A complete guide to Emirates Skywards Silver

Dubai is a destination tailor-made for repeat visits – even just a year between stops can result in dramatic changes, making it almost like discovering a new city every time.

Gulf carrier Emirates’ loyalty program is made for exactly this, as the more often you fly, the more Tier Miles you collect, the higher you’ll soar through its Skywards membership tiers. And the good news it doesn’t take long for your entry-level Blue status to turn Silver.

Though some regard Silver as a stepping stone to higher status, namely Skywards Gold and Platinum, it still unlucks useful perks on flights with Emirates and its partner Qantas.

How to earn Emirates Skywards Silver status

Scaling the Emirates ladder from Blue to Silver can be done two ways – collecting 25,000 Tier Miles or completing 25 Qualifying Flights on Emirates, partner FlyDubai and EK-marketed codeshare flights within a year.

Tier Miles are essentially the same as status credits with Qantas and Virgin Australia, earned only on EK-coded flights based on the distance flown and fare class.

Skywards Silver carries with it a number of particularly useful benefits as you continue your climb.

It’s not particularly difficult to earn Skywards Silver status, which can be yours after a single return Sydney-Dubai-London business class journey with Emirates in any fare type, even ‘Business Special’, which pays 27,280 Tier Miles by itself.

(And with two such return flights in a year, you would have enough to land Skywards Gold.)

Should Premium Economy be more your travel style, you’d need to complete that same Sydney-Dubai-London return trip on a Flex Plus fare, earning 27,280 Tier Miles in the process. 

Head to the Emirates Mileage Calculator to see how many Tier Miles you can earn on your next journey.

Lounge access for Skywards Silver members

Once a Skywards Silver membership card is in your hands (or your Skywards app), you’ll enjoy complimentary access to any Emirates Business Class Lounges in Dubai.

Note, this doesn’t extend to other Emirates-operated lounges around the world, nor does it entitle you to bring a guest into the lounge. Those benefit don’t kick in until you reach Skywards Gold, but it’s certainly a good place to start.

Emirates' business class lounge in Dubai.

A paid upgrade from the Dubai Business Class lounge to the Emirates first class lounge is possible, for US$150 (A$224). Additional travellers with you can purchase entry for US$250 (A$373) per person if they are also a Skywards member or US$300 (A$480) if not.

At Emirates’ other worldwide lounges, Skywards members can buy access for US$125 (A$186) per person or US$155 (A$231) for non-members.

Checked baggage allowance for Skywards Silver members

Silver status grants you a modest increase in baggage allowance, which is 12kg extra for routes that have the weight concept (essentially anywhere except for the Americas).

Silver members gain a slight increase on their luggage allowance, even with Qantas.

There is no bonus allowance where the piece system is used. The 12kg extra allowance is also honoured on all Qantas flights. 

Perks for Skywards Silver members

Other benefits making your travels a touch easier include complimentary standard seat selection (this normally comes at a fee) plus priority boarding is offered as well, albeit after Gold and Platinum members.

In Dubai, Silver members flying Economy can check-in at signposted counters. Anywhere else in the world and when travelling with FlyDubai, Silver members can sidestep the economy queue and check-in at the business class counter.

When flying Qantas internationally, you can also check-in at Premium Economy counters, where offered.

Skywards members enjoy complimentary inflight messaging through a range of platforms.

If you need to stay in touch with people on the ground, Silver members can access free and unlimited instant message services with WhatsApp, Messenger, and other messaging services by connecting to the inflight WiFi, if available.

For full internet access, Silver members must pay the prevailing rate unless travelling in business or first class.

As for earning points, Skywards Silver grants a 30% Skywards Miles bonus with Emirates and FlyDubai, plus the ability to earn 1 Skywards Mile per US$1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

Remember always to link your Skywards member number in your flight bookings with Emirates, FlyDubai and any EK-coded flight – entitlements won't be recognised if you hold Skywards Gold status but credit your booking to Qantas Frequent Flyer, for example.