Emirates Skywards miles cannot be directly redeemed for Flydubai flights, but partnership options offer indirect benefits.
Understanding Emirates Skywards and Flydubai Partnership
Emirates and Flydubai operate as separate airlines, each with its own loyalty program and mileage redemption rules. Emirates Skywards is Emirates’ frequent flyer program, allowing members to earn and redeem miles primarily on Emirates flights and their partners. Flydubai, on the other hand, has its own loyalty program called OPEN, which operates independently.
Despite being separate entities, Emirates and Flydubai have a commercial partnership that includes codeshare agreements and coordinated schedules. This partnership means passengers can book connecting flights on both airlines seamlessly. However, this cooperation doesn’t fully extend to the interchangeability of their respective loyalty currencies.
The question “Can I Use Emirates Miles On Flydubai?” arises from this partnership confusion. The straightforward answer is no—Emirates Skywards miles cannot be directly used to book flights on Flydubai. Yet, there are nuances worth exploring to understand how you might still benefit from your Emirates miles when flying with or alongside Flydubai.
Why Can’t You Use Emirates Miles on Flydubai Directly?
The core reason lies in the structure of airline alliances and loyalty programs. Emirates is not a member of any major global alliance like Star Alliance or Oneworld. Instead, it operates a series of bilateral partnerships, including one with Flydubai. However, these partnerships don’t automatically mean shared mileage redemption.
Flydubai’s loyalty program, OPEN Rewards, is separate from Emirates Skywards. Each airline controls its own inventory for award bookings. Since Emirates does not have full integration with Flydubai’s reservation system for award tickets, you cannot simply redeem your Skywards miles for a Flydubai flight.
Moreover, the two airlines use different booking classes and fare structures that complicate cross-program redemptions. Even though you may see codeshare flights with both airline codes on your ticket, the backend systems treat these as distinct products when it comes to miles redemption.
How Codeshare Flights Affect Mileage Redemption
Codeshare arrangements allow one flight to be marketed by multiple airlines under different flight numbers. For example, a single aircraft operated by Flydubai might carry an EK (Emirates) flight number for marketing purposes.
However, earning and redeeming miles depend on the operating carrier rather than just the marketing carrier code:
- If you fly on an aircraft operated by Emirates (EK), you earn and redeem Skywards miles as usual.
- If you fly on a flight operated by Flydubai (FZ), even if it has an EK flight number due to codeshare, you generally cannot use or earn Emirates Skywards miles unless specific agreements apply.
This distinction is crucial because it means that having an Emirates flight number doesn’t guarantee your Skywards miles will work on that segment if operated by Flydubai.
Indirect Ways to Benefit from Emirates Miles When Flying With Flydubai
Although direct redemption isn’t possible, there are some strategies where your Emirates Skywards membership can still add value when flying with or alongside Flydubai:
1. Booking Connecting Flights via Dubai Hub
Many travelers use Dubai as a hub to connect between international flights on Emirates and regional or domestic flights on Flydubai. When booking such itineraries through Emirates’ platform:
- You may pay for your entire journey using your Skywards miles if all segments are operated by Emirates.
- For segments operated by Flydubai within the same ticket, mileage redemption might not apply directly but could be included in fare pricing if bundled.
This means while you can’t redeem miles purely for a standalone Flydubai flight, combined itineraries booked through Emirates sometimes offer integrated pricing benefits.
2. Earning Miles on Codeshare Flights Operated by Emirates
If your travel itinerary involves codeshare flights where some segments are operated by Emirates but marketed jointly with Flydubai codes:
- You can earn Skywards miles for the segments flown on Emirates.
- This helps accumulate more miles faster even if part of your journey involves Flydubai-operated legs.
Keep in mind that earning rates vary based on fare class and route specifics.
3. Using Partner Benefits Like Lounge Access or Priority Services
Emirates often extends select tier benefits to passengers traveling on partner-operated flights within certain conditions:
- Elite members of Skywards may enjoy priority check-in or baggage allowances even when flying partly with Flydubai.
- Lounge access policies depend heavily on ticket class and alliance agreements but can sometimes apply for connecting passengers.
These perks don’t involve mileage redemption but enhance overall travel experience linked to your loyalty status earned via Emirates.
Mileage Redemption Rules: A Comparative Table
To clarify how mileage earning and redemption differ between the two airlines’ programs, here’s a detailed comparison:
| Loyalty Program Feature | Emirates Skywards | Flydubai OPEN Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Miles Earning Scope | Earnings primarily on Emirates & select partners; limited accrual on codeshares. | Earnings mainly on Flydubai-operated flights; no accrual from other airlines. |
| Miles Redemption Options | Redeemable for Emirates flights & some partners; no direct use for Flydubai. | Redeemable only for Flydubai flights & services; no cross-redemption. |
| Lounge Access Eligibility | Available based on tier & class; some partner lounges accessible. | Lounge access rarely offered except premium tickets; no tier-based lounges. |
This table highlights why direct mileage use across both carriers remains limited despite their cooperation.
The Impact of Booking Channels: Online vs Call Center vs Travel Agents
How you book your tickets influences whether you can leverage any mileage-related benefits involving both airlines:
- Booking via emirates.com: Typically restricts award redemptions to flights wholly operated by Emirates.
- Booking via flydubai.com: Only allows redemption using OPEN Rewards points.
- Travel agents or third-party platforms: Sometimes offer combined itineraries involving both carriers but do not enable cross-program mile usage.
- Emirates call center: Can assist in complex bookings but won’t override system limitations regarding award redemptions for partner-operated segments.
Being aware of these nuances helps avoid frustration during booking and clarifies expectations regarding mile usage.
Key Takeaways: Can I Use Emirates Miles On Flydubai?
➤ Emirates miles can be redeemed for Flydubai flights.
➤ Redemptions are subject to availability on Flydubai routes.
➤ Miles booking requires Emirates Skywards membership.
➤ Taxes and fees may apply when using miles on Flydubai.
➤ Check Emirates website for latest redemption terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Emirates Miles On Flydubai Flights Directly?
No, Emirates Skywards miles cannot be directly redeemed for Flydubai flights. The two airlines have separate loyalty programs and do not share mileage redemption systems, so you cannot book Flydubai flights using Emirates miles.
Why Can’t I Use Emirates Miles On Flydubai Despite Their Partnership?
Although Emirates and Flydubai have a commercial partnership and codeshare agreements, their loyalty programs remain independent. This means Emirates miles are not interchangeable with Flydubai’s OPEN Rewards miles for flight redemptions.
Are There Any Indirect Benefits When Using Emirates Miles On Flydubai?
While you can’t use Emirates miles to book Flydubai flights, the partnership allows seamless booking of connecting flights on both airlines. You may earn miles on Emirates segments, but not redeem them on Flydubai-operated legs.
How Do Codeshare Flights Affect Using Emirates Miles On Flydubai?
Codeshare flights may show an Emirates flight number even if operated by Flydubai. However, for mileage redemption, the operating carrier’s rules apply, so Emirates miles cannot be used to book or upgrade these Flydubai-operated segments.
Can I Transfer Emirates Miles To Use Them On Flydubai?
Currently, there is no option to transfer Emirates Skywards miles to Flydubai’s OPEN Rewards program. Each program manages its own miles independently, preventing cross-program transfers or combined redemptions.