# Emirates Skywards Source: https://kredit.ae/loyalty/emirates-skywards Emirates and flydubai's airline loyalty programme, earned directly through ENBD and Emirates Islamic co-branded cards — see the tier ladder and what your Miles balance is worth in AED. 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 it works 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. ## Tiers - **ENBD Skywards Signature** — minimum salary AED 12,000. Mid-tier Skywards Miles earn, selective lounge access - **ENBD Skywards Infinite** — minimum salary AED 30,000. Top Skywards earn rate, unlimited lounge access, Emirates flight bonuses - **Emirates Islamic Skywards Signature** — minimum salary AED 12,000. Sharia-compliant mid-tier Skywards earner - **Emirates Islamic Skywards Infinite** — minimum salary AED 25,000. Sharia-compliant premium Skywards earner with travel perks ## Redemption 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 0.044/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](https://kredit.ae/credit-cards/calculators/miles-to-aed) before assuming the higher number. ## Why choose Skywards ### 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. ### Salary tier sets the earn rate Skywards Signature (AED 12,000) and Infinite (AED 25,000+ for Emirates Islamic, AED 30,000+ for ENBD) earn at progressively higher rates, with Infinite adding unlimited lounge access and Emirates flight-spend bonuses. ### 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. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much is an Emirates Skywards Mile worth in AED? On Emirates or flydubai award flights, a Skywards Mile is typically worth around AED 0.044. Redeemed as cash via Skywards+ instead, it's worth around AED 0.03 — closer to the flight value than it used to be, because award pricing has drifted while the cash rate has not. Use the [miles-to-AED calculator](https://kredit.ae/credit-cards/calculators/miles-to-aed) to convert your actual balance both ways. ### Which UAE credit card earns the most Skywards Miles? ENBD Skywards Infinite has the highest direct earn rate plus bonus categories on Emirates flight spend, and requires AED 30,000+ salary. Skywards Signature (AED 12,000+) is the accessible mid-tier. ### Do Skywards Miles work if I mostly fly other airlines? Skywards Miles redeem on Emirates, flydubai, and Skywards partner airlines. If you rarely fly any of those, the Miles are worth closer to the cash-redemption rate (about half the flight-redemption value) — a flexible cashback card is often better value in that case. ### Emirates Skywards or Etihad Guest — which should I pick? Match the card to the airline you fly, not the headline earn rate. See the [Skywards vs Etihad Guest comparison](https://kredit.ae/credit-cards/compare/adcb-etihad-guest-infinite-credit-card-vs-enbd-skywards-infinite-credit-card) for a full side-by-side breakdown. ### Is there a free way to earn Skywards Miles? Not directly — every ENBD and Emirates Islamic Skywards co-brand card carries an annual fee. Liv Cashback (free for life, AED 5,000+ salary) is the workaround: it earns flexible cashback that you can convert to Skywards Miles in the Liv app at a published rate, any time you choose. ### Where can I check my Skywards Miles balance? Through the Emirates Skywards website or app once your co-branded card is linked to your Skywards membership number — Miles typically post to your account within a few days of your card statement closing.