Gulf Air has broken with tradition by giving birthday presents rather than receiving them on the occasion of the airline turning 55 last month.

For a 55-day period, which lasts till April 30, members of the Gulf Air frequent-flyer programme, travelling in either First or Business Class, will receive five times the normal number of Bonus miles. Full fare First Class and Business Class passengers will receive a 1,000 and 500 per cent bonus respectively if they book and travel during the 55-day period, said Louise Robertson, Gulf Air’s manager, loyalty programmes, “Gulf Air officially celebrated being 55 on March 24, but as this is such a landmark birthday we wanted to share the occasion with our loyal customers over a longer period. As a result, Business Class flight from Bahrain to London will earn a total of 37,848 miles – immediately enough for a free trip to either Istanbul Cairo, or Athens. The same trip in First Class will award you 69,388 miles – enough for a free return Economy Class trip to one of 6 exotic Far East destinations. And members have 10 years in which to use their accumulated miles,” explained Robertson.
Robertson also announced that Gulf Air has introduced a Gold Service Desk, where dedicated staff provide priority responses to Gold Member enquiries via telephone, postal mail or e-mail.