Air Miles signs Orange to replace Vodafone

Flight loyalty scheme Air Miles is teaming up with Orange to offer miles to the mobile phone operator’s customers.

The move brings to a conclusion Air Miles’ six-month search for a new mobile phone operator partner, after market leader Vodafone pulled out of a similar joint venture last November.

The promotion will only be extended to customers who purchase Orange phones on a contract service plan, not on pre-paid services such as Just Talk. Orange customers will be able to earn 450 Air Miles – the equivalent of a return flight to Paris – when they connect to the Orange network.

Air Miles, which is owned by British Airways, has recently been relaunched after suffering several months of problems. Last year, BA announced that it was to replace Air Miles with a new scheme – BA Miles – for its 60,000 Executive Club members. The move threw into doubt BA’s commitment to the long-term future of the Air Miles brand.

The company appointed TBWA/London to handle its &£10m creative business and recently relaunched with a new advertising campaign highlighting the company’s offers.

Drew Thomson, managing director of Air Miles and BA Miles, says: “We want to give Air Miles customers the chance to earn miles whenever they shop, and this offer is another great opportunity.”