Emirates raised its fuel surcharges again — will other airlines follow suit?
Just a few months ago, Emirates offered some of our favorite sweet spots in the award travel game. They’ve since squeezed a handful of lemons into the batter.
See, for a long time Emirates was one of those airlines that charged frustratingly high fuel surcharges for award flights. They largely fixed that problem in 2020, making the Emirates Skywards program an appealing destination for flexible rewards such as Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards points.
Emirates has recently decided to reverse these positive changes. Fuel surcharges are once again sky-high. It’s not the first airline to raise these taxes in 2022. So what does this trend mean for you?
Emirates has award travelers over an (oil) barrel
You may find fuel surcharges, occasionally known as “carrier-imposed surcharges,” tacked onto the price of your award flight at checkout when booking select airlines. Some fuel surcharges are so unreasonable that they can discourage travelers from even booking the award flight.
In late February 2022, Emirates increased its fuel surcharges by up to 140% — resulting in a price hike of over $250 per person. Then, less than a month later, Emirates increased fuel surcharges again by $180.
Now, expect to pay over $200 more in fuel surcharges when traveling in business or first class. Let’s take a look at the current prices for premium award seats.
Related: How to avoid fuel surcharges on award travel
Below is a nonstop flight from Miami to Dubai in first class (and not the game-changer first class, mind you). You’ll pay 136,250 Emirates miles and $817 in taxes and fees. Yes, this seat easily sells for $10,000 or more, making the price you’ll pay for an award flight a virtual steal, but many of us are in the points and miles hobby to avoid paying several hundred dollars for flights.
Things get worse if you’re traveling beyond Dubai. Here’s the price for first-class seats on the same date from Miami to Bangkok via Dubai: 178,750 Emirates miles and an offensive $1,233 in taxes and fees.
Fuel surcharges appear to be equally exorbitant whether you’re booking business or first class. For example, Chicago to Dubai in business class costs 115,000 miles and $817 in taxes and fees.
Houston to Singapore via Dubai in business class costs 167,500 miles and $1,231 in taxes and fees.
Seattle to Male, Maldives, via Dubai in business class costs 142,500 miles and $1,050 in taxes and fees.
Related: Everything you need to know about Emirates Skywards
Interestingly, Emirates’ two popular fifth-freedom routes (Newark to Athens, Greece, and New York to Milan) still have reasonable fees. Below is a first-class flight from Newark to Athens in first class for 85,000 Emirates miles and $84.
The upcharge in fees seems currently to only apply to flights that involve Emirates’ hub airport. If you’re booking a premium Emirates seat to or from Dubai, prepare to pay up.
Will other airlines follow suit?
Not only might other airlines follow suit, but other airlines have preceded these changes from Emirates — and likely emboldened them to make these changes in the first place.
Earlier this year, ANA dramatically increased its fuel surcharges, in some cases charging $500 in fees for an award ticket that previously incurred just $50.
Soon after, British Airways’ fuel surcharges skyrocketed on long-haul routes, disincentivizing prudent award travelers from using Avios for popular routes such as the West Coast to Europe.
In truth, fuel surcharges aren’t always directly proportional to the cost of fuel. But sometimes they are. With the nauseating price of oil at present, it wouldn’t be shocking to see other airlines increase taxes and fees to offset their expenses.
If there’s an award flight you want to book, do it as soon as possible. There’s no telling what can happen overnight in the world of award travel.
Related: These are the 3 award redemptions TPG staffers regret not booking
For example, if you’ve been eyeing the Emirates fifth-freedom routes in business or first class (again, essentially untouched by this latest fee hike), lock them down now.
Other popular ways to book Emirates premium cabins include Qantas and Japan Airlines. Qantas is the only Emirates partner to have access to first-class award seats on Emirates (aside from Korean Air, but it’s a pain to book). The problems with these partners are:
- Japan Airlines miles are exceptionally difficult to earn (its only valuable transfer partner is Marriott Bonvoy).
- Emirates flights still incur high fuel surcharges when booked with these airlines.
Related: The best programs for booking Emirates awards
Bottom line
Emirates has reinstated its draconian fuel surcharges for the vast majority of its flights.
If you plan to book business- or first-class award seats with Emirates, just know that it’ll be an investment. You could pay more than $1,200 per person one-way.
Emirates’ fifth-freedom routes are still a great deal — but most every other premium route is tough to swallow. With oil prices soaring, let’s hope this move by Emirates doesn’t activate a lightbulb above the heads of other airlines.
Regardless, this is a good reminder to book award tickets before it's too late. Otherwise, you could be left paying hundreds of dollars (or thousands of points) more than in the past.
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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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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
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- 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.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
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
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
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.