Let’s explore both options, weigh the pros and cons, and help you decide which path gets you closer to reclining in that lie-flat seat faster, without reclining your bank account balance too much.
What Are Emirates Skywards Miles?
For those not familiar
with it, Emirates Skywards miles are the loyalty currency of the airline, sort
of like an excellent reward program for a high-flying client. The miles are
redeemable for flights with Emirates or any of the participating airlines, like
Qantas or Japan Airlines, or have the flexibility to spend them on upgrades in
booking class (because, honestly, who doesn’t like to rub shoulders with
royalty) or on exclusive experiences and hotel stays.
But the real magic
begins when you redeem those miles for premium cabin experiences—think
in-flight showers, gourmet dining, and so much legroom you could practically
squeeze in a yoga session mid-air (okay, maybe just a few stretches).
Earn Miles the Old-Fashioned Way
1. Fly, Shop, Swipe, Repeat
Earning Emirates miles
can be done in a variety of ways:
- Flying with Emirates or its 20+ partner
airlines
- Using Emirates co-branded credit cards
- Transferring points from flexible programs
(Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou, etc.)
- Hotel stays, car rentals, and retail
shopping portals
2. The Upside of Earning
- Free (mostly)—you’re earning on purchases
you’d make anyway.
- Helps you build toward elite status tiers
like Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
- Less risky than buying—your wallet doesn’t
feel the turbulence.
3. The Downside
- Accumulation takes time unless you fly
often or are a credit card ninja.
- Not ideal when you’re 5,000 miles short of
a dream redemption with only 24 hours to book.
Buy Emirates Miles
1. How to Buy Emirates Miles
Buying is
straightforward:
- Visit the Emirates Skywards website
- Minimum purchase: 2,000 miles
- Max per year: 100,000 miles (200,000 for
elite members)
- Price: ~$30 per 1,000 miles (3¢ per mile)
— unless there’s a promotion
2. Promotions Make It Palatable
Emirates often runs
buy miles promotions. For instance, a recent 25% bonus offered 125,000 miles
for $3,000, dropping the price to 2.4¢ per mile.
That’s still not
cheap, but if you’re trying to book a Business Saver reward that would normally
cost $4,000 in cash, buying miles could save you a significant amount.
As always, don’t
blindly buy Emirates miles because they’re on sale. That’s how people end up
with 50 cans of expired soup in the pantry and no idea why.
3. When Buying Makes Sense
- You’re just short for a high-value
redemption.
- You’ve already found availability for a
Business or First-Class award.
- The math checks out: miles + taxes <
retail ticket price.
- You love flying but hate waiting.
A Side-by-Side Comparison: Buy vs.
Earn
|
Feature |
Earn Miles |
Buy Emirates Miles |
|
Cost |
Free (with spending) |
2.4¢–3¢ per mile |
|
Speed |
Slow unless
flying/spending a lot |
Instant (within 48
hours) |
|
Status Benefits |
Yes |
No |
|
Risk |
Low |
High (due to
potential devaluation) |
|
Best For |
Long-term travelers |
Urgent top-ups &
high-value redemptions |
Real Redemption Examples
Let’s say you want to fly from Perth to London in First Class. An upgrade from Business Flex will cost you 78,000 Skywards miles.
- Buying 78,000 miles during a 25% bonus promo = ~$1,872.
- That same upgrade might cost $4,000+ in
cash.
- Verdict? Buying miles can be a steal if
you know what you're doing—and if you’re not prone to panic-booking
flights at midnight with three tabs open and one glass of wine too many.
What About Mileage Brokers?
Yes, third-party
platforms claiming to sell Emirates miles at discounted rates do exist—but so
do the risks that come with them. While the idea of scoring cheap miles might
sound appealing, these unofficial channels often operate in a legal and ethical
gray area. Purchasing miles this way may directly violate Emirates Skywards’
program terms and conditions. And the consequences? They can be severe. We’re
talking about account suspension, loss of accumulated miles, or even permanent
bans from the loyalty program. In other words, your dream of flying First Class
for a bargain could end in a travel nightmare.
The rule of thumb? If
a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Unless you're a seasoned
points-and-miles expert who knows how to navigate these underground channels
(and even then, it's a gamble), it's far safer—and smarter—to stick with
Emirates' official website or a reputable, transparent mileage broker.
So… Should You Buy Emirates Miles?
Here’s when it does make
sense:
- You’ve already found award availability in
a premium cabin.
- You’re just a few thousand miles short of
a high-value redemption.
- There’s an active buy Emirates miles
promotion offering a decent bonus (like 20–25% extra miles).
If those boxes are
ticked, buying miles can be a strategic move to unlock luxury travel at a
fraction of the cash price. Just be sure you’re making an informed decision—one
based on real math and real need, not the thrill of the deal.
But if you have time
on your side, flexible credit card points, or upcoming travel, earning miles
will give you more value in the long run, without the sticker shock.
Buying Emirates miles
can be a smart move—but only if you treat it like a scalpel, not a
sledgehammer. Analyze your situation, crunch the numbers, and avoid buying
miles "just in case." Because just like that gym membership you
bought in January… unused miles have a way of sitting around.
Thinking about topping up your Skywards balance? Don’t miss our blog, How Much Value Do You Really Get When You Buy Emirates Points?—you’ll learn when it’s smart to buy, how much each point is truly worth, and how to get the most value out of your miles.
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