Fancy a once-in-a-lifetime trip in Emirates First Class using Qantas Points? From early 2026, that dream will become harder – and more expensive – to achieve for many Qantas Frequent Flyer members.
A new wave of restrictions is rolling through the Qantas–Emirates partnership, following similar tightening already applied to Emirates Skywards members in 2025.
These changes include new eligibility requirements for booking First Class awards, age restrictions for children, and a significant increase in the number of Qantas Points required for Emirates reward seats.
Qantas increases the number of points needed for Emirates awards
In a shock move, Qantas will reprice Emirates reward seats for new bookings starting from 31 March 2026. Though not yet bookable with Qantas Points, Premium Economy is the worst-hit, with increases of over 30% in most cases – making the cost much higher if the cabin class does become available to Qantas members.
First Class awards will become around 20% more expensive in points. Economy and Business Class points pricing will go up by around 10%.
In August 2025, Qantas moved Emirates back from the more expensive partner table to its own ‘Qantas’ table, softening the blow from the devaluation that month. However, that change is short-lived as Emirates awards in premium cabins will soon cost more than the general partner table in some cases.
Compared to the partner table, Emirates Economy will be cheaper, and Business Class will be the same price. Emirates Premium Economy and First will be priced higher than other partner airlines.
Comparison of Emirates reward seats with Qantas Points
| Zone | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9,200 → 10,200 (+10.87%) | 14,500 → 18,900 (+30.34%) | 19,300 → 21,000 (+8.81%) | 29,000 → 34,800 (+20.00%) |
| 2 | 13,800 → 15,200 (+10.14%) | 21,600 → 28,400 (+31.48%) | 29,000 → 31,500 (+8.62%) | 43,600 → 52,400 (+20.18%) |
| 3 | 20,700 → 22,800 (+10.14%) | 32,600 → 41,400 (+26.99%) | 43,600 → 46,000 (+5.50%) | 65,300 → 78,400 (+20.06%) |
| 4 | 23,300 → 25,700 (+10.30%) | 50,600 → 66,100 (+30.63%) | 68,400 → 73,400 (+7.31%) | 102,600 → 123,200 (+20.08%) |
| 5 | 29,000 → 31,900 (+10.00%) | 61,600 → 81,000 (+31.49%) | 82,100 → 90,000 (+9.62%) | 123,100 → 147,800 (+20.06%) |
| 6 | 36,200 → 39,900 (+10.22%) | 73,800 → 97,200 (+31.71%) | 98,400 → 108,000 (+9.76%) | 147,700 → 177,300 (+20.04%) |
| 7 | 43,200 → 47,600 (+10.19%) | 85,300 → 112,900 (+32.35%) | 113,900 → 125,400 (+10.10%) | 170,800 → 205,000 (+20.03%) |
| 8 | 48,200 → 53,100 (+10.17%) | 97,600 → 128,700 (+31.86%) | 130,100 → 143,000 (+9.92%) | 195,400 → 234,500 (+20.02%) |
| 9 | 58,900 → 64,800 (+10.01%) | 113,900 → 150,300 (+31.95%) | 151,800 → 167,000 (+10.01%) | 227,800 → 273,400 (+20.02%) |
| 10 | 63,500 → 69,900 (+10.08%) | 124,700 → 164,700 (+32.07%) | 166,300 → 182,900 (+9.98%) | 249,400 → 299,300 (+20.01%) |
How does this change affect the value of Emirates rewards in practice? Let’s take a First Class award seat from Melbourne to Frankfurt in First Class. Currently, it costs 249,400 Qantas Points + $1,847 in fees and taxes.
With a current return fare pitched at $19,849 (hence $9924.5 one-way), that gives a value of 3.24 cents per point. From 31 March 2026, the amount will increase to 299,300 Qantas Points + $1,847 in fees and taxes.
With the same fare for comparison, that gives a value of 2.70 cents per point – an overall drop in value of around 16.7%.
Emirates blocks younger children from First Class awards
In August 2025, Emirates introduced a controversial policy that prevents children under 9 from flying in First Class when booked with Skywards miles or upgrades. At the time, this restriction did not apply to bookings made via partner programs such as Qantas Frequent Flyer.
That loophole has now closed. Qantas has confirmed that, effective immediately, children under nine will no longer be permitted on new Emirates First Class reward bookings made using Qantas Points.
Existing bookings remain valid. However, if a booking is changed and reissued, it will be subject to the new policy. The restriction applies only to reward tickets and upgrades – Emirates First Class tickets purchased with cash are unaffected.
Emirates restricts First Class awards to elite status members
Emirates also moved earlier in May 2025 to restrict access to First Class reward seats and upgrades to its own Skywards Silver, Gold and Platinum members. Base-level Skywards members lost the ability to redeem miles for First Class entirely.
Until now, Qantas Frequent Flyer members were exempt from this rule. But Emirates is changing that from 18 February 2026, when only Qantas Silver members and above will be able to book Emirates First Class reward seats using Qantas Points. Qantas Bronze members will lose access altogether.
For anyone without Qantas status hoping to experience Emirates First Class on points, bookings must be made before this date. Of course, for those with the right status cards, this change could reduce competition for reward seats, assuming availability stays the same.
An Emirates spokesperson said the changes come amidst a business review.
“First Class Classic Rewards are exclusively available for Skywards Platinum, Gold and Silver Tier members, providing our premium and loyal members with more rewards, benefits, and greater access to Emirates’ renowned First Class travel experience. This policy aligns with our continuous efforts to enhance the First Class experience and uphold the exclusivity of rewards for our premium members,” they commented.
Summing up
Between rising carrier charges, tighter eligibility rules and a looming points devaluation, Emirates First Class is becoming a much more difficult redemption for Qantas Frequent Flyer members.
The new age restriction for children and the introduction of minimum status requirements significantly narrow who can access these seats. From 31 March 2026, all members will also need to part with substantially more Qantas Points to secure a booking.
There are also questions around notice periods. Qantas’ own terms state that negative changes to member benefits generally require at least three months’ notice, but this does not apply to third-party partner changes, such as Emirates, where 30 days’ notice is provided ‘where possible’.
In practice, the status restriction has arrived with 28 days’ notice, while the points increase allows for just over two months.
For members who value Emirates premium cabins, the message is clear. If you’re planning a redemption under the current rules, it may be wise to lock it in sooner rather than later. We can also help with that – here are some of the latest Emirates First Class reward seats you can book.
American Express Velocity Platinum
- Sign-up Bonus:
- Up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points¹
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies⁵. 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases⁵. 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend⁵
- Annual Fee:
- $440 p.a.
- Offer expires
- 30 April 2026
- The American Express Velocity Platinum Card has 70,000 bonus Velocity Points on offer for new American Express Card Members who apply, are approved and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of approval, plus an additional 30,000 Velocity Points when you spend a minimum of $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card Fee¹. (Offer ends 30 April 2026. New Amex Card Members only. T&Cs apply.) Includes several perks such as Virgin Australia Lounge Access² every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia, 2 VA Guest Lounge Passes³ each year and a Complimentary Domestic Return Virgin Australia Flight⁷.
Silver and above – big deal i am gold and finding first let alone business is incredibly frustrating
Alternative title, “Emirates doesn’t want poor people in First Class”
Velocity and Qatar it is.
Emirates redemption is getting completely useless. The additional points with the extremely high surcharge makes other options way better value. Just a shame there are so little other options when you live in Perth
Not sure how paying more points and jumping through more hoops on top of the already ridiculous dollar component “enhances the first class experience”
Absolute Muppets.