Etihad Guest, the multi-airline loyalty programme from Etihad Airways, has won the ‘Best Affinity Covered Card Award’ alongside Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) for the Middle East and Asia region at the Freddie Awards 2016.

The annual ceremony was recently held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Introduced in 1988 by InsideFlyer magazine’s Randy Petersen, the “Freddies” are named in honour of Sir Freddie Laker and have grown in stature to become the most prestigious member-generated awards in the travel loyalty industry, with 3 million votes now cast annually.

For the past five years, ADIB and Etihad Guest have provided UAE-based consumers with the ability to earn more miles than any other traveller card. Travellers can use those miles on the world’s leading airline and access unique features such as the ability to fast track to Etihad Guest’s gold tier.  During this time, ADIB and Etihad Guest have won six awards for the offers and will be bringing even more benefits to members this year, said a statement.

Yasser Al Yousuf, managing director of Etihad Guest, collected the award and said: “We continue to grow the loyalty programme and just this week have added our 4 millionth member, which is an important milestone for us. The Freddie Award was very welcome and it’s already been a successful month having been recognised as the ‘Airline with Best Frequent Flyer Programme’ at the recent Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2016.

“It demonstrates the ambition that we have for the programme but also that it’s voted for by frequent fliers means a lot to us. Through the lifestyle partners and leading benefits we add, we want to provide a first class loyalty programme whether our members are flying with Etihad Airways, our partner airlines or making a purchase through one of our many programme partners,” he said.

Etihad Guest has recently added new partners including luxury retailer Tryano, Porsche, My City Miles, Trip Advisor, Rentalcars and Celebrity Cruises.

Philip King, head of retail banking for the UAE at ADIB, said: "We have recently renewed our partnership with Etihad Guest and this recognition further cements our strong and successful relationship. The ADIB Etihad Guest Covered Cards offer customers a distinctive and value-added proposition that is unmatched in the travel cards market. We are truly honoured to receive this award and we are looking forward to many more years of success with our partners, Etihad Guest." – TradeArabia News Service