Emirates is the largest foreign airline servicing Australia, carrying almost one out of every ten passengers in and out of the country pre COVID-19. In this guide, we explain why using your Qantas Points on Emirates flights to New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Dubai and beyond is a great option. And it isn’t hard.
However, since September 2020, you’ll need more Qantas Points to book Emirates flights than before (but carrier charges have also decreased). With Emirates making it increasingly harder to book its First Class cabin with points in 2021, Qantas Frequent Flyer remains one of your only options available.
Editor’s note: This guide was originally written by Matt Moffitt before the pandemic and is being kept up-to-date for future reference.
The Emirates route network and fleet
While it won’t mean much to us now, Emirates did have an extensive route network servicing Australia and we can expect the same once broader international travel returns, minus the green Melbourne-Singapore and Brisbane-Singapore links from the 2019 route map below.
At this stage, Emirates’ Sydney-Christchurch ‘fifth freedom’ tag leg is bookable with cash from early 2022, though not yet with Qantas Points.

The functionally-excellent Emirates route map can be found here.
Emirates First and Business Class products
Emirates First Class is one of the best in the world. There isn’t much difference between the actual seat on the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. However, the latter does lack an onboard shower and bar.
The tradeoff is that there are only eight First Class seats on the 777 compared to almost double that (14) on the A380. Therefore, you may receive more attentive service on the older aircraft. Business Class is where there is a big difference. The A380 is set up in a 1-2-1 configuration and all beds are lie-flat.


Conversely, most 777s have angled-flat seats in a much more cramped 2-3-2 configuration. Some do have a refreshed 2-2-2 layout in Business, but that’s hardly industry-leading. But there’s one silver lining: selected Boeing 777s have Emirates’ signature new First Class suites, which comes with six private cabins.

Complimentary chauffeur service no longer available
Emirates used to offer a complimentary chauffeur service to First and Business Class passengers booked on reward tickets, e.g. with Qantas Points or Emirates Skywards miles. However, that benefit has been restricted to passengers travelling on tickets bought with cash since March 2019.
Qantas Points pricing for Emirates flights
Emirates is a key joint venture partner for Qantas. Previously, the points pricing for Emirates flights when using Qantas Points was the same as if you were flying with Qantas on the same route.
However, this is no longer the case. From September 2020, Emirates moved to a more-expensive ‘partner’ award table, meaning you need more points for premium cabins.
You’ll need to look at the Qantas Points Classic Flight Rewards tables to see the full list of prices. Our link takes you directly to the ‘partner’ pricing section where Emirates now sits.
The simpler way to calculate points pricing though is to use Qantas’ own points calculator, which you can find here. Here are some of the price-points for the key routes mentioned above:
Route (from 1 Sep 2020) | Economy Class | Business Class | First Class |
---|---|---|---|
Sydney-Christchurch | 20,000 | 43,800 | 64,500 |
Perth-Dubai | 37,800 | 90,000 | 129,300 |
Adelaide-Dubai | 45,000 | 104,500 | 149,800 |
East Coast-Dubai Perth-Dubai-Rome | 50,300 | 119,200 | 170,800 |
With Emirates, it can absolutely make sense — in terms of travel time and routings — to fly beyond Dubai and travel onwards to Europe (definitely), Africa (especially North and Central African countries), South or North America (especially if departing from the Aussie West Coast, or travelling to the US East Coast).
For the longest multi-flight itineraries (9,601-15,000 miles), you will spend a maximum of 159,000 Qantas Points in Business Class or 227,500 Qantas Points for Emirates First Class.
That includes itineraries (with only transits under 24 hrs, not stopovers) such as:
- Sydney – Dubai – New York
- Melbourne – Dubai – London
- Perth – Dubai – Rio de Janeiro
You can also experience the Emirates First Class on some of the cheapest First Class flights to book with Qantas Points.
Taxes and fees are now similar to what you’d pay for a Qantas flight redemption of the same type.

When shouldn’t you use Qantas Points to fly with Emirates?
Depending on the route
Where you won’t be able to use Qantas Points effectively to fly with Emirates is, of course, where it doesn’t make economical sense to do so in terms of time and points spent, such as from the Aussie East Coast to US West Coast, for example.
Depending on the cash price
As a result, if you spot a good deal on a paid Economy fare, that’s probably going to be better value than using points for Economy travel (as it will include the taxes in the price you’re paying). That’s not to say using points for Economy flights is never good value. In some cases, it definitely can if paid fares are high on a particular route or in peak periods.
This is why we focus our best uses of points on Business and First Class. Paid fares are much, much higher in those cabins, so while you need more points to redeem for them, you’ll get a much higher value cents per point value out of your points. Plus, it’s a much more fun way to travel, if you can earn and save the points with this in mind.
Can I use my Qantas Points to upgrade my Emirates ticket?
No, you cannot use Qantas Points to upgrade Emirates flights purchased with cash.
How to research and book Emirates flights using Qantas Points
All this information is well and good, but you need to be able to act on it and make the purchase. Thankfully, Qantas.com is generally an excellent search tool for Emirates award flights.
Emirates award seats should appear to Qantas members 330 days before departure. However, I have seen up to 339 days, so it may pay to check a little early.
I prefer starting by going straight to the Qantas.com multi-city search tool here, regardless of whether I am searching for a multi-city itinerary. Make sure you check the box Use points – Classic Flight Rewards only.

You’ll also be prompted to log in with Qantas Frequent Flyer account credentials. Then you can start seeing flight results.
In this example, I am looking at Sydney to Dubai. On this date, both daily flights have Economy Class availability (not surprising) and only the earlier departure has Business Class seats. (First Class is missing, meaning there is no award availability in that cabin).

From here, if you have enough Qantas Points in your account, you can then get a quote for the taxes and fees along with the required points. If you don’t have enough points in your account yet, give Qantas a call to find out and scope out the additional costs so you’re fully prepped.
Summing up
It’s very easy to use Qantas Points for Emirates flights. The Gulf carrier has steadily been removing the ability to redeem points and miles for its First Class cabins, with its partners Alaska Airlines and Japan Airlines being cut out. But you can still use Qantas Points for the foreseeable future.
Targeting your points earn-strategies and redemption goals toward Emirates flights to New Zealand, Asia, Europe or even the US is a great way to maximise the return from your Qantas Points.
For inspiration, here are some of the cheapest Qantas Points redemptions for luxurious Emirates flights.
Have you had any great experiences from using your Qantas Points from Emirates? Let us know in the comments!
Supplementary images courtesy Emirates. Updates by Brandon Loo
Thanks for the tips, have been following you for a while.
I’ve been saving Qantas points for years and have ended up with 650,000. Hoping to book Maldives for my honeymoon however the points options are outrageous. Do you have any ideas?
Cheers!!
Thanks for this article. Has there been an update? The reason I ask is when I now search for flights to Europe, I no longer get any EK flights as an option!
I get options even via the US but no EK flights. Has something changed? I am bronze but before Covid, I could see all options.
Your advice would be appreciated.
If you started your search from Singapore or somewhere else in Asia that Emirates flies to, you may find some options there.
I am trying to book Aug-Sep flights Sydny to Zagreb, then Athens to Sydney, wanting Classic rewards flights in business class (at least on the way back), using either Qantas, Emirates or Qatar. But nothing works quite like it says in these guides. Any advice?
Can I book a single rewards seat there and keep logging in daily to find a return flight when they become available as seats are released?
I know it will cost more in taxes, that’s fine, but what if I can’t find a return flight, then I have to purchase the return full fare and looking at the price, it seems like the one way ticket and return tickets are the same price. EG return is $1300 AUD but a single ticket back from DUB-SYD is 900EU
How do I book a business flight both ways with the classic rewards seats sucessfully?
There is no guarantee that reward seats will be available on the day that you wish to travel, which is why you need to be as flexible as possible.
One option is what you have suggested. That is to secure the outbound reward flight and book the return flight at a later date when the award (hopefully) becomes available. This will create 2 separate bookings, but that won’t be a problem. As you have highlighted though, the risk is that an award flight does not open up, and be left purchasing a one-way international fare that is usually very expensive and generally priced the same as a return leg.
Another option is to purchase an eligible Economy return fare (ie not Saver) and try your luck at upgrading, however, given your Bronze status, this could result in your upgrade not clearing.
A third option is to utilise the services of 3rd party platforms that can alert you when an award seat becomes available. These platforms include Expert Flyer” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>Expert Flyer, Award Nexus and KVS Tool.
I guess if you’re upset about the changes, phone Qantas immediately, no harm to ask.
Note: Im a WP (3+ years), wife SG (2+ years). not sure if that means anything on the Emirates side.
PS: The flip-side is, what if they upgrade the 777 to the latest suites…. :S
I’m currently looking at flying JFK – DXB – MEL in EK first class next year. Likely fly September/October as waiting for the necessary Qantas points to clear by early November.
Availability from JFK is great but very little on the DXB – MEL (or DXB – SYD) 330 days ahead in late August…should I anticipate better availability in September with the end of European school holidays?
Thanks
Just booked our 2019 trip, again using QFF points to travel First Class, this time to Madrid.
The only downside is the $1250 in Qantas surcharges. Cannot believe the cheek of Qantas. We flew back from Europe with Qatar using AAdvantage points and the fees were only $140. The First Class lounge at Doha is ranked No.1 and certainly lives up to it. It is like a five star hotel.
I’ve been reading about Lifemiles and Qantas points.
I’m hoping for some advice.
I’m looking at 4 return tickets Adelaide to Frankfurt in February next year.
Of course, I’m wanting the best way financially to get there.
For those that travel frequently..
What is the cheapestt route to get there??
Would buying lifemiles be best?
I’ve looked into points, but with the additional cost, I’m not sure it seems worthwhile.
Is there a website where I can purchase frequent flyer points to my advantage?
Any help would be gratefully accepted.
Cheers
Are there any ways of getting around the high fees when using qantas classic reward upgrade?
For example, emirates first class sydney to rome return is 384000 QFF points, but with an additional $1300 cost.
Doesn’t seem like a good use of points.
Emirates redemptions through Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and JAL Mileage Bank result in lower taxes and fees but if you are stuck with Qantas Points, then that doesn’t really help.
Probably a very simple question, however can you tell me … can you use Qantas Ff points, to Upgrade an economy ticket on emirates. We have booked direct with emirates an EK flight from Melb – Dubai … and hoping to upgrade, but I was told this isn’t possible? Thanks!! Lucy
That award trip also featured F on CX from Zurich to HKG which was best sleep on a plane (but not long enough as sector only 11 hrs).
As to F on EK, did it once on the (late lamented) EK A380 SYD-AKL. Paid for this with cash for the 120SCs, as it was barely more than J, which was itself only little more than double Y price, so great cost-benefit ratio. I was not sybaritic enough to try the shower for the hell of it (query available?). The food was only OK, not luxe, the service was identikit EK hosties and nothing special. The hilight of the trip was however having a glass of Paradis cognac – allegedly the most expensive in the sky @$700 a bottle! I knew to ask for it, as not listed, and not sure it continues now?
I cannot see EK SYD-CHC continuing now either, despite assurances. “‘No demand” for MEL & BNE probably means not enough for J to pay for the rest of the plane. EK now flies direct AKL-Dubai so sure that was real reason why they dropped SYD-AKL. But are there enough cashed up Kiwis to keep that one going either? J on a B737 cross Tasman is pretty pathetic, even if the A330 J product is nice, but only limited 2 per day normally. It means QF get to gouge us more price wise as (mostly) B737s fill up cheap seats and price goes up. EK was always full of budget Kiwis taking the cheapest price.
Thanks for the article. I recently tried to upgrade flights from Perth-Dubai-Rome using Qantas points and was informed by Qantas that points cannot be used for codeshare flights. Since all flights via Dubai are codeshare with Emirates, I figured we would never be able to use our amassed points for overseas travel. Was this information incorrect?
Always busy, full flights.
Hard to fathom why they would can it Emirates?
Singapore Airlines are salivating this one!
I have booked Business Class for Adelaide-Melbourne-Dubai-Milan with Oslo-Dubai- Adelaide return.
The only upgrade available to 1st Class is the Melbourne-Dubai leg, none of the others are available (I know it doesn’t exist on the Adelaide-Melbourne leg)
I always enjoy your articles. What a great website!
Just a quick question. I have used QF points for my EK Business class SYD-AKL trip for October but now it has been changed to QF flight.. Do you think Qantas will still charge me 6000 QF points as a cancellation penalty? Since the main purpose of this trip is to be on 380 and receive fantastic EK service, I am not interested in Qantas 332 service…
Thanks Keith!!
You might get more responses if you post this in our Questions section where many others will be able to answer.
Cheers!
We are a family of 3 and hoping for a European Christmas, looking for flights Melb-London in Dec which is available but nothing return in Jan. Was hoping to return around Jan 21st. Am I clutching at straws as at this point all economy reward seat flights start again in Feb?? Happy with either Qantas or a partner airline at this stage.
Thanks
I have been looking for a 2018 departure to LHR in April May and for some reason there seems to be zero Emirates, looked on several routes to emirates destinations.
There seems to be some availability earlier.
Do you know if they are just not putting first class availability 50 weeks out to see demand ??
Last trip there was plenty availability this far out but now it has changed as even QF has no First class that far out??
I want to use my Qantas points from Tokyo (Narita) to Dubai on Airbus A380 First Class. But it doesn’t have availability for the points for both business and first class. Can I call Qantas to book over the phone in this case? I’m just putting an example of 10 January 2018 this morning. Thank you
Our return was booked using Lifemiles which were on sale with a 140% bonus!! Will be flying back business class from Milan via Heathrow (thus avoiding the UK departure taxes) with Brussels Airlines and ANA Heathrow to Sydney via Narita, 170,000 Lifemiles points (which cost $3200 to buy) + $414 in taxes & fees for two passengers.
Many thanks to Keith as I have been an avid reader of Points Hack for a few years now and it was his articles that inspired me to accumulate, buy and use points to get business class tickets for less than the price of economy.
My tactics have all been learnt from Keith and I use AA Advantage miles (purchased during sales), Lifemiles (also purchased during sales) and Qantas points earned from various credit card sign up bonuses and spending.
Thanks to Keith my wife now insists on travelling Business Class whenever we travel!!
Thanks to this article will try again with Emirates
It appears that you cannot use Qantas points to upgrade on Emirates though?