Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. 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.

20 Best Ways to Redeem Emirates Skywards Miles for Max Value

Alex Miller's image
Alex Miller

Alex Miller

Founder & CEO

Countries Visited: 34U.S. States Visited: 29

Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

Countries Visited: 41U.S. States Visited: 28

With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, 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.

Emirates offers some of the most highly regarded airline experiences in the world. From economy to first class, Emirates is a distinctive experience and has established itself as the luxury brand in commercial aviation.

In the 35+ years since its first flight, Emirates has stretched across the globe from its Dubai (DXB) hub. With its central location in the world and destination airport for duty-free shopping, Emirates is the airline of choice for many world travelers.

However, Emirates Skywards award flights are not generally great value compared to many other airline programs. Indeed, to redeem for Emirates flights, you may find a better value if you have miles with partners such as Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, and Korean Air SKYPASS. Nonetheless, Emirates Skywards miles are incredibly useful, partly because of how easy they are to earn.

Most of Emirates’ one-way flights are significantly more expensive than half of a round-trip flight, so it’s always better to book round-trip flights if you have the balance necessary for it.

If you are a regular Emirates flyer with lots of miles, let’s hunt around for some great Emirates Skywards values!

Booking Awards With Emirates Skywards

The booking process for award flights can be difficult to understand, which is why we made some how-to booking guides! See one of the following guides for help booking Emirates:

The Pros and Cons of Emirates Skywards (Quick Overview)

Emirates Skywards Award Ticket Costs

Emirates does not publish an award chart for its flights. Instead, use the Miles Calculator on the Emirates website to price specific routes.

Routes are priced according to zone, which is not easily viewable anymore.

For travel from the U.S., Emirates divides the country into North America East and North America West. Depending on the total distance of the trip, award prices from North America West may be significantly higher than North America East.

Classic Awards on Emirates flights start at 15,000 miles round-trip.

Classic Awards come in lower-price Saver and higher-priced Flex Plus levels. On one-way tickets, only Flex Plus fares can be booked.

Cash+Miles

Emirates launched Cash+Miles in September 2016. You must use a minimum of 2,000 miles on a Cash+Miles ticket, and every 5,000 miles translates to a $40 discount. In most cases, this is a low-value use of miles, so tread carefully!

Upgrades

You can use Emirates Skywards miles to upgrade paid tickets. Prices start at 9,000 miles and are determined by route and ticket type.

Most tickets can be upgraded in advance, and you may also have the opportunity at check-in or even upon boarding.

Exceptions are:

  • Business Class Saver Fare tickets: must upgrade at least 6 hours before departure
  • Economy Class Saver Fare tickets: can only be upgraded at check-in (online or at the airport), or upon boarding

Emirates has some incredibly long flights… once you board and see your seat for the next 15 hours, you may be in the mood to splurge on an upgrade!

Changes and Cancellations

Emirates Skywards has reasonable award fees:

  • No close-in award booking fee
  • Date change: $0 for Flex Plus/Flex tickets and $25 elsewhere
  • Destination change: $0 for Flex Plus/Flex tickets, and up to $25 + any fare changes for Saver tickets
  • Refund: $0 for unused Flex Plus tickets, $50 for Flex tickets in first class, and $75 for Saver tickets

Emirates Skywards Partner Award Ticket Costs

Each Emirates Skywards partner airline is subject to its own award prices and allowed routes. Look for partners you can book one-way awards with, such as JetBlue.

SCROLL FOR MORE
Emirates Partner Airlines
Air MauritiusGOL Linhas AéreasMalaysian Airlines
Alaska AirlinesJapan AirlinesQantas
Bangkok AirwaysJetBlueS7 Airlines
Copa AirlinesJetstar South African Airways
easyJetKorean AirTAP Portugal

Only Qantas and easyJet partner awards are available on the Emirates website. For other partners, you can call Emirates Skywards to make your award booking.

Hot Tip: Save time searching for partner awards by checking websites of Emirates partner airlines. Checking an airline for its own award flights may be misleading, though, because more flights may be available to its own program members than to partner airlines. Instead, use Air Canada Aeroplan to check South African Airways and TAP Portugal; or British Airways to check Japan Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Qantas, and S7 Airlines.

Mileage Expiration

Emirates Skywards Miles are valid for a minimum of 3 years from the date earned. This is not exactly 3 years — in the third year, the miles expire at the end of your birthday month.

Unlike many airlines, regular earning of miles does not extend mileage validity. As a last-ditch effort, you can pay to extend Skywards miles for another 12 months at a rate of $20 per 1,000 miles.

How To Boost Your Emirates Skywards Miles

Emirates Skywards miles can be transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards,  Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Capital One at a 1:1 rate, or from Marriott Bonvoy at a transfer rate of 3:1. Plus, for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you’ll receive an extra 5,000 Emirates Skywards miles bonus.

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card® from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
  • Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
  • Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
  • Access to Amex International Airline Program
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

BEST FOR DINING
American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express® Gold Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros

  • 4x points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 4x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
  • 3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
  • Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
  • Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
  • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
  • Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Business owners have a choice of several Amex’s business credit cards that we recommend.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$395
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-840)

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros

  • 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
  • Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
  • Add authorized users for no additional annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees

 

Cons

  • $395 annual fee
  • Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

 

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros

  • 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • 2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge or Plaza Premium Lounges each year
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
  • Access to Capital One transfer partners

Cons

  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase – or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Hot Tip: Marriott Bonvoy re-opened the Your World Rewards partnership with Emirates, which is a great opportunity to double-dip on Marriott stays and Emirates flights! 

The 20 Best Ways to Use Your Emirates Skywards Miles

We’ve searched far and wide to find some great redemptions on Emirates. The following are some of the best ways to use Emirates miles, but they’re not the only ways!

Use these to come up with some creative ideas of your own for your next trip. Remember that Emirates restricts the type of award tickets you can book one-way. If you’re looking to book one-way flights, expect it to be more expensive.

When you’re booking one-way flights, you’ll only be able to book the Flex Plus awards, which are going to be the highest in cost. The silver lining, though, with Flex Plus bookings is that they are the most flexible types of tickets, so you can cancel and change your tickets without any fees.

On the other hand, round-trip flights are always a better deal cost-wise, though you may have to pay a cancellation or change fee.

1. Book a Last Minute Flight on Emirates’ New First Class Suites

Emirates New 777-300ER First Class Suites. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

Emirates rolled out its game-changing brand-new first class suites on some 777-300ER aircraft. The routes are primarily to European destinations, but there are a handful of opportunities to redeem points for these suites.

These suites are the first ever to be fully-enclosed, meaning utter privacy and peace. Also, there are a bunch of cool aspects such as the virtual windows, motorized shades, gigantic in-flight monitor, and much more.

These new suites rank at the top of our best international first class airlines, so they’re an absolute must-try. Your best chances are to book shortly before departure. Specifically, you should have a solid shot at booking around ~1 week before departure.

Here are some great example routes that often feature the New First Class Suites (beware — routes may change without advance notice):

  • Brussels (BRU) – Dubai (DXB) round-trip for 135,000 Emirates miles
  • Frankfurt (FRA) – Dubai (DXB) round-trip for 135,000 Emirates miles
  • Geneva (GVA) – Dubai (DXB) round-trip for 135,000 Emirates miles
  • Hamburg (HAM) – Dubai (DXB) round-trip for 135,000 Emirates miles
  • New York City (JFK) – Dubai (DXB) round-trip for 217,500 Emirates miles
  • Paris (CDG) – Dubai (DXB) round-trip for 135,000 Emirates miles
  • Singapore (SIN) – Dubai (DXB) round-trip for 157,500 Emirates miles
  • Tokyo (HND) – Dubai (DXB) round-trip for 187,500 Emirates miles
  • Vienna (VIE) – Dubai (DXB) round-trip for 135,000 Emirates miles

If you just wanted to try the Emirates New First Class Suites on short-haul flights, you’re in luck! Check out these short-haul routes that offer the amazing product:

  • Kuwait City (KWI) – Dubai (DXB) round-trip for 45,000 Emirates miles
  • Riyadh (RUH) – Dubai (DXB) round-trip for 45,000 Emirates miles

2. Fly New York to Milan Nonstop on Emirates Round-Trip

Enjoy a luxurious Emirates first class suite when flying between New York and Milan. Image Credit: Alex Miller

Emirates flies an incredible-value nonstop route between New York (JFK) and Milan (MXP). It’s easy to conclude that Emirates is the best airline to fly on this route!

For only 45,000/90,000/135,000 miles in economy/business/first round-trip, you can experience Emirates service at miles prices much lower than many airlines charge to Europe. One-way costs are 38,750/62,500/85,000 miles in economy/business/first.

Note that you cannot redeem for any other Emirates U.S. to Europe award that would require a transit in Dubai. The Miles Calculator will show prices, but Emirates will not book them.

Need help booking? Read our booking guide for Emirates first class or business class using points.

3. U.S. Domestic Flights on JetBlue (One-Ways Allowed)

JetBlue economy tickets are often solid value for your miles. Image Credit: EQRoy via Shutterstock

Emirates Skywards is not just for exotic ultra-long-haul travel.

Emirates partners with JetBlue and one-way awards on JetBlue are as little as 7,500 miles. The catch is that connecting flights may price as 2 separate awards, so the best values are for nonstops. You’ll want to search for availability on another website, such as JetBlue’s website.

One important note is that you can only book economy tickets on JetBlue using Emirates miles, so JetBlue Mint is out of the equation.

4. Portugal to Morocco, Madeira, or the Azores on TAP Portugal

TAP Air Portugal has clean economy seats. Image Credit: Matheus Obst via Shutterstock

Emirates partners with Star Alliance member TAP Portugal.

The award chart quickly gets exorbitant for long flights, but mainland Portugal to Northern Africa (Morocco), Madeira, Spain, and the Azores is only 15,000/30,000 round-trip in economy/business.

Europe to Africa awards on many airline program award charts can be expensive, so this shortcut from Portugal to Morocco is a great deal.

If you haven’t heard about the Portuguese islands of Madeira and Azores, look them up and start dreaming of fantastic trips!

5. Fly in Style to Seychelles on Emirates Round-Trip

Magical Seychelles beaches can be found in the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar. Image Credit: Matej Kastelic via Shutterstock

Seychelles is an island paradise far in the Indian Ocean. Only a handful of airlines fly to Seychelles (SEZ), and Emirates is one of the best.

From eastern North America, round-trip flights are 85,000/170,000/255,000 in economy/business/first. One-way flights are 73,750/117,500/160,000 miles in economy/business/first.

Western North America is only slightly more at 90,000/180,000/270,000. If you’re looking for one-way bookings between western North America and Seychelles, you’ll pay 78,750/123,750/168,750 miles in economy/business/first.

6. Fly in Utmost Luxury to the Maldives on Emirates Round-Trip

The Maldives is an incredible white-sand, blue-water beach destination. Image Credit: Asad Photo Maldives via Pexels

On Emirates Skywards, getting to the Maldives (MLE) is the same price from North America as Seychelles. Take the trip of your dreams starting with a luxury flight en route!

Round-trip flights from eastern North America are 85,000/170,000/255,000 in economy/business/first. One-way flights from eastern North America to the Maldives are 73,750/117,500/160,000 miles in economy/business/first.

Again, western North America is only slightly more: 90,000/180,000/270,000. If you booked one-way flights between western North America and the Maldives, expect to pay 78,750/123,750/168,750 miles in economy/business/first.

7. Cape Town Foodie Tour on Emirates

Enjoy this Cape Town waterfront when you fly to South Africa with Emirates. Image Credit: Madele via Shutterstock

Cape Town (CPT) in South Africa is one of the hottest foodie destinations in the world. The innovative, great value food and nearby wine country are drawing over connoisseurs from around the world. You can continue up to Namibia for a fantastic safari and towering sand dunes.

From eastern North America, round-trip flights are 95,000/190,000/285,000 miles in economy/business/first. If you are booking one-way flights, expect to redeem 82,500/131,250/178,750 miles in economy/business/first.

Western North America is only slightly more: 100,000/200,000/300,000. One-way flights will run more expensive than half of a round-trip: 87,500/137,500/187,500 miles in economy/business/first.

8. Safari in Kenya or Tanzania on Emirates

Enjoy the safari in South Africa using your Emirates miles. Image Credit: PACO COMO via Shutterstock

Kenya and Tanzania are justifiably the most famous safari destinations in the world. Seek out the annual Great Migration in person by flying on Emirates to Nairobi (NBO) or Dar Es Salaam (DAR).

Round-trip flights from eastern North America are 85,000/170,000/255,000 in economy/business/first. If you like booking one-way tickets for more flexibility, just remember you’ll pay a premium price: 73,750/117,500/160,000 miles in economy/business/first.

From western North America, flights are only slightly more: 90,000/180,000/270,000. With one-way tickets, you’ll redeem 78,750/123,750/168,750 miles in economy/business/first.

9. Dubai to Perth on Emirates

Burn Beach, Western Australia is a beautiful destination to visit. Image Credit: Casa nayafana via Shutterstock

Perth (PER) is the gateway to Western Australia’s towering forest and spectacular diving. Flying North America to Australia the traditional way across the Pacific often involves multiple connections to Perth. If you live in the U.S., you can reach Perth on Emirates with only 1 convenient stop in Dubai.

Round-trip flights from eastern North America are 115,000/230,000/345,000 in economy/business/first. If you paid for one-way tickets, expect to shell out 100,000/158,750/216,250 miles in economy/business/first.

Round-trip flights from western North America are slightly more expensive: 120,000/240,000/360,000 in economy/business/first. Meanwhile, one-way tickets are 105,000/155,000/225,000 miles in economy/business/first.

10. Fly a Fifth Freedom Route on Emirates

Emirates A380 planes with first class are flown on some short routes! Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

You can fly on some pretty neat fifth freedom routes with Emirates. So if Singapore is your thing, Emirates operates fifth freedom flights from Melbourne to Singapore (SIN). Round-trip flights cost 50,400/120,000/180,000 in economy/business/first. If flying one-way, you’ll pay 51,750/83,250/113,250 in economy/business/first.

Also, Emirates operates unique, short nonstop flights from Bangkok (BKK) to Phnom Penh (PNH) and from Sydney (SYD) to Christchurch (CHC). You’ll pay 20,000/40,000/60,000 miles for Bangkok to Phnom Penh in economy/business/first round-trip. You’ll pay 17,500/27,500/37,500 miles for one-way in economy/business/first.

For Sydney (SYD) to Christchurch (CHC), you’ll pay 36,000/72,000/108,000 miles for round-trip economy/business/first or 30,500/50,500/68,500 miles for one-way economy/business/first class.

11. Indian Ocean Island Hopping on Air Mauritius

Go see the lemurs of Madagascar by booking on Air Mauritius. Image Credit: JuliaLerma via Shutterstock

The lemurs of Madagascar are one of the great wildlife encounters in the world, but getting to Madagascar is not easy! One creative option is to stop in Mauritius (MRU), then continue on Emirates partner Air Mauritius.

From Mauritius, you can fly to Rodrigues (RRG), Réunion (RUN), or Antananarivo (TNR), Madagascar for just 25,000 miles round-trip to see the lemurs!

Going further to South Africa or India is not much more expensive.

12. Hong Kong to Bangkok on Emirates

Emirates A380 first class. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

Looking to sample Emirates service on a quick flight? Emirates runs the 3-hour flight between Hong Kong and Bangkok. This is a very popular route — after all, who wouldn’t want to visit Hong Kong and Thailand in 1 trip?

This round-trip flight is only 20,000/40,000/60,000 in economy/business/first. One-way tickets are 17,500/27,500/37,500 miles in economy/business/first.

13. Hop Around Brazil With GOL (One-Way Tickets Allowed)

Brazil’s most pristine beaches in Fernando De Noronha are a dream for most. Image Credit: Michal Staniewski via Shutterstock

Unlike most other partner airlines, Emirates allows you to redeem on Brazil’s GOL for one-way tickets. Many flights are only 4,500 miles in economy! See the full city chart here.

One of the great GOL options (and one of the most expensive if you pay cash) is the pristine beaches of Atlantic islands Fernando De Noronha (FEN). This is where Brazilians dream of having a beach holiday!

14. Japan to Australia or Hawaii on Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines 777-300ER first class bed. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

The Emirates award chart for partner Japan Airlines is not the best. However, one sweet spot is Japan Airlines flights to Australia or Hawaii round-trip for 40,000/85,000/125,000 in economy/business/first class.

15. South Korean Domestic Flights Including Jeju Island on Korean Air

Korea’s honeymoon destination is Jeju Island, the beautiful paradise pictured above. Image Credit: Future Hope via Shutterstock

The Korean Air award chart is quite expensive with the exception of domestic Korean flights: only 10,000/12,000 for round-trip flights in economy/business.

You can use that bargain award to visit Jeju’s honeymoon retreat, Jeju Island (CJU), to see 4 seasons of spectacular nature.

16. Book Korean Air Business Class from North America to Korea

With direct aisle access and a lie-flat bed, you can rest peacefully when flying business class on Korean Air. Image Credit: Korean Air

One other solid redemption value you can make use of is Korean Air business class flights between North America and Korea. If you’re willing to book round-trip tickets, you can book business class for 152,000 miles!

This is an excellent deal, considering the cheapest way to book Korean Air business class awards is using Alaska miles at the same rate. The difference is Alaska Airlines doesn’t have many transfer partners, while Emirates has numerous transfer partners.

Plus, Korean Air business class has great availability for the whole family! Here are some great example routes you can take:

  • Atlanta (ATL) – Seoul (ICN) round-trip in Korean Air business class for 152,000 Emirates miles + ~$312 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Seoul (ICN) round-trip in Korean Air business class for 152,000 Emirates miles + ~$312 in taxes and fees

17. Fly Malaysian Air Business Class Between Kuala Lumpur and London

Malaysian Airlines business class. Image Credit: Malaysian Airlines

Interested in flying on one of the more unique airline products? Malaysian Airlines business class offers a sleek business class product on its highest-profile flights.

Aboard the A350-900, Malaysian Air business class features business class seats in a similar configuration to SWISS business class. These seats debuted in 2018, so there’s a lot to look forward to when enjoying this flight!

Here is the exact route you can take:

  • Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – London (LHR) one-way in Malaysian Airlines business class for 90,000 Emirates miles + ~$65 in taxes and fees
  • London (LHR) – Kuala Lumpur (KUL) one-way in Malaysian Airlines business class for 90,000 Emirates miles + ~$467 in taxes and fees

As you can see, flying to London saves you a bunch in taxes and fees compared to departing from London!

18. Visit 2 Countries in 1 Trip From North America in Japan Airlines Business Class

Japan Airlines Business Class 777. Image Credit: Stephen Au

Emirates’ Japan Airlines partnership has some unique routing rules that we can use to optimize our itineraries even further.

Specifically, you can take up to 2 stopovers in Japan if your journey originates outside of Japan and Japan is not the final destination!

In all other cases except for journeys originating in Japan, 1 stopover is allowed. This means you can visit Japan en route to South Korea, for example.

Here are some great example itineraries you can take:

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Tokyo (HND) – Seoul (GMP), Busan (PUS) – Tokyo (NRT) – Los Angeles (LAX) with stopovers in Tokyo and Seoul and an open-jaw in Busan for 125,000 Emirates miles + ~$388 in taxes and fees
  • New York (JFK) – Tokyo-(HND) – Shanghai (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN) – Tokyo (HND) – New York (JFK) with stopovers in Tokyo and Shanghai and an open-jaw in Guangzhou for 125,000 Emirates miles + ~$410 in taxes and fees

19. Fly Qantas First or Business Class to/From Australia

Qantas first class is ridiculously spacious. Image Credit: Qantas

Qantas is an Emirates partner, which means you can book flights on the Australian flag carrier using Emirates miles. This is great news because Qantas is probably one of the best ways to fly nonstop to Australia.

Although award availability is challenging to find, it can still be pulled off with some luck and even better planning. And what better way to fly to Australia than in Qantas first class?

Emirates utilizes a distance-based award chart for Qantas flights, so the further your flight distance, the more expensive your award ticket will be. Additionally, you can use 1 free stopover on your itinerary!

Here are some example routes you can take:

  • London (LHR) – Singapore (SIN) one-way in Qantas first class for 126,000 Emirates miles + ~$520 in taxes and fees
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Melbourne (MEL) one-way in Qantas first class for 144,000 Emirates miles + ~$57 in taxes and fees
  • Sydney (SYD) – Singapore (SIN) one-way in Qantas first class for 90,000 Emirates miles + ~$79 in taxes and fees
  • Sydney (SYD) – Singapore (SIN) – London (LHR) with a stopover in Singapore in Qantas first class for 192,000 Emirates miles + ~$131 in taxes and fees

20. Fly TAP Air Portugal Business Class Round-Trip Between the U.S. and Portugal

TAP Air Portugal A330-900neo business class. Image Credit: TAP Air Portugal

TAP Air Portugal is one of Emirates’ newer airline partners. With a robust network connecting Portugal to popular destinations throughout the world, it’s worth looking at optimizing flight awards so you get the best value for your Emirates miles.

TAP Air Portugal operates a decent long-haul flight network — importantly, it operates lots of nonstop flights to Portugal through its 2 largest airports: Lisbon (LIS) and Porto (OPO).

If you wanted to fly nonstop from the U.S. to Portugal, you’ll pay 70,000 miles in round-trip economy and 140,000 miles in round-trip business class.

This could be of great value, particularly for TAP Air Portugal’s longest flight to the U.S. Here are some great example routes you can book:

  • Chicago (ORD) – Lisbon (LIS) round-trip in TAP Air Portugal business class for 140,000 miles + ~$395 in taxes and fees
  • Miami (MIA) – Lisbon (LIS) round-trip in TAP Air Portugal business class for 140,000 miles + ~$395 in taxes and fees
  • Newark (EWR) – Porto (OPO) round-trip in TAP Air Portugal business class for 140,000 miles + ~$390 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Lisbon (LIS) round-trip in TAP Air Portugal business class for 140,000 miles + ~$395 in taxes and fees

Final Thoughts

Emirates Skywards has some hidden gems if you look deep into the program and its partners. Hopefully, these give you ideas for some great trips to take on one of the world’s finest airlines!

While these are what we think are the best ways to use Emirates miles, there are certainly other options available. Happy redeeming!

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create an Emirates Skywards account?

Sign up here for a free Emirates Skywards account.

Where can I find my Emirates Skywards number?

Log in to your Emirates Skywards account here to see your account number.

Can my business have an Emirates account?

With Emirates Business Rewards, your business can earn miles and manage travel. Register here. Your employees continue to earn miles for their own flying, so this arrangement is win-win!

What is an Emirates Skywards Saver fare?

On cash tickets, the fare types are Special, Saver, Flex, and Flex Plus. Each has different benefits, miles-earning, and fees.

On Emirates Skywards award tickets (Classic Awards), Special fares are lower-priced awards that are only available for round-trip tickets. Flex Plus fares are more expensive, more flexible, and allow one-way awards.

What are Emirates Skywards miles worth?

Use the Miles Calculator to find out how much awards on Emirates cost. For partner airlines, you’ll need to check out the award chart and rules for each partner individually.

How many Emirates Skywards miles do you need for an upgrade?

Upgrade prices are determined by your route and ticket type. You’ll need to access your reservation on the Emirates website to check your upgrade offer. You may also be offered an upgrade at check-in, at the airport, or even once on board.

Who are the Emirates Skywards partners?

Emirates Skywards travel partners range from airlines to hotels to rental car agencies. See the complete list of Emirates Skywards partners here.

How long are Emirates Skywards Miles valid?

Emirates Skywards Miles are valid for 3 years at the end of your birth month, and you can only extend the life of miles by another 12 months by paying a rate of $20/1,000 miles.

About Alex Miller

Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business, The New York Times, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: 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.

DMCA.com Protection Status