EMIRATES: Qantas confirms ability to redeem points for First Class Award bookings

Emirates is changing its policies by excluding some airline partners from redeeming points for Emirates First Class suites from 1 April 2021. We know Alaska Airlines is one of the partners excluded, but more important to Australian frequent flyers is what about Qantas?

The answer as reported by ET is confirmation from Qantas that their frequent flyer scheme is not excluded, and members will still be able to redeem points for First Class awards on Emirates post-March 2021.

Now of course a double confirmation – one from Emirates as well as Qantas would provide frequent flyers with more confidence, but apparently, Emirates is being a little reluctant to confirm either way.

Emirates offers First Class Suites on its A380’s which are mostly grounded at the moment, on some of its 777-300ER and on its new batch of 777-9’s scheduled for operation in 2022. Otherwise it will be the old mainly enclosed version for you!

Lets hope Qantas’s confirmation is correct, and that their long term relationship with Emirates dating back to 2013 is sustained.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

I am yet to travel in Emirates First Class suites – either new or old – so I hope that redemptions will continue for Qantas frequent flyer members well beyond 2021. ( I have travelled in Emirates Business though).