The Emirates Skywards program is a widely favored option for utilizing miles for travel on Emirates, especially in premium classes. Although there are some disadvantages such as elevated carrier fees, redemption costs, and limited first-class award availability for elite members, the program provides beneficial features like the stopover policy when redeeming miles.
Emirates Skywards permits stopovers on award tickets, with differences depending on the type of award selected. Flex Plus awards allow for one stopover on a one-way trip and two on a roundtrip journey. Saver awards, excluding first class, grant one stopover on a roundtrip ticket. These stopovers must occur in Dubai, with varying costs for stopovers on fifth freedom routes.
Grasping the difference between Saver and Flex Plus awards is essential. Saver awards demand fewer miles, whereas Flex Plus awards necessitate more. In first class, all awards are categorized as Flex Plus, while in other classes, one-way awards fall under Flex Plus, and roundtrip awards can be either Saver or Flex Plus.
Scheduling a stopover on a roundtrip is easy via Emirates’ website using the advanced search function. For one-way awards, transactions must be conducted by telephone with Emirates Skywards support. Agents are typically well-equipped to manage these bookings properly.
Personal experiences with the stopover option have been favorable, particularly when redeeming for Emirates first class. The procedure is simple, and agents are capable of adjusting existing reservations to include a stopover without the necessity of canceling and rebooking completely.
In summary, Emirates Skywards presents a useful stopover feature for one-way awards, boosting the program’s attractiveness despite its hefty fees and surcharges. The possibility of adding a stopover in Dubai without additional miles enhances the program’s value.