RewardExpert.com is an independent website that is supported by advertising. RewardExpert.com may be compensated by credit card issuers whose offers appear on the site. Because we are paid by our advertising partners it may impact placement of products on the site, including the order in which they appear. Not all available credit card issuers or card offers are included on the site.

Emirates Skywards Elite Status: How to Get it and What’s in it For You

icon-comments Comments

One of the best and most glamorous airlines in the world, Emirates, isn’t a member of any alliances, but it is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards and SPG programs, and it has a number of partners that you can earn and redeem miles on.Partners include:

  • Alaska Airlines
  • easyJet (redeem only)
  • Japan Airlines
  • Jet Airways
  • JetBlue
  • Jetstar
  • Korean Air
  • Qantas
  • S7 Airlines
  • South African
  • TAP Portugal
  • Virgin America

The Elite Program General Terms

The Emirates Elite program is not as strong as some other programs. It doesn’t offer complimentary upgrades to even top Platinum members and its bonus mile-earning capabilities are average at best. In addition, Emirates doesn’t allow earning elite status on partners.

Emirates Skyward elite status lasts 14 months after qualification, and losing it during the term gets you the so-called “soft landing,” meaning if you do not requalify for Platinum status you will get Gold for the next year.

Earning Status

The Emirates Skyward status has three elite levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Emirates Skywards Membership Tiers
Emirates Skywards has four rewarding membership tiers

Emirates Skyward Qualification Requirements

Qualification requirements are as follows.

For flights solely on Emirates:

  • Silver: 25,000 miles or 25 flights
  • Gold: 50,000 miles or 50 flights
  • Platinum: 150,000 miles

Upgrades on Emirates

Silver and above: Buy instant upgrades with miles

Elite Bonus Miles

  • Silver: 25% bonus miles
  • Gold: 50% bonus miles
  • Platinum: 75% bonus miles

Fee Waivers

  • Excess Baggage:
    • Silver: 26 lb.
    • Gold: 35 lb.
    • Platinum: 44 lb.
Emirates check-in counter
Priority Check-in is one of Emirates Skyward membership benefits

Airport Services

Silver and above:

  • E-gate service in Dubai (for all members)
  • Waitlist priority
  • Priority Check-in:
    • Silver and Gold – Business Class counter
    • Platinum – First Class counter
  • Priority Boarding

Gold and Platinum:

  • Fast Track upon arrival at Dubai Airport
  • Priority baggage delivery
  • Priority service through Contact Centers
  • Guaranteed seats, even on fully booked flights

Platinum:

  • Last seat Flex Plus reward tickets

Complimentary Lounge Access

Silver and above:

  • Free lounge access in Dubai

Gold:

  • Business Class lounge access for member and one guest

Platinum:

  • First Class lounge at Dubai Airport and Business Class lounge access for member and one guest

Notable Additional Rewards for Platinum Members

  • Gold status for a friend or family member.

Upcoming Reciprocal Elite Benefits

Emirates lounge interior
If you are Emirates Skyward Member you can enjoy lounge access

Emirates Elite Benefits with Starwood Preferred Guest

  • Silver and above: one Skywards mile per U.S. dollar spent at the hotel
  • Gold and Platinum: elite check-in, and a 4 p.m. late check-out

Other Ways to Earn Status

  • None

Status Match/Status Challenge:

  • Targeted status-matching offers

Earning Elite Miles on Partner Airlines

  • None

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

UGC Disclosure: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.