Emirates Skywards Miles Credit Cards

Compare cards that earn rewards points that can be transferred to Emirates Skywards for flights and upgrades. Australian transfer partners are Amex Membership Rewards and CommBank Diamond Awards.

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Updated 10 Apr 2025   |   Rates updated regularly

Comparing of 8 Emirates Skywards Miles credit cards

FeaturedApply by 27 May 2025

Rewards program

Membership Rewards

Points per $1 spent

0.74 Skywards Miles after transfer

2.25 Membership Rewards Points

Sign up bonus

82,508 Skywards Miles after transfer

250,000 Membership Rewards Points

Annual fee

$875.00 for 1st year

Details

  • Get 250,000 bonus Membership Rewards points by applying before 27 May 2025, getting approved, and spending $12,000 on your card within the initial 3 months. Exclusive to New American Express Card Members.
  • Reduced first-year annual fee of $875 (regularly $1,750 per year).
  • Earn up to 2.25 pts per $1 spent.
  • Enjoy exclusive Platinum travel, experience, and dining privileges.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • The offer of 250,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you meet the criteria.
  • Earn up to 2.25 pts per $1 spent and 1 point per $1 spent at the ATO.
  • Access to more than 1,400 lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge.
  • Gold status match at Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Premium status at Radisson Hotel Group.
  • Get the Amex Experiences App to access information on Platinum benefits, travel offers, events and recommended merchants.
  • Add up to 99 employee cards at no extra cost.
Cons
  • The annual fee of $1,750 p.a. after the initial year.
  • Since this is a charge card, the balance must be cleared every statement.
  • No balance transfer facility.

Rewards program

Membership Rewards

Points per $1 spent

0.67 Skywards Miles after transfer

2 Membership Rewards Points

Sign up bonus

16,667 Skywards Miles after transfer

50,000 Membership Rewards Points

Annual fee

$149.00 p.a. ongoing

Details

  • Earn 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online, are approved, and spend at least $3,000 within 3 months of approval. Exclusive to new American Express Card Members.
  • Includes 2 Centurion Lounge passes per year at Sydney and Melbourne airports.
  • Receive complimentary travel insurance when you book your return flight with your card.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • Earn up to 2 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases.
  • Earn 1 point per $1 spend on ATO and government transactions.
  • Use your points to pay off transactions, utilities, annual fee and more.
  • Redeem your rewards for flights, hotel reservations, or car rentals.
  • Transfer points to Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand and Hilton Honors.
  • Shop with your points at Apple, Ikea, JB Hi-Fi and more.
  • No fee for up to 99 employee cards.
  • Up to 55 interest-free days.
  • With the Amex App, you can Monitor business spend and activity 24x7.
  • Manage your account anytime and anywhere with Live Chat Service
Cons
  • There is an annual fee of $149.
  • A 3% foreign transaction fee is in effect.
  • There is no balance transfer offer.
  • Cash advances are blocked, which might be inconvenient for some.
Apply by 17 June 2025

Rewards program

Membership Rewards

Points per $1 spent

0.50 Skywards Miles after transfer

1.50 Membership Rewards Points

Sign up bonus

33,333 Skywards Miles after transfer

100,000 Membership Rewards Points

Annual fee

$395.00 p.a. ongoing

Details

  • Receive 100,000 Membership Rewards bonus points by applying before 17 June 2025, getting approved, and spending $5,000 on your card within the initial 3 months. Exclusive to New American Express Card Members.
  • Receive up to $550 credit back for spend with Xero, Google Ads, Meta, Amazon Web Services and Dell. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • Earn 3 points per $1 spent on Xero, Google Ads, Meta, Amazon Web Services and Dell, up to 2 points per $1 spent on AccessLine, 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday spend, and 1 point on government spend.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • Receive 100,000 bonus Membership Reward points when you meet the criteria.
  • Earn unlimited points with no cap, and your points never expire.
  • Membership Rewards points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, including Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, and Hilton Honors.
  • You can also redeem your points for gift cards from top retailers like Apple, IKEA, JB Hi-Fi, and more.
  • Add 2 employee cards at no extra cost.
  • Experience enhanced flexibility with no pre-set spending limit.
  • A flexible Payment Option is available to spread costs over time for a portion of your balance.
  • Travel worry-free with complimentary domestic and international travel insurance, covering trip cancellations, delays, lost baggage, medical emergencies, and more.
  • Supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Cons
  • Once a total of 200,000 points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday business earn rate will change from 3 to 1 point per $1 spent.
  • The $75 fee for every additional card added.
  • Doesn't offer airport lounge access.
  • No access to concierge services.
Commonwealth Bank Awards Credit Card

Not available for application via this website

Rewards program

CommBank Awards

Points per $1 spent

0.20 Skywards Miles after transfer

1 CommBank Awards point

Sign up bonus

N/A

Annual fee

$96.00 p.a. ongoing

Details

  • Earn 1 Awards Point per $1 on eligible purchases, up to $2,000 per statement period. After that, earn 0.5 points per $1 spent.
  • Points never expire, so you can redeem them anytime.
  • Add an extra cardholder for free and boost your points-earning potential.
  • Charges an $8 monthly fee, totaling $96 per year.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • Uncapped rewards points.
  • Redeem points for cashback, gift cards, or transfer points to over 10 airline partners, including Qantas and Velocity Frequent Flyer.
  • Redeem your earned points instantly at Myer and Flight Centre.
  • Includes Complimentary Purchase Security and Extended Warranty insurance.
  • Compatible with Apple Pay, Beem, Garmin Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Cons
  • Relatively high purchase interest rate and cash advance interest rate.
  • Get up to 44 days interest-free on purchases, which is shorter than some other cards.
  • There is a 3.5% international transaction fee.
Commonwealth Bank Smart Awards Credit Card

Not available for application via this website

Commonwealth Bank Smart Awards Credit Card

Rewards program

CommBank Awards or Qantas Frequent Flyer

Points per $1 spent

0.20 Skywards Miles after transfer

1 CommBank Awards point

Sign up bonus

16,000 Skywards Miles after transfer

80,000 CommBank Awards points

Annual fee

$228.00 p.a. ongoing

Details

  • Earn up to 80,000 CommBank Awards points or up to 50,000 Qantas Points. Receive 20,000 CommBank Awards points or 12,500 Qantas Points each month when you spend $1,500 or more per month for the first 4 months using your new Smart Awards credit card. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • Earn up to 1.5 Award Points per $1 on purchases at major supermarkets, department stores, petrol stations, dining, and utilities, up to $5,000 per statement period. After that, earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases and 0.5 points per $1 once total spending exceeds $5,000 in a statement period.
  • Points Boost allows you to earn up to 2 Awards Points or 0.8 Qantas Points per $1 spent on your highest eligible purchase made in a statement period up to 1,000 Awards Points or 400 Qantas Points.
  • No international transaction fees for purchases you make overseas or online.
  • Comes with Complimentary International Travel Insurance. T&Cs apply.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • Earn up to 80,000 CommBank Awards points or up to 50,000 Qantas Points when you meet the criteria.
  • Earn unlimited Awards Points or Qantas Points each year.
  • Includes access to over 1,300 airport lounges via Mastercard Travel Pass by DragonPass.
  • Redeem your earned points instantly at Myer and Flight Centre.
  • Add an extra cardholder for free and boost your points-earning potential.
  • Includes Complimentary Purchase Security, Price Guarantee, and Extended Warranty insurance.
  • Eligible customers get complimentary access to book flights and hotels through Travel Booking (provided by Hopper).
  • Compatible with Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Cons
  • You can opt-in to earn Qantas Points for an annual fee of $90.
  • No monthly fee if you spend at least $2,000 per statement period; otherwise, it's $19 per month or $228 per year.
  • Relatively high purchase interest rate and cash advance interest rate.
  • Get up to 44 days interest-free on purchases, which is shorter than some other cards.
Commonwealth Bank Ultimate Awards Credit Card

Not available for application via this website

Commonwealth Bank Ultimate Awards Credit Card

Rewards program

CommBank Awards or Qantas Frequent Flyer

Points per $1 spent

0.20 Skywards Miles after transfer

1 CommBank Awards point

Sign up bonus

20,000 Skywards Miles after transfer

100,000 CommBank Awards points

Annual fee

$420.00 p.a. ongoing

Details

  • Earn up to 100,000 CommBank Awards points or up to 70,000 Qantas Points. Receive 25,000 CommBank Awards points or 17,500 Qantas Points each month when you spend $3,000 or more per month for the first 4 months using your new Ultimate Awards credit card. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • Earn up to 3 Award Points per $1 on international transactions made in store and online, 2 Award Points per $1 on purchases at major supermarkets, department stores, petrol stations, dining, and utilities, up to $10,000 per statement period. After that, earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases and 0.5 points per $1 once total spending exceeds $10,000 in a statement period.
  • No international transaction fees for purchases you make overseas or online.
  • Comes with Complimentary International Travel Insurance. T&Cs apply.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • Earn up to 100,000 CommBank Awards points or up to 70,000 Qantas Points when you meet the criteria.
  • Earn unlimited Awards Points or Qantas Points each year.
  • Includes access to over 1,300 airport lounges via Mastercard Travel Pass by DragonPass.
  • Redeem your earned points instantly at Myer and Flight Centre.
  • Add an extra cardholder for free and boost your points-earning potential.
  • Includes Complimentary Purchase Security, Price Guarantee, and Extended Warranty insurance.
  • Eligible customers get complimentary access to book flights and hotels through Travel Booking (provided by Hopper).
  • Compatible with Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Cons
  • You can opt-in to earn Qantas Points for an annual fee of $90.
  • No monthly fee if you spend at least $4,000 per statement period; otherwise, it's $35 per month or $420 per year.
  • Relatively high purchase interest rate and cash advance interest rate.
  • Get up to 44 days interest-free on purchases, which is shorter than some other cards.
Commonwealth Bank Business Platinum Awards Credit Card

Not available for application via this website

Rewards program

CommBank Awards

Points per $1 spent

0.20 Skywards Miles after transfer

1 CommBank Awards point

Sign up bonus

N/A

Annual fee

$300.00 p.a. ongoing

Details

  • Opt for either CommBank Awards points or Qantas Points (an annual fee of $30 applies).
  • Earn 1 Awards Point or 0.4 Qantas Points per dollar spent with your CommBank Awards Mastercard.
  • Get access to a unique collection of entertainment experiences and offers exclusively for Mastercard.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • Earn up to 300,000 points a year. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • Transfer your earned points to other travel programs.
  • Includes Transit Accident Insurance and Unauthorised Transaction Insurance.
Cons
  • High annual fee.
  • The additional cardholder fee is $75.

Commonwealth Bank Business Awards Credit Card

Not available for application via this website

Rewards program

CommBank Awards

Points per $1 spent

0.20 Skywards Miles after transfer

1 CommBank Awards point

Sign up bonus

N/A

Annual fee

$100.00 p.a. ongoing

Details

  • Select between earning CommBank Awards points or opting for Qantas Points with a $30 annual fee. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • Enjoy up to 55 days interest-free on purchases.
  • Accrue 1 Awards point for every dollar spent using your Awards Mastercard.

Pros & cons

Pros
  • Get access to a unique collection of entertainment experiences through Priceless Sydney and Mastercard Privileges.
  • 24/7 emergency assistance overseas.
  • Includes Transit Accident Insurance and Unauthorised Transaction Insurance.
Cons
  • The additional cardholder fee is $75.

One-third of all credit card transactions in Australia involve a card that earns Qantas points. However, although Emirates is a Qantas partner airline, it is not possible to transfer points from Qantas Frequent Flyer to Emirates Skywards.

Since Citibank's withdrawal of its Emirates Citi World Mastercard from the market in January 2023, there are no longer any co-branded Emirates credit cards available in Australia.

Despite this, numerous Australian credit cards still allow you to earn points, which can be transferred to Emirates Skywards, the airline's frequent flyer program.

How to transfer Australian credit card loyalty points to Emirates Skywards

Instead of earning Emirates miles directly through a co-branded credit card, you can transfer — or convert — points from an Australian credit card loyalty program to Emirates Skywards.

American Express (Amex Membership Rewards) and CommBank Awards both have Emirates Skywards as a points transfer partner.

Is transferring points to the Emirates Skywards program worth it?

Transferring credit card loyalty points to the Emirates Skywards program could be beneficial in certain situations. However, we would advise against it in most cases, mainly due to unused Emirates Skywards miles expiring after 3 years, regardless of your account activity.

Emirates Skywards redemptions are relatively costly in terms of the required miles and the high Emirates carrier charges.

If you want to redeem points for Emirates flights, you don't necessarily have to book with Skywards miles. You can also use Qantas Frequent Flyer points or Air Canada Aeroplan points.

However, using Emirates Skywards miles does provide access to the more expensive "Flex Plus" reward seats, which are more available. If you plan to fly during a peak period, this could be one of the few ways to find award availability.

For Emirates-operated flights departing from most destinations, one-way awards can only be booked in the "Flex Plus" category, which requires more miles.

Additionally, you can use Skywards miles to upgrade on Emirates flights, which is not possible with Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

Learn all about

  • Q&As

What's so good about Emirates Skywards?

Emirates and Citi have formed a partnership, offering flyers a wide range of exclusive products and services. For every dollar you spend on retail purchases using your Emirates credit card you earn points, all of which are collected in your Skywards account and can be redeemed for rewards.

It does not cost you anything to join the Emirates Skywards program. All you have to do is complete a simple application and you can become a member in no more than five minutes. From there, you can enjoy special benefits every time you fly with Emirates. With the Miles you earn, you can select from a variety of flight and upgrade rewards.

The Skywards program is tiered, making it easy for you to gain a higher level of benefits as time goes by. Remember, you must always reference your nine digit Skywards membership number when making a reservation, checking into a hotel, or dealing with one of their partner companies. This will ensure that your Miles are credited to your account without delay. You only earn tier Miles when you fly Emirates. With these, you can make progress towards the Skywards Silver and Gold membership levels. Once you reach a new tier, you hold onto this status for at least the next 12 months. You need 25,000 tier Miles to earn Silver status and 50,000 Miles to step-up to Gold membership.

How can I earn more Skywards Miles?

A Skywards membership gives you the chance to earn Miles in three ways: through flights with Emirates; through partner airlines; through non-flight partners, including InterContinental Hotels, Hertz, Citibank, Damas, Jumeirah, and many others. For every dollar you spend, you will earn a certain number of Skywards Miles (which can vary depending on the offer or any promotions running at that time). When compared to cards linked with the Qantas or Velocity programs, Skywards linked credit cards often have one of the best earn rates for points.

What can I spend my Skywards Miles on?

Redeeming your Miles is a simple and straightforward process. Although the most popular reward is flights to destinations all over the world, you can also use your Miles in other ways such as to shop at The Emirates High Street or to upgrade your airline seats. Some of the best ways to redeem your Miles include:

  • Flights: You can fly with Emirates or partner airlines to more than 100 destinations worldwide. Making this benefit even better, you can book a ticket for as few as 10,000 Miles.
  • Upgrade your seats: With as few as 7,500 Skywards Miles, you can upgrade your travel class from economy to business or business to first class.
  • Hotels: Are you looking for somewhere to stay once you arrive? With Skywards Miles you can book many hotels around the world.
  • Lifestyle rewards: No matter where life takes you, you can use your Skywards Miles for a variety of leisure activities.

What rewards are available?

Skywards is Emirates’ award-winning frequent flyer scheme, one of Emirate credit cards’ most rewarding offers with plenty of exclusive travel perks available to Australians. The scheme allows you to gain access to luxury airport lounges, world-class airline accommodation, car rental, chauffeured services to and from Australian airports, hotels and other products while earning Skywards Miles from Emirates flights.

What tiers of membership are there?

Skywards from Emirates offers three membership tiers, Blue, Silver and Gold. Each tier offers a greater degree of benefits and privileges and flyers progress through each depending on their flying frequency.

How are Skywards points earned?

Cardholders earn points when flying with Emirates or partner airlines, making retail purchases using an Emirates credit card and when doing business transactions with other Skywards credit card partners, including car rental, leisure products, financial services, hotels, resorts and more.

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