What a kicker!!! Emirates first class with points? only if you have the status
From May 12, 2025, flying Emirates First Class with an award ticket will be a privilege reserved exclusively for members [...]
Emirates
From May 12, 2025, flying Emirates First Class with an award ticket will be a privilege reserved exclusively for elite members of the Skywards program.
In this article:
The Dubai-based airline announced-with no fuss and very little notice-that only those with Silver, Gold or Platinum status will be able to redeem award flights in the legendary First Class.
A squeeze that will have a huge impact, for all serial accumulators of points and miles with the goal of trying one of the most iconic products in the skies-from the in-flight shower, to the in-flight bar, to the 5-star hotel service above the clouds.
End of democratic access to Emirates First Class.
Emirates had already severely limited the availability of award tickets in First in recent years: no more availability through partner programs, but until now, at least in theory, anyone who had enough miles and wanted to splurge could do so.
As of next Monday, this will no longer be possible. If you don't have a Skywards status, you can forget about First.
Thus, the choice of EK is the same one that governs the issuance of award tickets in La Premiere, but the difference is all in the numbers. In total Air France has less than 60 first class seats on its entire fleet, Emirates has first class on 90% of its aircraft in service, a sea of seats.
What really changes (and why Emirates may regret it)
On the one hand, the move could "clean up" the competition on the few seats available for the most loyal customers. On the other, however, it is questionable whether it really makes sense to fill fewer First seats, considering that Emirates awards cost a lot of miles and steep surcharges in taxes.
In short: Emirates on those redemptions probably makes money, even if it doesn't sell the seat at full price.
The alternatives: how to still fly in First without status
The good news is. restrictions apply only to award tickets, not upgrades. This means that those who manage to book a flight in Business with miles could still upgrade to First Class-even last minute, on the day of departure-if there are free seats and you have enough miles.
This is probably the "smartest" strategy to keep flying in First without spending crazy amounts of money or accumulating status.
In conclusion
Emirates changes the rules of the game: as of May 12, 2025, award tickets in First Class will be off-limits to those without status Silver, Gold or Platinum in the Skywards program. A move that especially affects occasional frequent flyers and those who accumulate points through credit cards or partner programs.
