In a move to make traveling across the Middle East even easier, Etihad Airways will add walletplus™ to its already comprehensive loyalty program. Starting next month, current members of Etihad Airways’ award-winning loyalty program, Etihad Guest, will gain access to a more dynamic rewards card.
By partnering with Rev Worldwide, an innovative financial solutions and payment processing firm, and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), walletplus™ acts as a prepaid Visa debit card and mobile international currency exchange. Members will now be able to load and manage money on their smartphones, spend those funds in currency of their destination, and even lock-in rates before they leave.
Currently, 11 popular international currencies are available.
John Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of Rev Worldwide, praised Etihad Airways for their commitment in seeking innovative ways to achieve customer satisfaction.
“We knew we were dealing with a partner that focuses on delivering excellent value and first class service to its customers," Mitchell said in a release. “We have great alignment on the value that innovation provides to further customer engagement.”
This all inclusive customer loyalty program and debit card will offer a new level of convenience to anyone traveling for business or leisure. What’s more, walletplus™, reported to be the first loyalty program of its kind in the Middle East, also allows fliers to earn Etihad Guest miles for every USD spent anywhere Visa prepaid cards are accepted globally. Plus, the addition of new Chip and PIN security features also gives travelers additional safety options.
Yasser Al Yousuf, the Managing Director of Etihad Guest, said: “The new Etihad Guest loyalty program focuses on providing features and benefits that enhance the value to its members. The new Etihad Guest card with walletplus™ is innovative in that it combines the functionality of a reloadable payment card with the benefits of Etihad Guest membership in a single piece of plastic.”
Walletplus™ comes on the heels of the already abundant features offered through Etihad Guest, which includes extra luggage space, lounge access, guaranteed seating, and priority check-in and boarding.
Walletplus™ will be accessible for UAE Etihad Guest Silver, Gold, and Platinum members, with access slated for additional members in the coming months.