Flight loyalty guide
Emirates Skywards
Emirates Skywards is the frequent‑flyer programme for Emirates and flydubai. Members earn Skywards Miles and separate Tier Miles on paid flights and through credit cards, hotels and retail partners. Tier Miles unlock higher status levels, while Skywards Miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades and other rewards across Emirates’ global network.
Alliance & hubs
- Alliance
- Independent (EK)
- Primary hubs
- Dubai (DXB)
Program essentials
Key facts to get started with Emirates Skywards.
- Join cost
- Free membership
- Earn currency
- Skywards Miles (reward miles) & Tier Miles (status miles)
- Earning basis
- Miles earned based on fare paid, route and cabin class, Tier Miles accrue at the same rate as Skywards Miles on Emirates, flydubai and Emirates‑marketed flights
- Tiers
- Blue • Silver • Gold • Platinum
How Emirates Skywards works
Members earn two types of currency: Skywards Miles, which can be redeemed for reward flights, upgrades, hotel stays and other experiences, and Tier Miles, which determine your status level. Skywards Miles and Tier Miles accrue when you fly with Emirates or flydubai, book through Emirates‑marketed codeshare flights, or spend with hundreds of partners such as hotels, car hire companies and co‑branded credit cards.
Ways to earn Miles
- Paid flights operated by Emirates or flydubai, including Cash + Miles tickets (no miles earned on award tickets).
- Emirates‑marketed flights operated by partner airlines – these earn Skywards Miles and Tier Miles at the same rates as Emirates flights.
- Spend with non‑airline partners such as hotels, car rentals, shopping portals and co‑branded credit cards (these only earn Skywards Miles, not Tier Miles).
Your tier is based on the Tier Miles or qualifying flights you earn during a rolling 12‑month period. Silver status requires 25,000 Tier Miles or 25 qualifying flights, Gold requires 50,000 Tier Miles or 50 flights, and Platinum requires 150,000 Tier Miles plus at least one qualifying Business or First Class flight. Tier status is valid for 14 months and you must meet the same requirements during the subsequent membership year to retain your level.
Skywards Miles remain valid for three years and expire at the end of the month of your birth in the calendar year they are due to expire. Expiry dates are not extended by account activity, however, miles do not expire for Platinum members and holders of co‑branded Emirates credit cards.
Skywards tier breakdown
Four status tiers unlock progressively richer mileage bonuses, lounge privileges, seat selection and baggage benefits.
| Tier | Qualification | Retention | Earn & bonuses | Signature perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue (Entry) | Automatic on enrolment | N/A | Earn Skywards Miles according to fare, route and cabin, no mileage bonus | Access to Cash + Miles redemptions · Ability to upgrade at check‑in or onboard using miles · Complimentary unlimited Wi‑Fi when travelling in Business or First Class · Basic waitlist priority |
| Silver | 25,000 Tier Miles or 25 qualifying flights in a 12‑month period | 25,000 Tier Miles or 25 flights each membership year | 30% bonus Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights | Complimentary access to the Emirates Business Class lounge in Dubai for the member · Extra checked baggage allowance · Priority check‑in and boarding · Higher waitlist priority |
| Gold | 50,000 Tier Miles or 50 qualifying flights in a 12‑month period | 50,000 Tier Miles or 50 flights each membership year | 75% bonus Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights | Free Economy seat selection for the member and companions · Complimentary lounge access worldwide for the member and one guest · Guaranteed Economy Class seat when flights are sold out · Priority services and baggage delivery |
| Platinum | 150,000 Tier Miles and at least one qualifying Business or First Class flight in a 12‑month period | 150,000 Tier Miles and 1 qualifying flight each membership year | 100% bonus Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights | First Class check‑in and baggage delivery · Home check‑in service in Dubai · Worldwide First Class lounge access for the member and guests · Ability to gift one Gold membership · Highest priority services and baggage handling |
Tier tracking rules
Tier Miles are awarded only on flights operated by Emirates or flydubai, and on Emirates‑marketed codeshare flights. Tier Miles match the number of Skywards Miles earned on those flights and cannot be earned through partners or non‑flight transactions.
- Status evaluations are continuous, once your Tier Miles or flight count crosses the threshold, your status is upgraded and a new 12‑month membership year begins.
- To retain your status, you must meet the same Tier Mile or flight threshold during the following membership year, otherwise, you will be downgraded one tier.
- A qualifying flight for Platinum must be in Business or First Class on Emirates or flydubai.
- Tier Miles reset to zero at the start of each membership year.
Discounts & perks
Skywards status comes with mileage bonuses, priority services and valuable travel benefits.
- Mileage bonuses: Silver members earn 30% bonus Miles, Gold 75% and Platinum 100% on Emirates and flydubai flights.
- Seat selection and upgrades: Gold and Platinum members can select complimentary Economy seats for themselves and companions, upgrades using Miles are available at check‑in and on board.
- Lounge access: Silver members enjoy Business Class lounge access in Dubai, Gold and Platinum members receive worldwide lounge access with guest privileges.
- Priority services: Elites enjoy priority check‑in, boarding and baggage handling, as well as guaranteed Economy seats (Gold and above) and access to dedicated service hotlines.
- Extra baggage: Silver, Gold and Platinum members receive additional checked baggage allowance on Emirates flights.
- Complimentary Wi‑Fi: All members travelling in Business or First Class enjoy unlimited Wi‑Fi, selected co‑branded credit card holders and Platinum members enjoy free Wi‑Fi in all cabins.
Exclusive passes & gifts
Higher tiers come with passes and benefits that extend beyond your own travel.
- Gold and Platinum members can invite one or more guests into Emirates and partner lounges worldwide (number of guests depends on lounge policy).
- Platinum members may gift a Gold tier membership to one nominated spouse or companion during each membership year.
- Members can pool Skywards Miles with family via the My Family account, allowing up to eight family members to combine earnings for faster redemptions.
- Cash + Miles redemptions enable members to pay part of the fare in cash and part in Miles, increasing flexibility when your balance is low.