank, the airlines and most importantly, the customer. Signing this agreement with the UAE’s national carrier Etihad Airways marks a new phase of growth for the Al Hilal consumer banking business.

“As one of the leading financial institutions in the UAE, we are determined to continually examine the market-place and come up with innovative offers for our valued customers, ensuring a full range of facilities that meet their lifestyle. By offering this co-branded card to our client base, Al Hilal Bank, Etihad Guest and Visa have worked together to provide the very best-in-class benefits across a range of travel and leisure facilities that enhance and reward their travel experiences like no other card,” he said.

Through the accelerated reward programme, Visa cardholders will receive up to 8.25 Etihad Guest Miles per Dh10 ($2.7) spent internationally or on etihad.com, with up to 5.75 Etihad Guest Miles earned for every Dh10 spent on transactions within the UAE. Additionally, customers can earn up to 10,000 Etihad Guest Miles every quarter upon achieving their spend target.

Shahebaz Khan, UAE general manager, Visa, said: “As a global leader in travel co-brand products, Visa is always striving to create more meaningful and rewarding travel experiences for our cardholders. The partnership between Etihad Guest, Al Hilal Bank and Visa creates great value for our cardholders and offers them travel benefits on their Al Hilal Bank Etihad Guest Visa card that help enrich their travel experiences while continuing to offer the freedom of acceptance at more than 53 million merchant locations worldwide and peace of mind of being protected by Visa's global, secure network that our cardholders have come to expect from us.”

Cardholders will enjoy access to selected premium airport lounges across the world, enhancing their travel experience using LoungeKey. Guests holding the Visa Infinite credit card will also benefit from complimentary airport transfers.

Additional benefits include offers and discounts at prestigious hotels worldwide such as Jumeirah and Fairmont, and on bookings made through agoda.com and booking.com. Al Hilal Bank Etihad Guest Visa cardholders will also enjoy enticing discounts on dining and shopping, as well as car rental. - TradeArabia News Service