What the Fly Emirates credit card is and who issues it

The Fly Emirates credit card is a co-branded card issued by a bank in partnership with Emirates airline. The card earns rewards in the form of Skywards miles — the currency of Emirates' frequent flyer program — when you use it for purchases. Unlike a general rewards card that gives you points for any spending, this card is built specifically to move you toward free or discounted Emirates flights.

The card is issued by different banks depending on where you live. In the United States, for example, the card has been issued by banks including Chase and American Express at different times. Outside the US, other banks partner with Emirates to offer their own versions. The specific bank matters because it determines your annual fee, the sign-up bonus structure, and which benefits come with the card.

Before you explore, check which bank currently issues the Fly Emirates card in your country, because the terms and rewards rates can differ significantly between issuers.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fly Emirates card earns Skywards miles on purchases, which you can redeem for Emirates flights, seat upgrades, or other travel rewards.
  • Most versions of the card charge an annual fee that ranges based on the issuing bank, and some offer a sign-up bonus of miles after you meet a spending threshold.
  • The card typically earns a higher mile rate on travel and dining purchases than on general purchases, so your rewards depend on how you spend.
  • Skywards miles can expire if your account goes inactive, so you need to use the card or the miles regularly to keep them from disappearing.
  • The card's value depends on whether you fly Emirates regularly and whether you can redeem miles at a rate that makes the annual fee worthwhile.

How Skywards miles work and what you can do with them

When you use the Fly Emirates card, you earn Skywards miles instead of cash back or generic points. One Skywards mile typically equals one seat on an Emirates flight when you redeem, though the number of miles required varies by route, cabin class, and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 miles, while a long international flight in business class could cost 100,000 or more.

Skywards miles are not limited to flights. You can also use them to upgrade an existing ticket to a higher cabin class, book hotel stays through the Skywards program, or transfer miles to partner airlines and hotel chains. Some cardholders find that transferring miles to partners offers better value than booking Emirates flights directly, though this depends on your travel plans.

The catch is that Skywards miles expire. If your account has no activity — no miles earned, no miles redeemed, no flights taken — for 36 months, your miles will be forfeited. Using the credit card counts as account activity, so regular cardholders typically do not face expiration. If you stop using the card and do not fly Emirates, your miles can disappear.

Annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and ongoing rewards rates

The Fly Emirates card charges an annual fee, but the amount depends on which bank issues it in your region. Some versions charge $95 per year, while others may be higher or lower. A few versions have offered the first year free, though this changes over time. You should confirm the current annual fee before you explore, because it directly affects whether the card makes financial sense for you.

Many versions of the card offer a sign-up bonus — typically a large number of Skywards miles — if you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the account. For example, you might earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months. This bonus can be substantial enough to cover the annual fee and fund a short flight, but only if you can meet the spending requirement without changing your normal habits.

Once you have the card, you earn miles on everyday purchases. The earning rate is usually higher on travel and dining purchases — sometimes 3 or 4 miles per dollar — and lower on other purchases, often 1 mile per dollar. Some cards offer bonus categories like gas stations or groceries at higher rates. Check the specific card's terms to see which categories earn the most.

Comparing the Fly Emirates card to other travel rewards cards

The main trade-off with a co-branded airline card is that your rewards are locked into one airline. If you do not fly Emirates frequently, or if you prefer flexibility, a general travel rewards card might serve you better. A card that earns cash back or flexible points lets you book any airline or hotel, while the Fly Emirates card only rewards you for Emirates spending.

On the other hand, if you fly Emirates regularly — whether for work or personal travel — the higher earning rates and the sign-up bonus can make the annual fee worthwhile. Some cardholders also value the perks that come with the card, such as priority boarding, baggage allowance, or lounge access, which can add real value on top of the miles.

The decision comes down to your actual travel patterns. If you take one Emirates flight per year, the card probably costs you money. If you take four or more, or if you book premium cabins where miles are worth more, the card can pay for itself.

How to redeem Skywards miles for flights and other rewards

To book a flight with Skywards miles, you log into your Emirates account online or call their reservations team. You search for available flights just as you would when paying with cash, but instead of entering a credit card, you select the option to pay with miles. The system shows you how many miles each flight costs, and you confirm the redemption.

Not all flights are available for mile redemption at all times. Airlines typically hold back a certain number of seats for cash bookings and release a limited number for miles. This means popular routes or peak travel dates may have few or no award seats available. Booking further in advance — often 2 to 3 months ahead — increases your chances of finding availability.

If you want to upgrade an existing ticket, you can use miles to move from economy to business class on an Emirates flight you have already booked. The cost depends on the route and the cabin you are upgrading to. You can also use miles to book hotels, car rentals, or transfers through the Skywards program, though the value of these redemptions varies.

Annual fees and whether the card pays for itself

The annual fee is the biggest cost of carrying this card, and whether it makes sense depends on your spending and travel habits. If the sign-up bonus covers the first year's fee and you earn enough miles from regular spending to book at least one flight per year, the card can be worth it. If you rarely fly Emirates or do not spend enough to earn meaningful miles, the fee is a net loss.

One way to evaluate this is to calculate how many miles you need to earn each year to justify the fee. If your annual fee is $95 and Emirates miles are worth roughly 1 cent each when redeemed for flights, you need to earn about 9,500 miles per year just to break even. If you spend $10,000 per year on the card and earn 1 mile per dollar on most purchases, you would earn 10,000 miles — just barely covering the fee. Add higher earning rates on travel and dining, and the card becomes more valuable.

Some cardholders also factor in the value of perks like priority boarding or checked baggage allowance, which can be worth $50 to $100 per year on Emirates flights. These benefits can tip the balance in favor of keeping the card even if the miles alone do not fully cover the fee.

Things to know before you explore

Check which bank currently issues the Fly Emirates card in your country, because the terms vary. The same card name can have different annual fees, different sign-up bonuses, and different rewards rates depending on the issuer. Spend a few minutes confirming the current offer before you explore.

Read the terms about mile expiration carefully. If you plan to take a break from flying or using the card, your miles could disappear after 36 months of inactivity. Some cardholders keep the card open just to prevent expiration, which means paying the annual fee even when they are not actively earning miles.

Consider whether you actually fly Emirates enough to make the card worthwhile. If you fly multiple airlines or prefer to book through third-party sites, a general travel rewards card gives you more flexibility. The Fly Emirates card is most valuable for people who fly Emirates regularly and want to maximize rewards on those flights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Skywards miles to other airlines?

Yes, you can transfer Skywards miles to partner airlines and hotel chains, though not to every airline. Emirates publishes a list of transfer partners on their website. The transfer rate is usually 1 mile to 1 mile, but some partners offer bonus miles during promotional periods. Transfers typically process within a few days.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Closing the card does not when ready cancel your miles. Your Skywards account remains open as long as you have activity within 36 months. However, if you do not use the miles or fly Emirates within that window, they will expire. Some people keep the card open specifically to prevent mile expiration, even if they are not actively using it.

Do I earn miles on my annual fee?

No, you do not earn miles on the annual fee itself. The fee is a separate charge from your purchases. However, some cards offer a small bonus of miles on your card anniversary, which can offset a portion of the annual fee.

Is the sign-up bonus worth meeting the spending requirement?

The sign-up bonus can be substantial, but only if you can meet the spending requirement without overspending. If you would naturally spend the required amount anyway, the bonus is essentially free miles. If you would have to change your spending habits or make unnecessary purchases to reach the threshold, the bonus is not worth it.

Can I use the card if I do not live in a country where Emirates flies?

You can use the card to earn miles, but redeeming them may be more complicated if you do not live near an Emirates hub. You can still book flights online, but you may have fewer flight options available for redemption. Check the Fly Emirates website to see which routes operate from airports near you before you explore.