Update: Emirates first class awards now only available through some partners
Editor's Note
Emirates offers one of the best first-class products in the sky. Select Boeing 777s feature fully enclosed suites, while the A380s offer unique amenities like onboard showers and bars. Either way, flying in Emirates first class is a bucket-list experience.
While some people might spend north of $10,000 on a round-trip ticket, we at TPG recommend using your points and miles instead.
There used to be many ways to book a suite. You were able to book with either Emirates' own loyalty program, Skywards, or through a host of partners like Alaska Airlines. However, there are now a lot fewer partners you could book these coveted awards through.
Luckily, this news might not be as bad as it sounds.
Emirates limiting first-class awards to some partners
As we reported in November, Emirates was going to limit first-class redemptions beginning April 1, 2021.
There was an update on Alaska's award chart stating,
Beginning April 1, 2021, Emirates will no longer allow partner access to First Class award bookings. Mileage Plan members can continue to redeem on the Emirates’ award-winning Economy Class and Business Class. Business Class redemptions include complimentary lounge access and regionally inspired gourmet dishes.
Alaska confirmed that this isn't just limited to Mileage Plan awards. The Seattle-based carrier told TPG that Emirates is cutting off first-class award space to all partners, not just to Alaska.
The Dubai-based carrier has parked many of its aircraft equipped with larger first-class cabins, putting pressure on capacity. This, combined with the displacement cost of a redemption booking during a time of depressed revenue, led to the decision.
Fortunately, this announcement didn't end up being as bad as it seemed.
When April came around, we noticed that certain partners continued to have access to Emirates first class award space. In a statement to TPG, an Emirates spokesperson explained,
After a careful review of operational considerations, Emirates can confirm that starting from 1 April 2021, First Class Rewards will be exclusively available to Emirates Skywards members as well as members of select strategic airline partners that offer mutual benefits to our customers. We remain committed to providing our members with excellent service and unmatched rewards in the air and on-ground.
While Emirates didn't share a list of the "select strategic airline partners," our searches confirmed that JAL Mileage Bank and Qantas continued to offer Emirates first-class awards. So the only major loss, at the time, was for Alaska Mileage Plan members.
Unfortunately, this bit of relief will be short-lived. As TPG reader Jesse G. pointed out, JAL has published an update on its website explaining that Emirates first-class awards will no longer be available starting Sep. 1, 2021. Any awards booked before then for travel at a later date will continue to be honored.
As of now, Qantas members should continue to have access to these awards. Of course, it wouldn't be surprising if this changes down the line as well.
Booking Emirates first-class awards
It's pretty easy to search for Emirates award space on the Qantas website. The program offers a calendar view that shows an entire month of availability in one place. Plus, you can filter your search by cabin.
Related: Ultimate guide to searching award availability for the major airlines
Redemption rates vary by distance, but to give you an idea, a round-trip first-class award between New York-JFK and Dubai costs 165,000 miles with JAL and 284,600 with Qantas. You could also book Emirates’ fifth freedom route between New York-JFK and Milan (resuming June 1) for 135,000 miles with JAL and 205,200 with Qantas. Taxes and fees should be roughly comparable between programs.
Related: The best programs for booking Emirates awards
Luckily, the Emirates Skywards program is still a solid option for booking Emirates first class. It was overlooked because the airline tacked massive fuel surcharges to premium cabin awards, but those have since been significantly reduced. The program now charges 170,000 miles for a round-trip first-class award from New York-JFK to Milan or 272,500 miles to Dubai and around $150 in taxes and fees.
Another perk of Skywards is that you can currently transfer points from all the major credit card currencies at the following rates:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards – 1:1
- Amex Membership Rewards – 1:1
- Citi ThankYou Rewards – 1:1
- Capital One Venture miles – 2:1
- Marriott Bonvoy – 3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred
Related: Best ways to redeem Emirates Skywards miles for maximum value
Bottom line
Emirates is limiting the number of partners you could book first-class awards even further than it already has. However, it's not all bad news since members are being given plenty of notice and some major programs like Qantas should continue to have access. Also, Emirates' own Skywards program remains easily accessible and a solid value for booking first-class awards.
Additional reporting by Zach Griff.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.