It has been a busy few weeks for the Emirates Skywards loyalty program, nevertheless it’s simply introduced maybe the largest change but. As of Monday, Could 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 can be a main change that can forestall many vacationers from accessing one of the vital aspirational award tickets within the factors and miles world — and it comes with little discover for members.
Associated: Getting my money’s worth in Emirates first class: Bottomless Champagne and endless caviar
Here is what it is advisable know.
New restrictions begin Monday
Beginning Could 12, 2025, solely elite vacationers within the Emirates Skywards program will be capable of e-book the service’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 engaging award charges on most of its first-class flights — with excessive mileage quantities and vital taxes and costs. This one-way flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) to Dubai Worldwide Airport (DXB) would set you again 163,500 miles plus practically $900.
Nonetheless, there are way more engaging charges on a few of the service’s fifth-freedom flights, together with:
- Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) to Athens Worldwide Airport (ATH)
- New York-JFK to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
- Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA) to El Dorado Worldwide Airport (BOG) in Bogota, Colombia
Here is an instance of a one-way, first-class flight from JFK-MXP, which is 102,000 plus $101.50.
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It is true that it is rather a lot to spend on a flight that is lower than eight hours, however for some, it is well worth the splurge.
Beginning Monday, you may must have elite standing to e-book this flight.
Past the numerous new restriction, it is irritating that Emirates is giving just about no discover to vacationers. The brand new coverage takes impact in simply two days, giving little time for members to finalize plans.
First-class upgrades look like unaffected
Fortunately, the wording on Emirates’ website does make it appear to be this does not apply to first-class upgrades utilizing Skywards miles, because it explicitly says “traditional rewards” will now not be obtainable. And upgrading to top quality tends to be a neater course of than reserving top quality upfront, as a result of Emirates sometimes releases obtainable seats for upgrades on the day of departure.
I utilized this very choice 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 once 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.
Sure, 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 prolong to upgrades sooner or later.
Associated: Emirates Skywards loyalty program: How to earn and redeem miles, elite status and more
What’s taking place with Emirates Skywards?
This new change comes at an fascinating time for Emirates and its loyalty program. On the finish of Could, each American Specific Membership Rewards and Chase Final Rewards will temporarily suspend 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 because the service lately reported an enormous improve in profitability, and in contrast to most U.S. airways, Emirates’ margins come largely from its operations slightly 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? Solely time will inform, however one factor’s for certain: U.S. vacationers and bank card holders will quickly discover it tougher to make use of this system for outsized worth.
Backside line
When you’ve 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. Beginning Monday, Could 12, 2025, this may solely be obtainable to Platinum, Gold and Silver members.
Fortunately, Emirates does associate with a lot of the transferable level currencies, together with Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Final Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. Simply do not wait too lengthy.