Emirates defines luxury flying for many and people often save the airline's Skywards Miles to book that First Class suite. But in a new update, the airline has implemented some changes in its reward policy. "Please note that passengers aged 8 years old and below are ineligible for First Class Emirates Classic Rewards and Upgrade Rewards," the updated terms and conditions of the Skywards program read. Cash bookings are still possible, but for many families who rely on loyalty points, this is a development to look into. As first reported by One Mile at a Time, Emirates introduced this new rule quietly in August 2025, and it has since sparked debates among families, frequent flyers, and luxury travel enthusiasts.
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Emirates First Class Policy Change Explained:
| Rule Element | Old Policy | New Policy |
| Age restriction | No age limit for using miles or upgrades. | Children aged 8 years or under are now ineligible for First Class Emirates Classic Rewards and Upgrade Rewards. |
| Use of miles | Redeeming Skywards Miles for award tickets or upgrading paid tickets using miles. | Children aged eight and under cannot redeem miles for First Class or receive upgrades. |
| Cash bookings | Children could fly First Class with paid tickets. | Still allowed. Cash tickets for children in First Class remain unaffected. |
| Membership tiers | All members could book First Class awards for children if available. | Only Skywards members aged 9+ (Silver, Gold, Platinum) are eligible for First Class rewards or upgrades. |
The changes were made in mid-August 2025 and specifically target Skywards loyalty rewards. However, families can still purchase First Class seats with cash, but award bookings and upgrades for children under nine are no longer permitted.
Why Did Emirates Introduced The Rule?
The decision seems to have been influenced by several factors:
1. Maintaining exclusivity:
Emirates markets its First Class as private and quiet. The new rule helps preserve that image.
2. Protecting loyalty programme value:
Restricting award access may keep premium rewards valuable for elite members.
3. Revenue considerations:
First Class cash fares are among the highest in the world. Redirecting families towards paid tickets increases revenue.
4. Responding to customer feedback:
Complaints about disturbances in First Class could have contributed to the decision.
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How Are Passengers Reacting To The New Rules?
As per multiple reports, the change has attracted strong responses from travellers and travel experts alike. Families have expressed frustration, highlighting the inconsistency between cash and miles. Several shared screenshots on their social media handles highlighting the award booking attempts being denied for children.
Frequent flyers defended the decision, arguing that it maintains the luxury experience of First Class. They feel the exclusivity and calm environment are part of what they pay for.
At the same time, travel bloggers and experts began offering practical advice. Many recommended paying cash for children's seats, redeeming miles for adults only, or considering mixed cabins. Others reminded travellers to check whether bookings made before August 15 would still be honoured. The debate is divided.
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How The Policy Impacts Families And Frequent Flyers?
This new restriction has created challenges for families who use miles to make premium travel affordable.
Who will be most affected:
- Parents planning to upgrade their children with miles.
- Families wanting to book First Class award tickets for young children.
- Travellers who regularly depend on Skywards Miles for long-haul travel.
Who will not be impacted much:
- Families buying full fare First Class tickets.
- Children aged 9 and above.
- Travellers who do not rely on miles for premium travel.
For instance:
- A family with a six-year-old cannot use miles to upgrade the child to First Class. They must either pay cash or sit in separate cabins.
- A 10-year-old can still travel in First Class on miles if their parent has the correct tier.
- Families with toddlers will need to rethink how they use their Skywards Miles.
Impact On Indian Travellers And Families:
Emirates operates multiple daily services from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, and is often the first choice for long-haul flights to Europe and North America. Many Indian households use Skywards Miles earned through co-branded credit cards or frequent travel.
Key Iimpacts For Indian travellers:
- Cost implications: Parents must now pay cash for children's First-Class seats, which can significantly increase their expenditure.
- Credit card rewards: With fewer options to redeem, the value of Skywards Miles for families has diminished.
- Competition: Indian families may consider Qatar Airways, Etihad, or Singapore Airlines, which still allow children to redeem miles for premium cabins.
- Uncertainty in bookings: Families with reservations made before mid-August should confirm with Emirates whether their tickets remain valid.
The policy affects not only the use of loyalty points but also the broader choices families make about airlines and routes.
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Comparison Between Emirates Policy And Other Airlines:
While Emirates is not the first airline to introduce restrictions on award availability, it is unusual in applying a strict age-based rule. Reportedly, competitors such as Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Singapore Airlines allow children in First Class, whether paid or redeemed with miles, subject only to standard safety rules.
Some budget airlines have introduced adult-only seating zones or family-designated rows. However, these are typically small experiments and do not extend to loyalty redemptions.
This makes Emirates an outlier. It has restricted award access before for lower-tier members, but the age-specific element is new. The move could influence competitors, but for now, Emirates stands mostly alone in this approach.
What Travellers With Children Should Do?
- Review Skywards terms before booking.
- If your child is under nine, prepare to pay cash for First Class.
- Redeem miles for adults or children aged nine and above.
- If you booked before August 15, check with Emirates about your reservation.
- Consider Business Class or competitor airlines if travelling with young children.
Future Of Family Travel In Premium Cabins:
The new rule could set a precedent. Airlines worldwide are experimenting with child-free zones, family cabins, and loyalty restrictions. Emirates might extend its policy further, or rivals may introduce similar changes.
For families, the lesson is to remain flexible. Always check fine print, diversify loyalty points, and be prepared for loyalty rules to change.
