Emirates Skywards is Emirates' (and flydubai's) frequent-flyer programme. Co-branded UAE credit cards credit Skywards Miles directly to your account every month based on your card spend — no separate transfer step. The earn rate (miles per AED spent) and the redemption value (AED per mile) are two different numbers: a card's "earn X Miles per AED" headline only turns into real money once you redeem those Miles, and the value you get back depends heavily on how you redeem them.
Emirates Skywards
Emirates Skywards is Emirates' (and flydubai's) frequent-flyer programme, earned directly through ENBD and Emirates Islamic co-branded credit cards — no separate transfer step required.
The earn rate advertised on a card is only half the picture. What actually matters is the redemption value: a Skywards Mile can be worth roughly double on an Emirates award flight compared with the lower-value cash option, so it pays to check both before deciding what your balance is really worth.
How Skywards works
The Skywards card ladder
A side-by-side snapshot of annual fees, salary requirements, and standout benefits.
| Card | Annual fee | Min. salary | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Premium | AED 25,000 | Top Skywards earn rate; Emirates flight bonuses; unlimited lounge access |
 | Paid | AED 12,000 | Mid-tier Skywards Miles earner; Emirates flight benefits |
 | Paid | AED 15,000 | Dnata-branded card with Skywards Miles on travel and dining |
 | Paid | AED 8,000 | Entry Dnata card earning Skywards Miles on everyday spend |
 | AED 525 | AED 15,000 | Up to 4% cashback — convertible to Skywards Miles in the Liv app any time |
 | Free | AED 5,000 | Free-for-life card — switch between cashback and Skywards Miles in the Liv app |
| Card | Annual fee | Min. salary | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | AED 25,000 | Top Skywards earn rate; Emirates flight bonuses; unlimited lounge access |
| Paid | AED 12,000 | Mid-tier Skywards Miles earner; Emirates flight benefits |
| Paid | AED 15,000 | Dnata-branded card with Skywards Miles on travel and dining |
| Paid | AED 8,000 | Entry Dnata card earning Skywards Miles on everyday spend |
| AED 525 | AED 15,000 | Up to 4% cashback — convertible to Skywards Miles in the Liv app any time |
| Free | AED 5,000 | Free-for-life card — switch between cashback and Skywards Miles in the Liv app |
ENBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card
Annual feePremium
Min. salaryAED 25,000
HighlightTop Skywards earn rate; Emirates flight bonuses; unlimited lounge access
ENBD Skywards Signature Credit Card
Annual feePaid
Min. salaryAED 12,000
HighlightMid-tier Skywards Miles earner; Emirates flight benefits
ENBD Dnata World Credit Card
Annual feePaid
Min. salaryAED 15,000
HighlightDnata-branded card with Skywards Miles on travel and dining
ENBD Dnata Platinum Credit Card
Annual feePaid
Min. salaryAED 8,000
HighlightEntry Dnata card earning Skywards Miles on everyday spend
Liv Cashback+ Credit Card
Annual feeAED 525
Min. salaryAED 15,000
HighlightUp to 4% cashback — convertible to Skywards Miles in the Liv app any time
Liv Cashback Credit Card
Annual feeFree
Min. salaryAED 5,000
HighlightFree-for-life card — switch between cashback and Skywards Miles in the Liv app
What your Skywards balance is worth
What your points are worth
Program
Emirates Skywards Miles
3,000AED
50,000 miles via Emirates / flydubai flights
Redemption method
Estimate based on published redemption rates — actual value varies by redemption date, route and availability.
Emirates prices award flights and cabin upgrades in Skywards Miles, and the AED value you get back varies by redemption — a premium-cabin award flight typically returns close to the top of the range (~AED 0.06/mile), while the lower-value cash/statement-credit option via Skywards+ returns about half that. If you don't fly Emirates or flydubai regularly, a Skywards balance is worth less than the flight-redemption rate suggests — check what your actual balance converts to with the miles calculator before assuming the higher number.
Why Skywards cards are worth it
1.
Direct earn, no transfer step
ENBD and Emirates Islamic Skywards co-brand cards credit Miles straight to your Skywards account every statement cycle — there's no separate transfer or conversion to remember.
2.
Salary tier sets the earn rate
Skywards Signature (AED 12,000) and Infinite (AED 25,000+) earn at progressively higher rates, with Infinite adding unlimited lounge access and Emirates flight-spend bonuses.
3.
Value depends entirely on redemption
The same mile balance can be worth roughly double redeemed on an Emirates award flight versus cashed out via Skywards+ — always check both before deciding what your Miles are actually worth.
Compare head-to-head
Emirates Skywards — FAQ
Get answers to common questions about credit cards, applications, and managing your finances in the UAE