Emirates Credit Cards

Compare credit cards that let you earn Emirates Skywards Miles for your everyday spending in Australia and overseas, including offers from Amex and CommBank.

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Name Bonus points Points per $ spent Purchase rate p.a. Annual fee
American Express Explorer Credit Card
American Express Explorer Credit Card image
Membership Rewards
Bonus points
50,000
Points per $ spent
2
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$395
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 Get 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
American Express Platinum Card
American Express Platinum Card image
Membership Rewards Ascent Premium
Bonus points
150,000
Points per $ spent
2.25
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$1,450
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 Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
American Express Platinum Business Card
American Express Platinum Business Card image
Finder Award
Membership Rewards Ascent Premium
Bonus points
250,000
Points per $ spent
2.25
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$875 first year ($1,750 after)
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ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Get 250,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $12,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, a first-year annual fee discount.
American Express Business Gold Plus Card
American Express Business Gold Plus Card image
Membership Rewards Ascent
Bonus points
150,000
Points per $ spent
1.5
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$395
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ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Get 150,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $5,000 within the first 3 months. Plus, earn up to 3 points per $1 spent at Xero, Google Ads, Meta, Amazon Web Services and Dell.
American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card
American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card image
Membership Rewards
Bonus points
60,000
Points per $ spent
1
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$108
Go to siteMore Info
Limited partner offer. Offers 60,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online through the link and spend at least $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months.
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Key takeaways

  • If you're new to Skywards, consider AMEX and Commbank cards.
  • Keep an eye on the "point transfer rate" - right now you can earn an equivalent of 0.25 to 0.75 Emirates Skywards Miles per $1.
  • Annual fees can range between $150 to $1,450, so make sure you factor that into your comparison.

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

You can transfer reward points to your Emirates Skywards frequent flyer account with a credit card that's linked to American Express Membership Rewards or CommBank Awards. These are the only Australian banking partners currently listed on the Emirates Skywards website.

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.

Reward point transfer rates

CommBankCommBank Awards4 CommBank Awards points = 1 Emirates Skywards Mile📝 Keep in mind: This table shows the transfer rates that are publicly listed on the rewards program website and/or Emirates website. You'll see full details for transferring points to Emirates Skywards Miles when you log in to your credit card rewards account.

Emirates Skywards credit card changes in 2023

On 4 October 2023, American Express changed the point transfer rate for Emirates Skywards miles from 2 Membership Rewards points to 3 Membership Rewards points for every 1 Skywards mile. This represents a 33% decrease in the value of points transfers, but is still a better rate than CommBank.

The change follows previous moves from Citi Rewards, Suncorp Rewards and Diners Club Rewards, which ended their point transfer partnerships with Emirates Skywards on 31 January 2023.

Citi also took the Emirates Citi World Mastercard off the market in Australia. Existing cardholders were able to earn Skywards Miles until 30 May 2023. After that, cardholders could make repayments but would not be able to use the card for anything else.

How to compare Emirates credit cardsWith 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 offersIntroductory bonus points offers give you a way to get thousands of Skywards Miles on a new card when you meet the requirements. Key details to check include:

  • Spend requirements. You usually need to meet a spend requirement to get bonus points. For example, $3,000 in the first 3 months. Make sure that the offer's spend requirement fits with your budget and avoid spending just for the sake of earning points.
  • Eligibility. Most bonus point offers are only available to new customers. This means you usually can't get bonus points if you already have a credit card with the same provider, or if you've had one with that provider in the past 1-2 years.
  • Offer end date. These offers are only available for a limited time, which means you need to apply for the card before the offer ends to be eligible for bonus points.
  • Emirates Skywards Miles details. You'll need to add your Emirates frequent flyer membership number to your credit card account so you can earn Skywards Miles. If it's a rewards card that lets you transfer points, check how many Skywards Miles you'll get so you can decide if it's worth it.

Points or miles per $1 spentRight now, you can earn an equivalent of 0.25 to 0.75 Emirates Skywards Miles per $1 on everyday spending with a credit card in Australia.For example, with a card that earned 2 reward points per $1 and had an Emirates Skywards transfer rate of 3:1 – such as the American Express Explorer Card – you'd be able to get 0.66 Skywards Mile per $1. And with a card that offered 1 rewards point per $1 and a transfer rate of 4 points to 1 Skywards Mile – like the CommBank Ultimate Awards Credit Card – you'd get an equivalent 0.25 Miles per $1 spent. So, it pays to compare both the earn rate and transfer rate.

What is an "eligible purchase"?

With a credit card, you'll usually earn points per $1 on your everyday spending including supermarket shopping, dining, petrol, online streaming subscriptions and general retail purchases.

Transactions that don't earn points typically include cash advances, balance transfers, BPAY payments and account fees and charges. Check the rewards program terms and conditions, or contact the credit card provider to find out if a transaction will or won't earn points.

Rates and feesThe overall cost of a credit card has a huge impact on how much value you get from rewards (and other perks). This includes:

  • 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.
  • Interest rates. Rewards credit card interest rates are typically between 19% and 24%. This is at the higher end of the scale for credit cards in Australia. So you'll usually get the most value out of the card if you can pay it off in full by the monthly due date and take advantage of interest-free days. A 0% interest rate offer can also help you save on charges during the introductory period.
  • Other fees. Check the international transaction fee if you think you'll shop with a lot of overseas retailers (including online), as this fee costs around 3% of each international transaction. It's also worth checking for late fees, cash advance charges and any other costs that may apply.

Other benefits and perks

  • Airport lounge access. For example, single-use lounge passes each year you have a card or membership to a service like Priority Pass.
  • Complimentary travel insurance. Lots of premium credit cards offer complimentary international travel insurance. Some cards also offer interstate flight inconvenience insurance, transit accident insurance or rental vehicle excess insurance. As with any insurance, the eligibility, excess costs and claims processes vary. You should read the insurance booklet for full details of any cover.
  • Concierge services. A credit card concierge can help you save time on tasks such as booking restaurants, organising events, planning travel or even getting tickets to big events.
  • Hotel benefits. Some cards offer exclusive benefits with hotel partners. For example, the American Express Platinum charge card offers complimentary Accor Plus membership valued at $399 per year.
  • Travel credit. There are a few credit cards that offer flights or travel credit each year. When you use this perk, it can be a simple way to offset the cost of the annual fee.

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 you need to consider the point transfer rate and the card's other features and costs to decide if it's worth it.

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.

Compare a wider range of frequent flyer credit card offers available now.

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, JetBlue, 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.

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Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full bio

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48 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    hazelJuly 26, 2013

    Hi,
    Can the Emirates Citibank Platinum be used to pay the ATO and collect Reward points from this transaction

      AvatarFinder
      JacobJuly 26, 2013Finder

      Hi Hazel,

      Thanks for your question.

      American Express is the only credit card issuer at the moment whose terms and conditions states that you can earn points by paying tax in the Australian market, given that you do not use BPAY. You may also refer to our guide on earning rewards points-paying your tax bill. Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.

      I hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Jacob

    Default Gravatar
    PeterJune 4, 2013

    Hi, I currently have a Skywards account with 20,000 miles, however, these miles have an expiry period of only 3 years. Will miles earned from the credit card also have this expiry period? Some airline miles have no expiry period, so 3 years is quite a limiting factor in whether I apply for the Emirates card. Thanks.

      AvatarFinder
      JacobJune 5, 2013Finder

      Hi Peter. Thanks for your question. According to the Skywards website: ‘Your Skywards Miles are valid for three years from the date on which they are credited to your account. Miles due to expire will be removed from your account annually, at the end of the month in which you were born. For example, if you earned Miles in June 2007 and your birthday was in August, these Miles expired on August 31, 2010. You can set automated messages from your Manage Account pages to remind you when Skywards Miles are due to expire.’ Hope this helps. Jacob.

    Default Gravatar
    kathyMay 5, 2013

    If we have booked our Business class tickets to UK with Emirates and purchased with Citi Bank Emirates Mastercard Platinum, Are we covered with Travel Insurance and if so what is the cover.

      AvatarFinder
      JacobMay 6, 2013Finder

      Hi Kathy. Thanks for your question.
      According to the terms and conditions, I’ve sent them to your email, you’re eligible for the cover when you put the full price of the ticket on your card provided that, ‘their travel is for
      no more than three (3) consecutive months for Gold Cards, or six (6) consecutive months or less for Select Cards , Signature Cards and Platinum Cards.’
      You covered for the following.
      ‘• medical expenses if you become sick or
      injured;
      • access to Zurich Assist emergency services;
      • loss or theft of personal belongings and
      business items;
      • cancellation of travel arrangements due to
      unexpected circumstances;
      • costs of resuming travel after the unexpected
      death of a relative;
      • costs of getting you to a special event if your
      journey is unexpectedly interrupted;
      • reimbursement of a rental vehicle excess or
      deductible;
      • reimbursement of your additional meal and
      accommodation expenses due to an unexpected
      delay of your conveyance;
      • your funeral expenses;
      • your accidental death;
      • your legal liability; and
      • loss of income as a result of injuries sustained
      on a journey.’

      Let me know if you would like more information about this.
      Jacob.

    Default Gravatar
    AlanMay 5, 2013

    Applied for card , gave all information req and it took 5 months to get a reply . Was told I was successful and the cards were to be dispatched to me. The next week another girl called asking more questions !!! Now I have a letter declining my application !!!!!
    Very very poor service. Alan.

      AvatarFinder
      JacobMay 6, 2013Finder

      Hi Alan. That’s disappointing to hear about your experience. Everyone should remember that it’s best to stay on the front foot when contacting the bank during card application. If you think your application is taking too long to process, call them and let them know. Let us know if there’s anything we can do for your Alan. Jacob.

    Default Gravatar
    SteveApril 23, 2013

    I have a Citibank Gold Card & wish to upgrade to an Emirates Platinum Card. Can you facilitate this please or what do I have to do? Thank you

      AvatarFinder
      JacobApril 23, 2013Finder

      Hi Steve. It’s a pretty simple process. You can apply online for this card as you would any other credit card. Once you’ve applied, and your application is successful, you can close your old account. Alternatively, you can contact Citibank to see if they can offer you any promotions for this product. Jacob.

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