Extravagance, luxury, over-the-top, bling. These are just a few of the adjectives used to describe the Emirate’s first class experience. One could argue that Emirates offers the best first class product in the sky. And when you read reviews of Emirates first class you can see why.

One of the many amazing things about points and miles is the ability to unlock exceptional value. That’s certainly the case with the ability to redeem Emirates Skywards miles to book an Emirates’ first class ticket. Instead of forking over $10,000, why not redeem a few hundred thousand credit card points or airline miles instead to book these first class flights?

For more Points With Q articles delivered to your inbox, sign up for my travel newsletter.

Credit Cards Points to Earn to Book Emirates

While there are three ideal ways to book Emirates first class, using Emirates’ own miles is the best way. to book their award flight. With that said, Emirates is a transfer partner of Amex, Brex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, and Marriott. In other words, Emirates partners with all transferable point programs except Bilt.

The Amex Gold Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Premier Card, Capital One Venture X, and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant are cards in each of these programs to keep your eye on. You earn 4x points at restaurants and US supermarkets with the Amex Gold Card. The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points on dining and travel. You earn 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels with the Citi Premier Card. Capital One Venture X earns 10x miles on hotels and rental cars, and 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on all other purchases. You earn 6x points at Marriott with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.

Emirates US Routes

You can fly nonstop Emirates first class to Dubai International Airport (DXB) from Boston, Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston–Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York–JFK, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma, and Washington–Dulles. If an Emirates first class shower experience aboard the A380 is what you’re after, make sure to check the aircraft flying each route. Emirates A380 is the only aircraft offering a shower on board.

Emirates First Class Travel Dates

The following dates have availability in first class for one, and sometimes, two passengers:

Boston (BOS) > Dubai (DXB)

• Aug: 4-10, 12-24, 27-31
• Sep: 1, 2, 4-7, 10-12, 15, 17-20, 25
• Oct: 1, 3-5, 8-10, 16, 23-25, 30

Dubai (DXB) > Boston (BOS)

• Sep: 29,
• Oct: 4-6, 13, 20, 27, 29

Chicago (ORD) > Dubai (DXB)

• Aug: 15-17, 18, 20-31
• Sep: 1-28, 30
• Oct: 1, 3-31

Dubai (DXB) > Chicago (ORD)

• Sep: 12-16, 18-30
• Oct: 1-13, 17-28, 31

Miami (MIA) > Dubai (DXB)

• Aug: 4, 7, 11, 14, 25, 28
• Sep: 1, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29
• Oct: 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30

Dubai (DXB) > Miami (MIA)

• Sep: 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
• Oct: 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31

New York (JFK) > Dubai (DXB)

• Aug: 23, 30
• Sep: 6, 7, 12-14, 27
• Oct: 4, 11, 25, 29

Dubai (DXB) > New York (JFK)

• Sep: 24,
• Oct: 5,

Washington-Dulles (IAD) > Dubai (DXB)

• Aug: 7-29, 31
• Sep: 3-7, 9-11, 13-29
• Oct: 1-7, 9, 11, 12, 17-20, 22-27, 29-31

Dubai (DXB) > Washington-Dulles (IAD)

• Sep: 12, 13, 21, 23, 25-30
• Oct: 3-5, 7, 23-27, 29, 31

How to Book Emirates First Class with Points

• Emirates Skywards: 136,250 miles
• Japan Airlines Mileage Bank (“JAL Mileage Bank”): 120,000 miles (165,000 or 190,000 round-trip)
• Qantas Frequent Flyer: 170,800 miles

Emirates Skywards is likely going to be the best way to book its first class award flights. Generally speaking, using one airline’s mile to book one of its partner airline’s flights is the best way to book award flights. In the case of Emirates, using Emirates miles is generally the best way to book Emirates award flights. Add in the fact that Emirates partners with Amex, Brex, Chase, Citi, and Marriott, it’s relatively easy to earn enough Emirates Skywards to book its award flights.

JAL Mileage Bank is the next best option. However, JAL Mileage Bank miles can be challenging to earn. The airline doesn’t offer any high points-earning credit cards. In addition, Japan Airlines only partners with Marriott. So, transferring Marriott points to JAL Mileage Bank is likely the easiest way to accumulate JAL Mileage Bank miles.

How To Book Emirates First Class

Start your Emirates award searching by visiting the Emirates website and following these steps:

• Log in to your Emirates Skywards account
• Check the box “Classic rewards”
• Enter your origin/destination
• Check “My dates are flexible (-/+ 3 days)” above teh calendar
• Tick “One-way” above the calendar
• Check the Select your departure and/or return date
• Select number of passengers
• Select class of service
• Click “Search flights”
• Confirm the same award space Japan Airlines or Qantas if booking with eitehr of these programs

Emirates Transfer Partners

• Emirates: Amex, Brex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Marriott
• JAL Mileage Bank: Marriott
• Qantas Frequent Flyer: Amex, Brex, Capital One, Citi, Marriott

Except for Bilt Rewards, Emirates partners with all transferable point programs. Japan Airlines is on the opposite end of the spectrum with its lone partnership with Marriott. Qantas sits in between Emirates and Japan Airlines by partnering with all transferable point programs except Citi ThankYou Rewards and Bilt Rewards.

Emirates FAQs

How much is a first class suite on Emirates?

Emirates A380’s first class price for flights between the US and Dubai is pricing out at around $19,500. Emirates’ first class price for its 777 is roughly the same.

Is Emirates first class worth it?

Check out Review: Emirates A380 First Class || Truly Bonkers to decide for yourself. Personally, the answer is yes.

What does first class Emirates include?

Emirates 777 First Class Athens To Newark and Review: Emirates A380 First Class || Truly Bonkers shares everything that’s included in Emirates first class.

What is the highest class in Emirates?

Emirates First Class cabin is the highest class in Emirates.

Conclusion on Emirates First Class

Emirates offers a luxury experience all and unto itself. The ability to redeem points and miles to book this aspirational flight is one of the many amazing things about this industry. Because who doesn’t look to take a shower at 38,000 feet?

So, what do you think about Emirates First Class? What other business class flights do you like to book? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.

Disclaimer: If you click and/or sign up for a credit card through certain links on this site or any of my related social media platforms, I may make a commission from that click-through.  The editorial content on this page and the user comments are not provided by any of the companies mentioned and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The opinions expressed here are mine alone.