AirRewards vs Falconflyer: which loyalty program wins?

We score AirRewards and Falconflyer on the same five factors — earning rate, redemption value, partner network, ease of use, and point expiry — to help you choose the right program for how you actually spend.

Verdict

AirRewards is best for Frequent economy flyers, while Falconflyer is best for Anyone with Bahrain travel routine.

Skip AirRewards if Anyone wanting to earn through daily spend, and skip Falconflyer if Anyone wanting wide global partner network.

Overall rating

	AirRewards	Falconflyer
Overall rating	3.4 / 5	2.9 / 5
Earning	3.0 / 5	3.0 / 5
Redemption	4.0 / 5	3.0 / 5
Network	3.0 / 5	2.0 / 5
Ease of use	4.0 / 5	3.0 / 5
Expiry	3.0 / 5	4.0 / 5

Earning structure

AirRewards	Members earn up to 10% cashback as AirRewards points on every Air Arabia flight booking (and ancillary services like meals, baggage, and seat selection). The exact earn rate varies by fare type and route. Earning also extends to partner activities: 200 points per 100 AED with Union Insurance, up to 40 points per 100 AED at Kalyan Jewellers, 3 points per 10 AED via Buzzpay mobile recharges (UAE-focused), up to 6 points per USD with Sixt car rentals, up to 10,000 points per Rocketmiles hotel stay, up to 15 points per USD with Kaligo hotel bookings, and 4 points per Euro at Land of Fashion. Family accounts pool points across multiple members.
Falconflyer	Members earn Falconflyer Miles by flying Gulf Air (with class-of-service multipliers - Falcon Gold business class earns up to 250%) and on Etihad Airways operated flights (Falconflyer's primary partner airline). Tier bonus miles for higher tiers: Silver +25%, Gold +50%, Black +75%. Saudi-specific earning surfaces: every transaction on the stc pay app earns Falconflyer miles, and Mobily Neqaty points can be converted to Falconflyer miles. Members can also earn through hotel partners, car rental partners, and various other lifestyle partners. Loyalty Points are earned only on Gulf Air and Etihad-operated flights. Members can buy up to 50,000 miles per year at USD 25 per 1,000 miles. Family enrollment (up to 8 nominated family members) allows pooling 70% of regular mileage.

Redemption structure

AirRewards	Points redeem at the fixed rate of 100 AirRewards points = 1 USD, with no variability based on fare type, date, or route — a uniquely transparent value in airline loyalty. Points can be used for flights (every seat on every flight available, no blackout dates), meals, baggage, and additional services. Cash + Points option allows partial payment when point balance is insufficient. Family account members can pool points to redeem together. AirRewards points can also be transferred to Etihad Guest Miles for redemption within the broader Etihad network. Redemption is processed entirely through www.airarabia.com or the mobile app.
Falconflyer	Falconflyer Miles redeem for award flights and upgrades on Gulf Air, award flights on Etihad Airways (partner), excess baggage, lounge access, and seat upgrades at airports. Members can also transfer Falconflyer Miles to ALL Accor hotel points for global hotel stays. Family members can use miles for awards at 70% of regular mileage rates. Award flight changes incur fees: USD 40/6,000 miles (Blue), USD 20/3,000 miles (Silver/Gold), USD 10/1,000 miles (Black). Date changes are free for Gold and Black tiers. Etihad Airways redemptions must be made through the Gulf Air contact center (+973 17 37 37 37) rather than online. All taxes and surcharges apply on top of mile redemption.

Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy

	AirRewards	Falconflyer
Number of partners	0	0
Partners	—	—
Number of tiers	0	4
Top tier	—	Black
First-tier qualification	—	900 points
Point expiry	—	36 months

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