A complete guide to Emirates Skywards Silver

Whether it’s meeting new and existing clients, visiting expat friends or family or even if Dubai has become your new favourite holiday destination, visiting the Emirati metropolis more regularly means it's likely you’re  now clocking up more miles on Emirates.

In doing so, your Emirates Skywards miles balance and Tier Miles balance is steadily climbing and before too long, your entry-level Blue status has changed to Silver.

Some travellers may regard Silver status as a 'stepping stone' to higher and more-elite tiers such as Skywards Gold and Platinum, but there are plenty of useful benefits to enjoy at the Silver rank on flights with both Emirates and with Qantas.

How to earn Emirates Skywards Silver status

Emirates sets starkly contrasting qualification criteria for its short and long-range customers across two airlines, forcing a lot more take-offs and landings for travellers flying nearby to reach the same goals.

Skywards Silver carries with it a number of particularly useful benefits as you continue your climb.

It takes 25 eligible flights or 25,000 Tier Miles on Emirates, regional partner FlyDubai and EK-marketed codeshare flights in a year to earn Skywards Silver status – exactly half of the requirements for Skywards Gold.

Emirates' Tier Miles are essentially the same as 'status credits' with Qantas and Virgin Australia, earned only on EK-coded flights depending on the distance flown and fare class.

It's not particularly difficult to earn Skywards Silver status, which can be yours after a single return Sydney-Dubai-London business class journey with Emirates in any fare type, even 'Business Special', which pays 27,280 Tier Miles by itself.

Indeed, with two such return flights in a year, you would be within Skywards Gold territory already.

Undertaking the same trip in economy class twice, even with the highest Flex Plus fare, will leave you heartbreakingly short of Silver at 49,600 Tier Miles. Paying the extra to fly business, even just in one direction, and Silver will be yours.

Head to the Emirates Mileage Calculator to see how many Tier Miles you can earn on your next journey.

Lounge access for Skywards Silver members

Once you've hit Skywards Silver, you'll enjoy complimentary access to any Emirates Business Class Lounges in Dubai.

Note that this doesn't extend to other Emirates-operated lounges around the world until you reach Skywards Gold, but it's a start. As expected, there aren't any guest allowances.

Visit the Moët & Chandon Champagne bar, even as a Skywards Silver member

Paid upgrades to the Emirates first class lounges in Dubai are possible, for US$125 (A$200). Extra travellers with you can purchase entry direct for US$250 (A$400) per person if they are also a Skywards member or US$300 (A$480) if not.

At Emirates' other worldwide lounges, Skywards members can buy access for US$100 (A$143) per person or US$130 (A$208) for non-members.

There is no other lounge access included for Skywards Silver members travelling in economy on Emirates, FlyDubai, Qantas or any other airline partner.

Checked baggage allowance for Skywards Silver members

Silver status grants you a modest increase in baggage allowance, which is 12kg extra for routes that have the weight concept (essentially anywhere except for the Americas).

Silver members gain a slight increase on their luggage allowance, even with Qantas.

There is no bonus allowance where the piece system is used. The 12kg extra allowance is also honoured on all Qantas flights.

Perks for Skywards Silver members

A few more Skywards Silver benefits make travelling a touch easier with Emirates. Standard economy seat selection is complimentary where a fee would normally be charged. 

In Dubai, Silver members flying Economy can check-in at specially signed counters. Anywhere else in the world and when travelling with FlyDubai, Silver members can sidestep the economy queue and check-in at the business class counter.

Priority boarding is offered as well, albeit after Platinum and Gold members. When flying with Qantas internationally, you can check-in at Premium Economy counters, where offered.

Silver Skywards members can access free instant chat inflight, but full access requires a first class seat booking.

If you need to stay in touch with people on the ground while you fly, Silver members can access free and unlimited instant message services with WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, Line or Viber by connecting to the inflight WiFi, if available.

For full internet access, Silver members must pay the prevailing rate unless travelling in first class.

In terms of earning points, Skywards Silver grants a 25% bonus for Skywards Miles with Emirates and FlyDubai, plus the ability to earn 1 Skywards Mile per US$1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

Remember always to link your Skywards member number inyou’re your flight bookings with Emirates, FlyDubai and any EK-coded flight. 

Your entitlements won't be recognised if you hold Skywards Gold status but credit your booking to Qantas Frequent Flyer, for example.