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Emirates First Class Redemptions for Non-Elites End Today: Partner Redemptions Will Remain
From today, Emirates First Class redemptions booked via Skywards will be restricted to Skywards elite Silver members and above.
This change has been implemented with minimal notice. Emirates quietly updated its programme with the statement:
“Effective 12th May 2025 classic rewards in First Class will be a Tier benefit available only to Platinum, Gold and Silver tier members”.
Emirates is not part of an airline alliance (read more about airline alliances here) but has plenty of partners.
First Class Can Still be Redeemed via Qantas and Other Partners
Emirates has now confirmed that members of airlines that partner with Emirates Skywards will not be impacted by this change.
While the full picture is still emerging, Flight Hacks confirmed this morning that Qantas Frequent Flyer members will not be impacted.
One of the easiest routes to Emirates First Class redemptions is to transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points and take advantage of the credit card bonuses. You can transfer AMEX Membership Rewards Points at 1:1 to Qantas.
It’s worth noting that the restrictions came into effect today; changes could still be made at a moment’s notice. This is an evolving story.
It’s interesting that Emirates has now blocked its Blue members from First Class redemptions, but partner redemptions are still an option.
Skywards Silver
Skywards Silver status is the first elite tier of the loyalty programme. To achieve it, you must earn 25,000 Tier Miles or 25 qualifying flights (Emirates, partner FlyDubai, and EK-marketed codeshare flights) within your 12-month membership period.
This is easily achievable if you’re a regular long-haul Business or First Class flyer. For example, a one-way flight from Gatwick to Sydney via Dubai will earn 27,500 Tier Miles. A return Business Class fare on the same route would earn 27,500 Tier Miles for the Business Saver fare.
Other Ways to Upgrade or Earn Silver Status
- Occasional status match opportunities may offer a route in, but these are infrequent. However, you can request a status match via Emirates live chat. These are treated case-by-case, but it’s worth a try.
- There’s also a $99 credit card in the US which gives instant Skywards Silver status!
- Even as a Blue member, you can still upgrade from Business to First using Skywards miles and use Cash + Miles to reduce the price of First Class flights.
- One of the best ways to redeem Emirates First Class is to upgrade from Business Class on the day of airport check-in. Emirates typically releases available First Class seats on the departure date. This is also still open to Blue members.
If you’re a Skywards Member
This may come as good news if you already hold Skywards Silver or above. Silver, Gold and Platinum members may now have increased availability, but I don’t think the availability will increase much with partner redemptions still open.
What are Other Airlines Doing?
- Air France already restricts La Première redemptions to Flying Blue Platinum members. You can read more about this in our Flying Blue Loyalty Programme Guide.
- SWISS also restricts First Class rewards to HON Circle members.
- Lufthansa prioritises booking using Miles & More miles when seats are released, but allows anyone to book reward seats 14 days before.
Most other airlines, like BA, are not restrictive. Let’s hope it stays that way!
Emirates wants First Class redemptions to go to those who hold status and regularly fly Emirates rather than those who have just transferred a load of Membership Rewards points or have taken advantage of partner rates. Emirates stated they want to award loyal members with extra rewards, exclusive benefits, and better access to the Emirates First Class experience.
Earn Up to 10 Virgin Points per £1 on Booking.com Stays
Virgin Red has temporarily increased the earn rate for summer bookings at UK and European hotels made through Booking.com. Until 26th May, you can earn up to 10 Virgin Points per £1 spent, instead of the usual 8 points per £1.
There are no restrictions on stay dates. You can book with the increased earn rate now, and stay later even if the earn rate is lower at the time of your stay.
Booking and Linking Accounts
To activate the bonus, you must remember to book via Virgin Red by clicking the ‘Get Points’ button on the Virgin Red app or website. You must book your stay in the same browsing session. View the offer here.
You can also link your Booking.com account to your Virgin Red account as long as you are a Booking.com Genius member and have the same email for both accounts.
Click the email confirmation link, and your accounts will be linked.
When searching via ‘Get Points on Virgin Red, you will now be able to see how many points your stay will earn. Here’s an example for 14th November:
NOTE: If you click onto Booking.com from ShopsAway, you will only earn 5 Virgin Points per £1.
There are also plenty of other ways to earn Virgin Points on your trip, such as train journeys booked with Virgin Trains Ticketing (3 points per £1). Read more about collecting Virgin Points in our How to Earn Virgin Points Guide.
British Airways
If you’d prefer to earn Avios on your Booking.com stay, Booking.com is also available via Avios.com.
You can earn 6 Avios per £1 instead of the usual 4.
Shop hotels via Avios.com here >>>
Things to Note
- Virgin Points will be credited 120 days after your completed stay.
- Points will not be awarded for no-shows.
- You will not earn points on taxes, services, food and beverage, or room service charges.
- Bookings for accommodation in a small number of countries are not eligible for points in line with Booking.com policy.
- Stays in other countries will still earn points, but not as many. You can earn 1 point per £1 spent on hotels in the USA, South Africa & Caribbean and 5 points per £1 on stays across the rest of the world.
