Emirates Skywards has quietly slashed the cost of one-way rewards in Economy Class by making Saver-level redemptions available for the first time.
In parallel, the number of Skywards Miles needed to book Saver and Flex Plus return redemptions in Economy Class has also significantly decreased.
Unfortunately, the number of Skyward Miles you will receive on certain Economy and Premium Economy fare types is decreasing.
These changes took effect on 1 June. The Skywards calculator has already been updated with the new earning and spending rates.
One-way Saver rewards
Previously, one-way rewards in Economy could only be booked at the most expensive Flex Plus level. As of 1 June 2024, booking one-way rewards at the cheaper Saver level is now possible.
On some of Emirates’ most popular routes, this change represents a saving of up to 50%. This is Saver vs (the previous) Flex Plus pricing across four routes:
- DXB-LHR: 17,500 vs 38,750 (55% decrease)
- DXB-BKK: 20,000 vs 45,000 (56% decrease)
- DXB-SYD: 30,000 vs 62,500 (52% decrease)
- DXB-CAI: 10,000 vs 23,750 (58% decrease)
Saver and Flex Plus return pricing is decreasing
The number of Skywards Miles needed to book Saver and Flex Plus return rewards in Economy has also been reduced.
These are down around a quarter on average. This is what the change looks like on the same four routes:
DXB-LHR
- Saver: 35,000 vs 45,000 (22% decrease)
- Flex Plus: 60,000 vs 77,500 (23% decrease)
DXB-BKK
- Saver: 40,000 vs 52,500 (24% decrease)
- Flex Plus: 70,000 vs 90,000 (22% decrease)
DXB-SYD
- Saver: 60,000 vs 72,500 (17% decrease)
- Flex Plus: 100,000 vs 125,000 (20% decrease)
DXB-CAI
- Saver: 10,000 vs 23,750 (27% decrease)
- Flex Plus: 40,000 vs 47,500 (16% decrease)
Saver and Flex Plus fares will earn fewer Skywards Miles in Economy and Premium Economy
It is not all good news. The number of Skywards Miles earned on Saver and Flex Plus fares in Economy and Premium Economy Flex Plus fares has been reduced.
The decrease varies by route and fare type but is around a quarter. For example, you will now earn the following (one-way) on these four popular routes:
DXB-LHR
- Economy Saver: 1,700 vs 2,250 (24% decrease)
- Economy Flex Plus: 2,200 vs 3,000 (27% decrease)
- Premium Economy Flex Plus: 2,600 vs 3,300 (21% decrease)
DXB-BKK
- Economy Saver: 1,800 vs 2,625 (31% decrease)
- Economy Flex Plus: 2,400 vs 3,500 (31% decrease)
DXB-SYD
- Economy Saver: 3,800 vs 5,558 (30% decrease)
- Economy Flex Plus: 5,000 vs 7,450 (33% decrease)
- Premium Economy Flex Plus: 6,000 vs 8,195 (27% decrease)
DXB-CAI
- Economy Saver: 800 vs 1,050 (24% decrease)
- Economy Flex Plus: 1,100 vs 1,400 (21% decrease)
No one-way Saver awards for Business Class
There are no changes to Business Class earning or redemption rates. However, there will be pressure to extend the Saver one-way pricing to Business Class reward bookings. Hopefully, this is a step in that direction.
My take
I’m delighted to see Skywards finally offering one-way redemptions at the Saver level. This makes Skywards significantly more attractive and useful. I hope we eventually see one-way Saver pricing extended to Business Class redemptions.
While the drop in earnings on certain Economy and Premium Economy fare types is not great, it is balanced by the reduction in the cost of redemptions on the same fare types.
Many Skywards members in the UAE earn the majority of their miles from credit card spending, For any of those members redeeming Economy awards, the new reward pricing will help their Skywards Miles go further.
You can find a comprehensive list of the best current Emirates Skywards sign-up bonuses here.