In recent times, we’ve seen major changes made to the Emirates Skywards program, ranging from worsening the transfer ratio when moving points to the program, to adding an age limit on first class redemptions, to requiring elite status in order to redeem for first class.
Emirates and Qantas have a close partnership, and with all the negative changes to Emirates Skywards, there has been somewhat of an arbitrage opportunity with using Qantas Frequent Flyer points on Emirates, especially for first class. So along those lines, there are some updates…
In this post:
Qantas Frequent Flyer redemptions on Emirates worsened
Qantas Frequent Flyer has just revealed three changes to award redemptions on Emirates. The first two changes specifically impact first class redemptions (note that existing bookings aren’t impacted):
- As of January 21, 2026, all passengers redeeming for Emirates first class must be at least nine years old
- As of February 18, 2026, Emirates first class redemptions are only available to Qantas Frequent Flyer members who hold Silver status or higher
On top of that, Qantas Frequent Flyer will be devaluing its award chart for travel on Emirates. Here’s the award chart for bookings made through March 30, 2026:
Meanwhile here’s the award chart for bookings made as of March 31, 2026:
As you can see, award costs are changing across markets and across cabins, and we’re seeing increases that are generally in the range of 10-30%, with premium cabins being hit hardest.
These redemption changes shouldn’t come as a surprise
Obviously nobody likes to see a frequent flyer program devaluation, but I think these changes shouldn’t surprise anyone.
I think it’s important to understand that 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, and is intended to drive loyalty, first and foremost.
So the changes that we’ve seen to Emirates Skywards in recent times have been made with that goal (even if I disagree with the execution). So of course the idea is also then that you need to add these restrictions for partners, since it would be counterproductive to limit first class redemptions to Skywards elite members, but then open it up to all members of some partner programs.
Bottom line
Qantas Frequent Flyer is making changes to Emirates redemptions. We’re seeing an age limit for first class redemptions, plus a status requirement, exactly matching recent changes we’ve seen with Emirates’ own Skywards program.
We’re also seeing award price increases across the board, clearly driven either by Emirates requiring higher reimbursement for these awards, or otherwise just Emirates forcing Qantas to raise prices, to avoid an arbitrage opportunity.
All these changes are logical within the context of Emirates’ strategy, so I’m not surprised to see them.
What do you make of these Qantas Frequent Flyer changes?
Oh boo bloody hoo. Get over yourself.
The legendary Trump will sort it out. Greatest ever leader to grace the world.
Emirates taking steps to keep little kids out of premium cabins? I might have to start flying them more. Last month I flew QR business class for 14 hours with loud obnoxious kids, no regulation at all by parents. Kids belong in coach class!
Wow - just a week ago I booked EK F using QF points from CHC - SYD in a few months as have never flown F before. Was considering cancelling and doing another time but now I won’t be!
Ben, just to check, the first table lists the miles as 'One Way Miles' and the second one lists them as 'Return Miles', so does it not seem like a massive improvement?
Ben, you make it feel that a devaluation is normal; yes, it is when it happens every few years (at least 3) and is reasonable, i.e., not more than a 10% increase in miles for an award. In this case, there was already a devaluation not even a year ago for all awards on Qantas Frequent Flyer. Zone 10 (i.e., one-way Australia to Western Europe) used to cost 227,500 miles, then moved up to 249,400,...
Ben, you make it feel that a devaluation is normal; yes, it is when it happens every few years (at least 3) and is reasonable, i.e., not more than a 10% increase in miles for an award. In this case, there was already a devaluation not even a year ago for all awards on Qantas Frequent Flyer. Zone 10 (i.e., one-way Australia to Western Europe) used to cost 227,500 miles, then moved up to 249,400, and now will move up again to 299,300. This is in addition to the enormous surcharge and tax increase, which went from AUD 400–500 to close to AUD 2,000 between 2021 and 2024. So “normal” is not exactly the right term; I would call this a massive devaluation. At this pace, it will soon be more interesting to fly on a paid ticket.
More 'interesting' to fly on a paid ticket? What do you mean by that? It may be better value to fly on a paid ticket - not sure what makes it more or less interesting though.
Because the writer wants to make you read the article. Use a word that seemingly makes no sense, so that people investigate by reading. It worked on me!
Sus comment.
Go get a buff.
Thanks for this.. But I've never heard the word "nerf" used as you do herein. It seems like there's a devaluation. Why not just say that QF devalues?
They are synonyms. Nerf means to weaken, cause to be less effective.
This is a correct use case of the word.
Jason needs a buff for his brain.
I live in Jakarta, Europe is A$6-7000, the US & south America is A$9-10,000 all in EK first, if I departed from say Singapore as a more "premium" city Europe is A$17k+ US and South America A$25-30k!
Very good value for money, and always full.
I was not that impressed with Emirstes A380 first class and think Etihad is way better. Glad I tried Emirates, but not really worth it in my opinion.
F.J. I have to both agree and disagree with your impression of the EK A380, F experience. Firstly we have found that it depends upon which version of the A380 one travels in. 14 passengers (usually a full cabin) can place a strain on some FA’s. The ‘Posh & Becks’ bling is not to everyone’s taste and can look tired too. We have never experienced a bad flight, but mediocre can be found.
We have...
F.J. I have to both agree and disagree with your impression of the EK A380, F experience. Firstly we have found that it depends upon which version of the A380 one travels in. 14 passengers (usually a full cabin) can place a strain on some FA’s. The ‘Posh & Becks’ bling is not to everyone’s taste and can look tired too. We have never experienced a bad flight, but mediocre can be found.
We have always been 100% satisfied with the EY experience. We have never travelled when the cabin is full, therefore, the service was always exemplary. Being able to adjoin 1&2 H, 3&4 A and 3&4 H, is something we value immensely.
As our flights with both airlines have been on various legs between GB and Oz, we have enjoyed a good exposure to both. That said, my personal A380 choice would always be SQ on that route.
The higher the tier status, the greater the benefit should be. Tier status should be given greater weight with respect to Emirates first class award inventory access. Emirates/Qantas equivalent: Platinum at 12 months out, Gold at 9 months out, then Silver at 6 months out. Non-Qantas partners receive access at 3 months out.
Don't see the problem here. EK first is easily the most attainable product out there and is priced reasonably (ex-US, ofc)
Forgot that ‘/s’
You can book EK First for 14k from LHR to SYD. That's not bad for 20 hours of flying.
Qatar is ~$7,500. Seems more "attainable" than Emirates on the Kangaroo route.
Thats business class, not first
But Willy, that open F Cabin can be a bit much if full of ‘locals’, especially at mealtimes.