UAE national airline Etihad Airways has announced a new 'BusinessConnect' program to help small to medium sized enterprises (SME) get the most value from their travel budget when flying with the airline.

The new scheme enables members or a designated travel agent to manage the company’s account online, said an Etihad statement.

All itineraries are kept in one place with 24-hour access and user-friendly features. Miles are earned on Etihad marketed flights, including those operated by the airline’s codeshare partners, it added.

Once registered at www.etihadbusinessconnect.com, a company with up to 50 enrolled BusinessConnect member’s benefits from the following exclusive features:

*The business will earn 60 per cent of all Diamond First and Pearl Business class miles earned by employees, in addition to individual employees receiving their normal mileage accrual;
*The business earns 30 per cent of total miles flown in Coral Economy class, in addition to individual employees  receiving their normal mileage accrual;
*BusinessConnect members can redeem their miles for free flights, upgrades and a choice of over 1600 rewards; and
*All miles are added together to start earning rewards faster.

The airline is launching BusinessConnect with a 5,000 miles bonus upon activation of the account. The offer ends on April 30, said a top official.

The SMEs in the UAE will further benefit from their employees’ membership in BusinessConnect. Linked to the Etihad Guest loyalty programme, the company can take advantage of a whole world of privileges provided to its staff on business trips, he added.

Etihad BusinessConnect, he said, cuts down expenses, saves time and enhances productivity by offering registered members all the benefits of the Etihad Guest programme including lounge access, excess baggage allowance, limousine transfers, fast-track immigration, priority boarding and baggage reclaim.-TradeArabia News Service