Let’s talk about Skywards – Emirates loyalty program, which is as glam as its First Class showers but free to join (go figure). Whether you’re Dubai-based, an occasional Emirates flyer, or just in it for the points, Skywards is worth having in your back pocket.
You’ll earn and redeem miles with Emirates and their not-so-budget-anymore partner, Flydubai, both proudly based in Dubai. Plus, there are more earning hacks than you might expect – from flights to credit cards, even shopping and hotel stays. Let’s get into it.
In This Post
How to Join Skywards (For Free)
Step one: Sign up here – it’s free and takes 2 minutes. Once you do, you’re officially a Blue member, which is the entry-level tier, but hey, even Beyoncé started somewhere.
There are four Skywards membership tiers:
- Blue – you just joined; welcome aboard.
- Silver – more perks, lounge access on some fares.
- Gold – the sweet spot for frequent flyers.
- Platinum – the sky-high elite club.
Check out my Skywards tier guide for the full lowdown on what each tier gets you – spoiler alert: priority check-in, lounge access, extra baggage, and a bit of VIP energy.
How Much Is a Skywards Mile Worth?
Good question. Skywards doesn’t have a fixed redemption chart – it’s dynamic pricing, baby. So, the value of a mile depends on what you’re redeeming for.
On average, you can expect:
- 0.6p to 1.2p per mile
- Sometimes more if you’re flying Business or First Class
- Less if you’re redeeming for gift cards or Economy tickets on peak dates
Example:
10,000 Skywards Miles = roughly £60 to £120 in value
50,000 Miles? You could be sipping Moët in Emirates Business Class.
Pro tip: Always compare the cash price before redeeming. Sometimes, paying cash and saving your miles is the smarter move.
How to Earn Skywards Miles (Besides Just Flying)
You don’t have to live in Terminal 3 to rack up miles. Here are all the ways you can build your Skywards balance:
Flights with Emirates & Flydubai
This one’s obvious. You’ll earn miles based on:
- Your fare type (Flex, Saver, etc.)
- Class of travel
- The distance flown
Use the Emirates Miles Calculator to see how much you’ll earn for your exact route and fare combo.
Partner Airlines
Even though Emirates isn’t part of an alliance (because, let’s be honest, it doesn’t need to be), you can still earn miles flying with partners like:
- Qantas
- Air Canada
- United
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- …and a few more sprinkled around the globe
Just make sure to book the right fare class – not all partner tickets earn miles.
Credit Cards (UK Angle)
In the UK? No Emirates-branded credit card anymore, but you’ve got options:
- American Express Gold or Platinum
- Earn Amex Membership Rewards points and transfer to Emirates Skywards 1:1
- HSBC Premier World Elite (for the fancy lot)
- Transfers to Emirates at a 2.5:1 ratio
- Curve, Revolut, and Monese
- No direct earning, but can be useful for MS-ing (if you know, you know)
Hotels, Car Hire, and Shopping
You can also earn miles with:
- Marriott, Hilton, IHG, and Accor – either earn Skywards directly or transfer points
- Avis, Hertz, and Budget – car hire miles (not thrilling, but they count)
- The Emirates Skywards Everyday app – earn miles for your Dubai groceries, salon trips, and shopping sprees
Skywards Miles vs Tier Miles
Let’s clear this up:
- Skywards Miles = the currency you spend on flights, upgrades, and (questionably) gift cards
- Tier Miles = the stuff that gets you Silver, Gold, or Platinum status
You earn Tier Miles only when flying with Emirates or Flydubai (not on partners), and they reset every 12 months. No shortcuts here – tier chasing is for the committed.
What Do You Get With Higher Status?
Here’s the juicy bit. The higher your Skywards tier, the more perks you unlock. Including but not limited to:
- Bonus miles:
- Silver: +25%
- Gold: +50%
- Platinum: +75%
- Lounge access (even on Economy!)
- Priority boarding, baggage, and check-in
- Gold & Platinum hotline (yes, that’s a thing)
Family Pooling = Easy Miles
Got a family? Emirates lets you pool miles with up to 8 people in one Family Membership account. Great for households flying together or sneakily adding your nan who goes to Karachi twice a year.
Can You Buy Skywards Miles?
Yes. But don’t.
Buying miles is bad value unless there’s a chunky bonus promo (like +50% or more). You’re better off transferring from Amex or topping up only when you’re short for a specific redemption.
Check the Buy Miles page for current offers – but only with caution.
Redeeming Skywards Miles: What’s the Best Use?
This is where Skywards gets really fun. Best uses include:
- Business Class to Asia or Africa
- Think: London–Bangkok or Manchester–Cape Town
- First Class on the A380 (shower time!)
- Upgrades from Economy to Business (great for Flex fares)
- Cash + Miles (if you’re a bit short but don’t want to wait)
Avoid:
- Economy redemptions at peak times
- Skywards Exclusives like concert tickets unless you really want them
Final Verdict: Worth It?
100%.
Even if you only fly Emirates once in a blue moon, Skywards is free to join, has decent earning potential through Amex in the UK, and lets you unlock Emirates’ world-class Business and First Class when you’ve racked up enough miles.
And let’s face it – earning your way to a shower in the sky? That’s motivation enough.
