JetBlue, Emirates Launch Frequent Flier Partnership
JetBlue and Emirates announced that as of July 1, they will each allow their loyalty program members to accrue miles for flights taken on the other airline.
Emirates Skywards members will be able to earn miles on JetBlue flights in the Americas, and JetBlue's TrueBlue members can earn points on Emirates flights to more than 120 global destinations.
The move represents an expansion of the partnership between the two carriers, which already have a codeshare agreement allowing for seamless ticketing, connections and baggage transfers. The partnership will expand even further in February 2013, when loyalty program members will be able to redeem frequent flier miles on either airline.
"We're opening up our network for our customers to earn TrueBlue points on any of the six continents that Emirates flies to and look forward to serving those connecting from Emirates to the dozens of cities that we serve," says Marty St. George, JetBlue'ssenior vice president of marketing and commercial strategy, in a press release.
Both airlines are running a special promotion in honor of the new partnership agreement. Loyalty program members can earn double points on qualifying Emirates and JetBlue flights taken between July 1 and September 30, 2012. For more information on the promotion, click here.
Emirates, which is known for its luxurious interiors, outstanding cabin staff, state-of-the-art entertainment system and excellent food, is the recipient of more than 500 international awards. The airline's main hub is in Dubai, but it has seven gateways in North America: New York/JFK, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle-Tacoma, and Toronto.
JetBlue, which has hubs in New York, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Juan, gets top marks from fliers for its leather seats, unlimited free snacks and drinks, live entertainment, generous legroom and fabulous customer service.
JFK is the key connection point between the two airlines under their current codeshare agreement. Fliers arriving in New York on Emirates from the Middle East can connect on JetBlue flights to Boston, Burlington, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago O'Hare, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, Tampa and Washington Dulles. JetBlue operates from JFK's Terminal 5 and Emirates operates from the adjacent Terminal 4.
