Emirates Airlines is known for its luxurious first-class cabins and onboard amenities. But its frequent flyer program, Emirates Skywards, also offers valuable benefits, especially when you understand how to leverage its partners. This guide explores how to maximize your Emirates Airlines miles with its extensive network of partners.
Earning Miles with Emirates Airlines Miles Partners
Beyond flying Emirates, there are numerous ways to accumulate Skywards miles through various partners, accelerating your journey towards reward flights and upgrades.
Credit Card Partners
One of the fastest ways to earn a significant amount of Skywards Miles is by utilizing credit card partners. Emirates partners with all major transferable points currencies, excluding Wells Fargo Rewards. Capital One Venture Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy points can all be transferred to your Skywards account. Leveraging welcome bonuses and strategic spending on these cards can significantly boost your mileage balance. Before transferring, however, ensure it aligns with your redemption goals, as transfers are generally irreversible.
Airline Partners
Emirates partners with a range of airlines, enabling you to earn Skywards Miles when flying with them. Partners include:
- Air Canada
- Air Mauritius
- Azul
- Bangkok Airways
- Condor
- Copa Airlines
- EasyJet (spend partner only)
- FlyDubai
- Gol Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- Jetstar
- Korean Air
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- South African Airways
- TAP Air Portugal
- United Airlines
Earning rates depend on the distance flown and the fare class booked, generally capped at 1 or 2 miles per mile flown. While not always the most generous, these partnerships offer flexibility in earning miles, particularly when Emirates doesn’t serve your desired route.
Hotel and Car Rental Partners
Extend your mileage earning potential through Emirates’ partnerships with major hotel chains and car rental companies. Earn miles with hotel stays at chains like Hyatt, InterContinental, Hilton, and Atlantis, The Palm, or through bookings with major online travel agencies. Similarly, accumulate miles with car rentals from most major companies, either through fixed bonuses or based on spending.
My Family Program
The Emirates My Family program allows you to pool miles with up to seven family members, including children. This facilitates faster award accumulation for shared travel goals.
Redeeming Emirates Airlines Miles
Understanding how to redeem your accumulated miles effectively is crucial for maximizing their value.
Emirates Flights
Redeem Skywards Miles for flights on Emirates’ extensive network. While Emirates doesn’t publish an award chart, its online Miles Calculator helps determine redemption rates. Be mindful of fuel surcharges, which can be substantial, especially on long-haul flights. Fifth-freedom routes, such as those between the US and Europe via Dubai, can offer valuable redemption options.
Partner Airline Flights
Skywards Miles can also be redeemed for flights on partner airlines. Emirates provides a distance-based award chart for partner redemptions. This allows for flexibility in reaching destinations not served directly by Emirates, further expanding your travel options.
Conclusion
Emirates Airlines Miles Partners offer a multitude of ways to earn and redeem miles, extending the value of the Skywards program far beyond flying Emirates. By strategically leveraging credit card partners, airline partners, hotel and car rental partners, and the My Family program, you can maximize your miles for aspirational travel experiences. While fuel surcharges on Emirates redemptions can be significant, understanding the various redemption options and partner benefits allows for informed decisions and optimized value from your Skywards Miles.
