It looks like something is going on with Emirates transfers. Both Chase & American Express are showing similar messages:
Emirates Skywards will be unavailable Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards® points online or over the phone to Emirates Skywards will be unavailable between 12:00 AM ET 5/29/25 and tentatively 6/30/25. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Citi recently announced that on 7/27/25 the transfer rate will be reduced from 1:1 to 1:0.8. I suspect this is part of a renegotiation by Emirates that wants to be paid more for transfers but that is just a guess.
Hat tip to kawnipi
View Comments (13)
Yeah, this is a bad sign. I'd usually say "Nothing is Over!" but the other guy who usually posts the Rambo scene is probably right here. "It's over, Johnny. It's over.." *sad face*
[Insert Jeremy Clarkson Top Gear Oh No, Anyway gif here]
As someone who was planning to use the Emirates fifth freedom route to get to Greece fall of 2026, I am worried about this terrible timing. I really hope AmEx doesn't nuke the transfer rates just months before I was going to book a once-in-a-lifetime flight.
If you're that anxious about it, just transfer the points speculatively before 5/29.
Considering Emirates has a hard 3 year expiration policy on their points, it is ill advised to transfer to their program a second before you have to. Additionally, I would like to have those points on hand if I need to find an alternate route to Greece if there's no availability on Emirates.
I'm not anxious about anything. There always another option in the points and miles world. Just saying that I'll be bummed if the transfer rate gets nerfed and I'll have to wait longer to take one of those flights on my bucket list.
If Emirates is just demanding higher costs from their bank partners, why are AMEX and Chase suspending transfers instead of just decreasing redemption rates like Citi is doing?
I agree the actions are related, it just seems strange to suspend transfers for a given time as a consequence.
I guess to turn off that revenue tap to make a point
It's over Johnny, It's Over ! End of the train 🚂
You're right. I'm done. Cooked.
Good riddance. The amount of points needed to book Emirates flights directly was absurd.
Umm, 17.5k points NYC to Europe in economy is a steal.
And 87k for business isn't a bad deal either.
Just took the JFK-Milan flight two weeks ago. Great value for 17.5k and $50 tax in economy. Went to Chase lounge beforehand with Ritz card.
I came here to say the same thing. Economy is a steal on a fifth freedom route.