Overview of Emirates Skywards Redemptions

Skywards is the frequent flyer program of Emirates Airline. You can redeem Skywards miles to fly with Emirates, Qantas and a unique selection of partner airlines.

We generally don’t recommend transferring credit card reward points to the Skywards program because it’s relatively poor value, there are often high fuel surcharges and the miles can be difficult to redeem. Skywards miles also expire after a fixed term of 3 years, so you shouldn’t convert your points to Skywards miles if you don’t have a near-term use for them. But it might be a worthwhile option to consider if you want to book an Emirates flight that isn’t available via other frequent flyer programs.

If you wish to book an award flight for travel on Emirates, remember that you can also use Qantas Frequent Flyer points (and not be penalised for booking one-way awards!).

Nonetheless, if you would like more information about the Emirates Skywards program, please read on…

Which airlines can you redeem Emirates Skywards miles to fly with?

Emirates is not in an alliance, but you can redeem Skywards miles to travel on any of the following airlines:

• Emirates
• Air Canada
• Air Mauritius
• Bangkok Airways
• Copa Airlines
• easyJet
• flydubai
• GOL
• Japan Airlines
• Jetstar
• Korean Air
• Malaysia Airlines
• Qantas
• South African Airways
• TAP Air Portugal

Award flight pricing

There are two types of Classic Rewards for Emirates-operated flights; Saver and Flex Plus. Saver awards are cheaper, but have less availability and can only be used for round-trip awards (except when departing from Australia or New Zealand). For all other one-way awards, you’ll have to redeem more miles for a Flex Plus award.

You can use the Emirates Miles Calculator to check the number of miles required for an Emirates flight or upgrade redemption.

Emirates First Class award flights are only available as Flex Plus Classic Rewards.

Emirates has a different award chart for travel on each partner airline. You can find each of the relevant partner airline award charts on the Emirates website. Note that dynamic pricing is used for award travel on flydubai or easyJet, so it doesn’t really make sense to redeem Skywards miles with these carriers.

How to book

You can book award travel on Emirates, flydubai, Qantas, Japan Airlines, Korean Air or Malaysia Airlines on the Emirates website.

For awards on other partner airlines, you’d need to call Emirates or start a live online chat. Unfortunately, this booking process can be complicated and time-consuming.

Learn more or get assistance with redeeming Emirates Skywards miles

If you’d like expert, personalised assistance with redeeming Skywards miles for flights, our Frequent Flyer Concierge team may be able to help!

Australian Frequent Flyer also has an Emirates discussion forum.

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