Etihad Airways’ frequent flyer program, Etihad Guest, has won three awards at the 2012 Freddie Awards.

Etihad Guest was recognised for the Best Redemption Ability, Best Elite Programme and Best Loyalty Credit Card among all airlines in the Middle East, Asia and Oceania.

The programme was also runner-up in the four remaining categories: Best Promotion for Earning, Best Promotion for Redemption, Best Customer Service and Programme of the Year, a statement from Etihad said.

Introduced in 1988 by InsideFlyer magazine's Randy Petersen, the "Freddies" have grown to become one of the most prestigious member-generated awards in the travel loyalty industry.

More than 1 million votes are cast annually.

Etihad Guest today has more than 1.5 million members, the statement said. Guest Miles can be used to purchase more than 2,900 products in the airline’s reward shop or converted to make cash payments with PointsPay, an unmatched loyalty proposition.

Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We will continue to enhance Etihad Guest with game-changing innovations, for example PointsPay – an exclusive, real-time transaction solution which allows our members to convert their Etihad Guest Miles into cash to spend any time at 30 million retail and online outlets globally.”

“The cornerstone of Etihad Airways is our guests and we are dedicated to offering a frequent flyer program which is original, exciting and – most of all – rewarding,” he added. “This recognition is a testament to the commitment we have made to our guests.”

“Etihad Guest above credit cards offer a host of benefits to make card membership a rewarding experience, such as a bonus mile for every international purchase, fast-track to elite status, a ‘miles multiplier’ programme that awards bonus miles based on card spend and many other benefits.”

When the Freddies were last awarded in 2009, Etihad Guest was recognised as Best Award Redemption, Best Bonus Promotion, Best Member Communications and Best Web Site. – TradeArabia News Service