Emirates Skywards has recently significantly reduced their surcharges on award tickets. This is a great news for many travellers who enjoy Emirates Premium Class’s.
Historically the taxes and fees on Emirates First/Business Class ticket would be near $1,000, which has been a huge drawback for the Skywards Program. This is no longer the case.
Lower Fees on Emirates Awards in Premium Class’s Now
For example, booking an Emirates award flight, one way between Dubai and Bangkok, in First Class used to cost over $500 tax and fees. This has now been reduced to about 98,750 miles + $116 if using Emirates Skywards to book.
Alternatively, the cost would be 85,500 miles + $106 (A$ 167) if using Qantas points to book. Qantas is an award partner of Emirates.
If you have Japan Airlines Miles to spend on Emirates, the same flight will only cost you 65,000 JAL miles + $36! (Surcharges used to be over $500).
The fees on award booking in Emirates Economy Class are lower than First and Business Class.
Lower Miles on Round-Trip Award Over One-Way
Keep in mind, it is still cheaper to book round-trip than a one way ticket. This is another current draw back at Emirates Skyward Program, in which one way travel is more than half of round-trip.
Overall, this is a really positive development for Emirates. I usually credit my Emirates flights into the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, because of the huge award fees on Emirates Skywards. Let’s see if this move will push Etihad into lowering their award fees now.
It seems that Emirates have suspended all Business class Saver fares post COVID-19. I am trying to search for seats all over but nothing is available between now and March 2021 on major routes around the world. This is a big downside, specially that they did not refund us Cash on any of our tickets that were due for travel during COVID-19 pandemic, and this will force many to fight hard for the refund rather than the voucher issued by EK to seek alternatives.
I love traveling and go to different parts of the world. This would be a great promotion for tourists like me who are looking for comfort and a budgeted fare. Kudos to Emirates.
Hi Sam,
Do you know because of this lower fees Emirates are taking out some business classic reward seats? For example between Melbourne – Dubai? A few weeks ago i was looking and every day had business classic reward seats during Feb 2021, now there is nothing. I’m looking through Qantas.
It is hard to say, the algorithm on award tickets change a lot. Wait for a while and it may come back.