Bahraini retail lender BMI Bank has signed a strategic agreement with Gulf Air, offering its customers preferential pricing on the national airline's tickets and discounted lounge access when they pay using their credit or debit cards.

Customers who purchase tickets using their BMI Bank card will receive a discount on both Gulf Air's Economy class tickets as well as on its Falcon Gold class tickets, said a report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The agreement also enables BMI Bank's credit or debit card holders, travelling on Gulf Air's Economy class or with another airline, exclusive access to the airline's premium lounge at Bahrain International Airport for a reduced fee.

The signing ceremony, held at Gulf Air's headquarters, was attended by BMI Bank general manager support services Eyad Sater and Gulf Air acting chief commercial officer Ahmed Janahi along with senior officials from both organisations.

"As we embark on a new year, we are pleased to reinforce our existing partnership with Gulf Air with this latest agreement," stated Sater.

"We already have a Platinum Visa card that offers our customers a range of exclusive privileges when they fly with Gulf Air, and now to be able to take another step forward by initiating a product of a more expansive scope that offers complementary rewards to all card holders of BMI Bank is another milestone for us," noted the official.

"It is yet another testament to our deep-rooted commitment towards our customers in terms of providing them with an exciting and rewarding banking experience," he added

Janahi said Gulf Air was delighted to be expanding its co-operation with BMI Bank to give the entire bank's credit and debit card holders yet another reason to choose to fly with the national carrier.

"BMI customers will not be disappointed, over the past few years the airline has replaced nearly 70 per cent of its fleet with new aircraft and retrofitted its Falcon Gold Lounge in Bahrain. Furthermore, the agreement speaks towards Gulf Air's bigger role in supporting the national economy," remarked Janahi.

He said over the past year the national carrier had been successfully working to increase its home market share and support local partners including local banks such as BMI.

"This agreement achieves both of these strategic objectives and will ultimately benefit the kingdom of Bahrain." Valid for a year, customers can avail of the special discount when they book their tickets through gulfair.com," he added.-TradeArabia News Servce