It’s been a busy few weeks for the Emirates Skywards loyalty program, nevertheless it’s simply introduced maybe the largest change but. As of Monday, May 12, 2025, Emirates will start proscribing first-class awards to its Platinum, Gold and Silver standing members. We first noticed this information on Loyalty Lobby.
This is a serious change that may forestall many vacationers from accessing one of essentially the most aspirational award tickets within the factors and miles world — and it comes with little discover for members.
Related: Getting my cash’s value in Emirates top quality: Bottomless Champagne and infinite caviar
Here’s what you want to know.
New restrictions begin Monday
Starting May 12, 2025, solely elite vacationers within the Emirates Skywards program will likely be ready to e-book the provider’s opulent first-class product utilizing Skywards miles. The discover is posted on the high of Emirates’ miles calculator on-line.
Emirates has removed from enticing award charges on most of its first-class flights — with excessive mileage quantities and vital taxes and charges. This one-way flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) would set you again 163,500 miles plus almost $900.
However, there are far more enticing charges on some of the provider’s fifth-freedom flights, together with:
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Athens International Airport (ATH)
- New York-JFK to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
- Miami International Airport (MIA) to El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota, Colombia
Here’s an instance of a one-way, first-class flight from JFK-MXP, which is 102,000 plus $101.50.
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It’s true that it is loads to spend on a flight that is lower than eight hours, however for some, it is well worth the splurge.
Starting Monday, you may want to have elite standing to e-book this flight.
Beyond the numerous new restriction, it is irritating that Emirates is giving just about no discover to vacationers. The new coverage takes impact in simply two days, giving little time for members to finalize plans.
First-class upgrades seem to be unaffected
Thankfully, the wording on Emirates’ website does make it seem to be this does not apply to first-class upgrades utilizing Skywards miles, because it explicitly says “classic rewards” will now not be out there. And upgrading to top quality tends to be a better course of than reserving top quality prematurely, as a result of Emirates sometimes releases out there seats for upgrades on the day of departure.
I utilized this very possibility in June 2024. I used to be flying from ATH to EWR on business-class award tickets with my spouse and daughter, and 7 of the eight first-class seats confirmed as unoccupied after we arrived on the airport. I transferred 117,000 Capital One miles — 39,000 per individual — to my Emirates Skywards account standing on the check-in desk (a lot to the shock of the agent). A couple of minutes later, we had first-class boarding passes in hand.
Yes, it was a splurge, nevertheless it was the primary time my daughter had ever flown worldwide top quality, and it was an incredible flight.
Hopefully this new restriction to award flights will not lengthen to upgrades sooner or later.
Related: Emirates Skywards loyalty program: How to earn and redeem miles, elite standing and extra
What’s taking place with Emirates Skywards?
This new change comes at an fascinating time for Emirates and its loyalty program. At the tip of May, each American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards will briefly droop transfers to Emirates. Then, on July 27, the switch ratio for changing Citi ThankYou Rewards to Emirates Skywards miles will change, the place 1,000 ThankYou factors will solely get you 800 Skywards miles.
This additionally comes as the provider lately reported an enormous enhance in profitability, and in contrast to most U.S. airways, Emirates’ margins come largely from its operations moderately than its loyalty program.
So are these adjustments an indication that the Skywards program (and its transferable financial institution companions) will play a smaller position in Emirates’ long-term technique? Only time will inform, however one factor’s for positive: U.S. vacationers and bank card holders will quickly discover it tougher to use this system for outsized worth.
Bottom line
If you have been eyeing an Emirates first-class redemption (and haven’t got elite standing within the Skywards program), you’ve got little or no time left to lock in your award ticket. Starting Monday, May 12, 2025, this can solely be out there to Platinum, Gold and Silver members.
Thankfully, Emirates does companion with most of the transferable level currencies, together with Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. Just do not wait too lengthy.
