If you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer, you may be wondering whether you can use your Qantas Points to book flights on Emirates. The short answer is yes—but there are some important details to understand before you make your booking.
Here’s what we will cover:
✅ How to book Emirates flights with Qantas Points
✅ The Best Emirates Redemptions
✅ The number of points required for different routes
✅ Availability, fees, and surcharges
✅ The best strategies to maximize value
Qantas & Emirates Partnership: How Does It Work?
Since 2013, Qantas and Emirates have had a strategic alliance, allowing Qantas Frequent Flyers to earn and redeem points on Emirates flights. This doesnt look like its ending any time soon since Qantas and Emirates have successfully renewed their partnership till March 2028. This partnership has over the years opened up 130+ destinations worldwide, including:
Europe – London, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt
Middle East & Africa – Dubai, Johannesburg, Cairo
USA – New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco
Asia – Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo
The biggest benefit? You can use Qantas Points to book Emirates Business Class & First Class, including the legendary A380 First Class with onboard shower.
💡 Pro Tip: Emirates availability through Qantas is limited, so booking early is key!
Why Fly Emirates?
Emirates is known for its world-class service, luxurious cabins, and extensive global network. Whether you’re flying in Economy, Business, or First Class, you can expect exceptional comfort, award-winning entertainment, and gourmet dining. The Emirates A380 First Class even offers a private suite, onboard shower, and lounge bar—making it one of the most aspirational redemptions for Qantas Frequent Flyers. It is hands down my favourite airline in the world.
Can You Use Qantas Points to Book Emirates Flights?
✔️ Yes! You can redeem Qantas Points for Emirates-operated flights.
✔️ You also earn Qantas Points when flying Emirates (on eligible fares).
However, there are important restrictions:
⚠️ Limited award seats – Business & First Class seats are hard to find.
💰 High surcharges – Expect $1200–$1,900+ AUD in fees for long-haul flights.
🚫 No upgrades – You can’t upgrade Emirates flights with Qantas Points.
🚫 No free chauffeur service
🚫 No free stopover in Dubai
How to Book Emirates Flights with Qantas Points (Step-by-Step Guide)
You can book Emirates award flights directly on the Qantas website. Here’s how:
🔹 Step 1: Log in to Your Qantas Account
Go to Qantas.com and sign in.
🔹 Step 2: Search for Classic Reward Flights
Select “Use Points” and enter your route. Look for flights marked as “Classic Rewards”(not ‘points+pay’ and not ‘classic plus’ either)
🔹 Step 3: Select an Emirates Flight
If Emirates availability appears, book it fast! These seats disappear quickly.
🔹 Step 4: Pay Taxes & Confirm
There are fuel surcharges on Emirates flights, so you’ll need to pay these extra fees. Once confirmed, you’re all set!
💡 Pro Tip: If Emirates flights don’t appear, check 11-12 months in advance for better availability. *There is, at times, availability on last minute flights.
Best Emirates Redemptions with Qantas Points
Some routes offer better value than others when redeeming Qantas Points. Here are some sweet spots:
🏆 Best Value Redemptions:
Bangkok → Dubai (Emirates First Class A380) – 89,800 points + $685
Hong Kong → Dubai (Emirates First Class A380) – 107,700 points + $724
Athens → Dubai (Emirates Business Class) – 43,800 points + $698
💎 Hidden Gems – (Emirates Fifth-Freedom Flights)
Athens → Newark (Emirates Business Class) 90,000 Points + $231
Sydney → Christchurch (Emirates Business Class A380) – 41,500 points +$207
🚀GAME CHANGER Flights (First Class)
Dubai → Brussels (Game Changer First Class) – 89,800 +$701
Haneda → Dubai (Game Changer First Class) – 129,300 +$701
🚫 Worst Value Redemptions:
Short-haul flights & Long Haul where taxes & fees don’t make it worth it.
Dubai → Bahrain (Business Class) 20,000 + $417
Melbourne → Athens (Business Class) 183,700 + $1951
Using a point redemption value calculator will ensure you get bang for buck.
Example: Melbourne to Amsterdam on Emirates Business Class
🔹 Qantas Points needed: 159,000
🔹 Taxes & fees: ~$1962 AUD
🔹 Same flight on Cathay Pacific: 159,000 points + ~$450 AUD taxes
👉 Emirates is great but Cathay Pacific has lower surcharges! If you want to save on fees, consider an alternative.
How Many Qantas Points Do You Need for Emirates Flights?
The number of Qantas Points required depends on:
✔ Flight distance (measured in miles)
✔ Cabin class (Economy, Business, or First Class)
✔ Award seat availability
Here are some example redemptions for Emirates flights using Qantas Classic Reward Seats:
| Route | Economy | Business | First Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne → Dubai | 50,300 | 119,200 | 170,800 |
| Melbourne → Athens | 61,500 | 183,300 | 210,750 |
| Auckland → Dubai | 61,500 | 139,200 | 199,300 |
📌 Note: These are Classic Reward seat prices excluding surcharges.
Extra Fees & Surcharges on Emirates Bookings
Emirates is known for high surcharges, especially in Business & First Class.
💰 Example Fees:
Melbourne → Dubai (First Class): ~$1,951AUD
Melbourne → Amsterdam (Business Class): ~$1,962AUD
👉 To reduce costs:
✅ Book medium-haul Emirates flights.
✅ Consider other airlines for lower fees.
Best Ways to Maximize Qantas Points on Emirates
If you want the best value for your Qantas Points, use these strategies:
1. Book Classic Rewards, Not Points + Pay or Classic Plus
Qantas offers three types of redemptions:
✅ Classic Rewards (fixed points cost) – Best value
❌ Points + Pay – poor value
❌ Classic Plus (variable pricing) – poor value (Qantas Flights only)
As a general rule of thumb, always choose Classic Rewards for maximum value, steer clear of classic plus.
2. Book As Early As Possible
Emirates award availability is limited, especially in Business and First Class.
⏳ Book as soon as Qantas release emirates reward seats (330 days in advance). Here’s a date calculator to help you figure out when to do that.
Routes out of Australia with the most availability in First Class are mostly out of Perth and Brisbane. It’s rare to find 2 seats in First Class though.
3. Book One Emirates First Class Seat & Wait for a Second
Emirates often releases only one First Class award seat at a time. If you need two, book one and:
✔ Keep checking daily for a second seat
✔ Use Skywards miles to book the second seat
I have managed to secure 2 First Class seats by booking one at a time within a couple days of eachother. In another instance i booked one through Qantas Rewards and the other through Skywards. If you dont want to take the risk, or dont have the option of Skywards then re route through Asia where you can book 2 seats in first class at once.
I am set to fly Thai Airways into Bangkok in a few weeks time and onwards with Emirates to Dubai in First Class. I managed to score 2 first class rewards seats via this method. Each ticket was 89,800 Qantas Points.
Some popular routes to score two first class emirates reward seats through Qantas are:
👉Bangkok – Dubai
👉Hong Kong – Dubai
👉Kuala Lumpur – Dubai
4. Redeem on Partner Airlines Instead
If Emirates flights are unavailable, you can use Qantas Points on other partner airlines instead, often with lower fees.
✔ Qatar Airways – Lower fuel surcharges than Emirates via Doha
✔ Cathay Pacific – Great award space via Hong Kong
✔ Finnair – Europe routes via Helsinki
✔ British Airways – Europe routes via London
5. Use Points for Medium-Haul Emirates Flights
Long-haul Emirates redemptions have high surcharges, but medium-haul routes can be a better deal:
✅ Dubai to Europe
✅ Dubai to the Maldives
✅ Dubai to Asia (Bangkok, Hong Kong etc)
These require fewer points and have lower fees.
6. Fly Emirates Fifth-Freedom Routes
Emirates operates some unique Fifth-Freedom flights (routes that don’t touch Dubai), which often have better award availability.
✔ Avoids high Dubai-related surcharges
✔ Shorter flights, fewer points required
💡 Best options:
🔹Newark → Athens Bargain for an 11-hour flight! 90,000 Points + $231
🔹Sydney → Christchurch (Emirates Business Class A380) – 41,500 points +$207
7. Use Qantas Points for an Emirates Stopover
While Qantas redemptions don’t include a free stopover in Dubai, you can book two separate Emirates reward flights and create your own multi-day stopover.
💡 Example:
🔹 Booking 1: Melbourne → Dubai
(3-day stopover)
🔹Booking 2: Dubai → Athens
🔹 That’s two separate Classic Reward bookings
8. Upgrade Emirates Flights with Skywards Instead
Unfortunately, Qantas Points cannot be used to upgrade Emirates flights. If you want to upgrade, you’ll need to convert points to Emirates Skywards miles via a credit card transfer (e.g., Amex Membership Rewards).
Is Using Qantas Points on Emirates Worth It?
✅ YES, IF: You can find Classic Reward seats in Business/First.
❌ NO, IF: You want to avoid high taxes—Other Airlines are cheaper (as shown above)
✅ Emirates First Class on the A380 is a bucket-list experience.
It is an aircraft with some of the coolest features on board including the onboard shower and lounge make it one of the best ways to redeem Qantas Points.
🔥 Final Tip: Consider Alternative Routes
If your preferred Emirates route isn’t available, check alternative departure cities. Emirates releases more award seats from certain locations such as Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur. How you search also matters. Try multi city search!
💡 Example:
🔹 Instead of Sydney → London, try Melbourne → Dubai → London
🔹 Instead of Dubai → Europe, try Bangkok → Dubai → Europe.
This increases your chances of securing Emirates Business or First Class using Qantas Points!
Essential Travel Resources
Planning your next trip? Make sure you’re fully prepared with these helpful resources:
Ultimate Packing List: Need help organizing your suitcase? Download this ultimate travel packing list to ensure you don’t forget any essentials. Always be mindful that you will fall under the carry-on baggage allowance with Emirates not with Qantas when booking with Qantas Points on an Emirates flight.
Furthermore, explore these unique gifts for travelers, from must-have gadgets to experiences and services that will make your trip more comfortable and less stressful.
Visa & Entry Updates: If you’re heading to the UK or Europe, be aware of new entry requirements:
- UK ETA – Travelers from many countries, including Australia and the U.S., must apply for an UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival.
- European ETIAS – The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be mandatory for non-EU visitors.
- Entry/Exit System(EES) – A new automated border control system will soon be in place for non-EU travelers, changing how passports are processed at European borders.
Safe Travels 😊
