OREANDA-NEWS. Australian small to medium enterprises (SMEs) will now be rewarded for spend on office fit-outs, furniture, delivery services and storage facilities, with Qantas bringing new partners into its successful business rewards program Aquire.

Launched last year by Qantas Loyalty, Aquire rewards SMEs for purchasing goods and services that they would ordinarily buy as part of normal business. The concept is similar to Qantas Frequent Flyer which rewards members for making everyday purchases with both the airline and a range of partners.

Aquire members can now earn points with Harvey Norman Commercial, Storage King Australia and MeeMeep, taking the total number of partners to 20.

Qantas Loyalty CEO Lesley Grant said when booking flights, business owners and their staff can effectively earn points twice - both into their personal Qantas Frequent Flyer account as well as into the business' Aquire account.

"Aquire is about better rewarding small and medium business owners for their significant spend and support, and in less than a year that's exactly what we're seeing."

Ms Grant said business owners were using their points in varying ways, with Aquire Points able to be transferred into individuals' Qantas Frequent Flyer accounts at a rate of 1:1.

"Many members are telling us they're divvying up the points equally among the business owners, while others are choosing to give the points to their employees as reward and recognition.

"Close to 50,000 Australian businesses are already reaping the benefits and, in fact, the number of Aquire Points being earned has well exceeded our original expectations.

"As a result of Aquire, we've also seen a significant increase in SMEs travelling with Qantas."

Harvey Norman Commercial Franchisee Alan Stephenson said: "Aquire enables us to provide meaningful and aspirational rewards for our loyal business customers - there is nothing else like it in the market."

Founding partner GIO has expanded its offering to Aquire members.

Andrew Mair, Executive General Manager, Distribution, Suncorp Commercial Insurance said: "The partnership between GIO Business Insurance and Aquire has been a great success. The program launched with customers able to earn Aquire Points on eligible small business insurance. Since then, we have also added the ability for customers to earn points on workers compensation insurance."

There has never been a better time for SMEs to join Aquire, with the USD 89.50 joining fee just USD 50.00 until 3 February 2015. Qantas Loyalty has also removed annual fees associated with holding an Aquire account.

Additional new and expanded partnerships are set to be announced throughout 2015.

Aquire's extensive list of partners also includes Qantas, Westpac, Deloitte Private, GIO, Octet, Secure Parking, Regus, Randstad, Avis, Macquarie Leasing, Simply Energy, Staples, Snap, Budget, QBE, Workforce HQ and Qantas Freight.

All Australia based SMEs with a valid ABN can join Aquire via aquire.com.au.

From 3 February 2015, Aquire Points will not expire as long as members earn or use Aquire Points through their Aquire account at least once every 18 months. This change brings Aquire into line with the expiry conditions of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.