When it comes to maximizing travel rewards, the AMEX points transfer to Emirates is a popular option for frequent travellers and those in the points game. The process, however, varies across regions like the USA, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Let’s take a look at the key differences in each country’s American Express (AMEX) Membership Rewards program and explain how transferring points to Emirates Skywards, the airline’s frequent flyer program, can be managed for optimal value. For added insights, I’ll also share personal experiences, including how I’ve used the AMEX Explorer credit card to maximize rewards and navigate the changing value of points.
Are Amex points transferable to Emirates?
Yes they are. Emirates Skywards is an Airline partner of the Amex membership rewards program.
Enrolling in AMEX Membership Rewards and Emirates Skywards
The journey begins by obtaining an eligible American Express card, and then signing up to the AMEX Membership Rewards program. This loyalty program allows AMEX cardholders to accumulate points on purchases, which can be later transferred to various airline partners, including Emirates. However, transferring points to Emirates or any other partner airlines requires membership in the respective frequent flyer program. Once members of both programs, you can initiate a points transfer from AMEX to Emirates Skywards (or any other partner airline).
How much are Amex points worth on Emirates?
It depends on your country or region. The conversion rate can vary, so to can the terms of transfer. Let’s take a look at the main regions below.
AMEX Points Transfer to Emirates in Different Regions
Although the option to transfer AMEX points to Emirates exists in multiple countries, the conversion rate, transfer minimums, and maximums vary across regions. Here is an overview of how the process differs in the USA, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
1. United States (USA)
For American Express cardholders in the United States, the Membership Rewards points transfer to Emirates Skywards is a favorable 1:1 rate. This makes this region particularly advantageous for Emirates points collectors.
Conversion Rate: 1,000 AMEX points = 1,000 Skywards miles
Minimum Transfer: 1,000 points
Maximum Transfer: 999,000 points per transfer
Transfer Increments: 1,000 points
Estimated Transfer Time: Approximately 48 hours
The straightforward 1:1 conversion rate and the ability to transfer in large increments make this an appealing option for those looking to accumulate significant Skywards miles. The points are typically transferred within two days, making it convenient for last-minute travel arrangements.
2. United Kingdom (UK)
In the United Kingdom, the AMEX points transfer to Emirates is at a less favorable rate than in the United States. Each transfer of 4 AMEX points results in 3 Skywards miles, which slightly reduces the overall value.
Conversion Rate: 4 AMEX points = 3 Skywards miles
Minimum Transfer: 1,000 points
Transfer Increments: 500 points
Estimated Transfer Time: Around 2 working days
Although the transfer rate is not as strong as in the USA, the option remains attractive for UK travelers, particularly those planning longer journeys or luxury cabin experiences where Emirates excels.
3. Australia
Australia has the most challenging transfer ratio among the three regions, where 3,000 AMEX points convert to only 1,000 Skywards miles.
Conversion Rate: 3,000 AMEX points = 1,000 Skywards miles
Minimum Transfer: 3,000 points
Maximum Transfer: 999,000 points per transfer
Transfer Increments: 3,000 points
Estimated Transfer Time: Officially up to 24 hours (though often completed within minutes)
In Australia, the high conversion rate and added fees imposed by Emirates for fuel and surcharges on award flights make the value less appealing for many travelers. For example, for a business or first-class flight from Melbourne to Dubai, additional costs such as taxes and fees can reach around AUD $1,800, which significantly impacts the attractiveness of redeeming points.
Amex conversion rates for the rest of the countries:
Singapore: 1.8 AMEX points equal 1 Skywards Mile
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Oman, Belgium, India, Japan and Thailand: 2 AMEX points equal 1 Skywards Mile
New Zealand and Russia: 3 AMEX points equal 1 Skywards Mile
Germany, France, Austria, Spain and Italy: 5 AMEX points equal 4 Skywards Miles
Malaysia: 5.6 AMEX points equal 1 Skywards Mile
Argentina: 10 AMEX points equal 7 Skywards Miles
Hong Kong: 18 AMEX points equal 1 Skywards Mile
How many Amex points equal Emirates points?
Here’s how many skywards miles you would get for 100,000 amex points:
USA
1:1 ratio
100,000 Skywards Miles for 100,000 AMEX points
United Kingdom
4:3 ratio
75,000 Skywards miles for 100,000 AMEX points
Australia
3:1 ratio
33,333 Skywards miles for 100,000 AMEX points
Personal Experience with AMEX Points and Emirates Transfers
As an Australian-based AMEX Explorer cardholder, I’ve found the Membership Rewards program invaluable for managing both personal and business expenses.
Here are some examples of business expenses I charged to my credit card: rent, utilities, suppliers, insurance, office supplies, equipment, and even tax bills.
I made sure to negotiate low or no surcharges with most of my suppliers, which helped keep costs down. One effective strategy was offering them shorter payment terms. To avoid any penalties or interest, I always paid the credit card balance on time. I didn’t spend extra just to earn points; the great thing is that these were all necessary expenses, so I found a way to make my routine business payments work to my advantage.
With a 2 AMEX points per dollar earning rate, my points balance quickly grew, allowing me to keep a healthy reserve of points. One of the significant benefits of the AMEX points program is that points do not expire, so I can choose the right time to transfer them to Emirates or another airline partner without any rush.
Another reason I value AMEX points is the flexibility they offer in transferring to multiple frequent flyer programs, increasing my chances of finding availability for reward flights. With AMEX, I’m not locked into one airline, so I can move points to a program with actual availability when I’m ready to book. This way, I avoid the frustration of accumulating miles I can’t use when I want to travel.
Finally, you can also pay your taxes and government spend with them and still earn (1:1). There are no caps on how many points you can earn either.
Comparing Value with Other Airline Partners
In Australia, alternatives to Emirates for AMEX point transfers have become increasingly appealing. As mentioned, AMEX partners like Asia Miles, Velocity and Qatar Airways offer a 2:1 transfer ratio, which provides better value per point. Given that these airlines also offer competitive premium cabin experiences (such as the QSuites Routes) that meet my travel needs, they have become my preferred options for AMEX point transfers.
In the past, transferring AMEX points to Emirates at a 2:1 ratio offered excellent value, especially since the surcharges on award flights were more reasonable. However, with Emirates recently increasing the transfer ratio to 3:1, the value proposition has shifted.
Moreover, the fuel surcharges and fees on Emirates award flights from Australia, particularly for premium cabins, can be prohibitive. This shift has prompted me to re-evaluate my travel plans and focus on airline partners that offer more competitive rates and lower fees.
Making the AMEX to Emirates Points Transfer: A Step-by-Step Guide
To transfer points from AMEX to Emirates, follow these simple steps:
- Log into your AMEX account and navigate to the Membership Rewards section.
- Select ‘Transfer Points’ and choose Emirates Skywards as your transfer partner.
- Enter the number of points you wish to transfer. The system will automatically display the equivalent Skywards miles based on your region’s transfer rate. This kind of an amex points to Emirates calculator.
- Click on Review Transfer
- Confirm the transfer by clicking on ‘Submit.’
After completing these steps, you will receive a confirmation email from AMEX, and your Skywards miles should appear in your Emirates account within the estimated time frame.
How Many Amex Points Can I Transfer?
The number of points you can transfer depends on the airline. As a general guideline, only transfer the amount of points needed for your current booking, and save the rest for your next trip. With Emirates, the minimum transfer is 3,000 points, and the maximum is 999,000 points. If you’re transferring over a million points, it’s best to do it in a couple of transfers on the same day. I have done this and they appear within minutes.
What are the benefits of transferring into Skywards from Amex?
Transferring AMEX points to Emirates Skywards comes with several advantages. One of the main benefits is excellent availability for tickets, especially for last-minute travel. There’s no need for extensive planning, as Emirates often has seats available for short-notice bookings.
Regarding how long it takes for your points to transfer, Emirates states that it should take one business day, but in my experience, it happens instantly.
Another major perk of flying with Emirates, particularly in business and first class, is the access to their exclusive lounges, such as the Emirates Lounge at Melbourne International Airport. These lounges offer a relaxing environment to wait for your flight, with free food, drinks, Wi-Fi, quiet spaces, and even showers. Emirates has lounges in key cities around the world, which can truly enhance your travel experience.
Emirates is also known for excellent customer service and flexibility when it comes to changes and cancellations, adding even more value to their program.
When Does Emirates Release Award Tickets?
Emirates is not part of any airline alliance, but it does have partnerships with several airlines. Award seats are released 331 days before departure, and you can use my date calculator to determine when those seats will be available.
One of the standout features of Emirates is that they periodically release additional award seats. They are known for opening up last-minute availability, typically within 14 days of departure. This is one of the main reasons I’ve stayed loyal to their program—I’ve never had trouble securing reward seats.
Additionally, Emirates offers free stopovers in Dubai if your layover is longer than six hours. They’ll provide you with a fully paid hotel stay, as well as complimentary meals. With so much to see and do in Dubai in a single day, this is a great perk.
Important Note
It’s important to note that accessing award seats through Emirates Skywards is different from booking through a partner program like Qantas Rewards. If you book through a partner, you may not be able to enjoy the same benefits, such as lounge access, chauffeur service, or the ability to upgrade your seat.
Why I Trust Emirates Skywards
Emirates has consistently exceeded my expectations when it comes to seat availability, value, customer service, lounges, and chauffeur services. Their fleet is impressive, and their overall product is exceptional. The best part is that when transferring points from AMEX Rewards to Skywards, the points are typically credited within minutes.
Tips for Maximizing Your Emirates Experience
TIP 1: Compare aircraft features. For example, the new Boeing 777 – Game Changer has floor-to-ceiling private suites with stunning features and only six first-class suites in the cabin. On the other hand, the Emirates A380 offers first-class suites that, while not floor-to-ceiling, still provide excellent privacy, and offer additional amenities like a shower and a bar on board.
TIP 2: Opt-in for upgrade notifications. Emirates often sends last-minute offers for seat or class upgrades, which can be great bargains. I’ve taken advantage of this offer multiple times. You can also ask about upgrades at the check-in counter.
TIP 3: Always ensure you’re getting the best value for your points by using my point redemption value calculator to maximize your rewards.
Is it worth transferring Amex points to Emirates?
One downside is the high additional charges associated with award tickets. While you can use your miles to cover these costs, the redemption rate for covering taxes and fees is not great. Other than that, depending on your region the ratio seems more favourable in the USA than it does in Australia. Then there is everyones own definition of value. Some people don’t care to pay high taxes or redeem at a lower rate given the incredible travel experience Emirates is known for.
Summing Up
Depending on your location and your redemption, transferring AMEX points to Emirates Skywards is a powerful way to maximize the value of your rewards.
Emirates’ flexibility with award seats, particularly with last-minute availability and their free stopover program in Dubai, further enhances the appeal. While the high additional charges can be a downside, the overall benefits and the top-notch experience make it a worthwhile option for frequent flyers. By following a few simple tips, you can get the most out of your Emirates Skywards rewards and enjoy a seamless and exceptional travel experience.
There’s no better feeling and reward than flying almost free on business or first class. I have been doing it for the last 20 years and i haven’t missed a flight.
If you need a hand with your packing list, feel free to download this ultimate travel packing list for some helpful tips you may not have considered!
Happy travels!
