Book Emirates flights to Europe with wide-open business class award space
Flying in Emirates' long-haul business class is a dream for many.
Emirates operates two fifth-freedom flights from New York, one from Newark (EWR) to Athens, Greece (ATH), and another from New York-JFK to Milan (MXP). These flights have restarted after a brief pandemic pause, and both Italy and Greece are open to vaccinated American tourists.
You can score business-class award space on both routes for just 90,000 Skywards miles round-trip, as first reported by Thrifty Traveler Premium. This is a pretty solid deal considering Emirates is known for its top-notch service, dining options and lounges.
Let’s take a closer look at the award space and how to book it.
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The deal
Airline: Emirates.
Routes: JFK-MXP and EWR-ATH.
Cost: From 90,000 American Express, Chase, Citi or Capital One points or miles round-trip (transferred to Emirates Skywards).
Dates: Spring and autumn.
How to book: First, find award availability on the Emirates website before transferring points. Points usually transfer instantly to Emirates Skywards. Once points are in your Emirates account, we advise booking immediately.
Pay taxes/fees with: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar on travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel) for travel protections on the award flight.
Related: The best ways to travel to Europe using points and miles
Is it worth it?
Although Emirates' business-class seats are not the newest in the sky, the product is still fantastic at 90,000 miles round-trip. You'll enjoy excellent inflight dining and entertainment, and a lie-flat seat so you'll arrive at your final destination rested and ready to explore. Plus, if you find a flight on the Airbus A380, you can enjoy the lounge in the sky.
One of the most appealing parts of this deal is that you might be able to upgrade to Emirates first class — which provides an even more luxurious experience — for just 30,000 miles at check-in. Again, since most points transfer to Emirates instantly, you can do this at the check-in counter.
Business-class flights on Emirates aren't cheap either. This spring, you're looking at almost $2,800 per person on the Newark-to-Athens route. Booking this route for just 90,000 points round-trip can save you a ton of cash, and can give you more than 3 cents per point in value depending on the date, which is a great redemption value for any transferable points currency.
Related: Flying in style: The best programs for booking Emirates awards
Sample itineraries
We're seeing discounted Emirates award space on both the New York-JFK-to-Milan and Newark-to-Athens routes throughout the year, with the most award availability in the spring and autumn months. Unfortunately, many peak summer months are priced at higher rates.
Additionally, note that our test searches indicate that in order to be eligible for the 90,000-mile price, you must book a round-trip flight.
Families and couples can book these deals too, as some flights have award space for two or more passengers. We found the majority of these flights in the autumn months.
Related: An inside look at Emirates Skywards as told by the program’s president
Boosting your Emirates Skywards balance
Emirates Skywards is a transfer partner of all the major transferable points currencies: American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. Here’s a look at some of our favorite Amex cards and their current welcome offers, which can give you a head start on booking an Emirates flight in business class. Each card has its own set of benefits and fees, so do your research and see which is best for your wallet.
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of card membership. Earn 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants, 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from airlines or American Express Travel, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases ($250 annual fee; see rates and fees).
- The Platinum Card from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Earn 5 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees).
- American Express® Green Card: Earn 45,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Earn 3 points per dollar on dining at restaurants, travel and transit (including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours and ridesharing services), and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases ($150 annual fee; see rates and fees).
The information for the Amex Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: The ultimate guide to Amex Membership Rewards
Bottom line
With Italy and Greece having relatively straightforward COVID-19 travel rules, this Emirates business-class deal is highly appealing. Keep in mind that you may be able to upgrade to first class at check-in. If your plans change, Emirates makes it very easy to change your award ticket, thanks to its recently relaxed change and cancellation policies.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green Card, click here.
Feature photo by Eric Rosen/The Points Guy.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
5X | 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. |
2X | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023
Rewards Rate
10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
5X | 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. |
2X | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
Intro Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel75,000 bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023