Singapore-based travel-tech company utu said that Etihad Guest, the frequent flyer programme of the UAE’s national airline Etihad Airways, will now allow Etihad Guest members to shop tax-free globally with the utu Tax-Free Card.

Etihad’s Vice President Loyalty & Partnerships, Kim Hardaker said: “With nearly 8 million members globally, we’re constantly innovating and expanding our network of global partners to provide even greater rewards for being an Etihad Guest member. Today, we’re pleased to join forces with utu to allow our members to earn Miles as well benefit from utu’s tax refunds capabilities.”

Under the partnership, Etihad Guest members can now use the utu Tax-Free Card to:

•    Earn 6,250 miles (worth $125) for every $100 tax refunded on the utu Tax-Free Card.
•    To celebrate the launch, until 30 November 2022, Etihad Guest Members can simply download and register on the utu Tax Free App and select Etihad Guest as the default rewards programme to receive 500 Etihad Guest miles. The first VAT transactions (accumulated) of $100 in the UAE or $150 for refunds from the rest of world qualifies for an additional 2000 bonus Etihad Guest Miles.

Commenting on the new partnership, Asad Jumabhoy, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder at utu said, “We are incredibly excited to announce our new partnership with Etihad Guest. For utu travellers, it is even more exciting as they can now select one of the most popular airline programmes, Etihad Guest, as their rewards programme when converting their VAT refunds to miles.”

The utu tax-free card is available to customers globally. To participate, Etihad Guest members must download the utu Tax-Free mobile app from iOS or Google Play, activate the utu Tax-Free Card, and select Etihad Guest as their reward programme to receive their VAT refund in miles.

Once activated, travellers need only fill in their utu Tax-Free Card number when selecting where to send the refund at participating tax refund kiosks in any of the 50 top destinations where VAT or GST are offered, including Singapore, France, Italy, Germany, South Korea, Thailand, and the UAE.

utu’s reward expansion continues in the most significant upheaval in the history of tax-free shopping. Until today, tax refunds have always been refunded in cash.
Etihad operates to more than 70 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. The Etihad Guest loyalty programme has close to 8 million members and rewards travellers for flying as well as everyday activities through a network of global partners. – TradeArabia News Service