Japan Airlines today sent out a communication to Mileage Bank members that Emirates First Class awards are not available for tickets issued from September 1, 2021.
Emirates appears to be discontinuing the availability of its first-class cabin for partner awards, as Alaska already took a similar action on April 1st this year (read more here).
You can access JAL here.
Here’s a copy of the email that JAL sent out:
JAL’s Emirates Award Chart:
Discontinuance of Emirates First using Alaska’s miles:
Emirates Withdraws First Class Award Partner Availability On April 1, 2021
Conclusion
It is unclear whether Emirates is making first-class awards so expensive for partners that they discontinue them or if Emirates doesn’t want partner award redemptions for its premium cabin.
Another loss in the frequent flyer universe.
![Airfare of the Day [Business Class] EMIRATES Singapore to London from $1,956](https://cdn5.loyaltylobby.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/xdusk-g6419f138f_1280-london-350x250.jpg.pagespeed.ic.huJ6rQm608.jpg)
![Airfare of the Day [Business Class] TURKISH AIRLINES Singapore to Munich from $1,114](https://cdn2.loyaltylobby.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/xmunich-g701349f6f_1280-350x250.jpg.pagespeed.ic.cBJCIrNV9k.jpg)
![Airfare of the Day [Business Class] TURKISH AIRLINES Singapore to Munich from $1,114](https://cdn4.loyaltylobby.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/xmunich-g701349f6f_1280-120x86.jpg.pagespeed.ic.AmT-biHrxo.jpg)
This one hurts.. but we saw it coming
How about Qantas award? Still available?
More generally, which frequent flyer programs still offer 1st class award tickets on Emirates?