Emirates Skywards Transfer Partners

Picture this: You’ve been earning credit card points for months, dreaming of Emirates’ legendary First Class suites with onboard showers and private bars. You’re ready to book—but when you search for “transfer points to Emirates,” the results are confusing. Some sources claim Chase transfers to Skywards. Others say only Amex works. One wrong transfer could strand your points in a program you never intended to use.

Emirates Skywards Transfer Partners are more complex than most airline programs because not all major U.S. credit card currencies connect directly to Emirates. Understanding which transferable points actually reach Skywards—and at what ratio—is critical before you move a single point. Unlike programs with straightforward 1:1 transfers across the board, Emirates Skywards accepts transfers from only four U.S. credit card programs, and three of those transfers come with conversion penalties that reduce the miles you receive.

This guide clarifies exactly which credit card points transfer to Emirates Skywards, shows the real transfer ratios (not all are 1:1), explains how those ratios affect your redemption value, and walks through the transfer process step-by-step. Whether you’re targeting Emirates’ A380 First Class or partner awards on Japan Airlines, you’ll learn how to move points efficiently and avoid irreversible mistakes.

Key Takeaways

✈️ Only four U.S. programs transfer directly to Emirates Skywards: American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Points, and Bilt Rewards. Chase Ultimate Rewards does not transfer to Emirates despite some outdated information online.

📊 Transfer ratios vary significantly: Capital One transfers at 1:0.75 (you receive only 75 Skywards miles per 100 Capital One miles), while Amex and Citi transfer at 1:0.8 (80 miles per 100 points). Only Bilt transfers at 1:1.

💰 Non-1:1 ratios directly impact redemption value: A 20-25% conversion loss means you need more credit card points to book the same award, changing your cents-per-point calculation and potentially making alternative programs more valuable.

⚠️ All transfers are instant but irreversible: Once points move to Skywards, you cannot transfer them back or to another program—confirm award availability before transferring.

🎯 Skywards miles expire after three years of account inactivity, and Emirates charges high fuel surcharges on its own flights—factor these costs into your booking strategy.

What Is Emirates Skywards?

Emirates Skywards is the frequent flyer program of Dubai-based Emirates airline, one of the world’s largest international carriers. The program allows members to earn and redeem Skywards miles on Emirates flights, partner airline flights (including other airlines in the Emirates network), hotels, car rentals, and experiences.

What makes Skywards valuable for points-and-miles travelers:

• Access to Emirates’ premium cabins: Book the carrier’s renowned First Class suites and Business Class seats on the A380 and 777 fleet
• Partner award options: Redeem miles on partner airlines, including Japan Airlines, Qantas, Alaska Airlines, and other oneworld and non-alliance partners
• No blackout dates: Award availability depends on seat inventory, not arbitrary calendar restrictions
• Family pooling: Combine miles across up to eight family members’ accounts for faster redemptions

What Skywards is not best for:

Skywards uses dynamic pricing on many routes, meaning award costs fluctuate based on demand rather than following a fixed award chart. The program also adds substantial fuel surcharges to Emirates-operated flights—often $300-600+ in taxes and fees for long-haul Business or First Class. For pure value optimization, programs like ANA Mileage Club or Avianca LifeMiles often price Emirates partner awards lower with fewer fees.

That said, Skywards remains the only way to book Emirates First Class using transferable points (since Emirates doesn’t release First Class award space to most partner programs). If Emirates’ onboard experience is your goal, understanding Emirates Skywards Transfer Partners becomes essential.

Direct Credit Card Transfer Partners for Emirates Skywards

Emirates Skywards accepts direct transfers from four U.S. credit card loyalty programs. According to the Award Travel Hub transfer partners table, these are the only programs that connect to Skywards—all others require workarounds or cannot reach Emirates at all.

Transfer Partners Summary Table

Important: These ratios reflect the Award Travel Hub verified transfer table. Always confirm current ratios in your credit card account’s transfer portal before initiating a transfer, as programs occasionally adjust partnerships.

American Express Membership Rewards to Skywards

Amex Membership Rewards transfers to Emirates Skywards at 1:0.8—meaning 10,000 Amex points become 8,000 Skywards miles. This 20% conversion penalty reduces the effective value of your Amex points when transferred to Emirates.

Key details:

• Transfers typically process within minutes but may take up to 24 hours
• No transfer bonuses have been offered on this route historically
• You must have an eligible Amex card earning Membership Rewards (such as The Platinum Card, Gold Card, or Business Platinum)
• Transfers are irreversible once initiated

For a detailed breakdown of all Amex transfer options and how Emirates compares to other partners, see our Amex Transfer Partners Guide.

Capital One Miles to Skywards

Capital One transfers to Emirates Skywards at 1:0.75—the least favorable ratio among Skywards’ transfer partners. Transferring 10,000 Capital One miles yields only 7,500 Skywards miles, a 25% reduction.

Key details:

• Transfers process instantly in most cases, occasionally up to 24 hours
• Capital One miles transfer at 1:1 to most other partners, making the 1:0.75 Emirates ratio particularly unfavorable
• Available to holders of Capital One Venture X, Venture, and VentureOne cards
• No historical transfer bonuses to Emirates

Given the poor conversion rate, Capital One miles are usually better deployed to partners like Turkish Airlines (1:1) or Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1) for similar premium cabin redemptions. Learn more in our Capital One Miles Transfer Partners Guide.

Citi ThankYou Points to Skywards

Citi ThankYou Points transfer to Emirates Skywards at 1:0.8, matching the Amex ratio. You’ll receive 8,000 Skywards miles for every 10,000 ThankYou Points transferred.

Key details:

• Transfer time ranges from instant to 48 hours (typically within 24 hours)
• Requires a premium Citi card such as Citi Strata Premier or Citi Prestige
• Citi occasionally offers transfer bonuses to various partners, though Emirates bonuses are rare
• Transfers cannot be reversed

Citi’s transfer portfolio includes strong alternatives like Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines at 1:1 ratios. Review all options in our Citi Transfer Partners Guide before committing points to Skywards.

Bilt Rewards to Skywards

Bilt Rewards transfers to Emirates Skywards at 1:1—the only U.S. credit card program offering full-value transfers to Emirates. This makes Bilt the most efficient direct path to Skywards miles.

Key details:

• Transfers can take up to 72 hours (often faster, but allow extra time)
• Bilt points are earned through rent payments and everyday spending on the Bilt Mastercard
• Bilt limits transfers to once per calendar month on “Rent Day” (the 1st of each month)
• 1:1 ratio means your redemption value calculations remain straightforward

Bilt’s unique earning structure (rent payments without transaction fees) and 1:1 Emirates transfer make it particularly valuable for travelers targeting Skywards. Explore other Bilt transfer options in our Bilt Transfer Partners Guide.

How Non-1:1 Transfer Ratios Affect Your Redemption Value

Transfer ratios below 1:1 directly reduce the value you extract from your credit card points. Understanding this math helps you compare Emirates redemptions against alternative programs and decide whether transferring to Skywards makes sense.

Simple Transfer Ratio Example

Let’s compare transferring 10,000 points from two different programs:

Scenario A: Bilt Rewards (1:1 ratio)

• Transfer 10,000 Bilt points
• Receive 10,000 Skywards miles
• Book an Emirates Business Class award costing 10,000 miles

Scenario B: Amex Membership Rewards (1:0.8 ratio)

• Transfer 12,500 Amex points
• Receive 10,000 Skywards miles
• Book the same Emirates Business Class award costing 10,000 miles

You need 25% more Amex points to book the identical award. If you value Amex points at 2 cents each (a common baseline), you’re spending $250 worth of points in Scenario B versus $200 worth in Scenario A.

Impact on Cents-Per-Point (CPP) Calculations

Award Travel Hub’s points value calculator helps you determine whether a redemption delivers good value. The formula:

CPP = (Cash price – Taxes/fees) ÷ Points required

But when transfer ratios aren’t 1:1, you must calculate based on the credit card points you’re spending, not the Skywards miles you receive.

Example: Emirates Business Class Dubai to New York

• Cash price: $4,500
• Award cost: 90,000 Skywards miles + $350 in fees
• Redemption value: ($4,500 – $350) ÷ 90,000 = 1.83 cents per Skywards mile

If transferring from Bilt (1:1):

• Points spent: 90,000 Bilt points
• CPP: $4,150 ÷ 90,000 = 1.83 cents per Bilt point

If transferring from Amex (1:0.8):

• Points spent: 112,500 Amex points (90,000 ÷ 0.8)
• CPP: $4,150 ÷ 112,500 = 1.47 cents per Amex point

The same award delivers 25% less value per Amex point due to the conversion penalty. If you typically redeem Amex points at 1.8+ cents through other partners, Emirates via Amex may not be your best use of points.

Rule of thumb: When transfer ratios are below 1:1, divide your target CPP by the ratio to find the minimum value you need from the award. For Amex (1:0.8), you need awards worth at least 1.25 cents per Skywards mile to achieve 1.0 cent per Amex point.

Programs That Do NOT Transfer to Emirates Skywards

Despite outdated information on some websites, several major U.S. credit card programs do not offer direct transfers to Emirates Skywards.

Chase Ultimate Rewards: No Direct Transfer

Chase Ultimate Rewards does not transfer to Emirates Skywards. This is one of the most common misconceptions in the points-and-miles community. Chase’s transfer partners include United, Southwest, British Airways, and others—but Emirates is not on the list.

What to do instead if you have Chase points:

• Transfer to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and book Emirates flights as a partner award (Alaska is an Emirates partner)
• Transfer to Japan Airlines Mileage Bank and book Emirates flights as a partner award
• Use Chase points for other premium cabin redemptions through partners like United or Air France-KLM

Alaska Airlines offers particularly strong value for Emirates redemptions: 70,000 miles for Emirates Business Class between the U.S. and the Middle East/Asia, and 110,000 miles for First Class—often better pricing than Skywards itself. For full details on Chase’s actual transfer partners, see our Chase Transfer Partners Guide.

Wells Fargo Rewards: No Direct Transfer

Wells Fargo Autograph and other Wells Fargo credit cards do not transfer to Emirates Skywards. Wells Fargo recently launched transferable points (Rewards), but the partner list is limited and does not include Emirates.

Review the full Wells Fargo transfer partner list in our Wells Fargo Transfer Partners guide.

Rove Miles: No Direct Transfer

Rove Miles (formerly Brex Rewards) cannot be transferred to Emirates Skywards. The program focuses on other airline and hotel partners.

See available options in our Rove Miles Transfer Partners guide.

Bank of America, US Bank, and Others

Bank of America Travel Rewards, US Bank Altitude points, and most other U.S. credit card rewards programs do not offer airline transfer partnerships at all—including no Emirates Skywards transfers.

For a comprehensive comparison of which programs transfer to which programs, bookmark our complete transfer partners table.

Best Uses and Sweet Spots for Emirates Skywards Miles

Skywards miles work best in specific scenarios. The program’s dynamic pricing and high fuel surcharges mean it’s not always the optimal choice—but when it is, the redemptions can be spectacular.

✈️ When Skywards Makes Sense

1. Emirates First Class (No Alternative)

Emirates releases First Class award space only to its own Skywards program. If you want the iconic A380 First Class suites with shower spas and onboard bars, Skywards is your only option using transferable points.

• Typical cost: 150,000-250,000+ miles one-way (dynamic pricing)
• Surcharges: $300-600+ in taxes and fees
• Best routes: Dubai to New York, Dubai to Los Angeles, Dubai to London (A380 service)

2. Japan Airlines Business Class via Skywards

Skywards can book Japan Airlines (JAL) Business Class at competitive rates—sometimes lower than booking through JAL’s own program or Alaska Airlines.

• Example: U.S. to Japan in JAL Business Class for 80,000-100,000 Skywards miles
• Lower surcharges than Emirates-operated flights
• Good availability on JAL transpacific routes

3. Qantas Flights Booked Through Skywards

Emirates and Qantas maintain a partnership, allowing Skywards members to book Qantas-operated flights. Pricing varies, but it can offer value on Australia routes.

4. Short-Haul Emirates Flights in Business

Emirates operates extensive regional service from Dubai to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Short-haul Business Class awards can cost as little as 25,000-40,000 miles one-way, with reasonable surcharges.

⚠️ When Skywards Is NOT the Best Choice

1. Emirates Business Class (Use Partner Programs Instead)

Emirates releases Business Class space to partner programs like Alaska Airlines and Japan Airlines Mileage Bank. These programs often price Emirates Business Class lower than Skywards – and offer better award chart transparency.

• Alaska: 70,000 miles U.S. to the Middle East/Asia in Emirates business
• JAL: Similar pricing with predictable award charts
• Both avoid Skywards’ dynamic pricing unpredictability

2. Partner Awards with High Skywards Pricing

Skywards’ dynamic pricing sometimes inflates partner award costs beyond what you’d pay booking through the partner’s own program or another alliance program.

3. Any Redemption from Capital One or Amex (Usually)

The 1:0.75 and 1:0.8 transfer ratios mean you’re better off transferring Capital One and Amex points to other partners offering 1:1 ratios and similar redemptions—unless you specifically need Emirates first class.

For a broader context on booking premium cabin awards across multiple programs, see our Star Alliance Award Booking Guide and Oneworld Award Booking Guide.

Fees, Surcharges, and Common Pitfalls with Skywards

Emirates Skywards has several program quirks that can erode the value of redemptions or cause frustration if you’re not prepared.

💰 High Fuel Surcharges on Emirates Flights

Emirates adds substantial carrier-imposed surcharges (fuel surcharges) to award tickets on its own flights. These fees typically range from:

• $300-600+ for long-haul Business Class
• $400-700+ for long-haul First Class
• $100-300 for short-haul regional flights

These surcharges apply in addition to government taxes and fees. A “free” First Class award to Dubai can easily cost $600-800 in cash.

Workaround: Partner awards (like booking JAL or Qantas through Skywards) usually carry lower surcharges since those carriers impose different fee structures.

📅 Miles Expire After 3 Years of Inactivity

Skywards miles expire if there’s no account activity (earning or redeeming miles) for 36 consecutive months. This is more generous than some programs (looking at you, Avianca LifeMiles with 12-month expiration), but still requires attention.

How to keep miles alive:

• Make a small purchase with an Emirates co-brand credit card (if you have one)
• Book a cheap paid Emirates flight
• Transfer even a small number of points from a credit card partner
• Earn miles through hotel or car rental partners

🚫 Transfers Are Irreversible

Once you transfer credit card points to Emirates Skywards, you cannot transfer them back or move them to another airline program. This is standard across most airline programs, but worth repeating: always confirm award availability before transferring points.

Best practice:

1. Search for award space on Emirates’ website or partner tools
2. Confirm the exact mileage cost and fees
3. Transfer only the points you need (plus a small buffer)
4. Book immediately after the transfer completes

📞 Limited Award Availability and Search Frustrations

Emirates’ website search tool can be clunky, and award space—especially in First Class —is notoriously limited. You may find availability months out that disappears by the time you transfer points.

Search strategy:

• Use partner airline websites (like Alaska or Qantas) to search for Emirates award space before transferring to Skywards
• Be flexible with dates and routes
• Book as far in advance as possible (Emirates releases space up to 355 days out)

💸 Change and Cancellation Fees

Skywards charges fees for changes and cancellations:

• Changes: $25-50 USD per ticket (varies by route)
• Cancellations: $25-50 USD per ticket, miles redeposit to your account
• No-shows: Forfeit the ticket entirely with no refund

Compare this to programs like Avianca LifeMiles (free cancellations up to 15 days before departure) or ANA Mileage Club (3,000-yen redeposit fee). Skywards’ fees are moderate but not the most generous.

🔄 Dynamic Pricing Volatility

Skywards uses dynamic pricing on most routes, meaning award costs fluctuate based on demand, seasonality, and other factors. An award that costs 120,000 miles today might cost 180,000 miles next week—or 90,000 miles if demand drops.

Implication: You can’t rely on fixed award charts to plan redemptions months in advance. Always check current pricing before transferring points.

Step-by-Step: How to Transfer Points to Emirates Skywards

Transferring points to Skywards is straightforward, but following the correct sequence prevents costly mistakes.

Before You Transfer: Confirm Award Availability

Step 1: Create a free Emirates Skywards account at emirates.com if you don’t already have one. Note your Skywards membership number.

Step 2: Search for award availability on the Emirates website:

• Log in to your Skywards account
• Use the “Book a Flight with Miles” search tool
• Enter your desired route, dates, and cabin class
• Confirm that award space exists and note the exact mileage cost

Step 3: Verify taxes and fees by proceeding to the booking page (don’t complete the booking yet). Emirates shows the cash portion before you finalize.

Step 4: Calculate total points needed from your credit card program:

• Skywards miles needed ÷ transfer ratio = credit card points required
• Example: 90,000 Skywards miles ÷ 0.8 (Amex ratio) = 112,500 Amex points

Transferring from American Express Membership Rewards

Step 1: Log in to your Amex account at americanexpress.com

Step 2: Navigate to the Membership Rewards section

Step 3: Select “Transfer Points” and choose Emirates Skywards from the airline partner list

Step 4: Enter your Emirates Skywards membership number (double-check for accuracy)

Step 5: Enter the number of Amex points you want to transfer (remember: 1,000 points minimum, in 1,000-point increments)

Step 6: Review the conversion (1:0.8 ratio) and confirm the transfer

Step 7: Wait for the confirmation email from Amex and check your Skywards account (typically within minutes to 24 hours)

Transferring from Capital One Miles

Step 1: Log in to your Capital One account at capitalone.com

Step 2: Navigate to the “Travel” section and select “Transfer Miles”

Step 3: Choose Emirates Skywards from the partner list

Step 4: Enter your Skywards membership number

Step 5: Enter the number of Capital One miles to transfer (1,000-mile minimum)

Step 6: Confirm the 1:0.75 conversion ratio and complete the transfer

Step 7: Check your Skywards account for the transferred miles (usually instant to 24 hours)

Transferring from Citi ThankYou Points

Step 1: Log in to Citi ThankYou Rewards at thankyou.com

Step 2: Select “Transfer Points” from the main menu

Step 3: Choose Emirates Skywards from the airline partners

Step 4: Enter your Skywards membership number

Step 5: Specify the number of ThankYou Points to transfer (1,000-point minimum)

Step 6: Confirm the 1:0.8 ratio and submit the transfer

Step 7: Monitor your Skywards account (transfers typically complete within 24-48 hours)

Transferring from Bilt Rewards

Step 1: Log in to your Bilt Rewards account at biltrewards.com

Step 2: Navigate to “Use Points” and select “Transfer to Partners”

Step 3: Choose Emirates Skywards from the airline list

Step 4: Enter your Skywards membership number

Step 5: Enter the number of Bilt points to transfer (1,000-point minimum)

Note: Bilt only allows transfers on “Rent Day” (the 1st of each month). Plan accordingly.

Step 6: Confirm the 1:1 transfer and submit

Step 7: Wait up to 72 hours for miles to appear in your Skywards account (often faster)

After Transfer: Book Immediately

Once miles appear in your Skywards account:

1. Return to the Emirates booking page
2. Select your previously confirmed award flight
3. Complete the booking using your transferred miles
4. Pay taxes and fees with a credit card
5. Receive booking confirmation via email

Pro tip: If award space has disappeared between your search and the completion of your transfer, contact Emirates Skywards customer service immediately. They may be able to manually ticket the flight if space was available when you initiated the transfer—though this isn’t guaranteed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Emirates Skywards Transfer Partners

❌ Transferring Before Confirming Availability

The mistake: Transferring points to Skywards based on “typical” award pricing, only to find no availability or higher-than-expected costs.

The fix: Always search first, confirm exact mileage and fees, then transfer only what you need.

❌ Forgetting the Transfer Ratio

The mistake: Calculating redemption value based on Skywards miles instead of the credit card points you’re actually spending.

The fix: Always divide by the transfer ratio (0.75 for Capital One, 0.8 for Amex/Citi) when calculating CPP.

❌ Ignoring Partner Program Alternatives

The mistake: Transferring Amex or Capital One points to Skywards at poor ratios when programs like Alaska Airlines (via Chase) offer better pricing for the same Emirates flights.

The fix: Compare redemption costs across multiple programs before committing. If you have Chase points, Alaska is almost always better for Emirates business class.

❌ Underestimating Fuel Surcharges

The mistake: Celebrating a “free” First Class award, only to get hit with $700 in fees at checkout.

The fix: Always check the cash portion before transferring. Factor surcharges into your value calculation.

❌ Letting Miles Expire

The mistake: Transferring points to Skywards for a future trip, then forgetting about the account for three years.

The fix: Set a calendar reminder for 33 months after your last activity. Transfer a small number of points or earn miles through a partner to reset the clock.

FAQ: Emirates Skywards Transfer Partners

Does Chase transfer to Emirates Skywards?

No. Chase Ultimate Rewards does not transfer to Emirates Skywards. This is a common misconception. If you have Chase points and want to fly Emirates, transfer to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan or Japan Airlines Mileage Bank instead—both are Emirates partners and offer competitive award pricing.

What is the best credit card for transferring to Emirates Skywards?

Bilt Rewards offers the best transfer ratio (1:1), making it the most efficient way to earn Skywards miles. However, Bilt’s earning rate is lower than premium cards like Amex Platinum or Citi Strata Premier. The “best” card depends on your overall earning strategy—if you earn significant Amex or Citi points through spending bonuses, the 1:0.8 ratio may still work out favorably compared to earning fewer Bilt points.

How long do transfers to Emirates Skywards take?

• Amex: Instant to 24 hours (usually within minutes)
• Capital One: Instant to 24 hours (typically instant)
• Citi: Instant to 48 hours (usually within 24 hours)
• Bilt: Up to 72 hours (often faster, but allow extra time)

Always transfer at least 3-5 days before you need to book to account for processing delays.

Can I transfer Skywards miles back to my credit card?

No. All transfers from credit card programs to Emirates Skywards are permanent and irreversible. You cannot transfer miles back to your credit card or to another airline program.

Do Emirates Skywards miles expire?

Yes. Skywards miles expire after 36 consecutive months (3 years) of account inactivity. Any earning or redemption activity resets the expiration clock.

Are there transfer bonuses to Emirates Skywards?

Transfer bonuses to Emirates Skywards are rare. Historically, Amex, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt have not offered regular promotional bonuses for Emirates transfers. Always check your credit card account’s transfer portal for current promotions before transferring.

How much are Emirates Skywards miles worth?

Skywards miles typically deliver 1.0-2.0 cents per mile, depending on the redemption. Premium cabin awards (Business and First Class) on Emirates or partner airlines usually hit the higher end of that range, while economy awards and dynamically priced routes may fall closer to 1.0 cent per mile.

Remember to adjust for transfer ratios: if you’re transferring from Amex (1:0.8), divide the Skywards mile value by 0.8 to find the value per Amex point.

Can I use Skywards miles to book flights on other airlines?

Yes. Emirates Skywards partners with several airlines, including Japan Airlines, Qantas, Alaska Airlines, and others. You can book partner flights using Skywards miles, though pricing and availability vary by partner.

What are the best Emirates Skywards redemptions?

The best uses of Skywards miles are:

1. Emirates First Class (only available through Skywards, not partner programs)
2. Japan Airlines Business Class  (competitive pricing, lower surcharges than Emirates)
3. Short-haul Emirates Business Class  (regional routes with reasonable mileage costs)

Avoid using Skywards for Emirates Business Class if you have access to Alaska Airlines miles, which usually price the same flights lower.

Conclusion: Making Smart Transfer Decisions with Emirates Skywards

Emirates Skywards Transfer Partners offer a direct path to one of the world’s most luxurious airline products—but only if you navigate the program’s quirks carefully. With just four U.S. credit card programs connecting to Skywards, and three of those imposing conversion penalties, the decision to transfer points requires more analysis than most airline programs.

Key decision framework:

✅ Transfer to Skywards when:

• You’re booking Emirates First Class (no alternative programs offer access)
• You have Bilt points (1:1 ratio preserves full value)
• You’ve confirmed award availability and acceptable surcharges
• Partner programs price the same redemption higher price

❌ Don’t transfer to Skywards when:

• You have Chase points (use Alaska Airlines instead for Emirates awards)
• You’re booking Emirates Business Class (Alaska or JAL usually prices it lower)
• Transfer ratios (1:0.8 or 1:0.75) drop your redemption value below acceptable thresholds
• You haven’t confirmed the award space first

Next steps:

1. Check your credit card balances: Identify which Emirates Skywards Transfer Partners you have access to (Amex, Capital One, Citi, or Bilt)
2. Search for award availability: Log in to Emirates.com and confirm space exists for your target route and dates
3. Calculate total cost: Include both Skywards miles needed (adjusted for transfer ratio) and cash surcharges
4. Compare alternatives: If you have Chase points, check Alaska Airlines pricing for the same Emirates flight
5. Transfer strategically: Move only the points you need, immediately after confirming availability
6. Book quickly: Complete your reservation as soon as transferred miles appear in your Skywards account

For a complete comparison of which credit card points transfer to which airline programs—including dozens of alternatives to Emirates—bookmark our comprehensive transfer partners guide. And if you’re exploring other premium cabin opportunities, review our guides to British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and ANA Mileage Club for additional sweet spots using transferable points.

Emirates’ legendary First Class suites are within reach—but only if you transfer the right points, at the right time, to the right program. Master the Emirates Skywards Transfer Partners landscape, and you’ll unlock some of the most aspirational redemptions in the award travel world.

ADVERTISEMENT