This post outlines the steps you need to take to earn Emirates Skywards Platinum Tier status.
Platinum 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.
Platinum is the top elite tier in Emirates Skywards. It requires three times the number of Tier Miles as Gold but comes with a host of exclusive privileges and perks. Skywards takes very good care of its Platinum members.
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 Platinum?
There are two criteria you need to satisfy to attain Skywards Platinum Tier status:
1. Earn 150,000 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.
AND
2. Take at least one qualifying flight in First or Business Class
You must take at least one qualifying flight in First or Business Class to earn Platinum Tier status. Qualifying flights include any flight on Emirates, flydubai or a codeshare flight marketed by Emirates but operated by another airline.
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 Platinum varies dramatically depending on the cabin and fare type. To earn Platinum status, it would take 167 return trips between Dubai and London flying on Economy Special fares, but only ten return flights in First Class. Achieving Platinum is only realistic for Skywards members doing a significant proportion of their flights in Business or 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.
No fast-track to Skywards Platinum Tier status with a co-brand credit cards
While it is possible to fast-track to Skywards Silver or Gold status via a co-brand credit card, that option does not exist for Platinum. No co-brand cards are offer Platinum Tier status as a perk. Read the full list of cards offering Skywards Silver and Gold Tier status as a benefit here.
What are the benefits of Skywards Platinum?
Once you satisfy the requirements above, Emirates Skywards will automatically upgrade you to Skywards from Gold to Platinum Tier status. Platinum benefits include:
- 100% bonus Skywards Miles earned on Emirates and flydubai flights
- Complimentary seat selection for the member and their travel companions when flying in all cabins
- Use of the dedicated First Class check-in area in Dubai and worldwide
- Complimentary access to the Emirates First Class lounges in Dubai and in Business Class lounges worldwide for self and one adult guest and two children
- Early boarding
- 20 kg extra baggage allowance
- Annual Gold Tier nomination
- Access to extra reward availability
- Complimentary upgrades
- Complimentary Home check-in in Dubai
- Discounted upgrades
- Complimentary lounge access for self only when flying with flydubai from Terminal 2
- Earn Skywards Miles on stays with Marriott via Your World Rewards
Check out the full list of Emirates Skywards Platinum tier benefits here.
Which airlines offer benefits to Skywards Platinum?
Emirates is not part of one of the major global airline alliances. However, Skywards Platinum Tier members do receive recognition when flying on two airlines.
Platinum members flying Qantas can use First Class check‑in, Qantas premium lounges and have an extra baggage allowance of 20 kg.
Platinum members flying Air Canada can access the Maple Leaf lounge with one guest when travelling between Toronto, Montreal and Dubai.
Is there anything else?
There is also Emirates iO, a special invitation-only tier for the airline’s most valuable customers and partners.