Emirates credit cards in Australia

How can I earn Emirates Skywards Miles with a credit card?

There are no Australian credit cards that let you earn Emirates Skywards Miles directly. But you can transfer rewards points from American Express Membership Rewards or Commbank Awards credit cards.

Reward point transfer rates

• 5 CommBank Awards Points = 1 Emirates Skywards Mile
• 1 American Express Membership Rewards Point = 1 Emirates Skywards Mile

How to transfer credit card points to Emirates Skywards Miles

Each rewards program has its own steps for redeeming points, but it's usually along these lines:

1. Log in to your credit card rewards program account.
2. Choose the frequent flyer point transfer option from the selection of rewards (or search for Emirates Skywards Miles).
3. Confirm the details and follow the prompts to transfer your points.

How to compare Emirates credit cards

With only 2 credit card brands in Australia currently offering point transfers to Skywards Miles, here are some of the key details to think about.

• Bonus points offers. Introductory bonus points offers give you a way to get thousands of Skywards Miles on a new card when you meet the requirements. You'll usually need to be a new customer and spend a certain amount on the card in the first few months to be eligible for a bonus offer.
• Earn rate. Rewards credit cards typically let you earn between 1 and 2 points for every dollar you spend on the card. The higher the better, but make sure you factor in the conversion to Skywards Miles. If you earned 1 Commbank Awards Point, it converts to one fifth of a Skywards Mile. If you spent $500 on the card you'd earn 100 miles.
• Annual fee. Credit cards that offer point transfers to Emirates Skywards Miles typically have annual fees from around $150 to $1,450. Some cards also offer a reduced or $0 annual fee for the first year or for the life of the card. Ideally, the annual fee should cost less than the value you get from Skywards Miles and other perks.
• Purchase rates. This is the interest rate you pay on your spending if you don't repay the card balance in full. Rewards credit card interest rates are typically between 19% and 24%.
• Benefits and perks. Rewards credit cards often come with single-use lounge passes each year, complimentary international travel insurance, travel discounts and more.

Our expert says: Is an Emirates credit card worth it in Australia?

"If you regularly fly with Emirates, one advantage to getting a credit card that offers Skywards Miles transfers is that you can earn more miles for reward flights. But if you're unlikely to redeem Skywards Miles within the 3-year timeframe before they expire, another option is to consider a Qantas credit card. This would allow you to earn Qantas Points, which you can redeem for flights with Emirates or other partners through the Qantas Frequent Flyer program."

Richard Whitten

Money Editor

Frequently asked questions

• Is there a credit card that earns Emirates Skywards Miles directly in Australia?

  There are currently no Australian credit cards that directly earn Skywards Miles per $1 spent. Previously, the Emirates Citi World Mastercard was the only card directly linked to the program. It earned between 0.5 and 1.5 Skywards Miles per $1 on eligible spending. It also offered Emirates Lounge passes and other perks. But it was taken off the market in 2023.Yes, you need to be a member and provide your Emirates Skywards membership details before you can earn miles through a credit card. You can join the Emirates Skywards program for free online if you're not already a member.

• Will earning Emirates Skywards Miles through a credit card stop my miles from expiring?

  No. Emirates Skywards Miles expire 3 years after they are earned, and having a credit card won't change that. But Emirates Skywards may let you request a 12-month extension on your miles or reinstate them after they have expired. So if you're worried about your Skywards Miles expiring, contact Emirates to see what options are available.

• Can I get an additional card to earn more Skywards Miles?

  Depending on the credit card you choose, you could request an additional cardholder for your account. They would then earn miles on eligible spending, which would be added to your Emirates Skywards account (as the primary cardholder). Note that some cards may charge a yearly additional cardholder fee for this option and you would still be responsible for paying off the balance on your Emirates credit card account.

• Can I use my Skywards Miles to redeem flights other than with Emirates?

  Yes, you can use your Skywards Miles towards eligible flights with Emirates partner airlines. These include Qantas, Air Mauritius, Alaska Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Copa Airlines, easyJet, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jetstar, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, S7 Airlines, South African Airways and TAP Portugal.

• Can I transfer my Qantas Points to Emirates?

  No, Qantas Frequent Flyer doesn't offer point transfers to other airline loyalty programs. But you can redeem Qantas Points for flights with Emirates, or redeem Emirates Skywards Miles for flights with Qantas as they are partner airlines.

• Can I transfer my Citi Rewards points to Emirates Skyward Miles?

  Citi does not offer a way to transfer points to Skyward Miles. Citi took the Emirates Citi World Mastercard off the market in Australia. Existing cardholders were able to earn Skywards Miles until 30 May 2023.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Amy Bradney-George

Journalist

Amy is an experienced journalist with over 16 years of experience, contributing to major publications like Money Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald, and ABC News Australia. Specialising in personal finance, she frequently appeared in media outlets and on radio. Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Drama from Griffith University and earned RG146 certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, ensuring her expertise is grounded in current financial regulations. Amy was Finder's Senior Writer for Credit Cards from 2016 to 2024. See full bio

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