Etihad and Turkish enjoy Freddie success for loyalty schemes

Etihad's frequent flier programme was the best rated from the Middle East region and Turkish Airlines top in the European and Africa region in the Freddie Awards which were announced in New Jersey, USA on Friday

The annual awards are regionalised as the most prestigeous for the travel-loyalty industry. The competition is divided into regions, with the Middle East included in the Asia and Oceania region, Turkey and North Africa are combined with Europe and the rest of Africa. 

In that European/Africa region Turkish won the Programme of the Year award. (The airline is pictured here receiving its award.

Etihad Guest was recognised for the Best Redemption Ability, Best Elite Program and Best Loyalty Credit Card in its region.

The Abu Dhabi airline's 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. The region's top award went to Jet Airways of India.

Introduced in 1988 by InsideFlyer magazine's Randy Petersen, the "Freddies" have grown in stature and importance to become the most prestigious member-generated awards in the travel loyalty industry. More than a million votes are cast annually.

The winners were:

Programme of the Year

• Americas Airline: American Airlines AAdvantage
• Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania Airline: Jet Airways JetPrivilege
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania Hotel: Taj InnerCircle
• Europe/Africa Airline: Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• Europe/Africa Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest

Best Promotion for Earning

• Americas Airline: American Airlines AAdvantage
• Americas Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania Airline: Jet Airways JetPrivilege
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania Hotel: Accor A|Club
• Europe/Africa Airline: Lufthansa Miles & More
• Europe/Africa Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest

Best Promotion for Redemption

• Americas Airline: Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
• Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania Airline: El Al Matmid Club
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest
• Europe/Africa Airline: Lufthansa Miles & More
• Europe/Africa Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest

Best Redemption Ability

• Americas Airline: TAM Fidelidade
• Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania Airline: Etihad Airways Etihad Guest
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania Hotel: Taj InnerCircle
• Europe/Africa Airline: airBaltic BalticMiles
• Europe/Africa Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest

Best Customer Service

• Americas Airline: American Airlines AAdvantage
• Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania Airline: Jet Airways JetPrivilege
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania Hotel: Taj InnerCircle
• Europe/Africa Airline: Lufthansa Miles & More
• Europe/Africa Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest

Best Elite Programme

• Americas Airline: American Airlines AAdvantage
• Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania Airline: Etihad Airways Etihad Guest
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania Hotel: Hyatt Gold Passport
• Europe/Africa Airline: airBaltic BalticMiles
• Europe/Africa Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest

Best Loyalty Credit Card

• Americas: Delta SkyMiles American Express
• Middle East/Asia/Oceania: Etihad Guest Above Credit Card
• Europe/Africa: Turkish Airlines Shop&Miles Garanti Credit Card

Article Source : Arabian Aerospace