Qantas Announces Major Devaluation of Emirates Flight Rewards Points
In a move that has disappointed frequent flyers, Qantas has quietly revealed a substantial devaluation of its Emirates Classic Flight Rewards program. The changes, buried at the bottom of a member email, will see points costs rise significantly across all cabin categories, effective from the end of March 2026.
Substantial Points Increases Across All Travel Classes
The airline has confirmed that the number of points required to book Emirates rewards flights will increase sharply. Premium economy redemptions will be hit hardest, with points costs rising by approximately 30 per cent. Economy and business class travellers will also face hikes of up to 10 per cent, while first class rewards will become 20 per cent more expensive.
As a concrete example, Qantas provided details showing that a one-way Classic Flight Reward in Emirates Business from Sydney to Dubai will jump from 130,100 points to 143,000 points. This increase does not include additional taxes, fees, and carrier charges that members must still pay on top of their points expenditure.
New Status Requirements for First Class Access
Adding further restrictions, Qantas has announced that from next month, members will need to hold at least Silver status or higher within the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to access Emirates First Class rewards. This change effectively limits premium redemption opportunities to more loyal, higher-tier members of the program.
The member email stated clearly: “The number of points required to book an Emirates Classic Flight Reward will increase from March 31, 2026.” This formal notification confirms what many travellers had feared – that reward travel is becoming progressively more expensive as airlines adjust their loyalty program economics.
This devaluation represents another adjustment in the complex relationship between Qantas and Emirates, whose partnership has reshaped international travel options for Australian flyers. The changes will likely prompt members to reconsider how they accumulate and spend their points, particularly for premium international travel experiences.
