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Emirates Credit Cards

Compare credit cards that let you earn Emirates Skywards Miles for your everyday spending in Australia and overseas, including offers from Amex and CommBank.

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By

Amy Bradney-George

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Keith Kilcourse

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Name Bonus points Points per $ spent Purchase rate p.a. Annual fee
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
Membership Rewards
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
1
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$0 first year ($195 after)
Go to siteMore Info
 Save with a $0 annual fee in the first year. Plus, $200 Travel Credit every year.
American Express Explorer Credit Card
Membership Rewards
Bonus points
50,000
Points per $ spent
2
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$395
Go to siteMore Info
 Get 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.
American Express Platinum Card
Membership Rewards Ascent Premium
Bonus points
200,000
Points per $ spent
2.25
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$1,450
Go to siteMore Info
 Earn 200,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, a $450 Travel Credit each year.
American Express Business Explorer Credit Card
Membership Rewards Gateway
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
2
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$0 first year ($149 after)
Go to siteMore Info
ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Save with a $0 first-year annual fee and earn up to 2 points on eligible business spending.
American Express Platinum Business Card
Membership Rewards Ascent Premium
Bonus points
250,000
Points per $ spent
2.25
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$1,750
Go to siteMore Info
ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Get 250,000 bonus Membership Rewards points and a $500 Credit when you spend $12,000 in the first 3 months.
American Express Gold Business Card
Membership Rewards Ascent
Bonus points
75,000
Points per $ spent
1.5
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$169
Go to siteMore Info
ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Get 75,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $1,000 within the first 2 months. Plus, earn 1.5 points per $1 on eligible spending with Membership Rewards.
American Express Essential Credit Card
Membership Rewards Gateway
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
1.25
Purchase rate p.a.
18.99%
Annual fee
$0
Go to siteMore Info
 Get up to 1.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible spending and an ongoing $0 annual fee.
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How can I earn Emirates Skywards Miles with a credit card?

You can transfer reward points to your Emirates Skywards frequent flyer account with a credit card that's linked to American Express Membership Rewards or CommBank Awards. These are the only Australian banking partners currently listed on the Emirates Skywards website.

How to transfer credit card points to Emirates Skywards Miles

Each rewards program has its own steps for redeeming points, but it's usually along these lines:

  1. Log in to your credit card rewards program account.
  2. Choose the frequent flyer point transfer option from the selection of rewards (or search for Emirates Skywards Miles).
  3. Confirm the details and follow the prompts to transfer your points.

Reward point transfer rates

Credit card providerRewards programPoint transfer rate
American ExpressMembership Rewards3 Membership Rewards = 1 Emirates Skywards Mile
CommBankCommBank Awards4 CommBank Awards points = 1 Emirates Skywards Mile

📝 Keep in mind: This table shows the transfer rates that are publicly listed on the rewards program website and/or Emirates website. You'll see full details for transferring points to Emirates Skywards Miles when you log in to your credit card rewards account.

Emirates Skywards credit card changes in 2023

On 4 October 2023, American Express changed the point transfer rate for Emirates Skywards miles from 2 Membership Rewards points to 3 Membership Rewards points for every 1 Skywards mile. This represents a 33% decrease in the value of points transfers, but is still a better rate than CommBank.

The change follows previous moves from Citi Rewards, Suncorp Rewards and Diners Club Rewards, which ended their point transfer partnerships with Emirates Skywards on 31 January 2023.

Citi also took the Emirates Citi World Mastercard off the market in Australia. Existing cardholders were able to earn Skywards Miles until 30 May 2023. After that, cardholders could make repayments but would not be able to use the card for anything else.

How to compare Emirates credit cards

With only 2 credit card brands in Australia currently offering point transfers to Skywards Miles, here are some of the key details to think about:

Bonus points offers

Introductory bonus points offers give you a way to get thousands of Skywards Miles on a new card when you meet the requirements. Key details to check include:

  • Spend requirements. You usually need to meet a spend requirement to get bonus points. For example, $3,000 in the first 3 months. Make sure that the offer's spend requirement fits with your budget and avoid spending just for the sake of earning points.
  • Eligibility. Most bonus point offers are only available to new customers. This means you usually can't get bonus points if you already have a credit card with the same provider, or if you've had one with that provider in the past 1-2 years.
  • Offer end date. These offers are only available for a limited time, which means you need to apply for the card before the offer ends to be eligible for bonus points.
  • Emirates Skywards Miles details. You'll need to add your Emirates frequent flyer membership number to your credit card account so you can earn Skywards Miles. If it's a rewards card that lets you transfer points, check how many Skywards Miles you'll get so you can decide if it's worth it.

Points or miles per $1 spent

Right now, you can earn an equivalent of 0.25 to 0.75 Emirates Skywards Miles per $1 on everyday spending with a credit card in Australia.

For example, with a card that earned 2 reward points per $1 and had an Emirates Skywards transfer rate of 3:1 – such as the American Express Explorer Card – you'd be able to get 0.66 Skywards Mile per $1. And with a card that offered 1 rewards point per $1 and a transfer rate of 4 points to 1 Skywards Mile – like the CommBank Ultimate Awards Credit Card – you'd get an equivalent 0.25 Miles per $1 spent. So, it pays to compare both the earn rate and transfer rate.

What is an "eligible purchase"?

With a credit card, you'll usually earn points per $1 on your everyday spending including supermarket shopping, dining, petrol, online streaming subscriptions and general retail purchases.

Transactions that don't earn points typically include cash advances, balance transfers, BPAY payments and account fees and charges. Check the rewards program terms and conditions, or contact the credit card provider to find out if a transaction will or won't earn points.

Rates and fees

The overall cost of a credit card has a huge impact on how much value you get from rewards (and other perks). This includes:

  • Annual fee. Credit cards that offer point transfers to Emirates Skywards Miles typically have annual fees from around $150 to $1,450. Some cards also offer a reduced or $0 annual fee for the first year or for the life of the card. Ideally, the annual fee should cost less than the value you get from Skywards Miles and other perks.
  • Interest rates. Rewards credit card interest rates are typically between 19% and 24%. This is at the higher end of the scale for credit cards in Australia. So you'll usually get the most value out of the card if you can pay it off in full by the monthly due date and take advantage of interest-free days. A 0% interest rate offer can also help you save on charges during the introductory period.
  • Other fees. Check the international transaction fee if you think you'll shop with a lot of overseas retailers (including online), as this fee costs around 3% of each international transaction. It's also worth checking for late fees, cash advance charges and any other costs that may apply.

Other benefits and perks

  • Airport lounge access. For example, single-use lounge passes each year you have a card or membership to a service like Priority Pass.
  • Complimentary travel insurance. Lots of premium credit cards offer complimentary international travel insurance. Some cards also offer interstate flight inconvenience insurance, transit accident insurance or rental vehicle excess insurance. As with any insurance, the eligibility, excess costs and claims processes vary. You should read the insurance booklet for full details of any cover.
  • Concierge services. A credit card concierge can help you save time on tasks such as booking restaurants, organising events, planning travel or even getting tickets to big events.
  • Hotel benefits. Some cards offer exclusive benefits with hotel partners. For example, the American Express Platinum charge card offers complimentary Accor Plus membership valued at $399 per year.
  • Travel credit. There are a few credit cards that offer flights or travel credit each year. When you use this perk, it can be a simple way to offset the cost of the annual fee.

Is an Emirates credit card worth it in Australia?

If you regularly fly with Emirates, one advantage to getting a credit card that offers Skywards Miles transfers is that you can earn more miles for reward flights. But you need to consider the point transfer rate and the card's other features and costs to decide if it's worth it.

If you're unlikely to redeem Skywards Miles within the 3-year timeframe before they expire, another option is to consider a Qantas credit card. This would allow you to earn Qantas Points, which you can redeem for flights with Emirates or other partners through the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.

Compare a wider range of frequent flyer credit card offers available now.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a credit card that earns Emirates Skywards Miles directly in Australia?

There are currently no Australian credit cards that directly earn Skywards Miles per $1 spent. Previously, the Emirates Citi World Mastercard was the only card directly linked to the program. It earned between 0.5 and 1.5 Skywards Miles per $1 on eligible spending. It also offered Emirates Lounge passes and other perks. But it was taken off the market in 2023.Yes, you need to be a member and provide your Emirates Skywards membership details before you can earn miles through a credit card. You can join the Emirates Skywards program for free online if you're not already a member.

Will earning Emirates Skywards Miles through a credit card stop my miles from expiring?

No. Emirates Skywards Miles expire 3 years after they are earned, and having a credit card won't change that. But Emirates Skywards may let you request a 12-month extension on your miles or reinstate them after they have expired. So if you're worried about your Skywards Miles expiring, contact Emirates to see what options are available.

Can I get an additional card to earn more Skywards Miles?

Depending on the credit card you choose, you could request an additional cardholder for your account. They would then earn miles on eligible spending, which would be added to your Emirates Skywards account (as the primary cardholder). Note that some cards may charge a yearly additional cardholder fee for this option and you would still be responsible for paying off the balance on your Emirates credit card account.

Can I use my Skywards Miles to redeem flights other than with Emirates?

Yes, you can use your Skywards Miles towards eligible flights with Emirates partner airlines. These include Qantas, Air Mauritius, Alaska Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Copa Airlines, easyJet, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, JetBlue, Jetstar, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, S7 Airlines, South African Airways and TAP Portugal.

Can I transfer my Qantas Points to Emirates?

No, Qantas Frequent Flyer doesn't offer point transfers to other airline loyalty programs. But you can redeem Qantas Points for flights with Emirates, or redeem Emirates Skywards Miles for flights with Qantas as they are partner airlines.

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  1. Emirates Skywards Miles
  2. Emirates Australia list of Skywards partner banks accessed 4 August 2023
  3. American Express Membership Rewards Emirates Skywards Miles transfer details accessed 4 August 2023
  4. Emirates Citi World Mastercard FAQs

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48 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    LindaSeptember 10, 2018

    I want to apply for a Skywards card as I am a frequent flyer. How do I apply? I want to use my points for my next flight in March on Emirates to Istanbul/Phuket/Dubai

    Reply
      AvatarFinder
      JhezelynSeptember 10, 2018Finder

      Hello Linda,

      Thank you for your comment.

      According to Emirates, if you are an Emirates Skywards member already, there’s no need to have a physical card in order to enjoy all the benefits of membership. You can simply quote your membership number to continue to earn and redeem Miles. You also have an option to print a physical copy of your digital card by adding it to your Apple Wallet, or save it to your device’s photo or image library for quick access to your membership details.

      Use your Skywards Miles to book flights to any destination across their network, in any class.

      – Pay for the full cost of your ticket using your Skywards Miles
      – Start from 15,000 Skywards Miles
      – Saver and Flex Plus reward fares available. One-way rewards available on Flex Plus fares
      – Simply choose Classic Rewards to pay with Miles when you book online

      You may visit Emirates website for your redeeming needs.

      Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    DoodlesJuly 20, 2018

    I have both HSBC and a Capital One cards which accrue points that supposedly can be used to book flights. Can either of these be used with Emirates? Thanks

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      NikkiJuly 20, 2018

      Hi Doodles!

      Thanks for getting in touch.

      Unfortunately, you’re HSBC and Capital One credit cards don’t directly or indirectly earn Emirates rewards. Unfortunately, you cannot use the frequent flyer points that’s earn from your HSBC or Capital One cards.

      Hope this clarifies!

      Nikki

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    SharonJune 22, 2017

    I have booked an Emirates flight with my Emirates credit card. However, I booked it through a travel company as it was much cheaper at the time. Can I access the chauffeur service? We have been Skywards members for a long time, and I use my Emirates card all the time. Thanks!

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      JonathanJune 23, 2017

      Hi Sharon!

      As per Emirates Chauffeur-drive Terms and Conditions:
      – Some special fare itineraries may have restrictions on the Chauffeur-drive service. Please check at the time of booking your flights.

      You can contact Emirates Customer Service to confirm your eligibility for this particular travel.

      Hope this clarifies.

      Cheers,
      Jonathan

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    PaulMarch 2, 2017

    Can i apply for a card if i live in Austria ?

    Reply
      AvatarFinder
      DeeMarch 2, 2017Finder

      Hi Paul,

      Thanks for your question.

      Unfortunately, the credit cards that we feature on our website are only available to Australian residents. You may try getting one from a financial institution in your country.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    GeeOctober 18, 2016

    Hi
    Currently have a citi emirates card and would like to change but stay with emirates. The reason i want to change is that the citi card charges 2% on transactions made overseas which is disappointing. Can you recommend another card which does not charge these type of fees.
    regards
    Gee

    Reply
      AvatarFinder
      YsaOctober 22, 2016Finder

      Hi Gee,

      Thanks for reaching out and I’m sorry to hear about your experience.

      You may wish to look at our 0% Foreign Fees Credit Cards comparison page to help you decide and find one that suits you. Please take note of the eligibility criteria at the bottom of each credit card’s review page, as each submitted application will appear on your credit history.

      I hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Ysa

      Reply
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