✈️ URGENT: Emirates First Class Awards - Major Changes You Need to Know NOW
Hey there points enthusiasts! Welcome back to Smart With Points. Today we've got some genuinely urgent breaking news that I need to share with you right away about Emirates First Class.
In a shocking announcement, Emirates has revealed that from Monday, May 12th two thousand and twenty-five - which is literally tomorrow - First Class award tickets will be restricted exclusively to elite members of its Skywards program. We're talking Platinum, Gold, or Silver status holders only.
This is a massive change that's been quietly announced with minimal notice, and it's closing the door on one of the most aspirational redemptions for UK points collectors. What makes this even more significant is that this restriction will apply to ALL booking channels - including Qantas Frequent Flyer and Air Canada Aeroplan members, regardless of their status in those programs.
Let me break this down - from Monday, the only way to book Emirates First Class using points will be through Emirates Skywards itself, and only if you hold Silver status or higher. If you're sitting on points and hoping to experience Emirates First Class, you need to act immediately. Here's what you need to do:
Check availability on Emirates' own website or through the Qantas Frequent Flyer platform, transfer your points immediately, and complete your booking before Sunday evening UK time, before it hits midnight in Dubai.
To give you a reference point, I recently secured a one-way First Class seat for 89,980 Qantas points plus 544 pounds in taxes and fees from London to Dubai. This has been a fantastic sweet spot in the Qantas award chart that's about to disappear.
Now, what about after May 12th? Your options will be limited. You could earn Skywards Silver status, which requires 25,000 Tier Miles - that's roughly four to five return trips in Business Class between London and Dubai. You might also want to watch for status match opportunities or consider the upgrade path from Business to First Class.
If Emirates First Class becomes out of reach, consider these premium alternatives: Qatar Airways Qsuites, Gulf Air Falcon Gold, Singapore Airlines First Class, or British Airways First Class.
This change follows a concerning pattern of airlines restricting their premium products. What's particularly frustrating is the extremely limited notice. For UK travellers who've been building points balances specifically for Emirates First Class, this is undoubtedly a severe blow.
The key lesson here is clear - aspirational redemptions can disappear overnight, so take advantage of opportunities when they arise rather than indefinitely saving for the future.
Before we wrap up, I want to thank you all for listening. Make sure to subscribe to Smart With Points on all major podcast platforms or visit us at smartwithpoints.co.uk for more points and miles insights.
Looking for the best award flights? Use AwardTravelFinder.com to search availability across Qatar Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and more. Try it for free with our link in the shownotes.
