‘FlyMiles’, a revolution, says Commercial Bank

By Pratap John/Chief Business Reporter 

In a global offer, FlyMiles provides access to more than 300 airlines and 200,000 hotels across Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and beyond, Commercial Bank executive general manager (Retail & Consumer Banking) Dean Proctor said.

Proctor said the loyalty programme would come in handy for customers who plan travel, whatever the reason.

Commercial Bank has seen that about 20% of its customers’ credit card spend is travel related - be it flights for vacations, business trips or hotels.

The top five destinations in terms of total spend in 2012 were Western Europe, UK, the United Arab Emirates, the US and Asia. Around 60% of customers travel up to two times a year, while over 10% of cardholders travel five times or more.

FlyMiles allows customers to book a trip to any destination, on any airline, on any date, with no black-out dates and no hidden taxes and charges.

“This loyalty programme is unique to Commercial Bank and market-leading in Qatar. It offers our valued customers the widest possible choice of airlines and hotels to choose from, it is online, making it easier for them to book their travel. FlyMiles also allows customers to ‘double dip’, by earning points on their existing airline or hotel loyalty programmes,” Proctor told Gulf Times yesterday.

This essentially means customers earn while they redeem their FlyMiles, he said.

For example, customers can earn Qmiles when redeeming FlyMiles for a Qatar Airways ticket.

Since booking is made online, customers can check flights of different airlines and compare prices, he said.

All existing and new Commercial Bank customers with credit cards (gold and above) can avail themselves of the benefits of FlyMiles loyalty programme.

Commercial Bank has partnered with the UAE-based Infinia Services and Solutions, a market leader for travel rewards technology platforms, for the programme.

According to Proctor, FlyMiles is a “revolution” in loyalty programmes in the banking industry in Qatar, simply because of its flexibility and the generous offer on “earning rates and redemption” of FlyMiles points.

Furthermore, for all new customers there is a limited period offer of 5,000 bonus reward points.

“At Commercial Bank, we have always offered our customers innovative and creative solutions. Our focus is on our customers’ needs and offering choice, by offering them as diverse a range of point redemption options as possible. Whether it is redeeming their points against any airline or hotel of their choice, gift vouchers, which can be used at more than 80 retailers in Qatar or contributions to charity, no customer in Qatar has access to as many amazing offers as with our loyalty programmes,” he said.   

Customers can sign up for FlyMiles either through the Commercial Bank website or call centre (44490000).