How do I earn Emirates Skywards Gold Tier status?

This post outlines the steps you need to take to earn Emirates Skywards Gold Tier status.

Gold is one of the four main tiers in Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme for Emirates and flydubai. The four tiers are Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The Blue Tier is the entry-level tier available automatically to anyone who joins the programme.

Gold, the middle of the three elite tiers, is a sweet spot in Emirates Skywards. It is reasonably achievable and provides the main perks and benefits that frequent travellers appreciate.

Moving up to the Platinum tier opens up even more benefits and privileges. However, there is a big jump in the number of Tier Miles required to move from Gold to Platinum.

There is also Emirates iO, a special invitation-only tier for the airline’s most valuable customers and partners.

Skywards Miles vs Tier Miles

Members of Skywards collect both Skywards Miles and Tier Miles.

Skyward Miles can be earned by flying Emirates and flydubai or spending with Skywards’ vast collection of airline, hotel, banking, car rental and retail partners. You can redeem Skywards Miles for reward flights and upgrades or spend them with the programme’s many partners.

Tier Miles are earned solely from flying with Emirates or flydubai. Skywards uses Tier Miles to determine a member’s elite tier status in the programme and which benefits they have access to.

How many Tier Miles do you need for Skywards Gold?

There are two ways to earn Skywards Gold Tier status:

1. Earn 50,000 Tier Miles over a 12-month rolling period

You will earn Tier Miles when you fly on Emirates, flydubai and on codeshare flights that are marketed by Emirates but operated by another airline.

2. Fly 50 flights over a 12-month rolling period

Only flights on Emirates and flydubai qualify if you aim to attain Gold Tier status by flying 50 flights over 12 months.

How are Tier Miles calculated?

Tier Miles are calculated using a combination of route, cabin, and fare type.

For example, on a one-way flight between Dubai and London Heathrow, you will earn the following Tier Miles:

450 Tier Miles in Economy Special
900 Tier Miles for Economy Saver
1,700 Tier Miles for Economy Flex
2,200 Tier Miles for Economy Plus
2,600 Tier Miles for Premium Economy Flex Plus
3,300 Tier Miles for Business Special
3,750 Tier Miles for Business Saver
5,250 Tier Miles for Business Flex
5,700 Tier Miles for Business Flex Plus
7,500 Tier Miles for First Flex and First Flex Plus

The number of flights needed to reach Gold varies dramatically depending on the cabin and fare type. To earn Gold status, it would take 56 return trips between Dubai and London flying on Economy Special fares, but only seven one-way flights in First Class.

You can use the Skywards Miles calculator to check how many Tier Miles you can earn on a particular flight.

Unfortunately, Classic Rewards do not earn Tier Miles. If you bid for an upgrade on flydubai or upgrade using Skywards Miles on Emirates, you will earn the Tier Miles for the original cabin in which you booked your flight.

Fast-track to Skywards Gold Tier status with a co-brand credit cards

An alternative path to getting Skywards Gold status is to sign up for an Emirates Skywards co-brand credit card. Two cards issued in the UAE include complimentary Gold Tier status as a card perk. Read the full list of cards offering Skywards Gold Tier status as a benefit here.

What are the benefits of Skywards Gold?

Once you satisfy the requirements above, Emirates Skywards will automatically upgrade you to Skywards from Silver to Gold Tier status. Gold benefits include:

75% bonus Skywards Miles earned on Emirates and flydubai flights
Complimentary seat selection for the member and their travel companions when flying in Economy
Use Business Class check-in in Dubai and worldwide
Early boarding
16 kg extra baggage allowance
Complimentary access to the Emirates Business Class lounges in Dubai and worldwide for self and one guest
Complimentary lounge access for self only when flying with flydubai
Earn Skywards Miles on stays with Marriott via Your World Rewards

Check out the full list of Emirates Skywards Gold tier benefits here.

Which airlines offer benefits to Skywards Gold?

Emirates is not part of one of the major global airline alliances. However, Skywards Gold Tier members do receive recognition when flying on two airlines.

Gold members flying Qantas can use Business Class check‑in, Qantas Domestic Club lounges and have an extra baggage allowance of 16 kg.

Gold members flying Air Canada can access the Maple Leaf lounge with one guest when travelling between Toronto, Montreal and Dubai.

Pushing for Platinum

Once you’ve reached Gold, the next step up is to the Skywards Platinum Tier, which offers even more benefits and perks. However, it is a bit of leap.