How to fly in Emirates first class suite for less than $200
The Emirates first class suite is flat out one of the most over-the-top seats in the sky. Lined with gold leaf, a vanity mirror, and even an automated minibar, the seat literally screams money. Coupled with the world’s first flying spa, where you can shower at 40,000 feet, taking a flight in first class on Emirates is an unforgettable experience.
The retail cost for a flight from New York to Dubai is over $20,000 one way.
Are you not rich as an Arab sheikh? Fortunately, there is a way to fly the first class suites without breaking the bank. It turns out Emirates has a few airline partners, one of which is Alaska airlines. Besides being able to take connecting flights, you can actually use Alaska miles to redeem a first class ticket on Emirates.
UPDATE: As of March 31, 2016 Alaska Airlines has significantly increased the amount of miles needed for Emirates first class. An updated guide on how book Emirates First Class for less miles can be found here.
How many miles will Emirates First Class cost me?
Alaska Airlines currently charges 180,000 air miles for one way first class flights on Emirates between North America and Europe and Asia. Flights to Africa require 200,000 miles. If you are flying to just to the Middle East, Alaska only charges 150,000 miles.
How do you earn miles on Alaska Airlines?
There are two ways to quickly earn Alaska miles: flying or credit card sign bonuses.
How to earn Alaskan miles through flying with partner airlines
Don’t fly Alaska often but still want to earn Alaskan miles? You can earn Alaskan miles while flying on either Delta Airlines or American Airlines, both Alaskan Airline partners. This includes international routes operated by Delta or American Airlines. The amount of miles you will earn will depend on the fare code of your ticket, so make sure to consult the miles chart here.
How to earn Alaskan miles through credit card sign up bonuses
Don’t fly much, but still want to try the shower in the sky? The good news is you can easily earn enough miles for Emirates first class without flying a single mile. If you’re an American citizen or permanent resident the process is quite simple.
Most airlines have bank partners. American Airlines is partnered with CitiBank while United is partnered with Chase. Alaska Airlines happens to be partners with Bank of America & Starwood Rewards.
There are four cards that earn miles that can be used on Alaska Airlines.
Starwood Rewards currently has two credit cards, the Starwood Preferred American Express Card and the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Card, both of which offer 25,000 miles upon meeting minimum spend, which can be converted to Alaska miles. Due to Starwood offering a bonus 5000 miles whenever you transfer 25,000 miles, you’re effectively earning 30,000 Alaskan Miles.
If you don’t have any major purchases planned in the next couple of months, there is an alternative option to earn Alaska Miles easily and effectively.
Bank of America currently offers two Alaska Airlines credit cards: the Alaska Airlines Signature Card and the Alaska Airlines Small Business Signature Card. Each card offers a significant sign up bonus after spending $1000 in the first three months.
You may find the current offer for the Alaska Airlines Visa Card below:
The best thing about Bank of America is that they allow you to earn the bonus offer multiple times! The only catch is that you must wait 31 days to apply for each card. This process is known as churning.
You will need to apply for a personal and business card, complete the minimum spend, and apply again in 31 days. Within a year, you can have 200,000 miles for little or no cost – enough for a one way first class ticket on Emirates First Class!
Card Consultation
If you’re having difficulty deciding which card is the right
fit for you, you can always request a free personalized card consultation.
Transferring your miles
If you are planning to use your SPG points, you will need to first transfer your miles into the Alaska miles program. The process is pretty simple, and a step by step guide can be found here.
SPG Transfer miles to Alaska
This guide will teach you how to transfer your Starwood points to Alaska miles. It is important to note that to receive your 25% miles bonus, you MUST transfer in increments of 20,000.
How to Transfer Starwood Points to Alaska Miles:
Step 1
Log into your account on the Starwood Preferred Guest website. If you don’t have an account yet, contact AMEX to obtain your SPG account number.
Step 2
Click My Account. Under Starpoints Awards, click Redeem/Transfer points.
Step 3
Select Travel and then Transfer Starpoints to Air Miles.
Step 4
Select Alaska Airlines in the Select an Airline box.
Step 5
Input the number of points you want to transfer. Please take note of the minimum number of points you can transfer.
Step 6
Finally, transfer your miles. After you have successfully transferred your miles, it usually will take at most 1 week to post.