How to redeem Emirates Skywards miles from Milan or Athens to New York
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Emirates runs a few interesting ‘Fifth Freedom’ routes. These are flights which neither start or end in Dubai because they are tagged on to the end of another flight – but for which you can buy tickets as a standalone flight.
There are two options to the United States from Europe:
- Milan to New York JFK
- Athens to Newark
HfP readers often found these flights useful, partly because taxes are modest and partly because it is a good way of using Emirates miles if you don’t want to head back to or through the Middle East.
It is also a way to try out the Emirates premium cabins relatively cheaply if you wouldn’t otherwise get the chance.
How much are the Emirates ‘fifth freedom’ fights to New York?
This is what you pay in Emirates Skywards miles for a flight from:
- Milan to New York JFK, or
- Athens to Newark
You need:
- 160,000 Skywards miles one way in First Class
- 87,000 Skywards miles one way in Business Class
- 108,000 Skywards miles return as a Business Class Saver redemption
‘Business Class Saver’ can only be booked as a return flight and only on low demand dates. If you only want a one way redemption, or are travelling on a peak date, you need to pay the standard Business Class rate.
Taxes and charges are low
The taxes and charges on these routes are very reasonable. Whilst you need to factor in the cost and time required to get to southern Europe, the overall miles and taxes cost in Business Class is cheaper than flying on British Airways or Virgin Atlantic from London.
(I accept, of course, that the only reason you’d really want to do this via Italy or Greece is to burn some expiring Emirates miles or because you really want to try a flight on Emirates.)
Between Milan and New York, you pay €130 in taxes and charges for a one way First Class or Business Class ticket and €229 return.
Between Athens and Newark, you pay €138 for a one way First Class or Business Class ticket and €235 return.
If you have always wanted to give Emirates a try – especially in First Class – but were put off by the high taxes on Middle East flights, or simply prefer New York to Dubai, then these two routes offer a great opportunity.
The best way to get hold of Emirates Skywards miles from a UK credit card is via transfers from American Express Membership Rewards points. The transfer rate is 1:1.
We published a complete guide to earning Emirates Skywards miles from UK credit cards which you can find here.
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How to earn Emirates Skywards miles from UK credit cards (April 2025)
Emirates Skywards does not have a UK credit card. However, you can earn Emirates Skywards miles by converting Membership Rewards points earned from selected UK American Express cards.
Cards earning Membership Rewards points include:
- American Express Preferred Rewards Gold (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 15,000 Emirates Skywards miles. This card is FREE for your first year and also comes with four free airport lounge passes.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
- The Platinum Card from American Express (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 37,500 Emirates Skywards miles
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
- American Express Rewards credit card (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 7,500 Emirates Skywards miles. This card is FREE for life.
Membership Rewards points convert at 4:3 into Emirates Skywards miles which is an attractive rate. The cards above all earn 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent on your card, which converts to 0.75 Emirates Skywards miles
The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card earns double points (2 per £1) on all flights you charge to it, not just with Emirates but with any airline.
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