Emirates Skywards is now a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner. Try to hold back your excitement…
A gimcrack is a cheap and showy ornament, something flimsy or poorly made but deceptively attractive. I think that’s a great way to describe Emirates’ Skywards loyalty program.
Sure, it has some value to some people, but its objective value is so poor that I cannot celebrate the lastest addition to the Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer family.
In case you need it, you can transfer points on a 1:1 ratio, in increments of 1,000 points. But don’t. Just don’t do it.
Let’s take an example. Say you want to go from Dallas to Hong Kong via Dubai on Emirates in First Class.
Emirates will charge 197,500 miles and $852 in taxes fees.
JAL, if you have Marriott Bonvoy points, will charge 145,000 miles and the same $852.
Qantas, also an American Express and CITI transfer partner, will charge 192,000 miles and $852.
Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines, which frequently runs purchased miles promotions, will charge 180,000 miles and only $29 in taxes/fees.
I chose this example because it is about the best it gets in terms of making an argument in favor of Emirates. But it still doesn’t make sense unless you are flush with Chase points and only want to fly on Emirates. Even economy class redemptions carry heavy fuel surcharges. There is simply no need, in almost all cases, to redeem points with Emirates. If you only have Chase points, just save them for more lucrative redemptions.
I’ll detail a small number of exceptions in a future post, but for the most part…it just doesn’t make sense. That’s the takeaway from this news.
CONCLUSION
Having more choice is generally a good thing. It is positive news that Chase has added Emirates in that you at least have the option to redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel on Emirates. But if you value your miles and points in any sort of objective way, there are far more valuable airline and hotel transfer partners. What a shame Chase added Emirates instead of bringing back Korean Air.
image: Emirates
Dang I was excited there for all of about 30 seconds. Ohh well.
same here, sounds like the BA bogus charges on award ticket scam
Do we know why Korean Air stopped as a transfer partner? I wonder if it was Korean Air wanting more money or if they just wanted their program to be more attractive for their actual frequent flyers in terms of availability?
Both have refused to explain. I have a feeling Korean wanted more money.
Well when Alaska doesn’t have award availability and Emirates does, it seems that Chase UR transfers will be quite nice to have available.
Besides, Marriott transfers to JAL–while getting you the same flight for 40-50K less points–can take quite a few days or more to transfer. And you still pay the fuel surcharge.
And Qantas costs about the same, anyway.
All I am saying is that unless you have a real need to fly Emirates, you can get a much better price (in terms of miles required) between origin and destination using other Chase transfer partners.
Also, I’m not seeing nearly the Alaska blocking that I used too.
Agree wholeheartedly!
Aside: is the Emirates High Street still around?
What if chase kicked things off with a 40% bonus?
That would be a whole different proposition.
I just like Emirates, especially the first class A380 flights with the options for a shower, to go visit the bar and the champagne service. Staff always treats us really well also. So yes, I’d say the surcharges and taxes vs an Alaska or other cheaper option stink but I just think of it as paying $600-1000 for a flight that would have cost $10K plus. I don’t mind spending a bit to have an awesome experience form check in to lounge to flight, etc. Just my two cents.
First class on Alaskan is 200k pretty much anywhere. It’s 120k on business class. It’s hard to find any seats. And, unless u have a burning desire to have a layover in Dubai, the free layover with Alaskan goes to waste.
Upgrades. Which perhaps will be covered in an upcoming post?
Also, Alaska only allows Emirates awards to/from the US. That’s not always what one wants to book.