Global Loyalty Company, the loyalty division of Etihad Airways, and flybuys, one of Australia’s loyalty programs, have launched a partnership, which enables flybuys members to turn everyday shopping into international flights with the airline.

flybuys members will be able to collect flybuys points when booking Etihad Airways flights and enjoy exclusive access to airfare deals to more than 100 destinations worldwide.

In a “world first,” flybuys members who link their Etihad Guest membership to their flybuys account will also earn Etihad Guest tier miles when they spend at Coles and selected partners. Tier miles count toward elite Etihad Guest status, which affords top tier members’ benefits such as priority check-in and airport lounge access when flying with Etihad Airways and its partner airlines.

To earn Etihad Guest tier miles, flybuys members must link their Etihad Guest membership to their flybuys account. Members will earn one Etihad Guest tier mile (up to a maximum of 2,500 tier miles per month) for every Australian dollar spent at any Coles Supermarket, Coles Online, Coles Express and selected stores nationwide and, at the same time, collect flybuys points.

flybuys members can also convert their flybuys points to Etihad Guest miles, giving them access to flight rewards and upgrades.

Darren Peisley, MD of Global Loyalty Company, said: “The launch of the partnership with flybuys is exciting news for millions of flybuys members. Now they will be able to turn their weekly shopping at Coles and other selected stores into travel to exciting destinations worldwide.”

Peisley added: “As the entity responsible for the commercial growth of the airline frequent flyer programs in which it has a strategic interest — Etihad Guest (Etihad Airways, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles and Etihad Regional), JetPrivilege (Jet Airways), MilleMiglia (Alitalia) and topbonus (airberlin) — Global Loyalty Company is delighted to be celebrating this important milestone.”