Flying Emirates First Class or Business Class without holding any elite status might sound like a fantasy — but it’s entirely possible, and you don’t even have to be a frequent Emirates flyer. The secret weapon? Qantas Frequent Flyer miles. This little-known strategy allows you to tap into Emirates’ premium cabins at excellent rates, sidestepping some of the higher surcharges and complexity that come with booking directly through Emirates Skywards.
Why Qantas is the Backdoor to Emirates Luxury
Qantas and Emirates have a close partnership, which means Qantas members can book Emirates First and Business Class flights directly with Qantas miles. The beauty here is that award availability is often identical to what Emirates offers to its own members, but without needing to earn status or deal with Skywards’ sometimes inflated pricing for non-elites. You can search and book directly on Qantas’ website, which clearly displays award seats across Emirates’ network — from short hops within the Middle East to iconic long-haul routes like Orlando–Dubai or Sydney–Dubai.
Earning and Transferring Qantas Miles Easily
You don’t have to be based in Australia to get Qantas miles. Qantas is a transfer partner of major credit card programs, including American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Brex. Most transfers are at a 1:1 ratio, and transfer bonuses occasionally appear, lowering the effective cost of booking. Marriott Bonvoy points can also be transferred to Qantas, and if you move them in 60K increments, you’ll receive the 5K bonus miles. This flexibility means you can top up quickly when you see award space.
Finding and Booking Emirates Premium Awards via Qantas
The best way to find Emirates award space is to use the Qantas “Use Points” search tool. Start by selecting “Classic Flight Rewards” and searching your desired route. If you’re flexible with dates, toggle the monthly view to spot premium cabin openings — long-haul First and Business Class awards often appear sporadically, so having flexibility is key. Once you find space, book immediately — Emirates award seats can vanish within hours. Pro tip: Qantas often shows more availability on connecting itineraries than on non-stop searches, so try both.
Taxes, Fees, and Sweet Spots
While Qantas passes along some Emirates surcharges, they’re generally less aggressive than booking via Skywards for the same seat. Some of the best value redemptions include New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP) in Business for 90K Qantas miles, or Dubai (DXB) to London (LHR) in First for around 80K miles. Considering Emirates’ retail pricing for First Class can exceed $5,000–$10,000 one-way, the value per mile is outstanding — often above 7–10 cents per mile.
Verdict: Your Shortcut to Emirates’ Best Seats
You don’t need elite status or years of loyalty to enjoy Emirates’ award-winning First and Business Class. By leveraging Qantas Frequent Flyer miles and transferable credit card points, you can unlock the same premium cabin seats at far better value — and without jumping through Skywards’ hoops. The key is being ready to move points instantly when award space appears, keeping your searches flexible, and pouncing on those rare First Class openings. For the savvy traveler, Qantas is more than just an airline partner — it’s your golden ticket to Emirates luxury.