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.
Key takeaways
- Book codeshare flights with a QF code to maximise Qantas Points and Status Credits.
- Enjoy matched frequent flyer benefits, including lounge access, across both Qantas and Emirates.
- Access over 2,000 routes and 100 codeshare destinations for seamless global travel.
What is the Qantas and Emirates alliance?
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.
Launched in 2013, this airline partnership offers Qantas and Emirates customers more seamless travel between Australia, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Europe. This includes Qantas flights that connect to Europe through Singapore and Perth for long-haul flights to the UK and Europe, as well as non-stop flights to the UK from Perth. The alliance includes Emirates flights to Australia and New Zealand via Dubai. In 2017 both airlines announced a five-year extension to the partnership and plans for more trans-Tasman codeshare flights and 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 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 Flight Rewards 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.
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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.
Our expert says
"The Emirates partnership has been less obvious in recent years, with Qantas no longer routing its own flights through Dubai. However, Emirates is often a good option for last-minute rewards flights, so it's worth considering as a way to use your points."
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 Skywards Miles based on the distance flown and your fare type. 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.
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My agent has booked business class tickets to Europe via Emirates. I am a Qantas FF and want to know if it would be better to have the points go to Qantas or to have them added to my Emirates FF program.
Hi Doug, I’d probably lean towards putting the points into Qantas in this instance, especially if you’re a higher tier frequent flyer, as you’ll potentially earn bonus points that way. Unless you’re flying with Emirates very regularly, you’ll have more options for spending the Qantas Points. Hope this helps.
Hi. If I book a flight from the Qantas website, who code share with Emirates, will I be able to earn Emirates “Tier Miles” (Tier miles- not Skywards generally points)?
Hi Sohail,
Thanks for your question.
This depends on the booking code. You may earn Skywards Tier Miles but only on flights with 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.
Hope that helps,
Stephanie
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?
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
Booked with Qantas operated by Emirates. Do I check in at Qantas or Emirates?
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
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?
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