Book Emirates first class with Qantas or Air Canada miles

Over the weekend, we reported that beginning today (May 12, 2025), Emirates would only allow members with Emirates Skywards elite status to book Emirates first class awards using Emirates Skywards miles. At the time, I wondered what this would mean for redemptions through Air Canada Aeroplan and Qantas, both of which had retained access to Emirates first class with partner miles despite most partners losing access. The good news is that both programs do still have access to Emirates first class award space.

Emirates first class via Qantas points (transfer from Capital One miles, Amex Membership Rewards points, and Citi Thank You Rewards)

Qantas offers the best remaining way to book Emirates first class awards for those without Emirates elite status.

Sadly, surcharges on most routes are quite high (~$800 or more), but surcharges on the routes between the US and Europe remain very reasonable, while the number of miles required increases with distance.

For instance, you can book Emirates first class awards between New York-JFK and Milan (MXP) via Qantas Frequent Flyer for 107,700 Qantas points and about $100.

Newark to/from Athens is also available via Qantas Frequent Flyer, though as the distance is a bit further, that route will set you back over 129,300 miles.

There is no doubt that 100K+ miles one-way is a lot to pay for a flight to or from Europe. As a point of comparison, New York JFK to Milan in economy class can be booked for as few as 17,500 Skywards miles and about $60. First class is very expensive by comparison.

That said, Emirates has the blingiest first class around, making for a memorable experience. And as compared to flying Lufthansa first class with miles or Singapore Airlines first class with miles to Europe, these rates are in the ballpark with what you’ll pay for first class to/from Europe.

Keep in mind that the New York to/from Milan route is usually served by an A380, with the onboard shower, whereas the Newark to/from Athens route is ordinarily a 777, which features similar seats but no onboard shower.

You can still book via Aeroplan, but it costs far more miles

It is worth noting that Air Canada Aeroplan continues to have access to Emirates first class award space, but given the incredibly high redemption rates, it would be hard for many to justify using Aeroplan points for that purpose.

Find availability via Seats.aero

Award search tool Seats.aero will be your best bet in finding availability to book Emirates first class with Qantas points.

To find possible availability, Explore Qantas Frequent Flyer, set the tool to search from North America to Europe (perhaps viewing a year of availability), then select “Emirates” out of the “Airlines” drop-down box. You’ll see that there is indeed some first class availability between Newark and Athens for 129,300 Qantas points and about $101.50.

In the other direction, I only see one date on the Milan to JFK route at 107,700 points.

These certainly aren’t cheap redemptions, but if you’re on the hunt for Emirates first class award space, this is the best way to find it.

If you’d like to go further afield, Qantas charges around 150K points one-way between the US and Dubai, but expect to pay north of $800 per passenger in taxes & fees.

H/T: Miles Talk

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