RwandAir is just starting to get paired off with Qatar Airways announcing the launch of a loyalty partnership where the elite members in their respective loyalty programs could earn points ‘earn and burn’ across their reciprocal route networks.
With this new deal announced today, RwandAir Dream Miles members will be able to fly to more than 140 Qatar Airways destinations using miles earned by flights bought through RwandAir. Qatar Airways Privilege Club members will in turn earn miles when booking RwandAir’s flights, both within Africa and on long-haul routes, to destinations such as New York and London.
“RwandAir is incredibly proud to be the first Sub-Saharan African airline to enter into partnership with Qatar Airways Privilege Club. Customer loyalty is of huge importance to both RwandAir and Qatar Airways. We both strive to put the customer experience first and give recognition to our most frequent fliers,” said Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO of RwandAir.
“Now RwandAir Dream Miles customers will be able to earn and burn points to give them access to flights across Qatar Airways’ extensive route network, with the same reciprocal benefits to Qatar Airways Privilege Club members.”
“We believe this initiative is a major step forward to greater cooperation between Africa’s most ambitious airline and one of the world’s most prestigious international carriers, and we look forward to further enhancing the benefits of our Dream Miles members, added the CEO.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive H.E. Mr Akbar Al Baker noted, “Our partnership with RwandAir opens up a world of possibilities for the customers of both airlines, allowing them to discover exciting destinations. Members of Privilege Club and Dream Miles can enjoy significant benefits including world class travel experiences on our strong complementary networks.”
Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club was launched in 2000 as a form of appreciation to its loyal passengers, offering them the opportunity to earn Qmiles when travelling on Qatar Airways, oneworld airlines, or any of the airlines’ partners. It has since served as another convenient means of payment at the award-winning Qatar Duty Free (QDF) outlets, Oryx Galleria in Doha and now at Al Maha meet and assist services at Hamad International Airport (HIA).
Privilege Club offers four membership tiers – Burgundy, Silver, Gold and Platinum – each with their own exclusive benefits for members to enjoy. Qmiles are earned when members travel with Qatar Airways, oneworld® airlines, other airline partners or use the services of any of the airline’s 60+ global partners.
Qatar Airways also recently partnered with Points – a global leader in powering loyalty commerce – with the partnership offering Qatar Airways Privilege Club members even more value and flexibility as they make future travel plans.
RwandAir on the other hand launched its Dream Miles loyalty programme in 2011. The Dream Miles programme has four tiers of membership, with Emerald forming the entry level, entitling members to a free ticket using award miles, Silver tier members, who have earned 25,000 ‘Tier Miles’ or taken 20 flights in a year, Gold tier members, who have earned 50,000 miles or taken 40 flights a year and the most highly-valued frequent flyers can benefit from Diamond tier status in reward for earning 100,000 miles or taking 60 flights a year.
RwandAir remains focused on building a strong product and reach for the stars and if the stars align, more partnerships may still be on the horizon from the two carriers.
By Victor Shalton Odhiambo
