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
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.