Emirates set to withdraw from Singapore-Melbourne

Qantas Frequent Flyer members looking for a great-value luxe redemption with their points will have one fewer option to choose from, with Emirates nixing its Singapore-Melbourne ‘fifth freedom’ flight.

As reported in Singapore’s Straits Times and confirmed on the country’s Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCS) website, Emirates will be ‘terminating its operations on the SIN-MEL route’. However, the airline hasn’t yet set a date for when this will happen.

First Class bargain for under 108,000 points

Bleary-eyed travellers aren’t likely to miss the route’s 2:25 am departure out of Melbourne, but it’s the daytime 10:25 am service out of Singapore that’s popular. With seven hours of inflight pampering and only S$88 (A$102) in fees and taxes to pay, this is one of the best bang-for-buck redemptions in Emirates Business and First Class.

Qantas American Express Ultimate

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Sign-up Bonus:

Up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points¹

Rewards Earn Rate:

1.25 Qantas Points earned per $1 on eligible everyday purchases. 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on selected Qantas products and services in Australia. 0.5 Qantas Point per $1 at government bodies in Australia. After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent.

Annual Fee:

$450 p.a.

Offer expires

5 May 2026

Earn 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, plus an additional 30,000 Qantas Points when you spend a minimum of $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card Fee¹. (Offer ends 5 May 2026. New Amex Card Members only. T&Cs apply.) This card includes an annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit, two Qantas lounge passes, complimentary international travel insurance, and Qantas Wine Premium Membership (valued at $99). Earn 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 on everyday spend, 2.25 on Qantas purchases, and 0.5 on government payments. The annual fee is $450.

First Class rewards are still relatively hard to find and are usually released as single seats. But if you’re lucky enough to snag one, it will set you back 107,700 Qantas Points + S$88 in fees and taxes.

Business Class rewards are easier to come across in pairs and cost 75,000 points + S$88 per person.

Emirates’ existing four-daily flights between Dubai and Singapore and twice-daily services to Melbourne remain unaffected by the impending changes.

The airline is seeking to terminate or vary its capacity commitment on the Singapore-Melbourne route and will set the date of its final flight once confirmation comes from Singapore’s CCCS.

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