Italian airline Meridiana has announced its new frequent flyer programme, Meridiana Club, in partnership with Avios. The new programme offers Avios as its reward currency, enabling Meridiana’s frequent flyers to use Avios on Meridiana flights, as well as with British Airways and Iberia.
From May 16, the new Meridiana Club programme will offer its members the opportunity to collect and redeem Avios on Meridiana flights as well as use Avios to reach over 200 worldwide destinations offered by British Airways and Iberia. Members of the British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus will also be able to use Avios on Meridiana flights opening up new flight options for them within Italy and international leisure destinations.
Developments are underway for Meridiana Club members to be able to collect on British Airways and Iberia flights, while British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus members will be able to collect Avios by flying with Meridiana.
With the new partnership, Meridiana is the first non-IAG airline to offer the Avios currency through its frequent flyer programme. It strengthens IAG’s presence in Europe and its vision to expand the Avios currency globally.
The Avios currency is already collected worldwide by members of the British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus and the Avios Travel Rewards programmes in the UK and South Africa.
Gavin Halliday, managing director, Avios, said: “Meridiana is a welcome addition to the Avios portfolio. Together, Avios and Meridiana will create a relevant frequent flyer programme in the Italian market, in turn attracting more members, new partnerships and increased ways to use Avios.”
Willie Walsh, chief executive officer, IAG, said: “The partnership with Meridiana is a strategic milestone for IAG. It progresses our vision to expand the Avios currency globally across numerous airline frequent flyer programmes. Importantly, the deal brings together Avios’ currency programmes in Italy – British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus and now Meridiana Club – enabling Avios to penetrate the market further, attracting new partnerships and driving more revenue for the airlines.”