How to Book Emirates Flights with Points

Known for its high-end business class, world-class first class, and overall emphasis on luxury food, drink, and service, Emirates has established itself as one of the best airlines in the world. On every Emirates flight, you can expect to enjoy delicious meals and the finest wines (especially in business — hello, Moët & Chandon). Some jets even have an onboard shower and in-flight bar! 

It could get by on rave reviews and word of mouth alone, but the airline’s been racking up the awards and plaudits too, earning nods for its first-class amenities, catering, and airport lounge, as well as its frequent-flier program and first and premium-economy classes as a whole — and that’s just in 2024. 

Whether you're looking to fly Emirates business class or coach, here are the best ways to book it with points.

About Emirates Skywards

Emirates Skywards is the loyalty program for Emirates and the low-cost carrier Flydubai. When you sign up for the program, you can earn and redeem miles on Emirates and its partners.

Emirates has four elite status tiers: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Blue is the entry-level status tier, which you receive as soon as you sign up for an account. As you progress through the program, you'll earn even more benefits. Higher-tier members (Silver, Gold, and Platinum) receive special membership offers, priority check-in, complimentary seat selection, and bonus Skywards Miles when flying Emirates.

How to earn Emirates Skywards points

There are several ways to earn Emirates Skywards miles for travel, from flying Emirates and flydubai to spending on co-branded credit cards to dining and shopping. 

Flying 

The easiest way to earn Skywards miles is by flying on Emirates and flydubai. You’ll also earn miles when you credit flights on the following partner airlines: Air Canada, Air Mauritius, Bangkok Airways, Copa Airlines, easyJet, GOL, Japan Airlines, Jetstar, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, South African Airways, TAP Portugal, and United Airlines. The exact number of miles earned depends on the route, fare class, and class of travel. 

Elite status also plays a role in how you’ll earn Skywards miles. Silver members earn 30% more, Gold members earn 75% more, and Platinum members earn 100% more. You can also earn extra Tier Miles by flying in business or first class or choosing a Flex or Flex Plus fare.

Credit cards

Emirates has two U.S.-based credit cards: the Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard and Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard. Both have welcome bonuses, which you’ll earn after meeting a minimum spending requirement and paying the annual fee, and you’ll also earn bonus miles on flights with Emirates, travel, and other eligible purchases.

Transfer partners

Emirates is unique because all major transferable points currencies can be transferred to the Skywards program: American Express Membership Rewards (1:1 ratio), Bilt Rewards (1:1 ratio), Brex (1:1 ratio), Capital One (1:1 ratio), Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1 ratio), and Citi ThankYou Rewards (1:1 ratio).

Dining and shopping

You can earn Emirates miles by shopping at the Skywards Miles Mall, Dubai Mall, and with hotel and car rental partners.

The fare types available on Emirates

Emirates has four fare types: Special, Saver, Flex, and Flex Plus. Special fares are the most restrictive — they only earn the number of miles flown with no bonus, cannot be upgraded with miles, and don't allow use of the Emirates lounge unless you have elite status.

Flex and Flex Plus are the least restrictive. Flex tickets can be changed or canceled for a fee and earn more Skywards Miles than Special or Saver fares. Flex Plus tickets are fully flexible and unrestricted and they allow passengers to check two pieces of baggage up to 23 kilograms (51 pounds) each. They can also be upgraded using miles in economy and business class, as long as seats are available. Both can be upgraded using miles in economy and business class, as long as seats are available.

How to book Emirates flights using rewards points

Emirates doesn't use an award chart for its flights, so you'll need to use the Miles Calculator feature to maximize your points stash. Input your preferred departure and arrival airports, fare class, and elite status tier. If you don’t have elite status with Emirates, select “Blue.” 

Next you’ll see a seven-day calendar with flight options. 

As long as you have enough miles (either from spending on Emirates or via a transfer partner), you'll be allowed to book an award ticket.

While most Emirates routes originate or terminate in Dubai (DXB), the airline has several fifth-freedom routes (flights between two countries other than the airline’s home base). Emirates has two fifth-freedom routes from the U.S.: New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP) and Newark (EWR) to Athens (ATH).

These fifth-freedom routes are an excellent way to experience Emirates' luxury at a discount, letting you score business- or first-class award flights for way fewer miles than you'd spend traveling to or from Dubai. A one-way business-class award ticket from New York to Milan is just 87,000 Skywards miles, for instance, while first class from Newark to Athens starts at 102,000 Skywards miles.

Booking Emirates first class with points

Similar to searching other flights, when booking first class, you’ll visit Emirates.com, navigate to “Book a Flight,” and select “Book Classic Rewards Flight.

If there’s availability, you’ll see options for first class on the seven-day calendar.

Once you’ve settled on travel dates and accumulated enough Skywards miles, go ahead and buy your ticket. And that’s it — you’ve booked one of the best ways to fly the skies using points and miles.

Redeeming Emirates points with transfer partners

Emirates is unique in that it is a transfer partner for all major programs: American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt, Brex, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards. Some programs, like Amex, occasionally offer limited-time transfer bonuses, earning you even more points.

Booking an Emirates partner flight with rewards points

It doesn’t belong to an airline alliance, but Emirates has many airline partners: Air Canada, Air Mauritius, Bangkok Airways, Copa Airlines, easyJet, GOL, Japan Airlines, Jetstar, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, South African Airways, TAP Portugal, and United Airlines. 

If you have Emirates Skywards, you can use them on partner flights by booking directly through Emirates.

To do this, you’ll head to “Book a Flight” and then “Book Classic Rewards Flight.” However, this time you’ll select “Search partner flights only.” For this example, we’ll search for an economy flight on United Airlines between Newark and London Heathrow.

Once you’ve picked your dates, click on your preferred option.

You’ll then see flight options, award pricing, taxes, and fees. 

Select your flight and then continue booking as you normally would. You’ll pay and book through Emirates but your flight will be operated by the partner. 

More ways to redeem Emirates points

Flights aren’t the only way to redeem Emirates Skywards — you can also use them at Emirates Hotels, Emirates Vacations, and several shopping outlets. However, we recommend putting your points toward flights instead as this is where you’ll get the best value.

The worst ways to redeem Emirates points

The worst ways to redeem Emirates Skywards are on non-travel purchases, such as shopping or covering credit-card charges; unless you have a ton of points collecting dust in your account, it’s better to save them for a flight redemption to get more value per point. 

Tips for finding Emirates award seats

Finding Emirates award space isn't always easy, but generally, you’ll have better luck the closer you are to departure. To improve your chances even further, we suggest searching for one-way flights, being flexible with your dates, and checking partners, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, for award availability. When you book with Aeroplan, you can also pay with a combination of points and cash — a handy option if you’re short on one or the other.