Chase Ultimate Rewards has added Emirates' Skywards mileage program as a transfer partner, the 13th transfer partner in Chase's stable.
Emirates is far from the strongest option for using your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, but the more choices, the better. Chase points will transfer to Emirates on a 1:1 basis, and these transfers should be instant. The Points Guy first reported the addition.
This just adds to the options of earning Emirates Skywards miles via credit card points transfers. Emirates is also a transfer partner with American Express and Capital One. Read our guide to transferring Chase points to airline and hotel partners.
| Program | Type | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air France/KLM | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| British Airways | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Emirates | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Iberia Plus | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| JetBlue | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Singapore Air | Airline | 1:1 | 12-24 hours |
| Southwest Airlines | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| United Airlines | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Virgin Atlantic | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| World of Hyatt | Hotel | 1:1 | Instant |
| IHG | Hotel | 1:1 | 1 day |
| Marriott Rewards | Hotel | 1:1 | 2 days |
Our Analysis
Of course, flying in style like Jennifer Aniston is on many travelers' bucket list. But actually using Emirates Skywards miles to fly Emirates blinged-out first class isn't the best way to do so.
If you want to fly first with an in-air bar and a shower at 38,000 feet, you're much better off using Alaska MileagePlan miles – 150,000 of them to fly one way from the U.S. to Dubai (DXB), to be precise. Rather than booking an award ticket outright, one of the few worthwhile uses of Emirates miles is to upgrade – from economy to business class, for example.
Long story short: Emirates isn't the best addition – especially if you're trying to fly one of the most luxurious first class cabins in the world. But the more options, the merrier.
Bottom Line
More is always better. Just remember that 999 times out of 1,000, there will be better uses of your Chase points than a transfer to this newest partner.