FlyerfolioMiles and membership
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Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review

GUIDE

How to Book Emirates Skywards Awards

An Emirates Skywards flight award is booked with Skywards Miles; for Emirates-operated flights, the programme calls it an Emirates Classic Reward, a ticket sold by Emirates in exchange for miles against the full base fare, excluding taxes and other fees where applicable. [2] Emirates describes Classic Rewards as available to any Emirates or flydubai destination in any class, with Saver and Flex Plus fare choices and one-way or round-trip options. [1] Cash+Miles is a separate way to combine cash and miles, not a Classic Reward. [2]

Facts checked: 18 October 2026

Key takeaways

  • Start with the reward type: an Emirates Classic Reward uses miles against the full base fare and excludes taxes and other fees where applicable. [2]
  • Emirates advertises Classic Rewards from 5,000 Skywards Miles, with Saver and Flex Plus choices and one-way or round-trip tickets. [1]
  • Cash+Miles is a different product: it lets members pay with any combination of cash and Skywards Miles and takes the relevant amount off the fare at payment. [1]
  • Before a Reward is issued, taxes, duties and other liabilities must be paid by the member. [2]

Choose the reward you are booking

Emirates' spend page presents Classic Rewards as the option for using miles on flights to any Emirates or flydubai destination, in any class, with a choice of Saver and Flex Plus fares. [1] The programme rules treat Emirates Classic Rewards and flydubai Classic Rewards as separate ticket types; an Emirates Classic Reward is a ticket for an Emirates Flight. [2] An Emirates Flight is defined as a flight marketed and operated by Emirates. [2] A codeshare flight is defined separately as a flight carrying one airline's code but operated by another airline. [2]

Partner flight rewards are handled through separate information: Emirates' FAQ directs members to separate flydubai and other-airline-partner FAQs for the booking process. [1] This guide covers Emirates Classic Rewards booked with Emirates; partner airline awards and codeshare itineraries are outside its scope.

Cash+Miles and taxes

Cash+Miles is a separate offer that lets members pay for select Emirates and/or flydubai services with a cash payment plus a redemption of Skywards Miles, under the programme rules. [2] Emirates says it can be used for the next Emirates or flydubai ticket, with any combination of cash and miles, and that the relevant amount is taken off the fare at payment. [1] Logging in before searching is advertised as the way to see exclusive Cash+Miles rates. [1] Beyond flights, the spend page lists lounge access, excess baggage, paid seat selection, flydubai meals and flydubai insurance as eligible Cash+Miles purchases. [1]

For a Classic Reward, miles cover the full base fare but exclude taxes and other fees where applicable. [2] Emirates' spend page similarly describes paying the full cost of the ticket with miles, excluding taxes. [1] The programme rules make all tax, duties and other liabilities arising from miles accumulation or reward use the member's responsibility, and require payment before any Reward is issued. [2] The rules treat Cash+Miles as its own product, separate from Classic Rewards. [2] For more on the distinction, see cash and miles.

Ticketing checks before you commit

The stated payment deadline is that taxes, duties and other liabilities must be paid before a Reward is issued. [2] Emirates also says miles must be redeemed before they expire, but the resulting reward ticket can be valid for up to 12 months. [1] If miles are due to expire in the next three months, members can pay to extend their validity for another 12 months beyond the original expiry date. [1]

Check passenger eligibility before paying. Members under 18 cannot conduct certain transactions, including redeeming Rewards, on the website or the Emirates App. [2] Passengers aged 8 years old and below are ineligible for First Class Emirates Classic Rewards and Upgrade Rewards. [2] For background, see ticketing time limit.

Exceptions and limits

  • Skywards membership is open to individuals at least two years old. [2] Members aged 2 to 17 are automatically Skywards Skysurfers, and a Skysurfer account must be initiated and completed by a parent or legal guardian who is a registered member. [2]
  • Members under 18 cannot conduct certain transactions, including buying or transferring miles and redeeming Rewards, on the website or the Emirates App. [2]
  • Passengers aged 8 years old and below cannot book First Class Emirates Classic Rewards or Upgrade Rewards. [2]
  • An Emirates Classic Reward is tied to an Emirates Flight, defined as a flight marketed and operated by Emirates; a codeshare flight is defined separately. [2] Emirates directs members to separate FAQs for flydubai and other airline partner rewards. [1]

Sources

Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. It covers Emirates Classic Rewards booked with Emirates; flydubai Classic Rewards, partner airline awards and codeshare itineraries are not covered.

  1. Emirates Skywards Spend Miles page, checked 18 October 2026
  2. Emirates Skywards Programme Rules, checked 18 October 2026