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Which Points I Can Use to Book Emirates Flights

Last updated: May 30,2023
Originally Published: June 02,2023
by Pradeep Chandravanshi

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Emirates, is renowned for its luxurious first-class cabins and exceptional service, is a coveted airline for travellers around the world. It’s no secret that Emirates flights can be costly at times. However, there is another way to book your Emirates travel: by using points and frequent flyer miles.

emirates flights
Image Courtesy of Emirates Airlines

Emirates has long been known for its extravagant first-class cabins and luxurious service, which have captured the attention of avid travellers seeking luxury experiences. However, when it came to the airline’s frequent flyer program, Skywards, it was often overshadowed by other options that offered more cost-effective ways to book Emirates awards using miles.

If you are looking to book Emirates flights using points and miles, you have various options at your disposal. Emirates has partnerships with several major transferable points currencies, allowing you to leverage them for booking Emirates awards. Additionally, Emirates has partnered with airlines such as Air Canada, Japan Airlines, and others, whose miles can also be used to redeem Emirates flights.

Points You Can Use To Book Emirates Flights

Emirates Skywards

Emirates Skywards is the point currency of Emirates’ own frequent flyer program. These Skywards Miles act as a valuable currency that can be redeemed for a wide range of rewards, including flights, upgrades, extra baggage allowances, lounge access, and more.

Before you redeem your points on any booking, it is important to know the value of redemption. If you redeem the miles you earn through the Emirates Skywards awards for flight tickets, you can get an average value of between 1 cent to 1.4 cents per point.

Credit Card Transfer Partners

If you want to earn Skywards points with your everyday spending, credit cards are one of the easiest ways to do so. As I mentioned earlier, Emirates has partnered with all major transferable point currencies, allowing you to earn points through credit card transactions and subsequently transfer them to Emirates for redemption.

1. American Express Membership Rewards

To accumulate Skywards Miles for booking Emirates flights, one effective strategy is to utilize American Express credit cards and their Membership Rewards program. By making purchases with eligible American Express cards, you can earn Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to Emirates Skywards at a 1:1 ratio.

Credit Cards to earn American Express Membership Rewards:

  1. Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
  2. American Express® Green Card
  3. American Express® Gold Card
  4. American Express® Platinum Card
  5. American Express® Business Gold Card
  6. American Express Business Platinum Card
  7. American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card
  8. American Express Business Green Rewards Card
  9. Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card


2. Chase Ultimate Rewards

You can transfer points at a ratio of 1:1 from the Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Cards to Emirates easily. Chase provides various credit cards in different categories to earn points. You can transfer points in increments of 1000, and miles get transferred almost immediately.

Credit Cards to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards

  1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
  2. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  3. Chase Freedom Flex℠
  4. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  5. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
  6. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
  7. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card


3. Capital One Miles

You can also transfer Capital One Miles to Emirates. Transfers between Capital One Miles and Emirates are typically at a 1:1 ratio, with a minimum transfer amount of 1,000 miles.

  1. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
  2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
  3. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
  4. Capital One Spark Miles for Business


4. Citi ThankYou Points

Transferring points to Emirates Skywards from various loyalty programs is generally done at a 1:1 ratio, with a minimum transfer requirement of 1,000 points. Similar to Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, transfers from Citi ThankYou points are immediate, ensuring swift availability of your transferred points.

Credit Cards that earn Citi ThankYou points.

  1. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
  2. Citi® Double Cash Card
  3. Citi Rewards+® Card
  4. Citi Premier® Card


5. Marriott Bonvoy Points

Marriott Bonvoy is a popular hotel points program. You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points by staying at Marriott hotels, using a Marriott credit card, or shopping through Marriott’s partners. You can then transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points to Emirates Skywards at a 3:1 ratio.

Credit Cards that earn Marriott Bonvoy Points


6. Bilt Rewards Credit Card

Bilt Rewards is a specialized program tailored for individuals who pay rent. By participating in Bilt Rewards, you have the opportunity to earn Bilt Rewards points, which can be transferred to Emirates at a 1:1 ratio. The minimum transfer amount is 2,000 points.

Other Programs You Can Book Emirates Flights With

If you are looking to use to book Emirates flights with miles, you have another option, partner airlines. As a comprehensive frequent flyer programme, Emirates Skywards has forged relationships with over 10 significant airlines. These alliances not only allow users to earn Skywards Miles but also allow them to spend those miles on Emirates flights, increasing the program’s value and accessibility.

Several significant names stand out among the Emirates Skywards partner airlines. Airlines such as Air Canada, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Korean Air, for example, allow members to earn and redeem points on Emirates flights.

Air Canada – Aeroplane

The partnership between Air Canada and Emirates is relatively new compared to other partners. However, it has been well-received and is considered a strategic move. The partnership has provided Emirates Flyers with increased flexibility, as they can now earn and redeem Aeroplan points on Emirates flights. Aeroplan is the point currency of Air Canada.

Fifth Freedom Flight From New York to Milan

The most popular Emirates awards flight using Aeroplan is the fifth freedom route from the US to Europe. Emirates operates two such routes, one of which is the New York to Milan route, spanning just below 4,000 miles.

emirates flights
Image Courtesy of Air Canda

One-way economy – 21,000 to 65,000 points + taxes and fees.
Business class – 45,000 to 145,000 points + taxes and fees.

emirates Flights
Source Air Canda Aeroplane

For transatlantic economy awards, you can expect to use 39,400 points plus applicable taxes and fees. This represents an outstanding value for transatlantic economy awards, offering travellers an excellent deal.

JAL Mileage Bank

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank often offers lower mileage prices for award flights compared to other frequent flyer programs. Japan Airlines Mileage Bank is known for its distance-based award chart, which can be advantageous for travelers. This award chart often offers reasonable mileage costs, making it an attractive option for those looking to maximize their miles.

Emirates Flights
Image Courtesy Japan Airlines

If you’re planning to fly with Emirates to or from the U.S. using Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, there are some excellent route options available due to their distance-based award pricing. Here are a few examples:

New York (JFK) to Dubai (DXB): This is a popular route, and redeeming Japan Airlines miles for this journey can offer good value, especially in premium cabins like business or Emirates Airlines first class. You can take Emirates Business class round-trip in Emirates business class for 110,000 miles + $7 taxes and fees.

emirates flights
Image Courtesy of Emirates Airlines

Hong Kong (HKG) to San Francisco (SFO) with Stopover in Dubai(DXB) You can take this flight with a stopover in Dubai one-way in Emirates business class for 100,000 miles + $7 in taxes and fees.

Qantas Frequent Flyer

If you’re looking to book award flights with Emirates, considering Australian flag carrier Qantas can be an intriguing option. For Qantas Frequent Flyers, utilizing Qantas Points to book Emirates first or business-class seats is a fantastic option and considered one of the most valuable ways to redeem Qantas Points, despite the potentially high taxes and fees associated with it. Despite the additional costs, the luxurious experience offered by Emirates in these premium cabins makes it a worthwhile and rewarding use of Qantas Points.

emirates flights
Image Courtesy of Qantas

New York(JFK) to Milan(MXP): When travelling from New York to Milan on a one-way journey, you can book a business-class ticket for 75,000 miles.

Los Angeles(LAX) to Dubai(DXB): You can take a one-way first-class flight for 170,800 points. This provides an excellent redemption option for Qantas Frequent Flyers looking to indulge in the luxurious experience of Emirates’ first-class cabin on this popular route.

Bottom Line

So, When booking Emirates flights with points, you have different options available; by transferring popular points currencies to Emirates Skywards, you gain the freedom to book Emirates flights with greater flexibility. Whether you choose to use points from different credit card programs, redeem Skywards miles directly with Emirates, or take advantage of partner airline miles through Emirates’ extensive network, you unlock a wide range of options.

Interest in flying around the world using credit card points? Check out our site to learn the basics, and follow our blog for more tips on how to make your dream vacation a reality. You can also sign up for our travel concierge and get unlimited credit cards and travel assistance for one full year.

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