A new policy is now in effect at Emirates that restricts first class award redemptions to Skywards elite members, a move that is aimed at driving more business to Emirates and its portfolio of co-branded credit cards. Just ahead of the deadline, I booked my “last” first class award on Emirates (one never knows…), which should be a lot of fun in more than one way.
Booked: Emirates A380, 777 First Class Award Before Restrictions Took Effect
I have 106,000 Emirates Skywards points expiring in a few months and so not only was there some to book a first class award before this morning, but also use those miles before they expire (Emirates points expire after three years, regardless of account activity).
All weekend, since the news broke, I searched for Milan – New York space…that Fifth Freedom flight operated on the Airbus A380 costs 102K Skywards miles and there are very low fees. But there was no space…that’s a tough route to score in the first place and I think everyone else was searching for the same award!
I then thought about just booking a round-trip from Miami to Bogota on Emirates for 120K in first class, but a three-hour flight is difficult to get the full experience on (I’m not just looking for the “influencer” photos…I want to report on the full experience).
Then I considered booking a first class award from Los Angeles to Dubai for 186K points and about $800 in taxes/fees…there was space and of course, a 15-hour flight on Emirates would be delightful.
But ultimately, I do not have an unlimited supply of points and had no purpose going to Dubai so I thought a little more practical option (or impractical depending on how you look at it) would be to try to combine two products into one review.
Thus, I ended up booking Mumbai – Dubai – Brussels for 103K miles and about $700 in taxes/fees. That gives me the chance to fly the A380 from Mumbai to Dubai and the “new” (not so new any longer) 777 from Dubai – Brussels. Both flights are a little shorter than I’d prefer, but I’m very happy with the chance to re-review both of these products (I have not flown on them since before the pandemic).
I realize it’s easy enough to sign up for an Emirates co-branded credit card and score instant Skywards silver status, but with those points expiring anyway, this put my first trip of 2026 on the books and now I don’t have to think much about it until next year.
Of course, I have to get to Mumbai (it will be great to return to India…) and I think I must try Air India…preferably on the new A350. Coming home from Brussels, I could try again for a “real” Brussels Airlines A330 or perhaps this will be my chance to try out the new Austrian business class or Lufthansa Allegris (though I hope to fly both products before then).
CONCLUSION
It has been many years since I’ve booked an Emirates award (other than JetBlue space) and I’m quite excited to fly in first class on Emirates again next year…
There are many trips I want to take, few trips I actually have time to take, but this will be a good one…and I’m happy that Emirates continues to invest in its first class product.
Great! When do you publish your Ethiopia trip report?
That’s in the queue, but first this Korean Air trip and then one more European trip.
Qantas and Air Canada Aeroplan still have access to F inventory (which was confirmed by Emirates).
When are you going? If you’ll be in India July 13th and 14th, you’re welcome to join my family at my cousin’s wedding in Chennai.
Not till next spring.
Singapore airlines first clsss awards are pretty cheap and plentiful between Singapore and India on the a380 fwiw.
I flew air India and vistara back to back last year and enjoyed both legs (syd to Delhi to Frankfurt). Air India on a day flight a bit dodgy but I always wanted to try it.
Eww Air India