Thirteen airlines operate in the GCC countries, with scores more serving the region from across the world.

With so many choices, it can be difficult to pick an airline loyalty program to join. You could also join all of them and not gain any tangible benefit because your earned points are spread across multiple accounts.

We explore some of the major regional and international airline loyalty programs – and see where they intersect, for maximum benefit.

Saudia AlFursan

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Saudia 2

Saudia is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, which means interconnectivity and points earning and redeeming opportunities with 17 airlines operating everywhere from Argentina to Xiamen.

AlFursan members earn Tier Credits and Rewards Miles by flying with Saudia and its partners, as well as by engaging in partner and program offers. AlFursan members also enjoy the benefit of earning and redeeming miles on Etihad Airways, China Southern Airlines, ITA Airways and flyadeal.

Tier Credits are calculated based on flight distance and class of travel and accumulated within one calendar year, with Miles only expiring if a member is not active on the program within a 2-year period. Reward Miles can be earned by travel, by engaging with Saudia’s Air or non-Air partners or by using linked credit cards. Miles can be used to upgrade cash tickets by one class.

AlFursan’s Green tier offers members the opportunity to pool family miles (the AlFursan Family Program offers the opportunity to pool Reward Miles with up to eight family members) and get priority waitlisting and standby. Silver members gain higher-priority waitlisting and standby, 25% bonus miles, an additional baggage allowance, access to business class check-in and business class lounge access for the Silver member and three family members. The Gold tier offers even higher-priority waitlisting and standby, 50% bonus miles, guaranteed reservations on sold-out flights, access to first-class check-in, first-class lounge access for the Gold member, three family members and one guest, as well as SkyTeam Global lounge access for the member and one guest.

saudia.com

Etihad Guest

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Etihad is not a member of any airline alliance, but does have partnerships with 20 global airlines, and can earn and redeem miles across the network.

Etihad Guest Miles are earned by flying with Etihad or their partner airlines, as well as by using Etihad Guest Payment Visa Cards or the ‘Miles on the Go’ feature on the Etihad Guest app. Miles can also be earned and redeemed with non-airline partners, which include a vast array of banks, 300 000 hotels and hundreds of retail chains and lifestyle brands.

To move up through the five Etihad Guest tiers, members need to meet Tier Miles requirements in the space of a 12-month period. Tier Miles are earned, based on the distance flown and the fare booked. Members earn the same number of Tier Miles and Etihad Guest Miles by flying with Etihad or eligible partner airlines.

Etihad Guest Silver Tier members earn a Miles bonus of 25%, 50% for Gold Tier members, while Platinum and Emerald members earn 100% bonus Miles. Etihad Guest Bronze, Silver and Gold Tier members’ miles are valid for 18 months, with validity able to be extended to an additional 18 months by flying with Etihad Airways or any partner airline. Platinum and Emerald Tier members’ miles never expire.

Members can use the BuyMiles feature to buy up to 150 000 miles every year by credit card. If members use an Etihad Guest bank card, they’ll earn miles on the transaction as well. MilesBooster allows members to earn up to three times the number of miles for flights they’ve taken in a 12-month period, up to 150 000 Miles every year.

Silver Tier members can unlock Core Benefits and choose Custom Benefits, like lounge access in Abu Dhabi. They get dedicated check-in in Abu Dhabi and free Wi-Fi on board. Gold Tier members get more Core Benefits and can choose four Custom Benefits.

Platinum Tier offers many Core Benefits, five Custom Benefits and two Beyond Benefits when members reach 175 000 Tier Miles. Benefits include priority check-in, fast-track boarding and private chauffeur in the UAE. Emerald Tier members unlock a suite of exclusive benefits tailored just for their travel needs.

etihadguest.com

Emirates Skywards

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Emirates-Skywards

Emirates Skywards members can earn Skywards Miles and Tier Miles on both Emirates and flydubai flights, as well as the program’s worldwide partners - or buy, gift or multiply Miles in one of the most comprehensive loyalty offerings in global aviation.

Miles can be used for reward flights, upgrades, buying tickets for sporting and cultural events across the globe, luxury hotel stays, family days out and plenty more.

Members earn Skywards Miles every time they fly with Emirates, flydubai and Emirates’ airline partners. The number of Miles earned per flight depend on the route, fare type and class of travel – and they’re valid for three years. Tier Miles are earned on flights with Emirates or flydubai, calculated by route, fare and class. Miles can be bought, multiplied to boost members’ balances by up to four times and the ‘My Family’ account helps pool miles for bigger rewards, more quickly.

Emirates Skywards comprises four tiers, running from Blue to Silver, Gold and Platinum. Even on the Blue tier, members can access instant upgrades using Skywards Miles at check in or on board, waitlist priority and access free unlimited messaging using Onboard Wi Fi in all but first class. Silver members earn 30% bonus Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights, score complimentary Emirates Business Class lounge in Dubai - and much more. Gold Tier members earn 75% bonus Skywards Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights, and complimentary Economy Class seat selection for themselves and passengers in their booking.

Platinum members access all the benefits of a Blue, Silver and Gold membership, as well as complimentary home check in in Dubai, First Class check in at the airport and baggage delivery, complimentary lounge access for themselves and their guests in all Emirates First Class and Business Class lounges in Dubai and worldwide, 100% bonus Skywards Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights and Gold tier membership for a spouse, partner or friend.

emirates.com

Qatar Privilege Club

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Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld alliance – so guests have access to oneworld benefits with alliance airline partners. The Privilege Club also uses Avios as a ‘currency’ - members can link their British Airways Club accounts to their Privilege Club accounts to combine them and spend accumulated Avios.

There are four tiers to the Privilege Club program: Burgundy, Silver, Gold and Platinum, which members progress through by earning ‘Qpoints’. Qpoints are earned over a 12-month period and members also need to have earned at least 20% of their Qpoints or have flown 4 sectors (within 12 months prior to retention) or 8 sectors (within 24 months prior to retention) on flights marketed and operated by Qatar Airways.

Burgundy members enjoy 100% mileage per family member on all flights eligible for earning Avios, 100% mileage per family member on non-air partner transactions, Flexi awards, 10% savings on seat selection and the ability to shop and pay with Avios at Qatar Duty Free and Member Service Centre

Silver is equivalent to oneworld Ruby and offers members Burgundy benefits, plus 25% tier bonus on eligible flights, priority stand-by, check-in and boarding, a 20% saving on seat selection, 15kg extra baggage allowance, or one piece (depending on the route) and lounge access.

Gold members benefit from oneworld Sapphire tier benefits with partner airlines, all the Burgundy & Silver Tier benefits, as well as 75% tier bonus on eligible flights, preferred seats, 20kg extra baggage allowance, or one piece (depending on the route), 40 Qcredits to redeem for upgrades, excess baggage and use of the Al Maha 'meet and assist' service.

Platinum members share Emerald status on oneworld, with all the lower-tier Privilege Club benefits, as well as 100% tier bonus on eligible flights by Qatar Airways, 25kg extra baggage allowance, or two pieces (depending on the route) and 60 Qcredits. Their Avios do not expire.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club offers probably the largest financial services benefits package amongst Middle East-based airlines, with members able to earn miles with 13 banking partners, alongside an extensive list of travel and retail partners.

Privilege Club members on higher tiers have access to Qatar Airways Premium Lounges at select destinations, or hundreds of oneworld lounges worldwide.

qatarairways.com

Gulf Air Falconflyer

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gulf air falcon flyer

Gulf Air claim that the Falconflyer program is one of the most generous loyalty programs in the world.

Blue members earn miles while flying Gulf Air, when using selected services from their range of program partners. Family members earn 70% of member mileage across all tiers, on linked accounts. Blue members can redeem Miles for excess baggage and lounge access and use Falconflyer miles to upgrade at airports.

While Blue membership never expires, Silver membership is valid for 1 year. Silver members earn 25% extra bonus miles for flights with Gulf Air, 10 kg additional checked-in baggage, enjoy Falcon Gold lounge access or Business Class lounges at many airports (even on an economy ticket) on Gulf Air flights, Falcon Gold Check-in, get priority baggage handling, secure guaranteed Economy seat on fully-booked flights with fully flexible, unrestricted tickets and get waitlist priority for bookings made less than 72 hours over non-members for fully-booked flights.

Gold membership is valid for two years and earns members 50% bonus miles on top of the standard mileage for flights with Gulf Air. They also get 15 kg additional checked-in baggage, access for themselves and a travel companion at Falcon Gold airport lounges access or Business Class lounges at many airports, free seat selection on Gulf Air flights (pending availability) and waitlist priority for bookings made less than 48 hours over non-members for fully-booked flights.

Top-tier Black memberships have two-year validity and members earn 75% bonus miles on top of the standard mileage for flights with Gulf Air, get 25kg additional checked-in baggage, can access Falcon Gold lounges or Business Class lounges at many airport for themselves and two guests travelling with them on Gulf Air flights. They can nominate one companion for a complimentary direct enrolment to Falconflyer Gold membership. Members get a one-time complimentary upgrade to Falcon Gold cabin, valid once during the Black tier membership period, applied to one sector for the cardholder only. Waitlist priority for booking made less than 24 hours over non-members if the desired Gulf Air flight is full and access to a dedicated premium query desk.

falconflyer.gulfair.com

Oman Air Sinbad

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Sinbad members who fly with Oman Air or its partner airlines, or transact with any of its global partners, earn Sindbad miles and tier points. Oman Air is also a member of the oneworld alliance, which means that Sindbad benefits are aligned with the oneworld tiers. That gets Sinbad members connections to over 900 destinations across more than 170 countries and territories with 15 of the world’s leading airlines, including access to nearly 700 airport lounges worldwide. Air France, KLM, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways are also partners.

The number of Sinbad Miles earned by members is linked to the ticket price (excluding taxes) and the member’s Sindbad Tier. Members can also earn miles on the ground when they spend on eligible add-ons such as airport lounge, seat selection, prepaid bags and on several other items.

Members start their journey on Sindbad Blue, where they can earn and redeem points on oneworld flights, enjoy seamless travel across all oneworld member airlines, access exclusive Oman Air offers and earn miles and enjoy discounts with Sindbad partners.

Sindbad Silver members - Ruby members on oneworld – also earn 25% bonus miles on Oman Air and oneworld flights, access Business Class priority check-in, qualify for access to preferred or pre-reserved seating, get 10kg or one additional piece of baggage, get Business Class lounge access when flying on Oman Air flights and have the benefit of Priority Boarding at Muscat International Airport.

Sinbad Gold members (oneworld Sapphire equivalent) also get 15kg or one additional piece of luggage, 50% Bonus Miles on Oman Air and oneworld flights, two Business Class upgrade vouchers, the ability to redeem Miles for Business Studio upgrades, free seat selection and exit/front row seat access, companion seat benefits and priority boarding at Muscat International Airport.

Members can spend their Miles on flight tickets & upgrades, additional baggage up to 20kg, pre-booking seats and buy, gift & transfer miles. They can also use Sinbad Miles to pay for purchases at Muscat Duty Free and shop online for a variety of Hi-Café products.

sinbad.omanair.com

The British Airways Club

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The British Airways Club, previously known as the Executive Club, was redesigned and relaunched on 1 April 2025, with a switch from spend-based to distance-based tier point earning methods.

Club membership starts at the Blue tier, with the collection year running 1 April – 31 March, from 2025. One tier point is earned for every qualifying GBP1 during that period to progress through Bronze, Silver and Gold. Tiers can also be reached by flying a certain number of British Airways-operated flights during a collection year - 25 to move from Blue to Bronze and 50 to reach Silver. Tier points can’t be spent on rewards and expire at the end of each tier point collection year.

Avios are collected when members fly with British Airways and oneworld partner airlines, by booking British Airways Holidays (hotel stays and car rentals as part of a BA-sold flight package deal) as well as a number of credit card, car hire and over 2 000 shopping partners. They can also be earned on paid pre-booked seats, paying for extra baggage or upgrading to a higher cabin on a British Airways or Iberia-marketed flight, shopping with Avios with selected online and in-store retailers, signing up for an Avios-linked credit card and booking travel extras including airport parking and rail. Members can also earn Avios by purchasing a contribution to Sustainable Aviation Fuels.

Members can spend Avios (and don’t forget that Avios are a currency across a number of oneworld airline partners, including Qatar Airways) on Reward Flights with British Airways and oneworld partners – and as part payment on flights and holiday packages. Avios can also be used to upgrade cash bookings to the next cabin, on selected fares, pending availability, with British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines and on seat selection and excess baggage. They can also be donated via the BA Better World Community Fund.

britishairways.com

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

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Virgin Airlines airmiles loyalty points

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members earn Virgin Points and Tier Points every time they travel with Virgin Atlantic, or one of its airline partners in the SkyTeam network – with plenty of other earning opportunities via partners. Virgin Points can be used for purchasing a number of benefits or for shopping with partners, while Tier Points help members access higher tiers and more benefits. Linking a Flying Club membership into the rest of the Virgin ecosystem also scores members additional points – including on Virgin Trains, Virgin Atlantic Holiday and Virgin Red.

Red members board first in Economy, are able to pool their Virgin Points in a Household account to fast-track their way to rewards, spend ‘Points Plus Money’ on flights, spend Virgin Points on reward seats, earn and spend points with Virgin Red and select their Economy seat for free with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, 7 days before departure.

Silver adds 30% more Virgin Points on flights, one extra piece of checked baggage, Premium Check-in access and advance seat assignment in Economy cabins. Gild Tier members get 60% more Virgin Points on flights, Upper Class Check-in, access to Virgin Clubhouses and London Heathrow Revivals, an extra luggage allowance, regardless of cabin, a Flying Club reward voucher when they renew their Gold status, and two Flying Club reward vouchers when they reach 2 000 Tier Points in a membership year. Virgin Points never expire, but Tier Points do, after 12 months.

Members can earn points in the Virgin ecosystem and with 1 000 other retail partners. They can also buy points, retrieve other loyalty points and convert them to Virgin Points and earn and spend them with SkyTeam partners, including Saudia, and other select airline partners.

virginatlantic.com

There are many more airlines that serve the Middle East, but this selection covers the major alliances and code-share partners that allow you to travel anywhere in the world with the loyalty ecosystem of your choice.

Trevor Crighton