Summary

  • Elite Skywards status is earned through Tier Miles or flights, with benefits increasing from Silver to Platinum levels.
  • Partner airline flights earn standard miles but not Tier Miles, crucial for reaching elite status.
  • US-issued Emirates credit cards offer perks like up to 50,000 Tier Miles per year, but true value comes from regular Emirates travel.

Skywards is the loyalty program of the Middle Eastern airline Emirates. As a major global operator, the airline is popular with travelers in many countries, either flying to the Middle East region or using it for connections. Frequent travelers can earn elite status by flying Emirates, flydubai, or some codeshares, and from credit card spending.

Status earning is possible for members living anywhere, including in the US. However, this only really makes sense for those regularly flying internationally with Emirates (both for earning status and for enjoying elite benefits). Nonetheless, US-issued credit cards can help expedite this progression.

Qualifying for status with Skywards

All members of Emirates Skywards qualify for elite status in the same way. There are no residency or other requirements, and the program is open to travelers based in any country. Skywards offers three elite tiers of Silver, Gold, and Platinum (plus a base entry-level). There is also a higher tier known as iO (Invite Only) which is given to only 300 VIPs globally.

Progress through the tiers is based on the number of Tier Miles earned or the number of flights taken. This is as follows:

Skywards Tier

Tier Miles required

Or flights required

Silver

25,000

25

Gold

50,000

50

Platinum

150,000 (plus at least one qualifying flight in business or first class)

Earning Tier Miles from flights

Flight activity has always been the main way to earn elite status with any airline. Skywards members earn Tier Miles from all flights with Emirates, flydubai, and some codeshares operated by other airlines (but marketed by Emirates).

Emirates A380

Photo: Emirates

Especially for overseas members, it is important to be clear about the earnings from partner airlines. Skywards has many partner airlines that allow miles to be earned from flights, including United Airlines in the US. These flights will earn standard miles (that can be redeemed for flight awards), but these are not Tier Miles and will not count towards elite status,

Related

The Different Tiers Of Emirates’ Skywards Program

With three tiers, Skywards has plenty of benefits at each level.

Miles and Tier Miles with Emirates and flydubai are earned based on the fare booking code and flight distance. Skywards has not moved to a revenue-based mileage awarding system as many other airlines these days have. Tier Mile earnings can be checked on the Skywards website for all flights. To better understand earnings, consider the Tier Miles awarded for a flight from Dubai to New York JFK:

Booking codes (for DXB to JFK one way)

Tier Miles awarded

Economy Special

900

Economy Saver

1,800

Economy Flex

3,200

Economy Flex Plus

4,200

Premium Economy Flex Plus

5,000

Business Special

6,600

Business Saver

7,500

Business Flex

6,600

Business Flex Plus

11,400

First Flex / First Flex Plus

15,000

Emirates miles

Image: Emirates

Earning Tier Miles from credit card spending

The other way to earn qualifying Tier Miles is through credit card spending. As a global operator, Emirates offers co-branded credit cards in several countries, including the US. Although technically, it is possible to earn status just from card spending, this would not really make sense as elite status is only useful to those who regularly fly with Emirates. Two US-issued Barclays cards allow Tier Miles earning:

  • Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard. This is the basic level card with an annual fee of $99.
  • Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard. This is a higher-level card with an annual fee of $499. It offers many more benefits (including a 10,000-mile annual bonus, Priority Pass Select membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit).
Emirates credit cards

Image: Barclays

With both of these cards, standard miles are earned on all purchases at the following rates:

  • Three miles per dollar spent on Emirates flights.
  • Two miles per dollar spent on all other travel.
  • One mile per dollar on all other spending.

Tier miles are currently earned based on a ratio of one Tier Mile for every four standard Skywards Miles earned. This offer was in effect in mid-2024 and may not always be offered. Up to 50,000 Tier Miles can be earned per year.

Elite benefits with Skywards status

Anyone aiming for elite status with Emirates should remember that there are good elite benefits, but these only apply when taking Emirates flights.

A6-EQE Emirates Boeing 777-31H(ER) (1) (1)

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

This is very different from holding elite status with an airline that is a member of one of the three main airline alliances (including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines). With these elite statuses, benefits are offered when traveling anywhere around the world with any of the alliance member airlines. Skywards may have many other partner airlines, but these only offer miles for earning and redeeming.

There are no elite member benefits when traveling. However, there are solid benefits offered when flying Emirates anywhere. At each level, these include the following.

At the Silver level:

  • Priority check-in.
  • Emirates business class lounge access at Dubai International Airport (no guests).
  • 30% bonus on Skyward Miles earnings.
  • Free WiFi when flying business or first class.
  • 12kgs of extra checked luggage allowance.

Additional benefits at the Gold level:

  • Business class check-in at all airports.
  • Access to Emirates’ business class lounge in Dubai and other lounges worldwide, with one guest.
  • 16kgs of extra checked luggage allowance.
  • 75% bonus on Skywards Miles earnings.
Outside the Emirates Business Class Lounge Dubai.

Photo: Sorbis | Shutterstock

Additional benefits at the Platinum level:

  • 100% bonus on Skywards miles earnings.
  • Access to first class check-in.
  • Access to Emirates’ first class lounge in Dubai and worldwide, with one guest.
  • The ability to purchase any economy or business class seat as a Classic Flex Plus award ticket.
  • Two complimentary business-to-first upgrades and 50% off on two more upgrades.
  • The ability to nominate one Skywards member for Gold membership.

Do you have elite status with Emirates Skywards? Are you based in the US or elsewhere? How do you earn status, and how do you make use of the benefits? Feel free to discuss in the comments section below.


  • Emirates Skywards Tall

    Emirates Skywards

    Participating Airlines:
    Emirates, flydubai

    Owner:
    Emirates

    Region:
    Asia

    Countries:
    United Arab Emirates

    Established Date:
    2000-00-00

  • Emirates, Airbus A380, Penultimate

    Emirates

    Loyalty Program:
    Emirates Skywards

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