Exciting news for travel enthusiasts as United Airlines and Emirates have announced a new partnership between their respective loyalty programs, MileagePlus and Skywards. Starting on March 26, 2023, members of both programs will be able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by either airline. To celebrate the launch of this partnership, the United Emirates is offering a double miles promotion. For a limited time, members can earn double miles when flying on eligible routes with either airline. It is indeed a great relief for passengers as this announcement comes after a codeshare agreement with a frequent flyer component last September.
This loyalty program partnership between two airline brands unlocks a plethora of travel options between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, allowing travelers to earn and redeem miles more effortlessly. Let’s dive deeper into the intricacies of this agreement and discover how it can elevate your travel experience. Let’s take a closer look at what this collaboration entails and how it will benefit travelers.
What All Benefits Can Passengers Reap From This Partnership?
- Limited Earning and Redemption Options
The frequent flyer agreement between United Airlines and Emirates appears to be extremely limited. MileagePlus members can only earn miles on select Emirates flights ex-Dubai if they fly to Dubai on a United flight. The same applies to awards on Emirates flights; they can only be redeemed if you take the United service to Dubai. However, United is currently offering double miles on eligible Emirates flights between March 26 – April 30, 2023.
- Superior Agreement with Air Canada
The frequent flier partnership that Air Canada has with Emirates is far superior to that of the United. Air Canada, a member of the Star Alliance, and Dubai-based super connector Emirates have activated a frequent flyer partnership for earning and redeeming miles. This partnership allows Aeroplan members to earn and redeem miles on Emirates flights while Skywards members can do the same on Air Canada flights.
Aeroplan Elite 50K, 75K, and Super Elite members (plus one guest) have access to the Emirates business class lounge in Dubai when flying in economy on Emirates. Similarly, Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum members (plus one guest) have access to Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges and Air Canada Cafe when flying in economy on Air Canada. Additionally, Emirates Business Class passengers (plus one guest) departing from Toronto have access to Maple Leaf lounges and Cafe while First Class passengers (plus one guest) have access to Signature Suite. This partnership provides travelers with more options for earning and redeeming miles while also offering additional benefits for elite members of both loyalty programs.
Through this partnership, passengers can earn and redeem Aeroplan miles for all eligible Emirates flights. To know more about what benefits MileagePlus and Skywards elite members will receive when flying on each other’s flights and how redemptions will work: Click here
- Expanded Flight Options and Rewards
United Airlines begins flying from Newark to Dubai in March 2023 and will codeshare on Emirates and flydubai flights. Emirates will codeshare on United services from Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston. This agreement will also give the loyalty program members of both airlines more opportunities for more rewards. United MileagePlus members flying on United’s Newark/New York to Dubai flight can soon earn and redeem miles when connecting beyond on Emirates and flydubai. Emirates Skywards members will be able to earn miles when they travel on United operated flights. Eligible United customers will also soon have access to Emirates lounges when connecting to and from United’s new Dubai flight.
- Seamless Connections and Faster Check-In
Emirates customers will be able to connect on United to nearly 200 new cities in the Americas, through Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston. From November, Emirates customers flying into Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston, will be able to easily connect onto United flights to and from nearly 200 cities across the Americas on a single ticket. At the eight other U.S. airports served by Emirates – Boston, Dallas, LA, Miami, JFK, Orlando, Seattle and Washington DC – both airlines will have an interline arrangement in place. Customers of both airlines can soon book these connecting flights on a single ticket, making check-in and luggage transfer faster and easier.
Exciting Future for United and Emirates Partnership
The United-Emirates partnership is a significant step in the right direction for the airline industry. This agreement will make global travel easier for millions of customers, boost local economies, and strengthen cultural ties. United’s new flight to Dubai and its complementary networks will offer more travel options for customers. Emirates will benefit from United’s access to nearly 200 new cities in the Americas, expanding its reach and making it easier for travelers to connect to multiple destinations.
The partnership between United Airlines and Emirates is a win-win for both airlines and customers. It offers more travel options, seamless connections, and more opportunities to earn and redeem miles. While there are some limitations to the agreement, it is still a significant step in the right direction for the airline industry. The future looks bright for the United and Emirates, and we can expect more exciting developments in the coming months and years.
