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Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard® review

This card only offers good value for Emirates frequent flyers.

  • Get this card if you often fly between the US and the Middle East and you don’t want to pay a high annual fee.
  • Pick something else if you don’t want to be bound to a single airline.
  • Apply with a good to an excellent credit score for best chances of approval.
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Kliment Dukovski
Last Updated

3x miles on Emirates, 2x miles on airfare, hotels and car rentals, and 1x miles on all other purchases

Rewards

$99

Annual fee

15.99%, 19.99% or 24.99% variable

Purchase APR

670

Minimum Credit Score

Details

Annual fee$99
Welcome offer50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days
Rewards3x miles on Emirates, 2x miles on airfare, hotels and car rentals, and 1x miles on all other purchases
Purchase APR15.99%, 19.99% or 24.99% variable
Balance transfer APR15.99%, 19.99% or 24.99% variable
Minimum Credit Score670
IssuerMastercard
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Review by

Kliment Dukovski is an investments writer who has written over 600 articles to help readers find and compare the best financial options. Kliment has also written on money transfers, home loans and more. Previously, he ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies.

Expert review

The Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard® costs $99 annually. Compared to the high-end Emirates card, this one may offer a better value for the cost. Here’s why: You earn the same miles on your purchases with both cards and you get to earn a slightly lower signup bonus.

You also get a complimentary Silver elite status for your first year, which comes with benefits like complimentary seat selection, excess baggage allowance, bonus miles on Emirates flights, complimentary access to Emirates Business Class Lounge in Dubai and more.

But to keep your Silver status, you need to either spend $20,000 each year with your card, make 25 qualifying flights or earn 25,000 tier miles. If you can’t meet either of these goals, the card may offer relatively low value beyond your first year unless you fly at least a few times each year.

How to apply for the Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

The application process is simple. Here’s how it works:

  1. Visit the Emirates website.
  2. Click Loyalty at the top menu and then click Emirates Skywards Mastercard®.
  3. Select the Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard® and click Apply now.
  4. Fill out the application form.
  5. Review the form and submit.

What credit score do I need?

For best chances of approval you’ll need a credit score of 670 or higher.

Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard® benefits

  • Rewards. Earn 3x miles on emirates.com or at the Emirates sales office, 2x miles on airfare, hotel stays and car rentals, and 1x miles on all other purchases.
  • Signup bonus. Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in your first 90 days when you open your account. The average value of Emirates miles is 1.2 cents, which makes your 50,000 bonus worth up to $360. A one-way Economy flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and Dubai (DXB) typically costs over $900.
  • Emirates Skywards Silver membership. As a credit card member, you get complimentary Skywards Silver membership, but only during your first year.

What to watch out for

  • Annual fee. You’ll pay $99 each year for the card.
  • No intro APR period. You won’t get a 0% intro APR period on purchases or balance transfers with this card. But this is a rare feature with airline cards anyway.
  • High spend limit to maintain Emirates Skywards Silver membership. After your first year, you’ll need to spend $20,000 annually to maintain your status.

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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100,000 miles after you spend $10,000 in your first 6 months of account opening
10x miles on hotel and rental car purchases booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on every other purchase

$395
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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
10,000 miles after spending $500 in the first 3 months
2x miles at restaurants and on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on other eligible purchases
$0
Earn 2x miles on Delta purchases and dining with this simple, entry-level Delta card, and pay no annual fee. Terms apply, see rates & fees
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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
40,000 miles after spending $1,000 in your first 3 months.
Plus, earn up to $50 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants and at US supermarkets and 1x miles on other eligible purchases
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter)
Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 3 months. Terms apply, see rates & fees
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Bottom line

The Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is a mid-tier airline credit card with rewards and a complimentary Silver elite status for your first year of card membership. Considering you pay $99 annually for this card, this card could be a good deal if you often fly with Emirates.

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