10 Ways Expats Can Maximise Their Skywards Points

As an expat, racking up Skywards points can really level up your travel game, making your journeys more enjoyable and cost-effective. Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme from Emirates Airlines, has plenty of ways for you to earn and spend these points. Here's how you can make the most out of it.

What Are Skywards Points?

Skywards points are like a special currency within the Emirates Skywards programme. You can earn and use these points for a bunch of things beyond just flights—think upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and even unique experiences. The trick is knowing how to gather these points efficiently and use them smartly.

1. Get the Right Credit Card

One of the easiest ways to earn Skywards points is with an Emirates co-branded credit card. These cards let you earn points on every purchase, with extra points for spending on Emirates flights and other partners. Plus, you can even use your credit card to fund investments and other big expenses, helping you accumulate points faster.

Remember to use credit cards responsibly. Always pay off your balance in full each month to avoid high interest charges and maintain a good credit score.

Using Your Credit Card to Fund Investments

Using your credit card for investments as an expat can be a strategic move to earn more Skywards points. Here’s how to do it effectively:

Direct Investment Platforms‍

Some investment platforms allow you to fund your account with a credit card. This is an easy way to earn points on significant transactions.

Property Investments

When purchasing property, check if any part of the transaction can be done via credit card. This could include paying for services like property management or even the deposit.

Recurring Investments

Set up recurring investments in mutual funds or retirement accounts using your credit card. This ensures regular point accrual while you build your investment portfolio.

Important: Ensure you manage your spending and avoid carrying a balance on your credit card to prevent high-interest charges. This strategy is most beneficial when you can pay off your card in full each month.

2. Optimise Your Flight Bookings

When you're booking flights, these tips will help you maximise your Skywards points:

Book Directly with Emirates

You'll often get more points booking directly with Emirates rather than through third-party sites, plus you can take advantage of special promotions.

Fly with Partner Airlines

Emirates partners with airlines like Qantas, Japan Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, so you can earn points on those flights too. Just make sure to enter your Skywards number when booking.

Class of Service

Higher fare classes (like Business and First Class) earn more points than Economy. For example, Business Class can get you up to 175% of the miles flown in points, while Economy can earn between 25% to 100% depending on the fare type.

3. Use Skywards Everyday

Skywards Everyday is an app that lets you earn points on your daily purchases. Link your Emirates Skywards account with the app and earn points at partner outlets for dining, retail, wellness, and more.

• Dining: Earn points at participating restaurants, cafes, and even with delivery services.

• Retail: Points are up for grabs at fashion outlets, electronics stores, and supermarkets.

• Wellness: Earn points at gyms, spas, and wellness centres.

4. Jump on Promotions

Emirates frequently offers promotions that can give you bonus Skywards points. Keep an eye on the Emirates Skywards website and sign up for their newsletter to stay in the loop.

• Double or Triple Points: These promotions can give you double or triple points for booking certain routes or during promotional periods.

• Bonus Points for New Routes: Sometimes Emirates offers bonus points to encourage travel on new routes.

5. Shop with Emirates Partners

Earn Skywards points by shopping with Emirates' retail partners, both online and offline. This includes luxury brands, car rentals, and even financial services.

• Emirates High Street: Shop online and earn points on a wide range of products, from electronics to home goods.

• Partner Retailers: Earn points at select stores in malls and shopping centres, such as luxury boutiques and high-end department stores.

6. Stay at Partner Hotels

You can earn points for every stay at Emirates' partner hotels, which include luxury chains like Hilton, Marriott, and more.

• Booking.com and Agoda.com: Book your stay through these platforms and earn points. Sometimes there are special promotions that offer additional points for bookings made through these sites.

• Hotel Loyalty Programs: Link your hotel loyalty programmes with Emirates Skywards to double dip on points, earning both hotel points and Skywards points for the same stay.

7. Rent Cars with Partners

When renting cars, pick Emirates’ partner companies like Hertz, Avis, and Sixt to earn additional points on your rentals. Look out for promotions that offer bonus points for renting cars for longer durations or booking higher-end models.

8. Utilise Business Rewards

If you travel for work, make sure your employer signs up for the Emirates Business Rewards programme. This lets you earn both individual Skywards points and Business Rewards points for the company.

• Corporate Travel: Employees can rack up points for business trips, which can be redeemed for future corporate travel or personal use.

• Small and Medium Enterprises: SMEs can earn points on business travel expenses.

9. Buy, Gift, or Transfer Points

Emirates lets you buy, gift, or transfer Skywards points, which is handy if you're just short of the points needed for a reward.

• Buy Points: Top up your account when you're close to a reward. Emirates often has promotions where you can buy points at a discount or get bonus points.

• Gift Points: Share the benefits with family and friends, especially if they are close to reaching a reward.

• Transfer Points: Pool points with family members to reach rewards faster. This is perfect for families travelling together or planning a big trip.

10. Redeem Strategically

Lastly, redeem your points smartly to get the most value. Consider using points for upgrades, as they often offer better value compared to free flights. Also, check out Emirates’ Mix & Match option, allowing you to use a combination of cash and points for bookings.

• Upgrades: Use points to upgrade from Economy to Business Class or Business to First Class for a more luxurious travel experience.

• Special Offers: Look for redemption specials, where Emirates offers discounted rates on certain routes or services.

• Emirates Skywards & flydubai: Use your points across both airlines for more flexibility and redemption options.

Maximise All Areas of Your Expat Status

Maximising your Skywards points as an expat requires some planning and savvy usage of available resources. By following these tips, you can make the most of your Emirates Skywards membership and enjoy more rewarding travel experiences. Start implementing these strategies today and watch your Skywards points accumulate faster than ever before.

What Next

Ready to maximise all other areas of your finances? Book a discovery call with us today to learn more about how you can optimise your financial plans as an expat.