Etihad Airways has revamped its corporate program "from the ground up," the carrier announced, with a new dedicated portal and other new tools, benefits and service options.
In addition to offering "competitive pricing," the Etihad for Business program has removed contractual targets, "moving to a more transparent tier system." The "new 'Evergreen' contracts help reduce the administrative burden of legal discussions," the carrier said in an email to BTN.
The program also includes performance tracking, automated reporting and "simplified expense management," according to Etihad. This may echo travel management company services, but the carrier said Etihad for Business was developed with input from the carrier's TMC partners to complement existing travel programs. "We know many of our customers plan to give access to their Etihad for Business portal to their TMC so they can manage the benefits on their behalf," according to the carrier.
The only qualification to join the program is that a company must be a registered business. "The program welcomes companies of all sizes," Etihad said. "We've tailored it to accommodate different types of businesses regardless of their size or travel spend."
The carrier doesn't specifically categorize customers as small and midsize enterprises. "Our approach focuses on providing the right mix of services based on travel patterns and requirements rather than strict classifications," Etihad said.
The program's "enhanced booking flexibility" provides "more favorable terms for changes and cancellations than standard tickets," Etihad said. Priority services for members include priority access at airports, and corporate recognition with Etihad's systems so staff can identify Etihad for Business travelers. Services may include preferential waitlist clearance and priority baggage handling depending on their tier level, according to the carrier.