Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, has launched a new rail booking platform allowing members to redeem Miles for train travel across more than 12,000 destinations in Europe, the airline said in a statement.

The service, called Skywards Rail, gives members access to more than 40 rail operators across 12 European countries through a dedicated booking tool, www.skywardsrail.com, available online and on mobile devices in five languages, according to the statement.

Members can search schedules, select cabins and ticket types, and pay fully with Miles or through a combination of Cash and Miles. Miles can also be used to book rail tickets for family and friends, with e-tickets delivered by email once purchased, the airline said.

Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, divisional senior vice president of Emirates Skywards, said the launch reflected demand from members for more flexible ways to use their Miles. "Skywards Rail is another step in expanding the programme beyond air travel," he said, adding that it was designed to let members "create seamless journeys using Miles," including onward travel connecting from Emirates or flydubai flights.

The platform covers major operators including Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, Trenitalia, TGV, Renfe and ÖBB, as well as UK rail services such as Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Great Western Railway, and ScotRail, according to the airline.

Sample fares listed by Emirates include the Heathrow Express from 4,700 Skywards Miles, Barcelona to Madrid from 5,400 Miles, Rome to Milan from 8,100 Miles, London to Paris from 9,400 Miles, and Berlin to Frankfurt from 4,100 Miles.

Emirates Skywards, launched in 2000, marked 25 years of operation this year and now has more than 39 million members across 190 countries, with more than 78,000 new enrolments weekly, the airline said.

Source: PR