It is not, perhaps, quite the level of strange bedfellows pondered by Shakespeare in The Tempest, but a new strategic partnership agreement between Air Canada and Emirates is certainly an interesting development.
Loyalty
Etihad selling silver elite status via NFTs
Looking for Silver Elite status in the Etihad Guest loyalty program? It can be yours for just $349, as part of the carrier’s initial foray into the Web3 world and NFTs.
Deutsche Bahn confirms Star Alliance intermodal partner membership
Deutsche Bahn will make its intercity train network available to airlines in the Star Alliance network from 1 August 2022.
Oman Air to join oneworld alliance
Oneworld will grow once again, with Oman Air now slated to join the alliance from 2024. The carrier’s ascension into the group was formally approved and announced at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Doha this week.
JSX adds MileagePlus for points earning
Passengers on JSX can now earn points in the United Airlines MileagePlus program. The partnership is “a critical advancement of the continued relationship between JSX and United Airlines, with more cooperation to be announced later this year.”
Star Alliance credit card coming this fall
Why would an airline alliance launch a loyalty credit card? The obvious answer is money. Co-brand credit cards are massive drivers of revenue for airlines. But historically that has applied at the airline level, not at the alliance level. Star Alliance will change that later this year when the group launches its own card.
airBaltic boosts NFT loyalty play
Perhaps no airline sees itself as an innovator more than airBaltic.
The company’s latest move – to issue 10,000 more NFTs tied to its loyalty program – raises questions about whether the airline is innovative or simply chasing a shiny buzzword.
RIP E500s: American retires short-haul upgrade credits
American Airlines is killing off AAdvantage 500-mile upgrade credits. Effective from Wednesday, March 2, 2022, all elites will have access to unlimited upgrades.
Qatar Airways pick Avios for loyalty future
Qatar Airways will join the Avios loyalty family next month. The carrier announced its Privilege Club loyalty program will transition from Qmiles to Avios as the currency of record from March 2022.
Frontier, Spirit announce plans to merge
Frontier Airlines and Sprit Airlines intend to merge, creating a new 5th largest airline in the US.