Iran War Forces Gulf Airlines to Loosen Loyalty Requirements
Photo Credit: A Qatar Airways Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. Vincenzo Pace
Skift Take
In the last 24 hours, two of the three biggest Gulf carriers have eased loyalty rules. A simple case of looking after the customer or a sign that disruption may outlast current recovery timelines?
The operational and commercial impact of the Iran conflict on Gulf airlines is now showing up in frequent flyer programs. With flights still heavily disrupted, two of the region's “Big Three” have moved to adjust their loyalty schemes.
Etihad and Qatar Airways have each outlined arrangements to make it easier for customers to retain or upgrade their status during the disruption.
As airlines continue to grapple with restricted airspace and volatile operating conditions, the knock-on effects have hit their most valuable customers. Many travelers are flying less or not at all – something that matters for full-service carriers built around premium demand and repeat business.
In a message to Etihad Guest members on Wednesday, Arik De, the carrier’s chief revenue and commercial officer, confirmed that tier qualification thresholds will be reduced by 25%, with some customers automatically moved up a tier.
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