Overview
- Effective Jan. 21, 2026, Qantas members can only redeem Emirates first class for passengers aged nine or older.
- Starting Feb. 18, 2026, Emirates first-class awards booked with Qantas points will be limited to Qantas Frequent Flyer Silver status and above.
- From March 31, 2026, Emirates flights shift to a new Qantas award chart with higher points, generally rising about 10%–30% with the steepest increases in premium cabins.
- Illustrative changes include JFK–MXP first class increasing from 123,100 to 147,800 points and BOS/JFK–DXB first class rising from 170,800 to 205,000 points, while SYD–DXB business climbs from 130,100 to 143,000 points.
- Existing bookings are preserved, but any reissue after the effective dates will follow the new eligibility rules and higher pricing, prompting advice to book before Feb. 18 and March 31.