![Emirates First Class Booking Methods utilizing Rewards Points [Detailed Guide]](/en/content/images/size/w1280/format/webp/20250724044850_emirates-first-class-experience.jpeg)
Efficient Methods for Reserving Emirates First Class with Rewards Points [Detailed Guide]
Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, offers an exclusive first-class experience on select flights, featuring luxurious suites, personalized dining, and top-shelf beverages. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to book Emirates first class using miles and transfer partners.
Emirates has two co-branded credit cards in the U.S.: the Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard and the Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard. These cards can help accumulate miles for booking Emirates first class.
The airline's Game Changer First Class Suites are a highlight, with a width of 30 inches, a pitch of 78 inches, and a bed length of 84 inches. Each suite is approximately 40 square feet, similar to Etihad First Class Apartments. Centre-seat passengers can even enjoy virtual windows, while all suites recline into a zero-gravity position.
Emirates operates the Airbus A380 on routes between Dubai and Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington, D.C. (IAD). One-way Emirates' Game Changer First Class Suites on the Tokyo-Narita (NRT) to Dubai (DXB) route cost 120,000 Emirates miles, while round-trip flights from New York (JFK) to Dubai (DXB) are available for 174,000 miles.
To book Emirates first class using miles, the best option is to use Emirates' own frequent flyer program, Emirates Skywards. It offers reasonable redemption rates and flexibility such as complimentary stopovers and changes. You can earn Skywards miles from several transfer partners including Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou points, Capital One Miles, and Marriott Bonvoy, making it convenient to accumulate miles for booking Emirates first class.
The booking process with Skywards miles involves logging into your Emirates Skywards account on their website, searching for flights and selecting the first class award availability, and paying with miles plus any applicable taxes and fees.
Other transfer partners, such as Qantas Frequent Flyer points and Air Canada Aeroplan, can also be used to book Emirates first class, though redemption rates tend to be less favorable compared to Skywards.
However, since May 12, 2025, Emirates restricts first class award bookings on its own Skywards miles to members with Silver, Gold, or Platinum status, limiting general member access. This restriction likely extends to partner program awards as well, so elite status in Skywards is increasingly important for direct first class miles booking.
To maximise chances and get the best value, transfer points to Emirates Skywards early and consider maintaining or achieving elite status within Emirates Skywards for first class bookings.
The Amex Platinum and American Express Gold cards are recommended for earning Membership Rewards points to book Emirates first class. Marriott Bonvoy transfers to Emirates at a 3:1 ratio with a bonus of 5,000 miles after transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at once.
In conclusion, Emirates Skywards is the optimum route for booking Emirates first class award tickets using miles, supported by multiple major credit card transfer partners. However, be aware of new elite status restrictions effective May 2025. For the best chance of booking a first-class suite with points, book 1 to 2 days before the flight.
- Emirates offers an exclusive first-class experience on select flights, featuring luxurious suites, personalized dining, and top-shelf beverages.
- To book Emirates first class using miles, the best option is to use Emirates' own frequent flyer program, Emirates Skywards.
- The Amex Platinum and American Express Gold cards are recommended for earning Membership Rewards points to book Emirates first class.
- Other transfer partners, such as Qantas Frequent Flyer points and Air Canada Aeroplan, can also be used to book Emirates first class, though redemption rates tend to be less favorable compared to Skywards.
