Massive changes hit Qantas Emirates reward rates
A hike of up to 30% hits the Qantas Points redemption rates for Emirates.
By David Flynn, January 22 2026
Using your Qantas Points to book an Emirates flight – especially in business or first class, and doubly so on the Airbus A380 – was once a major drawcard of the alliance between the Flying Kangaroo and the globe-striding Gulf colossus.
But a wave of changes across recent years has steadily cruelled both the availability and the appeal of those points-based bookings.
Qantas has this week confirmed that more points will be needed for Emirates redemption bookings made from March 31, 2026:
- first class redemptions will jump by 20%
- business class redemptions increase between 6% and 10%
- economy class redemptions are also up by around 10%
And while premium economy redemptions are not yet available for booking with Qantas Points, when that does happen, a ride in one of those comfy recliners will set you back by around 30%.
Emirates' premium economy sees a sharp rise in the number of points needed.
From a practical perspective, a one-way Emirates business class flight from Sydney to Dubai will rise from 130,100 Qantas Points to 143,000 Qantas Points.
Of course, on top of that sits a staggering cash surcharge of $1,253.
And if your heart was set on turning those Qantas Points into an indulgent Emirates first class trip to Europe, now’s the time to make that booking, before the March 31 increase takes effect.
That’s because an Emirates first class award seat from Sydney to London (or pretty much anywhere else in Western Europe) will jump from 249,400 Qantas Points to 299,300 Qantas Points (plus almost $2,000 in fees and taxes).
Emirates first class is becoming even more 'aspirational'.
These increases follow last year’s sweeping devaluation of Qantas Points, while other adjustments being driven from Emirates’ end include:
- from January 21, points-based redemptions can no longer be made for children under the age of 9
- from February 18, only Qantas Silver members or higher can book Emirates first class rewards
“This policy aligns with our continuous efforts to enhance the First Class experience and uphold the exclusivity of rewards for our premium members,” explained an Emirates spokesperson.
“First Class Classic Rewards are exclusively available for Skywards Platinum, Gold and Silver Tier members, providing our premium and loyal members with more rewards, benefits, and greater access to Emirates’ renowned First Class travel experience.”
Also read: Emirates reveals 777X business class suites
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 277
I'd say the points devaluation is the most disappointing aspect.
25 Nov 2025
Total posts 35
Exactly, especially fresh off the heels of the August 2025 QFF devaluation...and if you look at the numbers closely in the latest EK development, the worst affected cabin has been P/E rewards.
For business, 130k to 143k points is nothing really, but for the same in P/E, you are looking at an increase from 97.6k to 128.7k (source: pointhacks). So even if you have the status to allow you to book anything, you are better off aiming for a Business ticket at 15k more points...it's a complete no-brainer.
You still get smashed on carrier charges, fees and taxes though; before the QFF devaluation, I booked a return trip from Australia to Europe in First and burned 543k points, but paid $4,400 in fees and taxes, and I'm not even flying into LHR.
Funny how they only just (September 2025) allowed P/E to be booked using rewards, as in January 2025 it was still blocked; how coincidental this latest initiative must now be ?! /s
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Mar 2015
Total posts 23
I've used my millions of points recently and now have zero loyalty to any airline. I have QF platinum (and lifetime gold on QF) , so one world is preferred. MH has some excellent business class fares out of KL to AU, NZ at almost 50% less than SQ. I have SQ PPS for about five more years but I rarely fly SQ as it is just too expensive out of Singapore, and there are many other options if you don't mind a stop. there is very little value in the points these days - if you can even get a seat.
17 Nov 2023
Total posts 72
" enhance the First Class experience". Aka, enhance how much we make out of it ...
25 Nov 2025
Total posts 35
"enhance the First Class experience".
What, by ending the multitude of influencers adding to the swamp of "I FLEW EMIRATES FIRST CLASS !" videos on YT and vlogging about it endlessly as though they are the first (sic) to have done it...but only if they are Bronze QFF members. We can but hope.
If EK really want to enhance the experience, please deny boarding to people who were already clearly inebriated from their time in the lounge or have them met on arrival by UAE's finest with a long spell in NEDP at Sharjah. Please.
Such as the UK person who boasts a video on YT about "getting blackout drunk" on their EK F flight...this person's behaviour and language on the video throughout was utterly crass, offensive and I would not be happy if I had to sit near such on ANY flight in ANY class, let alone in First and regardless of who was paying.
I don't mind people indulging but drunks on the plane who continue to carry on doing so are not cool, especially when they associate themselves with you as a fellow countryman / seatmate and you have to lose them at the connecting flight's lounge forcefield entry...the only time I'm grateful we have a lounge dragon to stop them following me in.
12 Apr 2022
Total posts 2
I am AA and based out of LAX. I used to be QF / SYD and guys, this is just appauling. They call it "enhancing" the experience. They ask you to pay for the ticket and use hundreds of thousands of points, while they are still making huge profits on redemptions. It's such a marketing BS. OW biz to DXB from SYD is 143 thousand plus AUD1200+. The airline is making a profit on biz class on A380 SYD-DXB sector at about $450 mark. So they will extract 143 K points plus AUD750 on your flight, and you are supposed to be loyal? AA in comparison with QR redemption PRG-DOH-SYD is 85 thousand point (quite a lot for us), with $99 taxes / fees. And even that we consider quite a lot. Australians are getting so screwed in every way. Ticket prices, taxes, FF points... It's really disgusting.
08 May 2020
Total posts 67
I begrudgingly agree that base tiers probably shouldn't have access to the cheapest international business class rewards but it's a bit painful to watch as a Bronze who is finding it very difficult to find a reason to fly with Qantas
25 Nov 2025
Total posts 35
Think of it like this though...those 'base tier' people are likely to have either saved for a long time and/or played the FF game just the same as the higher tiers - and harder - to earn those points to get those flights.
Higher tiers enjoy a significant advantage in terms of bonus points (e.g. 25, 50 or 100%) and so, can earn them faster.
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