Emirates Skywards Travel Rewards programme - revamped and relaunched for 2010

Frequent Flyer programmes have been around for a long time and Emirates Skywards programme has been one of the better ones. But that seems to have changed quite considerably from the 1st January 2010.

While they do offer extra Skywards Miles if you book online, they have now introduced 2 tiers of Skywards points - the "Saver" and "Flex".

If you've purchased a promotional or special airfare (the sort most of us buy) then you'll now only be eligible for Saver Skywards miles - which are based on just 50% of the journey. If you purchase the much more expensive less restricted airfares then you'll earn Flex Skywards miles which are based on 100% of the journey.

Let's say you're planning a trip to London.

The special airfare on Emirates will be about $2300 return. You'll earn 10,500 Saver Skywards Miles on this journey regardless of how you book it. If you book that airfare on the Emirates website you'll get a bonus 20% extra Miles - that's 2,100 miles. After you've returned from London you'll have a total of 12,600 Skywards Miles.

To buy a return reward ticket to Sydney you'd need 25,000 Skyward points.

In other words - you'd need to travel to London return TWICE now to earn enough points for a trip to Sydney!!!

That 'bonus 20%' extra miles they offer for booking online isn't worth much at all in reality.

What's the bottom line?

Travel Agents earn commission when we sell Emirates airfares, and we'll often use some of that commission to discount the airfare. We would say this but, a $20 discount on your airfare from a travel agent (like us) is worth more than bonus miles you may never be able to use.

If you're shopping around for an airfare to Europe on Emirates let your agent know you'd like the Skywards points but negotiate a cash discount on the airfare and forget the 'bonus' miles.

You're much better off with cash in your pocket, than you are with 2,100 skywards points that may not actually get you anywhere. Or in other words... "a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush"