Emirates seems to think that this is a good time to devalue its loyalty program, which strikes me as a questionable decision, given what’s going on in the world…
In this post:
Emirates Skywards changing award costs May 20, 2026
The Emirates Skywards mileage calculator has been updated to reflect that there will be changes to award costs for bookings as of May 20, 2026. Specifically, this will impact classic rewards and upgrade rewards, the two best ways to redeem Skywards miles.
Now, technically we don’t know how award costs will change. I suppose in theory, Emirates may decide to decrease award costs. However, I don’t remember the last time we saw a positive change to Emirates’ redemption rates, and I doubt they’re starting now, especially given the carrier’s strategy.
Emirates Skywards generally has very high award costs in terms of the number of miles required, in addition to very high carrier imposed surcharges. This is only the latest in a string of negative changes to Emirates Skywards:
- Over the years we’ve seen a countless number of direct devaluations, where the cost of awards has gone up
- We’ve seen carrier imposed surcharges greatly increase over time, even before the cost of jet fuel actually rose due to the Iran conflict
- First class awards are now restricted exclusively to Emirates Skywards elite members, even with the very high costs of these awards
- Emirates Skywards has worsened its conversion ratios with most transferable points currencies, and for the most part, they’re no longer 1:1 (in other words, Emirates Skywards wanted more money for its miles)
So for now we’ll mark this as “developing,” and we’ll see just how bad the changes actually are.
Emirates just takes a different approach to “loyalty”
The complete lack of value offered by Emirates Skywards mileage redemptions drives me bonkers. The way I see it:
- Points currencies can be a great way to fill seats that would otherwise be empty
- Often those redeeming points for a flight end up becoming loyal customers who book revenue tickets in the long run, often in the cabin they redeemed for
- There’s the ability to further monetize members who are engaged in a loyalty program, like getting them to apply for a co-branded credit card
The SVP of Emirates Skywards is a smart guy, even if I very much disagree with the approach he takes. He hasn’t really been secretive about the lack of value the program offers with redemptions. Emirates doesn’t take the same approach to loyalty programs as in the United States, where airlines essentially operate as loss leaders for their loyalty programs.
Instead, Skywards is viewed as being more part of the commercial organization, both in terms of how it’s monetized, and also in terms of how it’s intended to encourage loyalty:
- Emirates just doesn’t want to provide big discounts on empty seats by releasing award space, and the idea is almost that redeeming miles gets the airline similar revenue to a cash booking (between the money that Emirates gets when you transfer points to the program, plus all the surcharges)
- The point of Skywards is to offer better “soft” treatment for those who like flying with the beloved brand, rather than actually to “give away” too much
So yeah, personally I’m not at all a fan of the approach. But I also think Skywards leadership is acting intentionally, and it’s not that they think they’re offering great value, and would be shocked to learn that others don’t feel that way (unlike at many other airlines, where that is the case).
Emirates is probably the world’s most revered and known airline brand, and I think that’s largely what the airline leans into heavily. I mean, Emirates has been incredibly profitable, even beating Delta for the past two years (though obviously this year will be different). It remains to be seen if the airline can continue with that approach in the long run.
Bottom line
Emirates Skywards is planning on adjusting award and upgrade costs as of May 20, 2026. This follows endless devaluations over the years, in terms of the number of miles required, the carrier surcharges, and the restrictions on certain redemptions.
Emirates’ redemption rates are highly uncompetitive nowadays, but that almost seems to be by design. Emirates just takes a different approach to loyalty, and I don’t like it. But, you know, it is what it is…
What do you make of Emirates Skywards’ never-ending devaluations?
Many airlines are making it harder to attain status, use miles for flights, increasing charges on redemptions and changing rules (BA for example). I fly frequently between UK and SE Asia. Always on Star Alliance with Thai, EVA, Singapore or Asiana to get mileage for Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus program (gold member for 12 years). Now, Thai have, in the last year, made it almost impossible to get gold upgrades or redemptions for business...
Many airlines are making it harder to attain status, use miles for flights, increasing charges on redemptions and changing rules (BA for example). I fly frequently between UK and SE Asia. Always on Star Alliance with Thai, EVA, Singapore or Asiana to get mileage for Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus program (gold member for 12 years). Now, Thai have, in the last year, made it almost impossible to get gold upgrades or redemptions for business class. I'm questioning my loyalty. Also, I have Virgin Atlantic flying club (basic since 1997 from a few flights but mostly cc spend). Virgin too have recently upped redemptions, there are some bargains, at some times, on some routes. Their charges have recently increased too. Getting ever more difficult to remain loyal. It's perplexing what Emirates is doing, given the current lack of demand.
I just spent €200 for an one-way economy regional flight on Thai, hardly the bargain of the century. The fare gives zero miles in most *A programmes, and TG definitely aren't alone in that so I may well have to resort to mileage running in order to renew my status next year.
They should hire the other Ben from flying blue
As guess as long as people are stupid enough to continue paying these rates, they will just continue to rise. Emirates is totally overrated anyway.
Thankfully I was able to book EK F last year (and flew in February before the craziness happened), and even more thankful they product changed my flight to a Game Changer 777, so I don't feel like I'll miss out if I don't fly them again anytime soon.
Emirates is an airline, not a credit card company like the US3 "airlines". They're in the business of transporting people, not selling miles and their approach makes a lot of sense in that context.
"First class awards are now restricted exclusively to Emirates Skywards elite members, even with the very high costs of these awards"
Yeah, but even for those of us with Gold / Platinum status, first class awards just never seem to be available for most direct flights to / from Dubai, and are NEVER available for connections (e.g., South Africa). I'll continue to fly EK because they have a great product, but between the three-year expiration...
"First class awards are now restricted exclusively to Emirates Skywards elite members, even with the very high costs of these awards"
Yeah, but even for those of us with Gold / Platinum status, first class awards just never seem to be available for most direct flights to / from Dubai, and are NEVER available for connections (e.g., South Africa). I'll continue to fly EK because they have a great product, but between the three-year expiration policy + the lack of availability of awards, I'll just start crediting my points to other programs.
Btw first class can still be booked as an upgrade for none status members.
Not sure why you are saying that there are no availability, I got 3 seats last week on first, and 4 seats for next week.
Platinum members for sure get a tone of availability as they get access to book on I class
Thanks for the data points. Your luck is certainly better than mine! Like I said, I'll keep flying Emirates first, but I'll just credit the miles to another carrier.
I do want to thank you for mentioning upgrades; I had only been searching for mileage awards. While I'm not finding anything for time-of-booking point upgrades, it's great to know that I can search that way. I've not used upgrades in so many years that...
Thanks for the data points. Your luck is certainly better than mine! Like I said, I'll keep flying Emirates first, but I'll just credit the miles to another carrier.
I do want to thank you for mentioning upgrades; I had only been searching for mileage awards. While I'm not finding anything for time-of-booking point upgrades, it's great to know that I can search that way. I've not used upgrades in so many years that I keep thinking they're only available for day-of-flight trips, and forgot that they can be reserved in advance.
Do these programs still fill seats?
Love this and anything that makes it harder and more expensive for budget travelers trying to squeeze every last ounce of their credit card spend. Looking forward to more devaluations across major airlines and hotel chains in the coming years.
You're so edgy and cool.
And yet, here you are, spending your time reading articles and commenting on a blog focused on exactly that.
"And yet, here you are, spending your time reading articles and commenting on a blog focused on exactly that."
I wouldn’t say this blog is solely focused on redeeming miles/points for luxury travel; a quick browse of recent articles shows a broader mix of topics. I enjoy reading about different products and travel destinations, and my wife and I have even booked trips in the past based in part on Ben’s reviews.
@James K. -...
"And yet, here you are, spending your time reading articles and commenting on a blog focused on exactly that."
I wouldn’t say this blog is solely focused on redeeming miles/points for luxury travel; a quick browse of recent articles shows a broader mix of topics. I enjoy reading about different products and travel destinations, and my wife and I have even booked trips in the past based in part on Ben’s reviews.
@James K. - Thank you
That said, I do tend to skip anything related to new credit card products or mileage accumulation strategies. There’s just not enough meaningful, usable information there for me.
You appear to be as ignorant as your name indicates.
"I'd like to pay more, please" said no one ever.
Guessing you're a self-proclaimed Road Warrior™ who spends OPM money to "buy" premium seats with "cash." Loser.
Well we knew that the current upgrade prices on some markets were to good for EK to offer, but omg what are they doing with Classic now?
I’m over it with Emirates. Yeah the FC is really nice, but I just don’t see any value left there. J and J+ products are getting much better across other carriers where we can consistently get good value. I’ll buy my caviar when I get where I’m going.
Separately, wondering if you might write an article on the ever increasingly common 3% Credit Card surcharges that are starting to plague the US. Seems like they are everywhere in South Florida now.
It’s very funny because they seem to think the way they got to be the worlds most revered brand has nothing to do with points redemptions, when in reality it had EVERYTHING to do with points.
Do they think the people flexing in EK F/J on social media, giving them an unfathomable amount of free marketing, paid cash????
Hilarious misunderstanding of the situation
But their first class is maginificent.