Digging deeper into Emirates Skywards Miles
For Australian travellers, the appeal of Emirates Skywards Miles is strong. The airline is renowned for its world-class service. While you won’t find credit cards in Australia that directly earn Skywards Miles, there is a smart way to accumulate them: through flexible rewards credit cards that allow point transfers to Emirates Skywards.
What are Emirates Skywards Miles?
Emirates Skywards is the frequent flyer programme of Emirates and its partner, flydubai. Skywards Miles are the reward currency used to unlock a range of travel and lifestyle benefits. Once you sign up for a free Emirates Skywards account, you can start earning miles.
You can redeem Emirates Skywards Miles for:
Why earn Emirates Skywards Miles in Australia?
Emirates connects Australia to Dubai and beyond, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Earning Skywards Miles helps you enjoy the airline's premium service. Flights from Australia are long, so Skywards Miles can make your trip more comfortable or even free (excluding taxes and fees).
Key benefits for Australians include:
- Premium cabins: Access First and Business Class cabins, including the A380's onboard lounge.
- Global network: Depart from major Australian cities to worldwide destinations.
- Redemption flexibility: Use miles with partners like Qantas for domestic or international flights.
Earning Skywards Miles indirectly
There are no Australian credit cards that earn Skywards Miles directly. An Emirates Citi World Mastercard was available in the past but was withdrawn in 2022.
Now, the best way to earn Skywards Miles is through flexible rewards credit cards. These earn bank-specific points (such as American Express Membership Rewards or CommBank Awards), which you can transfer to Skywards at 1:1 and 5:1 rates, respectively.
This approach is common in Australia and gives you flexibility. You’re not locked into one frequent flyer programme and can transfer points when you're ready to redeem.
Other ways to earn Skywards Miles in Australia
Aside from credit cards, you can boost your Skywards Miles balance through:
- Flying: Earn miles on flights with Emirates, flydubai, or partners. The number of miles earned depends on your ticket type, route, and Skywards status.
- Hotels and car rentals: Earn miles by staying with hotel partners or booking with rental companies like Avis and Hertz.
- Skywards Everyday app: This app earns you miles at participating retailers overseas, but is not widely used in Australia.
- Skywards Miles Mall: Shop online with over 300 Australian brands to earn extra miles.
- Family pooling: Combine family members' miles to reach rewards faster.
- Buying miles: You can buy miles to top up your balance, but this is usually poor value unless you need a few more to redeem.
Redeeming Emirates Skywards Miles for value
Having a large balance of Skywards Miles is great, but smart redemptions are where the real value lies.
Redemption options
- Classic Reward Flights: These are Emirates' award tickets.
- Saver: Fewer miles required, limited availability.
- Flex Plus: More miles needed but better availability. Business and First Class redemptions often offer the best value.
- Upgrades: Upgrade from a paid ticket to a higher class. You can often upgrade at check-in or onboard if you hold elite status.
- Cash+Miles: Pay part of the fare with miles and the rest with cash. Value per mile is lower than standard redemptions.
- Partner redemptions: Use miles on airlines like Qantas or Japan Airlines, especially useful for domestic or short-haul flights.
- Non-flight rewards: Hotel bookings or car hire offer poor value and are best for expiring miles.
Tips to maximise value
- Book premium cabins: These offer the highest value per mile.
- Example: A First Class one-way ticket from Sydney to Dubai may cost 160,000 miles but be worth thousands of dollars.
- Upgrade instead of booking outright: A paid Economy or Business Class ticket can be upgraded using fewer miles.
- Use partners strategically: Qantas flights within Australia can be booked with Skywards Miles.
- Example: A Business Class flight from Sydney to Perth might cost 40,000 Skywards Miles.
- Be flexible: Avoid peak seasons to find award seats.
- Book early or last minute: Plan 11–12 months ahead or watch for late seat releases.
- Watch for fees: Taxes and carrier charges still apply. These can add hundreds to the cost of a "free" flight.
- Tip: Use the Emirates website to check the exact amount payable.
- Avoid poor-value redemptions: Merchandise and non-flight rewards often give the lowest value per mile.
By focusing on flights and upgrades, you can get the most from your Skywards Miles.
Begin your Skywards Miles journey
Navigating frequent flyer programs can be confusing, but earning and using Emirates Skywards Miles in Australia is entirely achievable. Even though direct-earn cards are gone, flexible rewards credit cards remain a great option.
The best credit card for you depends on your spending, travel goals and financial situation. Look at transfer rates, sign-up bonuses, and annual fees.
Used strategically, your everyday spending can take you further – perhaps even all the way to a luxury suite in the sky.
