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Flying Emirates First Class is truly one of the most aspirational award flights. The elaborate private suites and showers in the sky make for a memorable experience. But effective May 12, 2025, booking First Class Classic Rewards will be limited to members with Emirates Skywards Platinum, Gold, or Silver status.
This is a pretty notable development. So, here’s what you need to know if you want to fly the airline’s best First Class seats after the new restrictions take effect.
Emirates to Start Restricting First Class Awards to Elite Members
Effective May 12, 2025, booking Emirates First Class awards will no longer be available to general Skywards members. And this will be true even for those with a large stash of Skywards miles or transferable credit card points. These premium awards will be reserved exclusively for members with Emirates elite status. It’s unclear why this change is being made, but it’s a disappointing development nonetheless.
Emirates “announced” this change on its website — and Loyalty Lobby first reported this change.
But it's not that hard to fathom. Emirates has been working hard to limit availability and increase the price of First Class awards over the years. Booking Emirates First Class through Air Canada Aeroplan used to be a viable option. However, between limited partner availability and high points requirements, booking directly through Emirates Skywards has become the best option, although still pricey.
But if you can act fast, the following Dubai (DXB) to Chicago (ORD) route can still be booked before May 12 for 163,500 Emirates miles and $887.
Related: How to Use Points and Miles to Book the World’s Best First Class Award Flights
Will Emirates restrict First Class upgrades, too?
One of the best ways to book Emirates First Class awards has long been reserving a Business Class ticket and then upgrading to Emirates First using miles at the airport during check-in. Since many First Class seats often go unsold until the day of departure, this was a much easier way to score an elusive upgrade. And the value is pretty good, too.
However, it remains to be seen whether this option will continue to be available to non-elite members going forward.
Related: The Best Uses of Emirates Skywards Miles
How to Stock up on Skywards Miles and Earn Elite Status
If you need Emirates miles quickly to book a First Class award before the new restrictions take effect, you can transfer points from any major transferable currency. Emirates partners with Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, Capital One Miles, and Bilt Rewards. Just be mindful of the transfer times.
Although not relevant for redemptions before May 12, note that Citi transfers to Emirates will drop to a 5:4 ratio on July 27, 2025. In addition, both Chase and Amex will pause transfers to Emirates beginning May 29, 2025.
Earn elite status with the Emirates credit cards
If you want to fly Emirates First Class but can’t pull together enough miles before May 12, 2025, you’ll need to earn elite status with the Skywards program. Outside of crediting flights on Emirates or partners like Air Canada and United, one of the easiest paths is through a co-branded Emirates credit card.
Emirates currently offers two credit cards for U.S. applicants, each of which grants automatic elite status during your first year of card membership:
- Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard®: Emirates Skywards Gold tier membership during your first year. $499 annual fee.
- Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard®: Emirates Skywards Silver tier membership during your first year. $99 annual fee.
Bottom Line
The latest news that Emirates will restrict First Class awards to elite members is certainly disappointing. Well, unless you're already an elite member. It remains to be seen whether there will still be a way to book these awards through partners like Air Canada or Qantas, or to upgrade from Business Class using miles. For now, your best option is to book quickly before May 12. Alternatively, consider an Emirates credit card to pick up the status needed to unlock this incredible in-flight experience.
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