What Emirates Skywards Membership Is

Emirates Skywards is the frequent flyer program run by Emirates airline. Members earn miles on Emirates flights and partner airlines, then redeem those miles for free or discounted flights, seat upgrades, and other travel perks. You can join the program for free, and a credit card tied to the program lets you earn miles on everyday purchases in addition to flights.

The program has four membership tiers: Blue (entry level), Silver, Gold, and Platinum. You move up tiers by flying a certain number of miles or segments in a calendar year. Higher tiers unlock benefits like priority boarding, lounge access, and bonus miles on flights.

Key Takeaways

  • Emirates Skywards membership is free to join, and you earn miles on Emirates flights and partner airlines automatically once you register.
  • An Emirates Skywards credit card lets you earn miles on everyday purchases, not just flights, and typically comes with a sign-up bonus.
  • Miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel services through the Skywards catalog.
  • Your membership tier (Blue, Silver, Gold, or Platinum) is determined by how many miles or flight segments you complete in a calendar year, and higher tiers come with perks like lounge access and priority boarding.
  • Miles do not expire as long as you have some account activity at least once every three years.

How to Join Emirates Skywards

You can register for free membership on the Emirates Skywards website or through the Emirates mobile app. You will need a valid email address and basic personal information. Once you complete registration, you receive a membership number when ready and can start earning miles on your next Emirates flight.

If you already have an Emirates Skywards account and want to add a credit card to it, log into your Skywards account and link the card once you receive it. The card issuer will provide instructions on how to connect it to your membership number so miles post automatically.

What an Emirates Skywards Credit Card Offers

An Emirates Skywards credit card earns miles on purchases you make outside of flying. The earning rate and annual fee vary by card issuer and card tier. Most cards offer a sign-up bonus of miles after you meet a minimum spending threshold within the first few months of opening the account.

Beyond miles earning, these cards often come with perks like complimentary lounge access, priority boarding on Emirates flights, free checked baggage, or statement credits toward Emirates purchases. Some cards waive the annual fee for the first year. Read the card's terms sheet to see which benefits explore to your specific card.

The card is optional — you can earn miles through flights and partner activities without one — but it accelerates how quickly you accumulate miles if you spend regularly on a card.

How to Earn and Redeem Miles

You earn miles in several ways: flying on Emirates or partner airlines, using an Emirates Skywards credit card, shopping through the Skywards shopping portal, staying at partner hotels, renting cars through partner agencies, and dining at participating restaurants. The number of miles you earn depends on the flight distance, card spending category, or partner offer.

To redeem miles, log into your Skywards account and browse the rewards catalog. You can book award flights (one-way or round-trip), purchase seat upgrades, book hotel stays, rent cars, or buy gift cards. Some redemptions require fewer miles than others. For example, a short-haul domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 15,000 miles, while a long-haul international flight could cost 50,000 to 150,000 miles, depending on the route and cabin class.

You can also transfer miles to partner programs, though this is less common and usually results in a less favorable exchange rate than booking travel directly through Skywards.

Understanding Membership Tiers and Benefits

Your membership tier is determined by the number of tier miles or flight segments you complete in a calendar year (January through December). Tier miles are based on the distance flown, while segments count each flight leg separately. Once you reach a tier threshold, you unlock benefits for the remainder of that year and the following year.

Blue tier is the default for all members. Silver requires 25,000 tier miles or 10 flight segments. Gold requires 50,000 tier miles or 25 flight segments. Platinum requires 120,000 tier miles or 70 flight segments. Benefits increase at each level and include priority check-in, lounge access, bonus miles on flights, and higher baggage allowances.

If you do not reach a tier threshold in a calendar year, you drop back to Blue the following year. However, elite status from a credit card (if your card includes it) may provide some benefits year-round regardless of your flight activity.

How Miles Expiration Works

Emirates Skywards miles do not expire as long as your account remains active. Activity means earning or redeeming miles, or having a flight segment on an Emirates or partner airline. If your account shows no activity for three consecutive years, your miles will expire, but the program will notify you before this happens.

To keep your account active without flying, you can earn miles through a credit card purchase, a hotel stay, a car rental, or a shopping portal transaction. Even a small purchase counts as activity and resets the three-year clock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Emirates Skywards miles on airlines other than Emirates?

Yes. Emirates Skywards is part of the Star Alliance, so you can redeem miles on partner airlines including United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and others. Award availability and pricing vary by airline and route. You book partner flights through the Skywards website or by calling customer service.

What happens to my miles if I close my credit card?

Closing the credit card does not close your Skywards membership or erase your miles. Your miles remain in your account as long as you have activity every three years. However, you will lose any card-specific benefits like lounge access or annual miles bonuses once the card is closed.

How long does it take to book an award flight?

Once you search for and select an award flight on the Skywards website, the booking is confirmed when ready if seats are available. You will receive a confirmation email with your booking reference. You can then check in online 24 hours before departure, just like a paid ticket.

Can I transfer my miles to a family member?

Emirates Skywards does not allow direct transfers of miles between accounts. However, some credit card issuers offer the option to pool miles from multiple cardholders in the same household into one Skywards account. Check your card issuer's policy on this feature.

What if I book an award flight and need to change it?

Award flight changes are subject to availability and may incur a change fee depending on the route and how far in advance you make the change. You can modify your booking through the Skywards website or by contacting customer service. If you cancel an award booking, the miles are returned to your account.