Chase & Emirates Are Breaking Up: What This Means for Your Points
Big news in the points and miles world: starting October 16, 2025, you’ll no longer be able to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Emirates Skywards. If you’ve had your eye on flying Emirates using Chase points, now’s the time to move quickly.
While Emirates isn’t the most popular transfer option, it still stings for anyone who liked using Skywards for aspirational travel—especially those iconic First Class suites and onboard bar.
Why This Matters
Chase Ultimate Rewards has long been a flexible and valuable program thanks to its diverse airline and hotel transfer partners. Losing Emirates reduces that flexibility, especially since Skywards can be the only way to book Emirates first and business class awards with miles.
If you want to transfer, you’ll need to do so before October 16, 2025. After that, Emirates will remain a partner with programs like Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, Bilt, and Citi, but Chase is out. However, it remains to be seen if they sever ties with the other banks.
Emirates’ Recent Negative Changes
The loss of this transfer option comes at a time when Emirates Skywards has already been losing some shine:
Higher Surcharges: Emirates recently increased the fees on award tickets, making those “sweet spot” redemptions a lot more expensive than before. What used to feel like an incredible deal now comes with some painful cash co-pays.
First Class Restrictions: One of the biggest draws of Skywards has always been access to Emirates’ world-famous First Class product. But now, Emirates has restricted First Class award space to Skywards elite members. If you don’t have status, your chances of snagging that seat are slim. There are some work arounds to this, such as upgrading with points at the airport, but it is not as easy to book yourself into this first class suites as they were before.
Should You Transfer Before the Deadline?
If you’ve been saving up Chase points specifically for an Emirates redemption, it could make sense to move them before the partnership ends. However, I personally don’t recommend it. Keep in mind:
You’ll want a specific redemption in mind before transferring, since Skywards likely isn’t the best place to park points long term. However, take a look at how much cash is now required to book some of these fifth freedom flights now. You will likely find that there are better deals elsewhere.
For most people, Emirates has become a less attractive program due to rising surcharges and tighter restrictions. Unless you’re set on flying Emirates soon, you might find better value with Chase’s other partners like Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic, or United MileagePlus.
You can still book Emirates flights through partners like Air Canada Aeroplan or Qantas Frequent Flyer, but award availability and pricing vary—and you typically won’t get the same access to First Class that Skywards members do.
Final Thoughts
Chase cutting ties with Emirates on October 16, 2025 is another reminder that loyalty programs are always changing—and not always for the better. If you definitely want to use your Chase points for Emirates, make your move now. Otherwise, it may be time to look elsewhere for your next big redemption.