Etihad and Hertz Partnership to Create Seamless "Air to Road" Luxury Travel

LONDON, January 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- To Celebrate, Etihad Customers Renting With Hertz Will Have an Opportunity to Win Exclusive 5-Star Luxury Travel Experience

Etihad Airways has signed a three-year agreement with Hertz, bringing the airline's passengers a broad range of worldwide car rental benefits and money saving offers. The partnership is designed to integrate the technology platforms of both Hertz and Etihad Airways to deliver a seamless travel experience from the departure gate to the driving seat.

Hertz has built a new dedicated microsite allowing Etihad customers to conveniently book online, and has also created a unique platform enabling Etihad Call Centre staff to offer customers a competitive deal on car hire while booking their flights by phone.

Hertz car rental services are now available to all Etihad customers worldwide through multiple reservation channels, including etihad.com, Etihad call centres, Etihad Holidays and retail outlets.

The extended partnership stands out as a market leader in terms of integration between an airline and a car rental organisation, and builds on the benefits and privileges of the companies' existing loyalty programme partnership.

To mark the beginning of the new partnership, all Etihad customers renting a car with Hertz by April 30, 2011 will have the chance to win a luxurious package of two return Etihad flights to either Europe or Australia, five nights' 5-star accommodation at Relais & Chateaux, and the use of a Hertz Prestige Collection vehicle for five days to explore the open road. Terms and conditions apply, and are available on the Etihad website http://www.etihad.com.

Michel Taride, President Hertz International and Executive Vice President Hertz Corporation, said: "I view this exciting alliance between Hertz and Etihad Airways as an opportunity for two world leading brands to join together to offer our joint customers exceptional service and value wherever they choose to travel. Our new partnership will provide customers with premium service and superior access to our products at all destinations served by Etihad around the globe."

James Hogan, Chief Executive Officer, added: "The extended strategic partnership is an exciting development from our initial frequent flyer cooperation because it offers our customers the most seamless and integrated process of booking their flights and car transportation requirements at the same time, via many of Etihad's distribution and service channels.

"Etihad Airways and Hertz share the same customer service values of continually seeking to provide their customers with what they want, and I am sure that this extended alliance will be hugely popular across all our markets."

Sky-high service levels and innovative travel benefits for guests whenever they fly are priorities built into the Hertz-Etihad partnership. This is reflected by the introduction of a new dedicated fast track service through the Hertz #1 Club Gold counters at Abu Dhabi Airport.

Meanwhile, Etihad's Pearl Business Class passengers will receive a 15 per cent discount when renting luxury vehicles from the Hertz Prestige Collection, while Diamond First Class guests will receive complimentary access to the top level of Hertz #1 Club, the President's Circle, which combines superior service and upgrades on every rental.

Hertz and Etihad are building upon the strategic partnership which exists through the Etihad Guest loyalty programme and now expands into a wide range of products and distribution channels.

Additional benefits of the new global alliance for Etihad passengers include exclusive promotions offered through the car rental tab at etihad.com, and 500 Guest Miles with every rental.

Notes to editors:

About Hertz

Hertz is the world's largest general use car rental company, operating from over 8,500 corporate locations in 146 countries. Hertz is in its 92nd year of delivering quality car rental solution s to leisure and corporate customers. Product and service innovations such as Hertz #1 Club Gold, Worldwide Online Check-in, specially designed NeverLost(R) satellite navigation systems, and unique cars offered through the company's Prestige, Fun and Green Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition.

Hertz has a strong presence in the Middle East and Africa region, with 11 Hertz franchisees in the Middle East and 23 in Africa, and a total of 66 locations in the Middle East and 161 outlets in Africa, offering a wide range of car rental and leasing services.

About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates. The airline was set up by a Royal Decree in July 2003, with Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, as its hub. In seven years of rapid growth, Etihad has flown over 26 million passengers on more than 180,000 flights to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Australia, Europe, North America, and Asia. Etihad has received a range of awards that reflects its position as the leading premium airline brand in the world, including World's Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards in 2009 and 2010.

Launch Offer Terms and Conditions

To be eligible to enter, customers need to book a Hertz car rental through an approved channel and be an Etihad Guest member. One entry for every rental. Prize consists of return Etihad Airways flights, 5 nights' accommodation and 5 days car hire to be awarded. The competition is open from 1 January 2011 and closes 30 April 2011. One winner will be draw at random. The prize will be drawn 5 May 2011 and the winner informed in writing by 12 May 2011. Full details at http://www.etihad.com.

    
    For more information about Etihad Airways, contact:
    Tom Clarke
    Etihad Airways Corporate Communications
    Tel: +971-2-511-1036
    Mob: +971-50-812-5796
    Email: tclarke@etihad.ae

    For more information about Hertz in the Middle East and Africa region,
    contact:
    Gina Costa
    Commercial Director
    Hertz Middle East and Africa
    Tel: +971-4-206-0266

    For press enquiries:
    Caroline Trotman-Dickenson
    Email: Caroline.trotman-dickenson@ketchumpleon.com
    Tel: +44(0)207-611-3686