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Emirates Airlines is a true behemoth in the airline industry. With some of the most sought-after experiences imaginable (hello, in-flight shower), it's tempting to gravitate to one of the brand's
Barclays currently issues two Emirates Skywards
If you're considering an Emirates credit card, choosing between the two comes down to several factors, including your elite status goals.
Let's take a closer look at both cards and see which one travelers should choose, if any.
Overview of the Emirates Credit Cards From Barclays
Both Emirates credit cards are personal cards, with annual fees of $99 and $499, respectively. Each offers Emirates Skywards elite status for the first year of card membership, plus a path to retain that status through annual card spending.
Emirates elite status has become particularly valuable for award travelers — even if you don't fly Emirates often. That's because Emirates now requires at least Silver status to redeem miles for Emirates first class.
Emirates Skywards Rewards
The Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is Emirates' entry-level credit card. It has a $99 annual fee and offers introductory Emirates Silver status for the first year, along with a spending bonus in select categories.
There's also a sign-up bonus for the card. Earn 40,000 bonus Skywards Miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days..
Key benefits
- Emirates Skywards Silver status for your first year
- Maintain Emirates Silver elite status with $20,000 per year in card spending
- Earn 1 Tier Mile for every 4 Skywards miles earned with the card, up to 15,000 Tier Miles per card cycle year
- Skywards Miles earned with the card don't expire as long as your card account remains open and active
- 25% discount on buying or gifting Skywards Miles
Earning rates
- 3 miles per $1 on eligible Emirates purchases
- 2 miles per $1 on eligible travel purchases
- 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases
Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard®: Gold Status and Anniversary Miles
The Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard® is Emirates' premium credit card. It has a hefty $499 annual fee and offers introductory Emirates Gold status for the first year, as well as the same earning rates as the Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard®.
New cardholders can earn the following welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus Skywards miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
Key benefits
- Emirates Skywards Gold status for the first year
- Maintain Emirates Gold status by spending $40,000 in net purchases annually
- 10,000 anniversary
bonus miles - Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit once every four years
- Priority Pass Select membership
- Skywards miles earned with the card don't expire as long as your card account remains open and active
- 25% discount on buying or gifting Skywards miles
- Earn 1 Tier Mile for every 4 Skywards miles earned with the card, up to 15,000 Tier Miles per card cycle year
Earning rates
- 3 miles per $1 on eligible Emirates purchases
- 2 miles per $1 on eligible travel purchases
- 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases
Which Emirates Card Is Best?
The Emirates co-branded credit card lineup is an interesting one, to say the least. While the Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard® has a solid amount of benefits for a $99-annual-fee credit card, the Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard® offers more, including higher status, but with the same earning rates.
Here are a few factors to consider:
- Frequent Emirates travelers: Frankly, you should only apply for either card if you're a frequent Emirates flyer. That's because one of their biggest benefits is easy access to Emirates elite status. Silver status offers perks including business-class lounge access in Dubai, complimentary seat selection, additional baggage allowance, and priority check-in and boarding. Gold status adds business-class lounge access across Emirates' network, not just in Dubai, as well as a higher baggage allowance. If you won't use these status benefits, it probably doesn't make sense to apply for either card.
- First-class flyers: Arguably, the most valuable benefit of these cards is Emirates status, but not in the way you might think. To redeem miles for an Emirates First Class award, you're required to have at least Silver status. Just remember that children 8 and under aren't eligible to travel on Emirates First Class award tickets.
- Lounge access: Interestingly, those flying out of Dubai can enjoy business-class lounge access with either card, thanks to the elite status each provides. If you frequently fly from an airport with an Emirates outstation lounge, such as London-Heathrow (LHR), it may make sense to consider the premium card for its Gold status.
After a slew of devaluations reducing the transfer ratio from Citi, Amex, and
That means a Bilt credit card might be best if an Emirates credit card doesn't fit your long-term goals, but you still want the ability to generate Emirates Skywards miles.
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 1X points on everyday spend
$95Rates & Fees
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 3X points on your choice of grocery (up to $25K/year) or dining. Your 3X category choice remains in effect for the entire calendar year.
- 2X points on travel
- 1X points on everyday spend
$495Rates & Fees
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
Bottom Line
Emirates offers a great in-flight experience, but its two credit card products are puzzling for the U.S. market. While frequent Emirates travelers may be able to get significant value from the cards and their included elite status, the everyday spender should probably look elsewhere for their travel credit card needs.
Still, if lounge access, the ability to book Emirates First Class awards, and no mileage expiration are attractive to you, one of these two cards may be a fit for your wallet.
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For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Bilt Blue Card (Rates & Fees), Bilt Obsidian Card (Rates & Fees), and Bilt Palladium Card (Rates & Fees)
