For savvy travelers looking to maximize their rewards, the Emirates Skywards program offers a fantastic opportunity through its partnership with United Airlines. This collaboration allows Skywards members to both earn and spend miles on flights operated by United Airlines, expanding the reach and value of your loyalty. If you’re an Emirates Skywards member wanting to understand how to leverage the Emirates Airlines Partners, specifically United Airlines, this guide will provide you with all the essential information.
Earning Skywards Miles with United Airlines
One of the key benefits of the Emirates airlines partners network is the ability to accrue Skywards Miles when flying with partner airlines like United Airlines. This means you can boost your Skywards Miles balance simply by choosing United for your travels. It’s important to note that to earn miles, your flight must be operated by United Airlines or United Express. Codeshare flights operated by other airlines but marketed under a United flight number are not eligible for Skywards Miles accrual.
The number of Skywards Miles you earn depends on the fare type and booking class of your United Airlines flight. Below is a detailed breakdown of the accrual levels for Skywards members:
Accrual Levels for Skywards Members on United Airlines Operated Flights
For flights marketed and operated by United Airlines, the earning structure is as follows:
| Fare type | Booking Class | Skywards Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Full Fare Business | J, C | 150% |
| Business | D, Z | 125% |
| Deep Discount Business | P | 110% |
| Premium Economy | O, A | 110% |
| Discount Premium Economy | R | 100% |
| Full Fare Economy | Y, B | 100% |
| Economy | M, E, U | 75% |
| Discount Economy | Q, V, W | 50% |
| Deep Discount Economy | S, T, L, K, G | 25% |
| Basic Economy | N | 10% |
*F, I , X are ineligible
As you can see from the table, higher fare classes like Full Fare Business earn the most miles, while discounted economy fares earn fewer miles. Basic Economy (N class) earns the lowest percentage. Always check your booking class to understand how many Skywards Miles you’ll accumulate.
Accrual Levels for Skywards Members on Emirates Marketed, United Airlines Operated Flights
If you are flying on a flight marketed by Emirates but operated by United Airlines, the accrual structure is slightly different. This often occurs on specific routes where Emirates partners with United to offer expanded options.
| Fare type | Booking Class | Skywards Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Business Flex Plus | J | 150% |
| Business Flex Plus | C | 125% |
| Business Flex | I | 125% |
| Business Saver | O | 110% |
| Business Special | H | 110% |
| Premium Economy | W, E | 100% |
| Economy Flex Plus | Y | 75% |
| Economy Flex Plus | R | 50% |
| Economy Flex Plus | X | 50% |
| Economy Flex | B, M | 50% |
| Economy Flex | U, K | 25% |
| Economy Saver | T, L, Q | 25% |
| Economy Special | V | 25% |
*S, D, N, Z, P, G, F, A are ineligible
Again, fare type plays a crucial role. Note that certain booking classes are ineligible for mile accrual, so it’s always wise to confirm before booking if earning Skywards Miles is a priority for your trip with Emirates Airlines partners.
If you find that you are missing Skywards Miles from a recent flight within the last six months, you can easily claim them by providing your flight details via the Emirates Live Chat support.
Spending Skywards Miles on United Airlines Flights
Beyond earning miles, the Emirates airlines partners program also allows you to spend your accumulated Skywards Miles on United Airlines flights. This opens up a vast network of destinations, making your Skywards Miles even more valuable. Reward flights on United Airlines start from just 8,000 Skywards Miles for a one-way Economy Class ticket.
The number of Skywards Miles required for a reward flight depends on the zone distance of your journey. The following table outlines the miles needed for one-way reward flights:
| Zone | One-way distance (miles) | Economy Class | Business Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0-250 | 8,000 | 17,500 |
| 2 | 251-500 | 8,000 | 25,000 |
| 3 | 501-1,000 | 12,000 | 35,000 |
| 4 | 1,001-2,000 | 18,000 | 50,000 |
| 5 | 2,001-3,000 | 22,000 | 65,000 |
| 6 | 3,001-4,000 | 26,000 | 77,500 |
| 7 | 4,001-5,000 | 32,000 | 92,500 |
| 8 | 5,001-6,000 | 38,000 | 105,000 |
| 9 | 6,001-7,000 | 44,000 | 125,000 |
| 10 | 7,001-15,000 | 54,000 | 145,000 |
Remember that the miles listed are for one-way flights; you will need to double the miles for a round-trip reward. Reward tickets are subject to availability and are valid only on United Airlines or United Express operated flights with the UA flight code.
When planning your reward travel with Emirates Airlines partners and United, keep in mind:
- Reward values are for direct flights. Connecting flights may require more miles.
- Reward tickets are valid for 12 months from the issue date, with a maximum stay of three months.
- Taxes, fuel surcharges, and other charges are not included in the Skywards Miles redemption and must be paid separately.
- Ensure all flights are confirmed at the time of redemption, as waitlists are not permitted.
For full details and any restrictions, always refer to the Emirates Skywards Program Rules available on the Emirates website.
Conclusion
The partnership between Emirates Skywards and United Airlines offers a valuable proposition for frequent flyers. By understanding how to earn and spend Skywards Miles with one of Emirates Airlines partners, you can significantly enhance your travel rewards strategy. Whether you are aiming to accumulate miles for future adventures or looking to utilize your existing balance for flights within United’s extensive network, this partnership provides flexibility and increased value to your Emirates Skywards membership. Make the most of this collaboration to unlock more travel possibilities.
