Dubai based Emirates Airlines who flies to Toronto 5x weekly has introduced a new subscription based program that provides additional benefits when flying with the airline. Entitled Skywards+, the new program has three tiers ranging in cost from C$502 to C$1,256 per year with each higher level progressively adding more benefits. Those benefits range from bonus Skywards miles, discounts on flight rewards, lounge access passes and more – much of what you would see if you held elite status with the Skywards program. So with this program you are kind of buying yourself a hybrid elite status with the airline.
The three packages, Classic, Advanced and Premium cost C$502, $879 and $1,256 respectively and have the following benefits:
https://www.emirates.com/ca/english/skywards/skywards-plus/subscription/
Classic Package
- 20% Bonus Skywards Miles
You earn 20% more Skywards Miles every time you fly while you are subscribed to Skywards+. - 20% Discount on Classic Rewards
Enjoy a one-time 20% discount on a Classic Reward flight when you book on the emirates.com desktop site. - Preferential Cash+Miles rates
Enjoy special rates every time you book your flight using Cash+Miles. - 2x Airport Lounge Access
Enjoy
2 single entries for you or your guest to selected Business Class
lounges in Dubai and Emirates lounges across the network during your
subscription period. - Checked-in Baggage Allowance (KG)
Enjoy peace of mind the next time you fly, with an additional 5 Kilograms of checked-in baggage allowance.
Advanced Package
- 20% Bonus Skywards Miles
You earn 20% more Skywards Miles every time you fly while you are subscribed to Skywards+. - 20% Discount on Upgrade Rewards
Spend 20% less Skywards Miles when you treat yourself to an Upgrade Reward. - 20% Discount on Classic Rewards
Enjoy a one-time 20% discount on a Classic Reward flight when you book on the emirates.com desktop site. - Preferential Cash+Miles rates
Enjoy special rates every time you book your flight using Cash+Miles. - 5x Airport Lounge Access
Enjoy
5 single entries for you or your guest to selected Business Class
lounges in Dubai and Emirates lounges across the network during your
subscription period. - Checked-in Baggage Allowance (KG)
Enjoy peace of mind the next time you fly, with an additional 10 Kilograms of checked-in baggage allowance. - Checked-in Baggage Allowance (PC)
Enjoy peace of mind the next time you fly, with an additional piece of checked-in baggage allowance.
Premium Package
- 20% Bonus Tier Miles
Earn
20% more Tier Miles every time you fly while you are subscribed to
Skywards+ making it easier for you to maintain your current tier or
achieve the next. - 20% Bonus Skywards Miles
You earn 20% more Skywards Miles every time you fly while you are subscribed to Skywards+. - 20% Discount on Upgrade Rewards
Spend 20% less Skywards Miles when you treat yourself to an Upgrade Reward. - 20% Discount on Classic Rewards
Enjoy a one-time 20% discount on a Classic Reward flight when you book on the emirates.com desktop site. - Preferential Cash+Miles rates
Enjoy special rates every time you book your flight using Cash+Miles. - 10x Airport Lounge Access
Enjoy
10 single entries for you or your guest to selected Business Class
lounges in Dubai and Emirates lounges across the network during your
subscription period. - Checked-in Baggage Allowance (KG)
Enjoy peace of mind the next time you fly, with an additional 10 Kilograms of checked-in baggage allowance. - Checked-in Baggage Allowance (PC)
Enjoy peace of mind the next time you fly, with an additional piece of checked-in baggage allowance.
If you read any U.S. based frequent flyer blogs you’ll see there is quite a bit of excitement over these packages but I would have to say here in Canada it is less so. The reason being is that we don’t have any excellent transfer options from our credit cards to Emirates to take full advantage of the 20% discount on award tickets (which by the way is only available once per year) but don’t let that dissuade you. If you do have a decent Skywards balance already built up saving 20% in miles could make it worthwhile paying the $500 for the basic package so long as you can utilized some of the other benefits as well. Or if you fly with Emirates semi-frequently but not enough to have status the other benefits may come in handy for you like the extra checked bag allowances, the lounge access and even the bonus tier miles if you buy the top package. All in all this is an interesting new membership option from Emirates that each person will have to dissect and research to see if it is worthwhile spending the cash on.