Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we may receive financial compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

United MileagePlus & Emirates Skywards Partnership Begins March 26

James Larounis's image
James Larounis
Jump to Section

We may be compensated when you click on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

United Airlines and Emirates previously announced a historic new partnership in September 2022.

The new codeshare agreement will allow flyers on either airline to travel seamlessly throughout either carrier’s network. In addition to the codeshare agreement, the airlines have inked an interline agreement and United has announced a new flight to Dubai, Emirates’ home base.

Let’s take a look at all the details of this exciting new partnership!

Advertisement

The Codeshare Agreement

In November 2022, Emirates added its flight numbers to United-operated flights departing Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), and San Francisco (SFO). This means customers flying Emirates can arrive in one of those United hubs, connect to a United-operated flight, and fly to their final destination … all on 1 ticket. With this new agreement, bags will be checked to passengers’ final destinations, and the door is open for reciprocal elite benefits across each airline.

The Interline Agreement

An interline agreement is available for flights out of Boston (BOS), Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Orlando (MCO), Seattle (SEA), and Washington, D.C. (IAD).

With an interline agreement, a customer could, for example, be placed on a United flight with very little hassle if their Emirates flight was canceled. The flights are essentially treated as one and the same, no matter the carrier.

Advertisement

Reciprocal Booking

As of March 26, 2023, you’ll be able to book Emirates flights on United.com, United flights on Emirates.com, and mixed-airline itineraries on either site. Conceivably, you could go from Dubai (DXB) to Houston (IAH) to Honolulu (HNL) on a single ticket issued by Emirates. This will be a major benefit for customers as you won’t need to book separate tickets or use various websites.

As part of this booking process, United will only sell tickets on its website where the U.S.-Dubai, or Dubai-U.S. segment is on a United aircraft. This means that while you can connect to or from Dubai on Emirates, that 1 segment will need to be flown on United, making this an awkward partnership at best.

In addition to seamless bookings, checked baggage will be transferred to either airline — depending on which carrier you’re flying and your connecting flight — as this allows your bags to head to your final destination without you needing to re-check them.

United’s Nonstop Flight to Dubai

Dubai at sunset with camel caravan
Image Credit: adrian_ilie825 via Adobe Stock

As part of this new partnership, United is launching nonstop service from Newark (EWR) to Dubai (DXB) as of March 25, 2023. Passengers who book a ticket on this new flight can connect in Dubai to any one of Emirates’ many destinations served from the hub.

The details of United’s new flights are as follows:

  • Depart Newark (EWR) 9:40 p.m. — Arrive Dubai (DXB) 7:05 p.m. (+1)
  • Depart Dubai (DXB) 1:55 a.m. — Arrive Newark (EWR)  8:45 a.m.

Frequent Flyer Benefits

United customers be able to redeem MileagePlus miles on Emirates flights as of March 26, 2023, though Emirates Skywards members won’t be able to redeem miles on United flights. Customers will also be able to earn miles on either carrier. Like revenue tickets, to redeem United MileagePlus miles, the U.S.-Dubai and Dubai-U.S. portions of the itinerary need to be on a United aircraft.

Hot Tip: To celebrate the launch, you can earn double MileagePlus miles on all Emirates flights from March 26, 2023, through April 30, 2023.

United has also released its earning charts as to how many miles you’ll earn, depending on whether the ticket is issued through United or not.

Here is how much you’ll earn on flights, when ticketed as a United ticket as of March 26, 2023:

SCROLL FOR MORE

MileagePlus Level

Earnings

Member

5x fare

Premier Silver

7x fare

Premier Gold

8x fare

Premier Platinum

9x fare

Premier 1K

11x fare

Here is how many miles you’ll earn when your ticket is not ticketed by United, as of March 26, 2023:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Class of Service

Purchased Fare Class

Award Mile Earnings (Including Fare Class Bonus)

First Flex

F

150%

First Flex

A

150%

Business Flex

C, J

125%

Business Flex

I

125%

Business Saver

O

125%

Business Special

H

110%

Premium Economy

W, E

110%

Economy Flex

R, Y, P, X

100%

Economy Flex

U, B, M, K

50%

Economy Saver

G, T, L, Q

25%

Economy Special

V

10%

Ineligible

S, N, D, Z

0%

Advertisement

In addition, eligible United customers will also be able to use Emirates lounges in Dubai. More information on frequent flyer benefits will be available soon.

Final Thoughts

This strategic partnership between United and Emirates allows United to expand into more international markets via Emirates’ extensive network from Dubai. This should prove to be beneficial for customers of either airline, and this partnership could very well lead to more similar relationships between other airlines in the future.

James Larounis's image

About James Larounis

James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

We Recommend

Platinum Card® from American Express

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 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.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
Show more
  • More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
  • More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
  • More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
  • More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
  • New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
  • $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
  • 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.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
DMCA.com Protection Status