How do I get Emirates Skywards Silver Tier status?

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

Silver is one of the four main tiers in Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme for Emirates Airline 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.

Silver, as the lowest of the three elite tiers, provides some valuable perks and benefits. Moving up to the Gold and Platinum tiers opens up access to extra benefits and privileges. 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 or flydubai and spending with Skywards’ vast collection of airline, hotel, banking, car rental and retail partners. You can redeem Skywards Miles for reward flights, upgrades or spend them with the many partners.

Tier Miles are earned solely from flying with Emirates or flydubai and from a handful of co-brand credit cards. 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 Silver?

There are two ways to earn Skywards Silver Tier status:

1. Earn 25,000 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 25 flights over a 12-month rolling period

Only flights on Emirates and flydubai qualify if you aim to attain Silver Tier status by flying 25 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 Silver varies dramatically depending on the cabin and fare type. It would take 28 return trips between Dubai and London flying on Economy Special fares to earn Silver status, but only two returns in First Class.

You can use the Skywards Miles calculator to check how many Tier Miles you will 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 Silver Tier status with a co-brand credit cards

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

What are the benefits of Skywards Silver?

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

30% bonus Skywards Miles earned on Emirates and flydubai flights
Complimentary regular seat selection for member when flying in Economy
Priority check-in and boarding
12kg extra baggage allowance
Access to the Emirates Business Class lounge in Dubai for member only

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

Which airlines offer benefits to Skywards Silver?

Emirates is not part of one of the major global airline alliances. However, Skywards Silver Tier members do receive recognition when flying on Qantas-operated flights.

Silver members flying Qantas can use Premium Economy check‑in and have an extra baggage allowance of 12 kg.

Going for Gold

Once you’ve reached Silver, the next step up is to the Skywards Gold Tier, which offers even more benefits and perks.