United and Emirates launch reciprocal loyalty benefits, other perks
It's turning into a big week for United Airlines.
The carrier's brand-new flight from Newark to Dubai touched down on Sunday, March 26, as part of a once-unthinkable partnership with Emirates Airline. Though the tie-up was first unveiled last September, the details about the partnership have been largely kept under wraps, aside from the introduction of United's new long-haul route and codeshare opportunities.
On Thursday, the two airlines announced some additional details about tie-up related to the passenger experience and loyalty perks. Here's what you need to know.
Reciprocal loyalty benefits
As of March 26, United flyers can now earn miles on Emirates flights that have been purchased in conjunction with United's nonstop from Newark to Dubai.
This means that if you fly United to Dubai and connect onwards to Africa (all on one ticket), you'll be able to earn MileagePlus miles for both segments. However, if you purchase the Emirates flight separately, you won't be eligible to earn United credit.
If you purchase your ticket through United, the airline will credit Emirates earnings according to the fare spent, with the multiplier ranging from 5x to 11x the fare depending on your Premier elite tier. Meanwhile, if you buy your ticket from Emirates, award mile earnings will range from 10% to 150% of the distance flown.
Note that some of the cheapest Emirates fares aren't eligible for mileage accrual.
Additionally, if you're a casual United flyer, you might now consider crediting your future United flights to the Emirates Skywards loyalty program — a benefit that went into effect on March 30.
Unlike with MileagePlus, you can earn Skywards for any United flight. Your accrual will vary based on the distance flown and the fare purchased, and you can find the full earnings table on Emirates' website.
Unless you're eyeing a particular redemption with Skywards or are a frequent Emirates passenger, you'll likely do better crediting your United flights to MileagePlus or another Star Alliance member airline, as opposed to Emirates.
Aside from the fact that Skywards keeps devaluing awards, the carrier's earning rates for United aren't great. A deep-discount business-class ticket nets 110% of the miles flown with Skywards, whereas this same ticket would earn 150% of the miles flown with Air Canada Aeroplan — a much better deal.
Furthermore, as of March 30, the two airlines have also enabled the ability to redeem miles on each other's flights.
Before you get too excited, note that you can only redeem MileagePlus miles for Emirates flights that are booked on the same itinerary as a United flight from Newark to Dubai. There's no indication that this condition will change any time soon, and unfortunately, first-class redemptions are off-limits to MileagePlus flyers.
MileagePlus offers variable pricing, so you'll need to search across multiple dates to find the rates. That said, there isn't much saver economy or business availability on United's flight to Dubai, so you may end up redeeming for an "anytime" award with a mixed United and Emirates itinerary.
Meanwhile, Emirates Skywards now has access to United's saver award availability. Emirates is pricing United awards according to a distance-based award chart, which is pasted below for your convenience.
| One way distance (miles) | Economy class | Business class |
|---|---|---|
0‑250 | 8,000 | 16,000 |
251‑500 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
501‑1,000 | 14,000 | 28,000 |
1,001‑2,000 | 20,000 | 40,000 |
2,001‑3,000 | 26,000 | 52,000 |
3,001‑4,000 | 32,000 | 64,000 |
4,001‑5,000 | 38,000 | 76,000 |
5,001‑6,000 | 44,000 | 88,000 |
6,001‑7,000 | 52,000 | 104,000 |
7,001‑15,000 | 60,000 | 120,000 |
While the award rates might seem attractive in certain distance bands, the taxes and additional surcharges will likely make these awards considerably less attractive, especially on international routes.
For instance, a one-way ticket from Newark to London prices at 64,000 miles and a whopping $815.10 in taxes and fees.
Reciprocal lounge access
When United and Emirates first announced their so-called "historic partnership," they shared that reciprocal lounge access would be coming soon.
Unfortunately, that benefit has yet to be implemented, and we'll update this story when it is available.
Until then, United Polaris customers originating in Dubai won't be able to use the Emirates business-class lounge. Those connecting in the Gulf metropolis should be able to use the Emirates lounge, since their connecting business-class flight will likely include access to the lounge (assuming that you didn't purchase a "business-class special" fare.)
Connecting itineraries
This is perhaps the most basic level of coordination, but Emirates and United flyers can both benefit from the partnership by being able to book connecting flights beyond their airline's respective hubs.
United customers can now purchase one-stop flights from Newark to an undisclosed number of Emirates destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. This allows United to market tickets to cities it couldn't otherwise reach on its own.
Meanwhile, Emirates passengers headed to or from the U.S. will enjoy additional connectivity beyond the carrier's 12 domestic destinations. In fact, through the codeshare partnership, Emirates passengers can fly to more than 150 U.S. cities thanks to domestic United feed from Chicago, Houston or San Francisco.
All of these connecting itineraries can be purchased via United or Emirates. Thanks to a new interline agreement, your checked bags will even be transferred automatically between connecting flights, except at your first point of entry in the U.S.
Plus, if your flight gets delayed or canceled, you'll have additional reaccommodation options on both carriers.
Bottom line
Despite years of hostility in the 2010s, United and Emirates have now buried the hatchet with a brand-new partnership.
The "historic" tie-up is being hailed as "game-changing," but the actual details aren't necessarily as lucrative as you might expect.
Loyalty benefits for MileagePlus members are limited to certain flights, while reciprocal lounge access hasn't formally been unveiled yet.
Though you'll now have more connecting opportunities than ever before, I'd love to see the two carriers deepen their partnership by adding elite benefits for frequent travelers and opening up more eligible routes for MileagePlus redemptions.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations
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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.
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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
$325Recommended Credit
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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.