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Emirates adds new offerings to first class as awards tickets face new restrictions

May 17, 2025
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3 min read
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Emirates adds new offerings to first class as awards tickets face new restrictions
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Emirates takes luxury seriously, and the Dubai-based airline is upping its game with a slate of first class amenities from unlimited caviar in specially-engraved bowls to white glove service and more.

Adding to an already-luxe experience, the carrier is now offering its caviar service in special brand-new Robert Welch-designed engraved bowls, Emirates said in a statement. That will complement what the airline calls its “enhanced” cheese board, now plated on a rustic slate plate with matching bowls and a wooden honey dipper.

All this will be served with a new gloved service for an extra flourish and detailed in new keepsake menus, which explain the airline’s “wine selection and culinary inspiration.”

“Emirates is the world’s largest operator of international First Class travel… and [has] the largest inventory of international First Class seats in the industry, entirely comprised of private suites,” the airline wrote in a statement, adding, “Emirates continues to refine its First Class ‘Fly Better’ experience, with an array of new enhancements for First Class customers.”

The new amenities, which Emirates told TPG are currently available on flights, are in addition to the airline’s signature first-class offerings, which include its beloved onboard showers, opulent Bulgari amenity kits, unlimited caviar and Dom Pérignon, and a special movie menu complete with Wagyu sliders, lobster rolls and popcorn.

In addition to upgrades to the in-flight experience, Emirates is renovating its first class check-in area in Terminal 3 at the Dubai International Airport (DXB) to include personalized check-in services and a lounge-like design. These improvements are expected to open in the coming weeks.

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The upgrades come on the heels of Emirates restricting first-class award tickets to its Platinum, Gold and Silver status members. That policy went into effect on May 12.

It also comes just weeks ahead of plans for both American Express and Chase to temporarily suspend Skywards transfers and ahead of plans for Citi ThankYou Rewards to devalue point transfers to Emirates Skywards.

Related reading:

Featured image by ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
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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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • $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.
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