The Commonwealth Bank and Flight Centre announce new awards deal

Double points on Australia’s cheapest air travel paves the way for Australia’s newest travel offering.

The sky’s the limit for Commonwealth Awards credit card holders with the introduction of Flight Centre, a new travel partner that makes air travel more affordable and flexible than ever before.

As a result of the partnership, Commonwealth Awards credit card holders using Flight Centre can accrue points faster. Flight Centre allows card holders to earn double points and access air travel on Australia’s cheapest airfares and all other travel needs without the worry of having limited seats, limited airlines and travel time restrictions.

Hugh Harley, the Bank’s Group Executive, Retail Banking Services, said the exclusive Flight Centre offering will provide increased value to Commonwealth Bank customers.

"The Commonwealth Bank is thrilled to welcome Flight Centre as a partner in its rewards program with the wider travel options that it brings to our card holders," Mr Harley said. "This reinforces the position of Commonwealth Awards as one of the most popular reward schemes in Australia with over 1.5 million members."

The outstanding benefits for Commonwealth Awards credit card holders are:

• Double Points: Card holders will earn double points at Flight Centre stores throughout Australia.
• Flexible Travel Redemption Bookings: Australians can enjoy increased air travel flexibility without the worry of having limited seats, airlines and travel times. Points can also be redeemed at Flight Centre for accommodation, cruises, car hire, entertainment and travel insurance.
• Low Cost Travel: Flight Centre offers the Lowest Airfares Guaranteed, including Australian Internet site fares, which will bring air travel into the reach of more Australians. Card holders can redeem their reward points and can also use their Commonwealth Awards credit card to top up the cost of the purchase. This top-up will also earn double points.

Flight Centre Australian General Manager, Sue Rennick, described the partnership as an exciting opportunity for Flight Centre and its customers.

"One of the big advantages is that points can be redeemed at Flight Centre's stores throughout Australia for all travel needs, not just airfares," Ms Rennick said. "Customers can use reward points to pay for the major components of a holiday, including everything from airfares and accommodation to tours and amusement park entry."

With more than 1.5 million members, Commonwealth Awards is one of Australia’s most popular credit card rewards program. The program was re-launched last November to offer additional benefits including more bonus partners where customer can increase the amount of points they earn and a broader and more attainable range of awards that can now be redeemed online. Flight Centre becomes one of the latest bonus partners to join forces with Australia’s biggest card issuer, the Commonwealth Bank. The Awards program, which is open to all Commonwealth Bank credit card holders, now has over 20 bonus partners including Hoyts, HMV, Prouds and Bob Jane T-Mart.

To redeem a Flight Centre Travel Voucher, Commonwealth Bank Awards members can call the Commonwealth Awards Service Centre on 13 16 61 between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday.

For more information or to arrange an interview with a Commonwealth Bank representative, please contact:

Bryan Fitzgerald
Group Corporate Relations
Commonwealth Bank
Phone: 02 9378 2663
Mobile: 0414 789 649|
Email: fitzgeb@cba.com.au

For more information or to arrange an interview with a Flight Centre representative, please contact:
Haydn Long
Flight Centre
Mobile: 0418 750 454
Email: haydn_long@flightcentre.com