Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
Emirates Skywards vs Qatar Privilege Club: rules compared
Emirates Skywards is the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, while Qatar Airways Privilege Club is the Qatar Airways programme in which members collect Avios. [1] [4] [5] The published rules differ on the currencies members collect, the tier names, the three-year validity of Skywards Miles, and the family and nominee structures Privilege Club uses for award bookings. [1] [3] [4] [5]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
This comparison covers the English-language rules of Emirates Skywards and Qatar Airways Privilege Club as of 18 October 2026; each rule applies to the named programme only. [1] [4] [5]
- Skywards members earn Skywards Miles and Tier Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights, and can also earn Miles with partners or by buying, gifting or multiplying them. [1]
- Privilege Club's redeemable currency is Avios, which the programme terms define as the points earned, purchased or received by a Privilege Club member and credited to their Privilege Club account. [5]
- Skywards Miles are valid for three years. [1] Privilege Club Avios expire under the Privilege Club terms, and Avios moved from a linked British Airways Executive Club account follow the rules of the account they move into. [5]
- Privilege Club's Family & Friends group pools Avios into the Main Member's account, but only the Main Member can redeem them and Group Members do not earn Qpoints. [4]
- My List lets a Privilege Club member nominate up to four people for award redemptions, but the owner redeems from their own balance and the bookings are limited to Qatar Airways and partner award flights. [3]
How do you earn Skywards Miles and Privilege Club Avios?
Emirates Skywards members earn both Skywards Miles and Tier Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights. [1] They can also earn Skywards Miles with partners worldwide, or add to a balance by buying, gifting or multiplying Miles. [1] The cobranded-card route can earn Tier Miles for the Skywards Miles earned, and that Tier Miles offer is currently available for select Emirates Skywards cobranded cards in the USA. [1]
On the Privilege Club side, the programme terms define Avios as the redeemable points earned, purchased or received by a Privilege Club member and credited to their Privilege Club account. [5] This section covers Privilege Club earning only as set out in the Family & Friends terms below.
Inside Family & Friends, Group Members earn Avios through Qatar Airways and its partners, but all Avios are added to the Main Member's account after travel is completed. [4] Flight and non-flight activities by Group Members do not earn Qpoints, and Group Members earn only base Avios for eligible activity, not additional or bonus Avios based on the Main Member's tier. [4]
How do the Skywards and Privilege Club tiers compare?
Emirates Skywards has four levels: Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum. [1] Members build a Tier Miles balance by flying with Emirates and flydubai, and the programme says members can get there faster by using an Emirates Skywards cobranded card. [1] That Tier Miles offer through cobranded cards is currently available for select Emirates Skywards cobranded cards in the USA. [1]
Privilege Club's My List terms name four tiers: Burgundy, Silver, Gold and Platinum. [3] A Burgundy, Silver, Gold or Platinum member may create a My List only if the Privilege Club account was created at least 30 days earlier. [3] Under My List, Gold and Platinum members may book award flights for people on their List and may also book award flights for any additional individual online or through the Contact Centre or Member Service Centre. [3]
| Programme | Tiers named in the programme rules |
|---|---|
| Emirates Skywards | Blue, Silver, Gold, Platinum [1] |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | Burgundy, Silver, Gold, Platinum [3] |
How long do Skywards Miles and Privilege Club Avios last?
Emirates Skywards Miles are valid for three years. [1] That three-year period is the Skywards rule for Skywards Miles, not a rule for Privilege Club Avios. [1] [5]
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios are issued, redeemed and expire in accordance with the Privilege Club terms and conditions. [5] British Airways Executive Club (BAEC) Avios are issued by, and redeemed with, Avios Group (AGL) Limited, and expire in all cases in accordance with the BAEC terms and conditions. [5]
BAEC and Privilege Club members can link accounts to move Avios between them. [5] A linked member must be at least 18 and be both a BAEC member and a Privilege Club member, and the linking feature is available 30 days after account creation. [5] Personal details on both accounts, including first name, last name, date of birth and email address, must match. [5] Only one Privilege Club account and one BAEC account can be linked at a time, and a Privilege Club account can be linked to a BAEC account at most twice in any 50-year period. [5]
After linking, Avios can be moved in either direction without a fee. [5] There is no minimum or maximum number of Avios that can be moved, no limit on the number of movements other than in suspected fraud, and Avios are credited to the target account at 1:1 and immediately available to use. [5] These linking terms are effective as at 29 January 2025. [5]
How do upgrades and award bookings work?
Skywards Miles can be spent on reward flights and upgrades on Emirates, and with flydubai and worldwide partners, including hotel stays and event tickets. [1] Privilege Club members can redeem Avios for award flights: the My List terms describe a member redeeming Avios from their own Privilege Club balance for award flights for the individuals on their list. [3] Cash + Avios lets a Privilege Club member use Avios to save up to 50% of the cash amount on flight tickets purchasable with Qatar Airways. [5]
Only the Main Member of a Family & Friends group can redeem Avios for an award, and the Main Member may redeem for any Group Member. [4] My List redemptions are restricted to Qatar Airways and partner award flights, and My List members cannot redeem Avios from the List owner's balance. [3]
What exceptions and limits apply?
- The Skywards Tier Miles offer through cobranded cards is currently available for select Emirates Skywards cobranded cards in the USA. [1]
- Privilege Club Family & Friends permits children over two years, but not infants. [4] Children under 18 can be added only if their parent or guardian is the Main Member or a Group Member. [4]
- Family & Friends Group Members are subject to a six-month lock-in and cannot leave or be removed during that period. [4] After the lock-in, only the Main Member can remove Group Members. [4] If a Group Member is removed, Avios accrued before separation remain in the Main Member's account; the new account keeps the existing membership number and begins at Burgundy. [4]
- My List can include up to four people, and each added member must stay on the List for at least six months. [3] A member can be on only one My List at a time, and a member who is already in a Family & Friends group cannot be added to a My List. [3]
- Linking a BAEC and Privilege Club account is capped at two links for a Privilege Club account in any 50-year period, and only one account from each programme can be linked at a time. [5] Cash + Avios saves at most 50% of the cash amount on eligible Qatar Airways flight tickets. [5]
Frequently asked questions
Do Emirates Skywards Miles expire after three years?
Skywards Miles are valid for three years under the Skywards rules. [1] Privilege Club Avios have their own expiry terms under the Privilege Club terms and conditions. [5]
Can Qatar Privilege Club members pool Avios with family?
A Main Member can invite up to nine people to Family & Friends, and all Avios earned by Group Members are added to the Main Member's account. [4] Group Members earn base Avios only, do not earn Qpoints, and cannot redeem the pooled Avios themselves. [4]
Can I book an award for someone else with Privilege Club Avios?
My List lets a member nominate up to four people and redeem Avios for their award flights, but redemptions are restricted to Qatar Airways and partner award flights and the List member cannot redeem the owner's Avios. [3] Gold and Platinum members may also book award flights for any additional individual. [3]
How do I earn Tier Miles in Emirates Skywards?
Tier Miles are earned by flying with Emirates and flydubai. [1] Select Emirates Skywards cobranded cards in the USA can also earn Tier Miles for Skywards Miles earned, under an offer currently available for select cards. [1]
Can I move Avios between British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club?
Avios can be moved between linked BAEC and Privilege Club accounts at 1:1, free of charge, with no minimum or maximum and no transaction limit other than suspected fraud. [5] Linking requires both memberships, age 18 or over, matching personal details and a Privilege Club account at least 30 days old. [5]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. It covers Emirates Skywards and Qatar Airways Privilege Club; other Gulf carriers and other oneworld programmes are not covered.
- Emirates Skywards programme page, checked 18 October 2026
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club page at qatarairways.com/en/privilege-club.html returned a "Page not found" response when checked on 18 October 2026, so no Privilege Club rule on this page is taken from it
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club My List terms and conditions, checked 18 October 2026
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club Family & Friends terms and conditions, checked 18 October 2026
- Linking of British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club accounts terms and conditions, checked 18 October 2026