SriLankan Airlines’ FlySmiLes has delivered on its promise to be “The Frequent Flyer Programme that Rewards & Delights”, by launching partnerships with no less than ten major companies to provide a wide range of exciting rewards for its members worldwide.

The frequent flyer programme of SriLankan Airlines announced that it has signed agreements with Malaysia Airlines, Etihad Airways, Dialog Telekom, American Express, Standard Chartered, Travelling Connect, Hertz, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Siddhalepa, and Deccan Aviation (Lanka), at a ceremony at Colombo’s Taj Samudra Hotel on 20th January.

SriLankan Airlines’ CEO Manoj Gunawardena said: “SriLankan Airlines welcomes all our new partners to the world of FlySmiLes. We have selected our partners with great care. We have no doubt that every one of them will add considerable value to the FlySmiLes programme and enrich a member’s journey from beginning to end. We are committed to continuously enhance and expand the rewards opportunities for our members, and intend to selectively sign up more partners very soon.”

The ten partners provide services through FlySmiLes’ co-branded credit cards (American Express Platinum, and Standard Chartered Gold and Classic), communications (Travelling Connect and Dialog Telekom), international air travel (Malaysia Airlines and Etihad Airways), domestic air travel (Deccan Aviation), hotels (Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces), car rentals (Hertz), and spas (Siddhalepa).

Mohamed Fazeel, Head of Worldwide Sales at SriLankan, said: “All of our partners are related to the global travel industry, and Members of FlySmiLes will now earn rewards throughout their journey – starting from the time they purchase a ticket using a co-branded card, flying with SriLankan or any of our partner airlines, staying at a partner hotel, using a mobile phone, being pampered at a spa, or renting a car from our partner.”

A remarkable aspect of the new partnerships is that members will also earn FlySmiLes Miles (points) during their day to day activities even without travelling, simply by using FlySmiLes co-branded credit cards for everyday purchases, using their mobile phones, and many other methods.

Another interesting aspect of the partnership is the value addition extended to the partner programmes which will enable members to earn additional Miles. Similarly most partners have also extended value additions in terms of discounts and enhanced services to FlySmiLes members.

Miles can be redeemed on air travel services offered by SriLankan, Malaysia Airlines, Etihad, and Deccan, and certain spa treatments at Siddhalepa outlets.

Those who use a FlySmiLes co-branded credit card to purchase an air ticket on SriLankan or any of the partner airlines will earn Miles for purchasing, and also when flying, giving them the opportunity to earn Miles twice!

The partnerships with Malaysia Airlines and Etihad Airways also open up travel opportunities to many more destinations that are outside SriLankan’s own network, including cities in the Middle East Europe, Africa, United States, Canada, Australia, and the Far East.

Members of the frequent flyer programmes of partner airlines – Etihad Guest and Malaysia Airlines Enrich - can earn and redeem Miles to their respective programmes or FlySmiLes.

Zulfiqar Zavahir, Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nations Trust Bank, commented, "We are delighted with this partnership of three strong brands - the national carrier SriLankan Airlines together with American Express - a worldwide leader in developing airline co-brand cards and Nations Trust Bank - to deliver an exceptional value proposition to the mass affluent segment of the market."

Suren Mirchandani, Managing Director, Deccan Aviation Lanka, said: “The FlySmiLes programme is yet another milestone for SriLankan, one of the region’s finest airlines. We are delighted to partner with FlySmiLes, which will extend our National Carrier’s already extensive service offering to include a host of additional benefits for passengers and travellers."

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Group Chief Executive, Dialog Telekom, said: “Our partnership with SriLankan Airlines is founded on the shared vision of our organizations to deliver unmatched value, and service excellence to Sri Lankan consumers. Dialog is honored to be a founding partner of the FlySmiLes programme, and together with SriLankan Airlines promises its customers a truly unique travel experience enriched with seamless global connectivity and a range of value added benefits.”

Wong Soon Hwa, Vice President & GM, Asia & Japan, Hertz, said: “We are indeed delighted to have SriLankan Airlines as our latest airline partner. Our tie-up with SriLankan Airlines will enable FlySmiLes members to enjoy privileges and world-class car rental service at more than 8,100 locations in over 144 countries while earning Miles. As part of the launch celebration, FlySmiLes members will earn Triple Miles for qualifying Hertz rentals at participating worldwide locations.”

Deshabandu Dr. Victor Hettigoda, Chairman, Siddhalepa Group of Companies, said: “It gives me great pleasure for our own Siddhalepa to join hands with our own FlySmiLes of SriLankan Airlines.”

“We are delighted to be the first to partner SriLankan Airlines and its frequent flyer programme FlySmiLes. Our partnership with the National Carrier commenced in 2005 and has grown even stronger with the launch of the very first co-branded credit card ‘The Standard Chartered FlySmiLes Co-branded Credit Card’”, commented Clive Haswell, CEO Standard Chartered Sri Lanka.

“Our partnership with SriLankan Airlines has been an extremely fruitful and enduring relationship. We congratulate SriLankan on the launch of the FlySmiLes programme and wish them continued success. We would also like to reiterate our commitment to partner with them to create value for our esteemed customers in times to come,” said Ajoy Misra, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.

Richard Wolfe, Sales Director, Travelling Connect, said: “SriLankan Airlines has launched an innovative benefit in cooperation with Travelling Connect that allows members to earn FlySmiles Miles when making phone calls during visits to the SriLankan Airlines travel destinations. Even better, you will also be rewarded when sending SMS messages or using the Internet."

Becoming a member of FlySmiLes is simple. Fill out a form at any SriLankan ticket office in Sri Lanka or overseas, visit the FlySmiLes Service Centre at Colombo’s World Trade Centre, at Bandaranaike International Airport, on board flights, or at www.srilankan.aero.

FlySmiLes has three tiers of membership – Gold, Silver, and Blue – according to the number of miles flown by each member. Every mile flown is credited as one FlySmiLes Mile. Silver membership is for those who earn over 25,000 miles or fly a minimum of 20 sectors within a calendar year. Gold membership is for those with more than 50,000 miles or 40 sectors.

Silver members receive a 25% bonus for every mile flown, and Gold members a whopping 50% for every mile flown.

All Members are entitled to free air tickets, upgrades to Business Class, pre-assigned seating, and priority wait-listing. Gold and Silver members receive even more benefits including the use of  SriLankan’s executive lounge, the Palm Strip Lounge at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (Gold members can even take a guest), priority check-in, enhanced baggage allowances, and priority baggage delivery.

For more information on FlySmiLes and its partners, visit www.flysmiles.com or e-mail fly smiles@srilankan.aero. Or simply dial 01-9733-3333 or visit the FlySmiLes Service Centre and talk to a member of the customer service staff who will be delighted to assist you.

January 20th 2009