Emirates Skywards loyalty program offers miles for staying in Dubai
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Khaleej Times
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Emirates Skywards loyalty program offers miles for staying in Dubai

The Emirates Skywards loyalty program, belonging to the airlines Emirates and flydubai, has relaunched the 'Mile-A-Minute' promotion. This promotion allows participants to earn one Skywards mile for every minute spent in Dubai, with the possibility of earning up to 7,200 bonus miles.

This limited-time promotion coincides with the winter season of festivals, events, and outdoor activities in the city. It was previously introduced in 2021.

Bonus miles are credited in addition to those already accumulated from purchasing tickets on Emirates or flydubai that meet the conditions. The offer applies to all cabin classes and fare types.

The limit of 7,200 miles is equivalent to 120 hours or five days of stay in Dubai. Members staying longer can receive the maximum number of miles, while shorter trips or stops also allow earning miles for time spent in the city.

The promotion is available to Emirates Skywards members residing outside the UAE. To qualify, participants must:

  • Register before November 5, 2026, via the Emirates and flydubai websites and apps.
  • Book a qualifying return flight departing from outside the UAE between October 21 and November 5, 2026.
  • Arrive in Dubai between October 21 and December 13, 2026, staying for a minimum of 24 hours and no more than 30 days.

Bonus miles will be calculated based on the planned arrival and departure times from Dubai and will be automatically credited after the stay concludes. Passengers who are not yet members of the program can join Skywards for free and register before the booking deadline.

Ways to earn miles

Visitors can also accumulate miles through Skywards partners in the city. For example, miles are earned when staying at hotels such as Atlantis The Palm. Program members can earn or spend miles on selected tours, including desert safaris and excursions offered by Arabian Adventures. Additionally, miles are awarded for purchases made at Dubai Mall.

Everyday spending

With the Skywards Everyday app, members can link up to five payment cards and earn miles at hundreds of participating brands across the UAE, covering dining, shopping, wellness, and leisure sectors.

Accumulated Skywards miles can be used to pay for flights and upgrade services on Emirates and flydubai, as well as for hotel stays and participation in exclusive events through Skywards Exclusives. Participants can also use the Cash + Miles option to reduce the cost of a flight or for travel on the Skywards rail network in Europe.

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Passengers Choose Longer Routes Between Dubai and Riyadh Due to Airport Disruptions
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www.khaleejtimes.com

Passengers Choose Longer Routes Between Dubai and Riyadh Due to Airport Disruptions

Residents traveling between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Riyadh are forced to spend more time planning trips, undertake longer journeys, and use additional ground transfers as some passengers seek alternatives to their usual air routes.

Due to the temporary suspension of direct flights, residents are exploring various ways to reach the capital of Saudi Arabia, including landing in other cities and then continuing the journey by land transport. For some, this means traveling through Dammam in KSA, while others use Bahrain as a transit point before further travel to Riyadh.

These changes in travel occurred against the backdrop of recent attacks on Saudi airports and energy infrastructure, which disrupted flight operations, including at Riyadh Airport. As a result, passengers are weighing options for flights, ground transportation, and subsequent connections when moving between the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

For those with work commitments in Riyadh, finding an alternative route has become a practical necessity. Others in Dubai remain flexible with their plans, hoping to return by air once regular flights resume.

A 59-year-old British specialist residing in Riyadh, who wished to remain unnamed, is one of those using a longer route to return to Saudi Arabia after visiting family in the UK. After the trip to Dubai, she plans to fly to Manama in Bahrain and then continue to Riyadh by land transport, which will take another five to six hours.

She noted: 'I went to the UK to meet my family, but due to airport closures, I had to find another way to get back to Riyadh, where I live. Now I have reached Dubai and will fly from here to Manama in Bahrain. From there, I will drive to Riyadh, which is expected to take about five to six hours. It's a longer route than usual, but it's the route I must take to get back to work in Riyadh.'

A 46-year-old marketer, Vidjan R., was also forced to travel to Riyadh due to professional obligations. He flew from Dubai to Dammam on Sunday to attend the World Oil and Gas Congress 2026, and then continued by land transport.

He reported: 'It was a big event on the Riyadh calendar, so I still had to go to Riyadh. I flew from Dubai to Dammam in Saudi Arabia, and then drove to Riyadh, which takes about four hours.' After completing the event, Vidjan intends to partially make his way back before returning to the UAE. His return journey will include a drive from Riyadh to Dammam, followed by another drive to Bahrain.

He added: 'But now I am finished and plan to drive back to Dammam, and then by car to Bahrain, which takes about an hour. After that, I will fly from Bahrain back to the UAE.'

Not everyone is prepared for additional ground transfers. For some residents, staying in Dubai and waiting for more convenient flight options remains the preferred option.

Rishi Joshi (name changed), who holds dual citizenship, arrived in Dubai on Friday to meet his family. He is currently trying to figure out the best way to return to Riyadh but is keeping his plans open. He stated: 'I am trying to find a way to get back to Riyadh after the closures of the airports in the Kingdom. This is a temporary closure, and I hope everything will reopen soon, and I can return by plane to at least one of the Saudi Arabian airports from the UAE. I am here for now. It's just a matter of 'waiting and watching'. '

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