BA and American Express forge forward
British Airways and American Express have renewed their strategic partnership that integrates loyalty schemes and co-branded cards.
The new agreement, managed by British Airways’ rewards subsidiary The Mileage Company, includes three consumer co-brand cards, a corporate co-brand card and a merchant acceptance agreement.
The American Express Membership Rewards agreement will also launch in to the US for the first time since it debuted in August 2008.
The renewed agreement means that British Airways American Express consumer and corporate Cardmembers in the U.K. can continue to collect BA Miles and On Business Points respectively.
Also, for the first time U.S. American Express Cardmembers will be able to transfer Membership Reward points into British Airways’ Executive Club Frequent Flyer programme for travel on British Airways and Oneworld partners. This should be in place by the end of the year.
Finally, British Airways will continue to accept American Express as a payment method worldwide.
Andrew Swaffield, managing director, The Mileage Company says: “In these difficult times it is more valuable than ever for customers to be able to get something back from their everyday spending.
“The partnership between British Airways and American Express has been very popular with customers and I’m delighted that we’re continuing our partnership. Extending our new American Express Membership Rewards relationship into the U.S. market is a natural progression after our successful launch in a number of other markets last year.”
Raymond Joabar, Managing Director, American Express, UK and Ireland says: “This partnership is a win-win for both companies and importantly for customers. Our BA co-brand cards are amongst our most successful products. This is a great opportunity for us to enhance our Card portfolio with one of the world’s most respected airlines and to extend our popular Membership Rewards redemptions in the US.”
Former American Express and BA marketer Katherine Whitton has just taken the position of marketing director at Barclaycard
