Last month, Emirates raised award prices on the majority of its flights to and from its hub in Dubai by about 20%.
Just a few weeks later, as first reported by Thrifty Traveler, Emirates has raised award prices on its fifth-freedom flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Athens International Airport (ATH) by about 20%.
Let's examine the most recent modifications to these fifth-freedom flights to New York City in more detail.
Emirates devalues US-to-Europe award tickets
First, the prizes for economy class have not yet changed.
For a round-trip saving award, the cost is still 45,000 miles, and for an Economy Flex Plus award, it is 38,750 miles.
The business- and first-class award tickets are the ones that have seen the most changes:
• Saver business-class awards now cost 108,000 miles round-trip, up from 90,000 miles.
• One-way Business Flex Plus awards have increased to 87,000 miles one-way, up from 72,500 miles.
• First-class awards are now 102,000 miles one way, up from 85,000 miles.
As previously stated, Business Flex Plus awards cost 87,000 miles each way.
Only when looking for a round-trip itinerary (and, of course, only if there is saver award space) will the 54,000-mile award rate become available.
On the other hand, there are no savings when booking a first-class reward as a round-trip vacation.
When there is first-class reward space, prepare to spend 102,000 miles each way.
Taxes and fees, which apply to both business and first-class travel, are around $100 for prizes to Europe and $150 for awards to the United States.
As a result, plan to spend $250 per person in taxes and fees if you book a round-trip airfare.
Positively, these redemptions remain valid on paper.
If you purchase a business class round-trip saver ticket from Newark to Milan, it will only cost you 54,000 miles to travel to Europe.
Cash round-trip costs on savings dates often range between $3,000 and $5,000.
This results in a value per Emirates Skywards mile of around 2.7 cents, which is still more than twice the value of Skywards miles.
Also keep in mind that because of connections with numerous American credit card companies, Emirates points are among the easiest to obtain.
Currently, you can convert points from all the main transferable rewards programs at a 1:1 ratio to Skywards miles:
• American Express Membership Rewards.
• Bilt Rewards.
• Capital One miles.
• Chase Ultimate Rewards.
• Citi ThankYou Rewards.
Given that Air Canada Aeroplan and Emirates just expanded their agreement, you might be tempted to do so while making an airline reservation.
However, Aeroplan will soon release a unique reward chart for Emirates flights that will have variable award costs. As a result, constantly compare your booking choices.
Although it shouldn't be available until later this year, you can't now book Emirates first-class awards through Aeroplan.
In conclusion
Emirates Skywards reduced the value of its reward flights from the United States to Europe.
Since the beginning of last year, we have witnessed the following developments, making this the most recent in the Emirates' sequence of devaluations:
• Feb. 2: Emirates Skywards devalues again by increasing one-way business-class award costs.
• Feb. 28: Emirates significantly increases the fuel surcharge for using Skywards awards.
• March 14: Emirates increases fuel surcharges on award tickets ... again.
• June 21: Emirates raised its fuel surcharges again — will other airlines follow suit?
• Dec. 23: Holiday devaluation: Emirates Skywards increases award prices with no notice.
Additionally, in September of last year, Emirates and JetBlue parted ways.
As one of the best redemptions in the program, JetBlue Mint redemptions were a loss for Skywards members in the United States.
Remember to use your mileage by keeping this in mind.
Hoarding them exposes them to devaluations like these, and the value of points and miles rarely rises over time.
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