AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
Over the weekend, Emirates quietly announced two changes to its Skywards frequent flyer program as caught by Loyalty Lobby. Effective June 1, 2024, Emirates trimmed the mileage earning rates for certain economy and premium economy fares while simultaneously making economy awards cheaper. Of the two changes, we're more interested in the latter.
Here's what you need to know about the Emirates Skywards changes.
Emirates Skywards Changes: Cheaper Awards, Earn Fewer Miles on Flights
On June 1, Emirates added an information box to its “Miles Calculator” webpage. Here's what it says:
“From June 1, 2024, the number of Skywards Miles required for Economy Class Classic Reward flights will be reduced. Skywards Miles and Tier Miles earned on Premium Economy or Economy Class flights on Emirates and flydubai will also be adjusted.”
Emirates trims Skywards earning rates
Emirates Skywards hasn't been the most attractive frequent flyer program. This is due largely to mediocre earning rates and comparatively expensive award costs — both in miles and cash copays. The only reason many of us pay attention to the program is that it's the best way to book Emirates First Class awards.
And with the recent changes, earning Skywards miles (and tier miles, which count toward status) on economy and premium economy travel will become less rewarding — especially if you prefer the flexibility and additional benefits of Economy Flex and Economy Flex Plus fares.
You'll earn nearly 30% fewer Skywards miles and tier miles on bookings in these two fare classes. Here's a side-by-side comparison of the before and after mileage earnings:
- Before: Dubai (DXB) to Milan (MXP)
- Economy Flex: 2,250 Skywards miles
- Economy Flex Plus: 3,000 Skywards miles
- After: Dubai (DXB) to Milan (MXP)
- Economy Flex: 1,700 Skywards miles
- Economy Flex Plus: 2,200 Skywards miles
The recent changes did not impact Economy Special, Economy Saver, business, or First Class fares.
Economy Emirates awards are now more affordable
Thankfully, the Skywards program changes aren't all negative. Now, you'll redeem substantially fewer Skywards miles for economy awards. Moreover, Emirates has done away with the pricing scheme where it priced round trip awards only incrementally higher than one-ways.
To showcase the changes, let's look at a few examples:
- New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP)
- Old: 38,750 Skywards miles one-way, 45,000 round-trip.
- New: 17,500 Skywards miles one-way, 35,000 round-trip.
- New York (JFK) to Dubai (DXB)
- Old: 62,500 Skywards miles one-way, 72,500 round-trip.
- New: 30,000 Skywards miles one-way, 60,000 round-trip.
- New York (JFK) to Seychelles (SEZ)
- Old: 73,750 Skywards miles one-way, 85,000 round-trip.
- New: 35,000 Skywards miles one-way, 70,000 round-trip.
- New York (JFK) to Cape Town (CPT)
- Old: 82,500 Skywards miles one-way, 95,000 round-trip.
- New: 37,500 Skywards miles one-way, 75,000 round-trip.
In other words, one-way economy awards were roughly cut in half and now cost half as much as round-trip awards. That's a big deal, considering its pricing now aligns with or beats what many other programs charge. For instance, redeeming 17,500 Skywards miles plus ~$53 in taxes in fees to fly from the U.S. to Europe is comparable to what Air France/KLM Flying Blue or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club charges, but with less of a burden on the wallet.
And remember, Emirates has several transfer partners that you can leverage to book Skywards reward flights, making its new cheaper awards ultra-accessible:
Related: Do Emirates Skywards Miles Expire?
Final Thoughts
Emirates made two Skywards program changes: one good and one bad. Effective June 1, 2024, you'll earn fewer miles on Economy Flex and Economy Flex Plus fares, but you'll redeem fewer Skywards miles for economy flights all over the world.
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.