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The Emirates Skywards frequent flyer program is facing changes as American Express Membership Rewards members have been informed of an adjustment in the transfer ratio to Emirates miles. Effective September 16, the transfer ratio will change from 1:1 to 5:4. This modification implies that for every five Amex points transferred, only four Emirates miles will be received, representing a 20% decrease in value.
Eric Rosen from The Points Guy noted that this news follows a similar devaluation by Citi ThankYou Rewards, which adjusted its Emirates transfers from 1:1 to 1,000:800. That change is set to take effect on July 27.
Members still have two and a half months to use the current 1:1 transfer ratio with Amex. It may be beneficial to consider booking any desired Emirates award flights before the new rate takes effect. For example, Emirates charges 87,000 miles each way for business class on routes like New York to Milan or Athens. With the current transfer ratio, these flights can be booked with an equivalent number of Amex points; however, post-September 16, it will require 109,000 Amex points.
