Bank of Palestine, Royal Jordanian to launch co-branded My Miles MasterCard

The Bank of Palestine and Royal Jordanian (RJ) will launch a co-branded MasterCard called My Miles as part of RJ’s efforts to enhance its market share, build awareness of the commercial existence in the Palestinian market and encourage bank customers to use credit cards.

The agreement grants MasterCard holders miles for purchases made through the My Miles card whereby they will earn one Royal Plus mile against each dollar spent using the card locally or abroad and whether the purchase is performed in the market or online.

Chairman and CEO of the Bank of Palestine Hashem Shawwa said that this one-of-a-kind agreement offers privileges to its customers and credit card holders and encourages them to use credit cards. He added that the Bank of Palestine is a leading institution in developing the culture of using credit cards.

Vice President and Regional Manager, Levant, MasterCard Basel El Tell said that MasterCard is pleased to be part of this agreement. Launching this co-branded credit card is an indication of the commitment of MasterCard to offer products and solutions with added values to customers.

RJ’s Chief Commercial Officer Server Aydin said RJ is glad of this partnership with the Bank of Palestine, one of the largest banking institutions in Palestine, and with MasterCard worldwide, which has distinguished relationship with RJ on several fronts. He said that issuing “My Miles” MasterCard is bound to enhance the privileges RJ offers its loyal customers.

Aydin added that Royal Plus (RJ’s frequent flyer program) sees an increased demand, due to the advantages it gives its members, the most significant being access to business lounges at international airports, free excess baggage, upgrade to Crown Class and free tickets to fly RJ or any other oneworld carriers.

He said that Royal Jordanian is currently working on increasing the privileges and rewards offered by the programme to the members. As part of its social responsibility initiatives RJ already enables its frequent flyers to donate their accrued miles for the benefit of King Hussein Cancer Foundation.

There are several commercial bilateral contracts between RJ and local and international companies which contribute to increasing membership in RJ's frequent flyer programme. Similar contracts have been signed with the Arab Bank, Jordan Kuwait Bank, Karam Imseeh Jewelry, American Express, Leaders Center, Sbitany and Sbitany Home/Palestine.

Qatar Duty Free and Dolce&Gabbana present new display featuring an exclusive fragrance for the Middle East

Source: Qatar Duty Free. A new Dolce&Gabbana display features a 4m snow globe at Hamad International Airport that will be on display until 14 January 2016.

Qatar Duty Free welcomes the festive season with the installation of a Dolce&Gabbana display featuring a larger-than-life snow globe at Hamad International Airport (HIA). The snow globe, at four m high, is the centrepiece of a display showcasing Dolce&Gabbana’s products, and celebrates the launch of their newest fragrance for men, The One Royal Night. It will be on display until 14 January 2016.

The joint collaboration between Dolce&Gabbana and Qatar Duty Free offers plenty of options for passengers looking to buy a gift. Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Keith Hunter said: “Qatar Duty Free prides itself on offering passengers exclusive fragrances and beauty products, and this is no exception. This partnership not only marks the launch of The One Royal Night at HIA, but is an opportunity for Qatar Duty Free to offer customers the Dolce&Gabbana makeup and Velvet collections. We hope that those travelling from, and through, HIA will enjoy visiting the beautiful display and exploring some thoughtful and personalised gift ideas.”

Source: Qatar Duty Free. The One Royal Night for men is featured together with Velvet niche fragrance collection and D&G makeup.

The One Royal Night for men is an exclusive fragrance within Dolce&Gabbana’s Classic House, The One. The newest fragrance, with an Arabian twist, is an exclusive product from the designers for the Middle East, inspired by the richness, culture and traditions of the region.

The One Royal Night for men is described by Dolce&Gabbana as a blend of opulence and sophistication boasting a woody composition with notes of cardamom, basil, wild pear wood, and spicy nutmeg, followed by a base of cedar, sandalwood, labdanum* and pure amber in its most refined form. Qatar Duty Free will also offer a select number items from the Dolce&Gabbana makeup and niche fragrance collection, Velvet, for the first time at the display.

The Velvet Collection offered will include both 50ml and 150ml bottles of some of Dolce&Gabbana’s most popular niche fragrances such as Velvet Love, Velvet Patchouli, Desert Oud and Tender Oud.

Interested?

For all Dolce&Gabbana products purchased at the display personalised engraving and gift-wrapping will be offered free of charge. 

*Labdanum, also called laudanum, is a resin from shrubs called Cistus ladanifer and Cistus creticus.

New Royal Jordanian route ideal for Hajj and umrah pilgrims from Indonesia

Royal Jordanian (RJ) has inaugurated a new direct route from Amman to Jakarta. Jakarta is the fourth new RJ destination in 2015, after Ankara in Turkey on December 8, and to Tabuk in KSA and Najaf in Iraq earlier this year.

RJ had operated flights to Jakarta between 1992 and 2002; they were suspended for commercial reasons. RJ President/CEO Captain Suleiman Obeidat said that reopening the Amman-Jakarta route comes at a time when Indonesia witnesses growing air traffic, which reflects Indonesia's position as the 17th largest economy worldwide. Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, with an estimated 255 million population, 10 million of which live in Jakarta.

Captain Obeidat said that this route is ideal for tourists travelling from Jordan and the Levant to Indonesia and to transport Indonesian students studying in Jordan. The route will also serve the Indonesian labour force, cargo and business traffic.

Captain Obeidat added that the feasibility studies conducted by Royal Jordanian showed that this route is important for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and for transit passengers who come to Amman in order to connect to the cities served by RJ network and that of oneworld carriers. Muslims constitute 87% of Indonesia’s population.

RJ will fly to Jakarta, via Kuala Lumpur, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The wide body Airbus 330 aircraft, which will fly on this route, takes off from Queen Alia International Airport, Amman, at 0130 and reaches Jakarta at 1825; it departs Jakarta at 1955 and lands in Amman at 0415 the following day.

Abu Dhabi's Ramadan and Eid Festival opens in July

Source: Ramadan and Eid Festival website.

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) will host a Ramadan and Eid Festival from 7 to 28 July. Organised by Al Multaqa Local and International Exhibitions, the festival is an opportunity for family shopping and entertainment after iftar in the evenings throughout Ramadhan. 

This year's event features larger shopping and entertainment areas in addition to the traditional performances, food and games. Special sections include arts and crafts, a heritage village, folk theatre, green products, and early learning zone. About 8,000 visitors a day are expected.