Update: Emirates first class still open to Qantas Points bookings

Qantas and Emirates say the Gulf airline’s first class suites will remain available to be booked using Qantas Points at low ‘Classic Reward’ rates, despite a weekend tightening of redemption rules.

As we reported earlier today, Emirates revealed on Saturday it would restrict first class classic reward seats to Skywards frequent flyers members holding ‘elite’ status.

A notice tucked away on the Miles Calculator page of the Emirates website declares “Effective 12th May 2025 classic rewards in First Class will be a Tier benefit available only to Platinum, Gold and Silver tier members.”

Given this could be interpreted as restricting first class classic reward redemptions to only those Skywards members, rather than partners such as Qantas, it immediately and understandably set alarm bells ringing.

Qantas maintains that Emirates first class 'reward seat' bookings will remain available using Qantas Points.

After all, flying first class with Emirates is widely considered to be one of the world’s best airline experiences.

Think private suites – the amazing meals (bring on the ‘unlimited’ Champagne and caviar) – the insane appeal of taking a shower at 40,000 feet to rinse off the day or freshen up before you land.

It’s also a very popular way to use Qantas Points, due to the long-standing partnership between Qantas and Emirates.

That ranges from 64,500 Qantas Points for an indulgent three-hour jaunt between Sydney and Christchurch to around 250,000 Qantas Points between Sydney and London or Paris.

Qantas maintains that Emirates first class 'reward seat' bookings will remain available using Qantas Points.

Over the weekend Executive Traveller approached both Emirates and Qantas for comment; in response, both airlines advised that the changes relate specifically to Emirates' own Skywards program members, and not to partners such as Qantas.

In effect, they remove the ability of entry-level Skywards Blue members to use Skywards Miles to book a first class suite as a redemption reward, which now becomes a perk exclusive to Skywards Silver status status or higher.

“This change has been implemented to provide our premium and loyal members with more rewards, exclusive benefits, and greater access to Emirates’ renowned first class travel experience,” says a spokesperson for Emirates Skywards.

“Members of airlines which partner with Emirates Skywards are not impacted by this change.”

Qantas likewise had assured that the changes relate specifically to Emirates’ own Skywards program members, comfirming that Qantas Frequent Flyers continue to have access to first class reward seats on Emirates.

Emirates offers first class out of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth on both its flagship Airbus A380 superjumbos and long-range Boeing 777s, with the Melbourne-Dubai (EK404/EK405)  Boeing 777 featuring the airline’s latest ‘game-changer’ suites.