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    Emirates Skywards Elite Status: How to Get it and What’s in it For You

    icon-user Andy Shuman icon-comments Comments July 14, 2020

    One of the best and most glamorous airlines in the world, Emirates, isn’t a member of any alliances, but it is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards and SPG programs, and it has a number of partners that you can earn and redeem miles on.Partners include:

    • Alaska Airlines
    • easyJet (redeem only)
    • Japan Airlines
    • Jet Airways
    • JetBlue
    • Jetstar
    • Korean Air
    • Qantas
    • S7 Airlines
    • South African
    • TAP Portugal
    • Virgin America

    The Elite Program General Terms

    The Emirates Elite program is not as strong as some other programs. It doesn’t offer complimentary upgrades to even top Platinum members and its bonus mile-earning capabilities are average at best. In addition, Emirates doesn’t allow earning elite status on partners.

    Emirates Skyward elite status lasts 14 months after qualification, and losing it during the term gets you the so-called “soft landing,” meaning if you do not requalify for Platinum status you will get Gold for the next year.

    Earning Status

    The Emirates Skyward status has three elite levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

    Emirates Skywards Membership Tiers
    Emirates Skywards has four rewarding membership tiers

    Emirates Skyward Qualification Requirements

    Qualification requirements are as follows.

    For flights solely on Emirates:

    • Silver: 25,000 miles or 25 flights
    • Gold: 50,000 miles or 50 flights
    • Platinum: 150,000 miles

    Upgrades on Emirates

    Silver and above: Buy instant upgrades with miles

    Elite Bonus Miles

    • Silver: 25% bonus miles
    • Gold: 50% bonus miles
    • Platinum: 75% bonus miles

    Fee Waivers

    • Excess Baggage:
      • Silver: 26 lb.
      • Gold: 35 lb.
      • Platinum: 44 lb.
    Emirates check-in counter
    Priority Check-in is one of Emirates Skyward membership benefits

    Airport Services

    Silver and above:

    • E-gate service in Dubai (for all members)
    • Waitlist priority
    • Priority Check-in:
      • Silver and Gold – Business Class counter
      • Platinum – First Class counter
    • Priority Boarding

    Gold and Platinum:

    • Fast Track upon arrival at Dubai Airport
    • Priority baggage delivery
    • Priority service through Contact Centers
    • Guaranteed seats, even on fully booked flights

    Platinum:

    • Last seat Flex Plus reward tickets

    Complimentary Lounge Access

    Silver and above:

    • Free lounge access in Dubai

    Gold:

    • Business Class lounge access for member and one guest

    Platinum:

    • First Class lounge at Dubai Airport and Business Class lounge access for member and one guest

    Notable Additional Rewards for Platinum Members

    • Gold status for a friend or family member.

    Upcoming Reciprocal Elite Benefits

    Emirates lounge interior
    If you are Emirates Skyward Member you can enjoy lounge access

    Emirates Elite Benefits with Starwood Preferred Guest

    • Silver and above: one Skywards mile per U.S. dollar spent at the hotel
    • Gold and Platinum: elite check-in, and a 4 p.m. late check-out

    Other Ways to Earn Status

    • None

    Status Match/Status Challenge:

    • Targeted status-matching offers

    Earning Elite Miles on Partner Airlines

    • None

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