Dubai’s Emirates decreases cost of purchasing air miles

Dubai carrier Emirates has announced new lower rates to purchase and transfer air miles under its Skywards membership programme.

Under the new system, designed in partnership with loyalty commerce firm Points, the cost of buying 1,000 miles has decreased from $40 to $30 per 1,000 miles.

Transferring miles will cost $15 per 1,000 miles and the carrier is now allowing members to reinstate expired miles from the last six months at a charge of $20 per 1,000.

To coincide with the changes transactions limits have also been increased to allow members to buy or gift up to 100,000 miles per year and transfer up to 50,000.

The previous annual limit for purchasing miles was 25,000.

“Our members know how to maximise the value that Skywards offers and can now enjoy greater flexibility when they buy, gift, transfer or reinstate their Skywards Miles,” said Emirates senior vice president of Skywards Dr Nejib Ben Kheder.

“With our programme continually evolving, the coming months will see the addition of even more features enabling our members greater opportunity than ever to earn miles and access rewards across our wide range of flights, travel and lifestyle related products.”

Emirates has recently introduced a number of measures to boost revenues including paid access to its airport lounges.

Previously only passengers flying in business class or Emirates Skywards members of silver tier and above could access the lounges.

Read: Dubai’s Emirates offers paid access to 27 global airport lounges