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Flying in style: The best programs for booking Emirates awards
Benji Stawski is a former reporter for the site, covering all things points, miles, credit cards, travel and aviation.
August 5, 2021 • 14 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Emirates is a popular choice for premium-cabin award flights, especially for its first-class suites and unique amenities like onboard showers and bars.
Recent changes mean first-class awards will soon only be bookable through Emirates' own loyalty program, as partner access is being phased out.
Emirates has significantly reduced fuel surcharges on award tickets, making redemptions more affordable than in previous years.
Multiple loyalty programs allow you to transfer points to Emirates, but the best value and availability are typically found by booking directly with their program.
What to consider
First-class award access via partners like JAL and Qantas is ending soon, with JAL losing access after September 1.
Emirates uses a distance-based award chart, so redemption rates vary by route and departure city.
Taxes and fees are now much lower on Emirates awards, but still apply and differ by route.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of redemption rates and transfer options across major loyalty programs for booking Emirates award flights.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Emirates is among the most sought-after carriers when it comes to award flights — and specifically premium-cabin redemptions. Thanks to great products like the fully enclosed suites available on a handful of 777-300ERs and unique amenities such as the A380's onboard showers and bars, many points and miles enthusiasts make it a priority to redeem their hard-earned rewards with the Dubai-based carrier.
So, buckle up and let's get to it. Here are the best ways to book Emirates awards.
(Photo by Nicky Kelvin/The Points Guy)
Top awards to book
The latest first-class suite available on some Emirates 777-300ERs. (Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy)
While Emirates has a reputation for gold-studded opulence, not every seat in their fleet is created equal. It might even surprise you to learn that Emirates really drops the ball with a few of their business class configurations. Many 777s feature either angle-flat seats or a 2-3-2 layout with middle seats in international business class. The horror! This post will include information on awards in every class of travel, but due to Emirates’ renowned premium-cabin service, we’ll focus on first-class redemptions.
Note that in April 2021, Emirates began cutting off access to first-class awards to most partner programs. On Sept. 1, JAL Mileage Bank members will lose access to first-class awards and Qantas will likely follow. So, moving forward, your only option may be directly through Skywards.
Although Emirates is in the process of rolling out a premium economy product, it will be a while until we're able to book it — using miles or cash. Until more of Emirates’ aircraft feature premium economy, the airline will be offering the seats as a complimentary upgrade for Emirates Skywards elites and full-fare economy customers.
One of the main highlights of the A380 is Emirates' world-famous in-flight shower. You can fly this product on more than 30 routes, including Dubai (DXB) to New York-JFK and Los Angeles (LAX) and a fifth-freedom route between Sydney (SYD) to Christchurch (CHC). There are 14 fully enclosed suites in the first-class cabin. Each one includes a mini-bar, a huge screen for enjoying the (very comprehensive) in-flight entertainment, and even a pop-up makeup mirror.
Emirates 777-300ER first class
The first-class cabin on most Emirates 777-300ERs is slightly smaller than that of the A380, with just eight closed suites. While the configuration is different, the suites themselves are very similar and you can expect comparable service on board. You can fly the 777-300ER on various international routes and even fifth-freedom flights like New York-JFK to Milan (MXP) and Newark (EWR) to Athens (ATH).
However, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a ride on a 777 with the carrier’s newer first-class cabin, which features just six suites in a 1-1-1 configuration and extras like virtual windows for the seats in the middle of the cabin. It’s currently available on flights from Dubai to just a handful of destinations in the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
(Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy)
That’s not to say you couldn’t use miles (and the strategies discussed below) to book business or economy awards on Emirates. But first-class awards will often get you the most value for your points — and obviously the best onboard experience.
For more information, see the following flight reviews and posts:
For a long time, Emirates Skywards was a bit of an afterthought for many award travelers, even as Emirates continued to partner with more transferable points currencies. In fact, Emirates now partners with all five major transferable points currencies, meaning you can transfer points to Emirates at the following rates:
Marriott Bonvoy – 3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred
Emirates was historically overlooked was because the airline tacked on massive fuel surcharges to premium cabin awards, especially those departing from the U.S. A one-way Emirates first class award from JFK to Dubai (DXB) used to come with over $800 in taxes, but in a surprising move, Emirates massively reduced fuel surcharges on all of its award tickets last year.
That same ticket now only carries a $150 "YQ" (the industry notation for fuel surcharges) and just $162 in total taxes. That's a reduction of over 80%, and given how easy it is to earn Emirates miles, it makes Skywards a much more compelling booking option. This is especially good news considering that Skywards will soon be the only way to book first-class awards.
This change is also significant because it means you can book Emirates first class with points earned on some of the most popular travel rewards cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Alternatively, you can quickly rack up Skywards miles with one of Emirates' U.S. credit cards. Barclays' Emirates Skywards cards offer up to 60,000 bonus Skywards Miles after meeting minimum spend requirements — worth $720 according to TPG valuations — and numerous unique perks like instant elite status for a year, with the ability to hold on to it after hitting a certain spending threshold. The cards also unlock access to Emirates Business Class lounges.
With this in mind, let's take a look at some of the best awards you can book directly with Emirates. Emirates' fifth-freedom flight from New York to Milan (MXP) is a popular option, as the Middle Eastern carrier offers a level of service miles above anything else you'll find on that route. You can book a one-way first-class award for just 85,000 miles and $60 in taxes, a steal for a flight that normally sells for $7,500 or more.
(Photo courtesy of Emirates)
Of course, the eight-hour overnight flight to Europe goes by all too fast, and it might not leave you enough time to eat, shower, and enjoy the onboard bar. If you're looking for a longer flight, you can fly from JFK to Dubai for 136,250 miles and $181 in taxes. Emirates uses a distance-based award chart, meaning that flights from the central U.S. or West Coast will be slightly more expensive.
Here's Emirates' full award chart for flights from the East Coast to Dubai (prices are one-way):
Class
Saver
Flex Plus
Economy
36,250
62,750
Business class
72,500
100,000
First class
n/a
136,250
Meanwhile, here's the award chart for when you're departing from the central U.S. or West Coast:
Class
Saver
Flex Plus
Economy
41,250
71,250
Business class
82,500
113,750
First class
123,750
155,000
JAL Mileage Bank
If you can earn JAL miles, the Japan Airlines Mileage Bank program can offer a compelling value proposition. This is especially true now that Emirates has slashed fuel surcharges across the board.
Before we dive into specific redemptions, it's necessary to mention that JAL miles are incredibly difficult to earn. Short of crediting paid Oneworld flights to your JAL Mileage Bank account, your only option is to transfer points from Marriott. JAL follows the same 3:1 transfer ratio as most other Marriott partners. You'll also get a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred.
Marriott points are relatively easy to earn, either by staying at Marriott hotels or signing up for one of Marriott's many cobranded credit cards. For instance, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is currently offering a welcome offer of 95,000 bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
JAL uses distance-based award charts and charges you based on the total distance of all your segments. Here's the first-class award chart (no longer applicable beginning Sept. 1, 2021):
(Photo courtesy of JAL)
Business class award chart:
(Photo courtesy of JAL)
And economy class award chart:
(Photo courtesy of JAL)
Speaking of segments, JAL allows a maximum of six on award bookings, as well as two stopovers. So you could book Emirates business class from New York-JFK – Dubai (stopover) – Bangkok (destination) – Dubai – Milan (stopover) – New York-JFK. That’s a lot of premium cabin flying time for just 130,000 JAL miles.
Meanwhile, the flight from JFK to Dubai covers just under 7,000 miles, meaning you could book a first-class award for only 120,000 JAL miles. This would require you to transfer about 300,000 Marriott points, making it less attractive. The shorter JFK-Milan route would only cost 65,000 JAL miles or 165,000 Marriott points when you account for the transfer bonus.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Australian flag carrier Qantas is an interesting option for booking Emirates awards. Now that Skywards partners with all the transferable points currencies, it isn't quite as compelling (not that it was ever a shining star), but if you already have miles with Qantas from flying with Oneworld airlines, this may be worth considering.
Qantas also has a distance-based award chart, though unfortunately, it was slightly devalued in September 2020. Here’s the chart for one-way partner redemptions:
(Screenshot courtesy of qantas.com)
Here are some sample redemption rates for booking Emirates awards using the Qantas award chart:
One-way business-class ticket from New York to Milan: 75,000 miles
One-way first-class ticket from Washington, D.C. to Dubai: 170,800 miles
One-way first-class ticket from Los Angeles to Dubai: 170,800 miles
Putting those redemption rates in perspective, though, it’s often cheaper to book awards directly through Emirates if you have any other transferable points in your wallet.
These various programs and transfer options are a lot to decipher. To make things easier, here’s a chart comparing round-trip redemption rates across all programs for flights between New York-JFK and Milan, one of Emirates’ fifth freedom routes. Note that taxes and fees should be roughly comparable between programs, or at least close enough that they wouldn't' sway you to book with one airline over the other.
Program
Economy
Business
First
Transfer Partners
Emirates Skywards
77,500
125,000
170,000
American Express Membership Rewards (1:1)
Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
Citi ThankYou Points (1:1)
Capital One Miles (2:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
JAL Mileage Bank
47,000
85,000
135,000
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
Qantas Frequent Flyer
60,400
150,000
215,400
American Express Membership Rewards (1:1)
Citi ThankYou Rewards (1:1)
Capital One Miles (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
And here’s a chart comparing round-trip redemption rates for flights between New York-JFK and Dubai:
Program
Economy
Business
First
Transfer Partners
Emirates Skywards
125,000
200,000
272,500
American Express Membership Rewards (1:1)
Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
Citi ThankYou Points (1:1)
Capital One Miles (2:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
JAL Mileage Bank
55,000
110,000
165,000
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
Qantas Frequent Flyer
90,000
209,000
299,600
American Express Membership Rewards (1:1)
Citi ThankYou Rewards (1:1)
Capital One Miles (2:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
Bottom line
Although Emirates recently lost a major partner, there still are various ways to redeem your points and miles for award flights on the carrier. The best option for you ultimately depends on your personal situation.
Often, when airlines make changes to their frequent flyer programs, it's bad news. However, Emirates' decision to massively reduce fuel surcharges on nearly all award tickets is one of the best things they could have possibly done. This move, combined with how easy it is to transfer points to Emirates, makes Skywards a much more compelling choice for those looking to book an Emirates award. Meanwhile, Qantas' latest award chart changes were mostly negative.
One thing is for sure: if you really have your heart set on a once-in-a-lifetime trip in the Jennifer Aniston cabin, you might just have to pay up to make it happen. Soon, the only way to book Emirates first-class awards will be directly through Skywards.
Additional reporting by Ethan Steinberg
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
