Emirates Skywards has restricted First Class Classic Rewards to elite members of its loyalty programme. The change is effective from 12 May 2025.
From now on, only Silver, Gold or Platinum Tier status members of Emirates Skywards will be able to book Classic Rewards in First Class.
The restriction does not apply to upgrades from Business Class to First either in advance or on the day of travel. Those will remain available regardless of tier status.
Why is Emirates restricting First Class rewards?
Emirates First Class, with its onboard showers and unlimited caviar, is clearly an aspirational product, particularly for dedicated miles and points collectors.
You do not need to do much searching to find reports of people transferring points into Skywards from other programmes, such as American Express Membership Rewards, to redeem First Class travel. Many of these travellers will have never bought a revenue ticket on Emirates.
Every First Class seat taken by someone transferring points into Skywards is one less seat available for highly engaged Skywards members. These members are then understandably frustrated when they can not find First Class seats available to book.
Emirates is not the first airline to make this move. Air France restricts First Class redemptions to top-tier members of Flying Blue, while Lufthansa restricts First Class to its own members until the two weeks before departure.
Earning Skywards elite status
Earning Skywards elite tier status is not too onerous. You need to earn either 25,000 Tier Miles for Silver or 50,000 Tier Miles for Gold status. Find out what you need to do to get Silver Tier status here.
Residents of the UAE can also fast-track to Emirates Skywards Silver and Gold Tier status with a handful of Skywards co-brand credit cards. Read about which co-brand cards offer Emirates Skywards status as a perk here.
More First Class seats for Skywards elites
Emirates is restricting First Class Classic Rewards to elite members of Skywards. This is good news as it should make First Class Classic Rewards easier to find and book in the future.
Book your next First Class Classic Reward here.