Book now: Emirates to restrict first-class award tickets to elite members as of May 12, 2025

It's been a busy few weeks for the Emirates Skywards loyalty program, but it's just announced perhaps the biggest change yet. As of Monday, May 12, 2025, Emirates will begin restricting first-class awards to its Platinum, Gold and Silver status members. We first saw this news on Loyalty Lobby.

This is a major change that will prevent many travelers from accessing one of the most aspirational award tickets in the points and miles world — and it comes with little notice for members.

Related: Getting my money's worth in Emirates first class: Bottomless Champagne and endless caviar

Here's what you need to know.

New restrictions start Monday

Starting May 12, 2025, only elite travelers in the Emirates Skywards program will be able to book the carrier's opulent first-class product using Skywards miles. The notice is posted at the top of Emirates' miles calculator online.

Emirates has far from attractive award rates on most of its first-class flights — with high mileage amounts and significant taxes and fees. This one-way flight from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) would set you back 163,500 miles plus nearly $900.

However, there are much more attractive rates on some of the carrier's fifth-freedom flights, including:

• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Athens International Airport (ATH)
• New York-JFK to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
• Miami International Airport (MIA) to El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota, Colombia

Here's an example of a one-way, first-class flight from JFK-MXP, which is 102,000 plus $101.50.

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It's true that it's a lot to spend on a flight that's less than eight hours, but for some, it's worth the splurge.

Starting Monday, you'll need to have elite status to book this flight.

Beyond the significant new restriction, it's frustrating that Emirates is giving virtually no notice to travelers. The new policy takes effect in just two days, giving little time for members to finalize plans.

First-class upgrades appear to be unaffected

Thankfully, the wording on Emirates' site does make it seem like this doesn't apply to first-class upgrades using Skywards miles, since it explicitly says "classic rewards" will no longer be available. And upgrading to first class tends to be an easier process than booking first class in advance, because Emirates typically releases available seats for upgrades on the day of departure.

I utilized this very option in June 2024. I was flying from ATH to EWR on business-class award tickets with my wife and daughter, and seven of the eight first-class seats showed as unoccupied when we arrived at the airport. I transferred 117,000 Capital One miles — 39,000 per person — to my Emirates Skywards account standing at the check-in desk (much to the surprise of the agent). A few minutes later, we had first-class boarding passes in hand.

Yes, it was a splurge, but it was the first time my daughter had ever flown international first class, and it was an amazing flight.

Hopefully this new restriction to award flights won't extend to upgrades in the future.

Related: Emirates Skywards loyalty program: How to earn and redeem miles, elite status and more

What's happening with Emirates Skywards?

This new change comes at an interesting time for Emirates and its loyalty program. At the end of May, both American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards will temporarily suspend transfers to Emirates. Then, on July 27, the transfer ratio for converting Citi ThankYou Rewards to Emirates Skywards miles will change, where 1,000 ThankYou points will only get you 800 Skywards miles.

This also comes as the carrier recently reported a huge increase in profitability, and unlike most U.S. airlines, Emirates' margins come largely from its operations rather than its loyalty program.

So are these changes a sign that the Skywards program (and its transferable bank partners) will play a smaller role in Emirates' long-term strategy? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: U.S. travelers and credit card holders will soon find it harder to use the program for outsized value.

Bottom line

If you've been eyeing an Emirates first-class redemption (and don't have elite status in the Skywards program), you have very little time left to lock in your award ticket. Starting Monday, May 12, 2025, this will only be available to Platinum, Gold and Silver members.

Thankfully, Emirates does partner with most of the transferable point currencies, including Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. Just don't wait too long.