I first wrote about this a couple of weeks ago, but want to provide an update, for anyone who wants to make a points transfer before this restriction is put in place.
In this post:
Emirates Skywards points transfers being paused
Emirates Skywards is a useful frequent flyer program, specifically for premium cabin redemptions on Emirates. If you want to redeem for Emirates first or business class, Skywards is generally the best option, despite the relatively high award costs and carrier imposed surcharges (keep in mind you now need Skywards elite status to redeem for first class, but that’s easy enough to earn).
With that in mind, if you have any redemptions coming up soon, you’ll want to make your transfer ASAP. Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, and Chase Ultimate Rewards, are all suspending Emirates Skywards points transfers for a limited time:
- Amex states that this applies as of May 28, 2025, with no published end date
- Bilt states that this applies between May 27 and June 19, 2025
- Chase states that this applies between May 29 and June 30, 2025
Capital One and Citi have not announced plans to suspend transfers, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see that happening as well, given the reason for this change, and that Emirates partners with all major transferable points currencies.
Why are Emirates transfers being suspended?
So, why are all these programs suspending points transfers to Emirates Skywards? It’s my understanding that Emirates is migrating its internal loyalty management system, and that includes the system that processes points transfers. This reportedly requires a new buildout by partners, and that’ll take some time.
I think that’s the extent of the logic for this, and there aren’t nefarious things going on in the background. The reason this announcement was a little suspicious at first is because we also recently learned how Citi ThankYou is devaluing its Emirates Skywards points transfer ratio. Historically, points have transfered at a 1:1 ratio, while as of July 27, 2025, transfers will be at a 5:4 ratio.
So when you first hear of one transfer ratio being devalued and then learn about transfers to other programs being suspended, it’s not illogical to get suspicious. However, these two things are unrelated, based on my understanding.
Bottom line
Shortly we’ll see Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, and Chase Ultimate Rewards, all suspend points transfers to Emirates Skywards. This is due to some tech upgrades for Emirates, for the system that manages the functionality that allows points transfers. So if you want to make any points transfers, now is the time to do so.
Just got an email from Emirates - which confirms their upgrade on systems:
We’re enhancing your experience
Hello,
We’re enhancing our systems to provide you with a more secure, seamless, and rewarding Skywards experience.
As part of this upgrade some services will be temporarily unavailable from 9 to 11 June 2025. This includes profile updates, password resets, new enrolments, reward bookings, and reward upgrades.
If you're travelling during the above period, we...
Just got an email from Emirates - which confirms their upgrade on systems:
We’re enhancing your experience
Hello,
We’re enhancing our systems to provide you with a more secure, seamless, and rewarding Skywards experience.
As part of this upgrade some services will be temporarily unavailable from 9 to 11 June 2025. This includes profile updates, password resets, new enrolments, reward bookings, and reward upgrades.
If you're travelling during the above period, we recommend that you:
- Ensure your Emirates Skywards membership number is updated on all bookings in advance
- Download your digital membership card using the Emirates App
- Complete any reward or Cash+Miles bookings by 8 June 2025
You may also experience interruptions to Emirates Skywards partner related activities until 30 June 2025.
We appreciate your continued loyalty and thank you for your patience during this transition.
(..)
Any word on Capitol One?
@ VS -- Sadly no word from Capital One either, but I imagine it'll be the same.
Unrelated ? Isn’t it possible after the migration to the new system , EK would raise the cost of the points that is selling to banks?
@ Stan P -- Anything is possible, but I wouldn't assume they're related. After all, these contracts are typically negotiated in the long term, so it's a function of when the contract is up for renewal.
I expect the terms are propietary, but are these contracts "terminable at will" or "terminable with X days notice" after a fixed period?
Typically a term of years and not simply at-will.