German flag carrier Lufthansa yesterday announced a slew of initiatives under its corporate travel plan for Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The airline is set to provide easier upgrades and faster and more cash back offers among others under its Star Alliance Company Plus (SACP) programme to enable SMEs to reduce the cost of their business travel.

"Lufthansa has always partnered small and medium enterprises in India and these enhancements are yet another step in this direction. The new programme delivers additional value, making business travel more rewarding," Lufthansa South Asia director Axel Hilgers said in a statement here.

SACP members from India can enjoy easier upgrades from February 1 with a five-fold increase in the value of cash backs through a substantial enhancement in the earning power of their reward points, the statement said. Membership for SACP is free and requires no minimum turnover. Coupled with these benefits, members of frequent flyer programmes of participating airlines will continue to collect miles on their individual programme with each flight.

SACP points can be redeemed for free flights and free upgrades across all participating airlines, as well as free excess baggage on Lufthansa-operated flights, it said. These benefits extend across the collective network of six Star Alliance partners - Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, bmi, Air Canada and United Airlines - offering a greater choice of flights, smoother connections and harmonised schedules, the statement added