SriLankan Airlines rewards frequent flyers with free Miles

The new online reward booking facility is accessed through a real-time booking engine on the Skywards website, and enables fast and efficient ticketing through the normal Travel Planner section of the site.

And, in celebration of the upgraded facility, 25 members who use the new service before September 15 will have their mileage re-credited to their accounts, effectively booking free flights.

Skywards, jointly operated by SriLankan and Emirates, recently won the Best Redemption Award at the Freddies - a consumer travel award programme operated since 1988 - and was also nominated in the top three for Programme of the Year.

According to SriLankan CEO, Peter Hill, the frequent flyer programme is one of the most visible of the links between the two carriers, and provides a valuable tool to market and promote SriLankan to a wide audience throughout the Middle East, the sub-continent and beyond.

"While many frequent flyer programmes are simply going through the motions, Skywards brings real rewards to its members and provides instant recognition and privileges to members, who, after all, are our core customer base," he said.

"And, we never stop trying to improve our service - from adding extra partners to introducing facilities such as an electronic visa service to travellers to Dubai, family membership or special leisure offers at spas, restaurants and golf clubs, for instance."

Among the principal Skywards' partners where members can earn miles are local hotel groups such as Jumeirah International and Rotana, the Al Maha resort, plus global names such as Hilton, Hyatt, Le Meridien, Marriott, One & Only, Shangri-La and Starwood.

In addition, Budget, Hertz and Sixt car rental companies offer miles on rentals, and airline partners include Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, and Continental, United and Delta in the United States.

Other partnerships range from banks in Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE to shops such as Damas and Rivoli, and both SriLankan and Emirates Holidays.
"This is not just about waving a plastic card at check-in and perhaps qualifying for a free flight at some point in the distant future - our members can earn Skywards miles at a variety of locations and find it of real value in planning and enjoying their travel, which is the key to building loyalty" said Hill.

SriLankan Airlines has received a string of world aviation accolades recently, including World's Friendliest Cabin Staff, Best Overall Inflight Entertainment (for a fleet size of 20 or less), and first runner-up for the World's Best Cabin Staff.