To bring in the holidays, Emirates has increased its bonus rates yet again.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the only bad news Emirates has rolled out on the awards travel front this year. In 2022 alone, we wrote the following stories about Emirates Skywards change in bonus price and increase in fuel surcharge:
But now, monkey miles discovered an increase in reward rates on routes between Dubai and Europe. And after that One mile at a time found that the increase applies in more markets.
Emirates has no award chart but directs flyers to check a mileage calculator for prices. Emirates has now updated most of this calculator, but it may still show the old, lower price for some searches.
Related: An inside look at Emirates Skywards as told by the program president
Let’s look at some of the changes.
One-way award tickets between Dubai and Frankfurt used to cost 38,750 miles in economy class, 72,500 miles in business class and 85,000 miles in first class. Economy class rates are unchanged. But now, you’ll need to exchange it for 87,000 miles in business class or 102,000 miles in first class. And taxes and fees are negligible on this one-way prize, worth AED 1,610 (about $438) in business or first class.
Flights between the US and Dubai were also affected. For example, a one-way ticket from New York to Dubai used to cost 136,250 miles in first class. But now you’ll need to redeem 163,500 miles plus $836.20 to fly first class.
One Mile at a Time notes that Emirates’ fifth freestyle route from New York to Milan is unaffected and hypothesizes that rewards to or from Dubai are affected the most. But worryingly, Emirates’ mileage calculator says award tickets from New York to Milan currently cost 168,750 miles one way in first class and 142,500 miles one way in business class.
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When I look for awards, the news is better. The search engine claims I can redeem 72,500 miles plus $102.80 for a one-way business class or 85,000 miles plus $102.80 for a one-way first class flight from New York to Milan.
If you want to book your Emirates Skywards rewards before the rate rises even more, you can convert to Skywards from a variety of transferable currencies, including:
Remember you don’t have to Redeem miles through Emirates Skywards to fly on Emirates. Air Canada and Emirates expand partnership in early December by introducing the ability to redeem Aeroplan points for Emirates flights. However, Emirates flights will not be available at same price as other Aeroplan reward flightsand the first-place prize won’t be available for pre-order until early 2023.
