Qantas is making changes to how you book Emirates Award flights using Qantas Points. These changes are being rolled out over three months. One of the biggest devaluations here is that you would need a “Qantas Silver or above status” to book Emirates First Class.
What changes are coming?
There are three changes: one has already been implemented, one will be implemented in February, and the other in March 2026. These changes pertain to the ability to book Emirates First Class using Qantas points and the number of Qantas points needed to book Emirates award flights.
- Emirates First Class Changes:
- All passengers must be 9 years old on 21 January 2026.
- Qantas Frequent Flyers who hold Silver status or higher will be able to book Emirates First reward seats starting 18 February 2026.
- Increase in Points requirement:
- Starting 31 March 2026, the Qantas points required for booking an Emirates Award flight will increase.
- For example, a one-way Classic Flight Reward in Emirates Business from Sydney to Dubai will increase from 130,100 points to 143,000 points (plus taxes, fees and carrier charges).
Emirates First Class Award Flight Need Qantas Elite Status
Starting 18 February 2026, you must be a Qantas Silver Elite or higher to book an Emirates First Class award. Last year, Emirates also made a similar change, requiring you to be an Emirates elite status holder to book an Emirates First Class seat. After this change, Qantas was still one of the options to book it without being a Status holder.
Qantas Award Chart for Emirates Award Flights
Last year, Qantas made changes to Award Chart including for emirates and the same award chart is applicable for booking an emirates award till 30 March 2026.
The new Qantas Award Chart for Emirates Award flights starting 31 March 2026 is also available.
So, starting 31 March 2026 you will pay 10% to 30% more Qantas Points for booking an Emirates award flight:
- Economy Award: 10% Increase
- Premium Economy Award: 30%+ Increase
- Business Class: 10% Increase
- First Class: 20% Increase
What does it mean?
Qantas and Emirates have a close partnership, and Emirates has been consistently moving toward making First Class redemptions more exclusive, limiting access to elite members. This is also the second devaluation on Qantas-booked Emirates awards in less than a year, suggesting that a significant share of redemptions had shifted to Emirates once First Class availability was restricted elsewhere.
Unlike most airlines, Emirates is already profitable without relying on its loyalty program to drive revenue. As a result, it has little incentive to open up premium award inventory for everyone. Going forward, more airlines are likely to adopt a similar approach, tightening award access rather than expanding it.
Bottomline
Qantas has devalued Emirates award flights, with First Class awards now restricted to Qantas elite status holders. The changes to award availability take effect from 18 February 2026, while the revised award chart applies to bookings made from 31 March 2026.
