In a significant move within the travel and finance industries, Emirates Skywards, the acclaimed loyalty program of Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates, announced on Monday a multi-year strategic partnership with Visa, a global leader in digital payments. This partnership is set to revolutionize the way members of the Emirates Skywards program experience rewards, personalization, and digital payments.
The collaboration between Emirates Skywards and Visa aims to enhance the synergy with co-brand issuer partners across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). A primary focus of this alliance is to enable Emirates Skywards to work more intimately with its partners on personalization and data-driven decision-making. This approach indicates a shift towards more customer-centric strategies, harnessing the power of data to tailor experiences to individual member preferences.
Cardholders of the Emirates Skywards and Visa co-branded cards are poised to benefit immensely from this partnership. They can anticipate an enriched customer journey replete with exclusive offers. These benefits include accelerated opportunities for earning miles, customized promotions, and other experiences specifically designed to align with member preferences. Such initiatives are set to redefine the standards of customer engagement and rewards in the travel industry.
The agreement, a landmark in the travel loyalty space, was signed in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines and Group, along with senior executives from both Emirates and Visa. Emirates Skywards boasts a robust membership base with over 30 million members globally, reflecting its significant footprint in the airline loyalty program sector.
Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates Skywards, expressed excitement over the partnership with Visa. He emphasized the incremental value and enhanced collaboration that this strategic agreement would bring to loyal members in the GCC, as well as to the program’s banking partners in the region.
Further, Emirates highlighted its commitment to advancing digitization and innovation. The partnership is expected to increase opportunities for more personalized rewards and products, particularly in co-brand card propositions.
Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for GCC at Visa, remarked on the partnership’s significance. She described it as a testament to Visa’s global leadership in travel co-brands and a major milestone in enhancing payment experiences for travelers worldwide.
In the context of the UAE, Visa’s Global Travel Intentions study underscored the importance of digital payments in the travel sector, revealing that 70 percent of outbound travelers view digital payments as crucial to a secure and rewarding travel experience.
This partnership marks a transformative step in the travel and financial sectors, promising to deliver unparalleled benefits and convenience to travelers and setting a new standard in customer loyalty programs.
