It has been a busy few weeks for the Emirates Skywards loyalty program, nevertheless it’s simply introduced maybe the most important change but. As of Monday, Might 12, 2025, Emirates will start limiting first-class awards to its Platinum, Gold and Silver standing members. We first noticed this information on Loyalty Foyer.
It is a main change that may forestall many vacationers from accessing some of the aspirational award tickets within the factors and miles world — and it comes with little discover for members.
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Here is what it’s worthwhile to know.
New restrictions begin Monday
Beginning Might 12, 2025, solely elite vacationers within the Emirates Skywards program will have the ability to ebook 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 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 almost $900.
Nevertheless, there are far more enticing charges on a number of the provider’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 loads to spend on a flight that is lower than eight hours, however for some, it is well worth the splurge.
Beginning Monday, you will must have elite standing to ebook this flight.
Past the numerous new restriction, it is irritating that Emirates is giving nearly 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 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.
Sure, it was a splurge, nevertheless it was the primary time my daughter had ever flown worldwide top quality, and it was a tremendous flight.
Hopefully this new restriction to award flights will not prolong to upgrades sooner or later.
Associated: Emirates Skywards loyalty program: The way 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. On the finish of Might, each American Specific Membership Rewards and Chase Final Rewards will quickly 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 because the provider lately reported an enormous improve in profitability, and in contrast to most U.S. airways, Emirates’ margins come largely from its operations relatively than its loyalty program.
So are these adjustments an indication that the Skywards program (and its transferable financial institution companions) will play a smaller function 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 more durable to make use of this system for outsized worth.
Backside line
In case you’ve been eyeing an Emirates first-class redemption (and do not have elite standing within the Skywards program), you will have little or no time left to lock in your award ticket. Beginning Monday, Might 12, 2025, this can solely be obtainable to Platinum, Gold and Silver members.
Fortunately, Emirates does accomplice with many 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.
