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Guide to the Qantas and Emirates alliance

From codeshare flights to frequent flyer benefits, here’s what you need to know about the partnership between Qantas and Emirates.

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Amy Bradney-George
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The Qantas and Emirates alliance gives you access to over 2,000 flight routes and 100 codeshare destinations. It also offers you more ways to earn and use Qantas Points or Emirates Skywards Miles, as well as matched frequent flyer status on eligible flights. Use this guide to learn more about the partnership and the benefits you can get as a Qantas or Emirates frequent flyer member.

What's in this guide?

  1. What is the Qantas and Emirates alliance?
  2. Changes to the Qantas and Emirates partnership in 2018
  3. What frequent flyer benefits can I get from the Qantas-Emirates alliance?
  4. How do Qantas and Emirates codeshare flights work?
  5. What else do I need to know about the Qantas and Emirates alliance?
  6. FAQs about the Qantas and Emirates alliance

What is the Qantas and Emirates alliance?

Launched in 2013, this airline partnership offers Qantas and Emirates customers more seamless travel between Australia, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe. This includes Qantas flights that connect to Europe through Dubai, as well as Emirates flights to Australia and New Zealand.

If you're a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer or Emirates Skywards loyalty programs, this alliance also allows you to earn and spend points on flights operated by either airline through codeshare bookings. Depending on your membership status and fare class, you can also enjoy access to airline lounges operated by both Qantas and Emirates.

Changes to the Qantas and Emirates partnership in 2018

In 2018, Qantas and Emirates announced a five-year extension of this partnership, along with some key changes. For Qantas, this includes offering stopovers in Singapore and Perth for long-haul flights to Europe and the UK, as well as nonstop flights to the UK from Perth.

Emirates, on the other hand, has added more direct flights from Dubai to Sydney and Auckland. The airlines also announced plans for more trans-Tasman codeshare flights, as well as updated schedules.

What frequent flyer benefits can I get from the Qantas-Emirates alliance?

If you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer or Emirates Skywards member, highlights of this partnership include:

  • Earning points and status. The Qantas and Emirates alliance allows you to earn points and frequent flyer status on codeshare flights operated by either airline (as well as Jetstar Airways flights). This gives you more ways to be rewarded for flights around the world.
  • Reward flight options. Qantas frequent flyers can use Qantas Points to redeem Classic Awards and Any Seat Awards on Emirates flights, and Emirates frequent flyers can use their Skywards Miles to redeem flights operated by Qantas.
  • Frequent flyer status recognition. If you have silver, gold, platinum or equivalent frequent flyer status with either Qantas Frequent Flyer or Emirates Skywards, you can get matching status benefits – such as priority check-in and lounge access – when you’re travelling with either airline.
  • Lounge access. If you’re an eligible Qantas or Emirates frequent flyer, or if you have an eligible business or first class ticket, you could enjoy access to a lounge operated by either Qantas or Emirates during your trip. Note that lounge terms and conditions will still apply, so it’s worth checking these details in advance.

How do Qantas and Emirates codeshare flights work?

A codeshare flight gives you a way to book with your preferred airline, even if it doesn’t operate the plane you’re actually flying on. As an example, say you booked a Qantas flight from Sydney to Barcelona with a stopover in Dubai. Your flight from Sydney to Dubai could be on a Qantas plane, while the flight from Dubai to Barcelona could be on an Emirates plane.

Despite the different planes, your tickets would include a QF flight number for the whole journey (with a note that the second plane is operated by Emirates). This flight number shows that you booked with Qantas, giving you access to the fare entitlements and frequent flyer benefits you’d get on any Qantas flight.

What else do I need to know about the Qantas and Emirates alliance?

These types of partnerships often come with a lot of fine print – especially for frequent flyer members looking to make the most of them. To help you figure it out, here are some key details to keep in mind.

  • Earning Qantas Points on Emirates flights. You can earn Qantas Points on all eligible Emirates flights, except Emirates codeshare flights operated by airlines other than Qantas. However, note that your flight code determines the amount of points you earn, as well as any status credits. For instance, if you are a Qantas Frequent Flyer, booking the same codeshare flight under the Emirates EK code would earn you zero status credits and just under half the number of Qantas Points that you’d earn by booking the same flight under the QF code.
  • Earning Qantas Status Credits on Emirates flights. If you're a Qantas Frequent Flyer member and you want to earn more Status Credits on long-haul flights, you can book codeshare Emirates-operated flights with a QF code to earn your maximum status credits for flights to a wide range of destinations across the Qantas-Emirates network.
  • Earning Emirates Skywards Miles on Qantas flights. Skywards Miles members can earn miles on Qantas flights, including domestic legs that are part of a continuous international journey. For flights coded as EK, you’ll earn Skywards Miles at the same rate as you would on Emirates flights. But if the flight is coded QF, you’ll earn miles at a less favourable rate based on distance travelled. Qantas codeshare flights operated by airlines other than Emirates are not eligible for earning Skywards Miles.
  • Earning Emirates Skywards Tier Miles on Qantas flights. You may earn Skywards Tier Miles on flights with an EK booking code, even if they are operated by Qantas. You won’t earn Skywards Tier Miles for flights with a QF code.
  • Lounge benefit limitations. If your Qantas Frequent Flyer or Emirates Skywards membership status gives you lounge access, you’ll only be able to access lounges operated by either airline when you include your frequent flyer number on your booking. Meanwhile, if you’re a Qantas Club member, you will only have access to the Emirates lounge in the Dubai International Airport when your next onward flight that day has a QF flight number.
  • No double-dipping. If you're a member of both the Qantas Frequent Flyer and Skywards Miles programs, you can only earn points and status through one program per flight or booking. So make sure you add the frequent flyer number for your chosen program to your booking before you leave.

The Qantas and Emirates partnership gives you more options for flights, as well as a wider range of frequent flyer benefits when you’re travelling with these airlines. To get the most out of this alliance, make sure you double-check the requirements for bookings or frequent flyer benefits so that you know exactly what’s required to get them.

FAQs about the Qantas and Emirates alliance

Pictures: Qantas and Shutterstock

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12 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    PaulAugust 17, 2019

    I am a Qantas Club member. Does this permit me to use domestic and international Code Share airline lounges if I don’t travel business or first class?

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      JeniAugust 18, 2019Staff

      Hi Paul,

      Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

      With your codeshare flight under the Emirates EK code, you can relax into the Emirates lounge experience at selected airports around the world even on economy flight. Please note that Qantas Club members have access to the largest Australian and international lounge network of any Australian airline. Please check out Qantas Club lounge page to know Qantas and associated lounge network locations and access.

      I hope this helps.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    CaroleApril 24, 2019

    Booked with Qantas operated by Emirates. Do I check in at Qantas or Emirates?

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      MaiApril 25, 2019Staff

      Hi Carole,

      Thank you for reaching out.

      You should check in to the counter for the airline that is operating the portion of your flight. In your case, if you’re a flying with Qantas flight operated by Emirates, you should check in with Emirates.

      Hope this helps.

      Kind Regards,
      Mai

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    JanetJanuary 23, 2019

    Can I transfer my remaining Emirates points to my Qantas frequent flyer points as they expire at the end of the month. If not can I buy goods with them?

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      JeniJanuary 26, 2019Staff

      Hi Janet,

      Thank you for getting in touch with finder.

      Currently, you wouldn’t be able to transfer your Emirates Skywards to Qantas FF however you may transfer your Emirates Skywards to another Emirates Skywards member, or members, in one calendar year. Transactions to buy, gift and transfer Skywards Miles can be made online after logging in on Emirates official page; and through the Emirates Contact Centre, Emirates Reservation and Ticketing office. Transactions to extend and reinstate Skywards Miles can only be made online after logging in online.

      I hope this helps.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    DianeOctober 21, 2018

    I am flying business class with Qantas from Brisbane, can I access the Emirates lounge in Brisbane?

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      JeniOctober 21, 2018Staff

      Hi Diane,

      Thank you for getting in touch with finder.

      Since you mentioned that you’re flying business class, you could enjoy access to a lounge operated by either Qantas or Emirates during your trip like in Brisbane. Please note that lounge terms and conditions will still apply, so it’s worth checking these details in advance.

      I hope this helps.

      Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    BruiserAugust 28, 2017

    I have booked with Emirates, but the first part of the journey from Sydney is on a Qantas flight. Do I go to the Emirates or Qantas counter to check in?

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      DeeAugust 29, 2017Staff

      Hi Bruiser,

      Thanks for your question.

      You’ll have to check in with Qantas on the first part of your trip since you will be flying with them.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

      Reply
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