The Cheapest Award Flights to Dubai
When planning a trip to Dubai, your flight options can be limited. United Airlines operates a route from Newark. However, Emirates provides numerous nonstop flights from cities such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington DC.
If you are open to one-stop flights, Air Canada offers a nonstop route from Toronto. Additionally, if you’re flying with partners of American Airlines, United Airlines, or Delta Air Lines, you can find multiple connections through cities across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Cheapest economy class ticket to Dubai: 60,000 Flying Blue miles round-trip
- Cheapest business-class ticket to Dubai: 104,000 ANA Mileage Club miles round-trip
- Cheapest first-class ticket to Dubai: 195,000 ANA Mileage Plan miles round-trip
Emirates Skywards
Although the redemption cost may not be the lowest, Skywards miles provide plenty of options to fly nonstop from 12 U.S. cities, including Toronto. Moreover, Emirates connects with all major flexible rewards credit card loyalty programs, making it easy to accumulate points swiftly.
Here’s an overview of the Skywards miles required to fly to Dubai from the U.S.:
- Economy Class: 72,500 to 125,000 miles round-trip (East Coast); 82,500 to 142,500 miles round-trip (West Coast)
- Business Class: 174,000 to 276,000 miles round-trip (East Coast); 198,000 to 315,000 miles round-trip (West Coast)
- First Class: 327,000 miles round-trip (East Coast); 372,000 miles round-trip (West Coast)
Earn Skywards miles rapidly by transferring points from Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Rewards, or Citi ThankYou Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.
Air France / KLM Flying Blue
Flying Blue often provides the lowest redemption option for one-stop flights to Dubai via Paris on Air France or Amsterdam on KLM. Use the rewards calculator available on the Flying Blue website to determine the miles required for your flight.
Here’s what you’ll need to fly from any U.S. city:
- Economy Class: 60,000 miles round-trip
- Business Class: 125,000 miles round-trip
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
The Mileage Plan miles are a valuable currency in the travel rewards space, allowing you to book flights with 30 partner airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, and Qatar Airways.
To determine how many miles you’ll need to reach Dubai from the U.S., use the new distance-based award chart for partner redemptions:
- Economy Class: 70,000 to 85,000 miles round-trip
- Business Class: 140,000 to 170,000 miles round-trip
- First Class: 210,000 to 260,000 miles round-trip
American Airlines AAdvantage
Although American Airlines does not operate nonstop flights to Dubai, you can utilize AAdvantage miles to book one-stop flights with partner airlines such as British Airways, Qatar Airways, and Royal Jordanian.
- Economy Class: From 80,000 miles round-trip
- Business Class: From 140,000 miles round-trip
- First Class: From 230,000 miles round-trip
Consider transferring points from Bilt Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy to enhance your balance and take advantage of lucrative welcome bonuses from partner credit cards.
Avianca LifeMiles
Avianca LifeMiles can be used for flights on Star Alliance partners like United Airlines, which offers nonstop flights to Dubai from Newark. You can also utilize LifeMiles for one-stop flights on carriers like Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa.
- Economy Class: 85,000 miles round-trip
- Business Class: 156,000 miles round-trip
- First Class: 210,000 miles round-trip
All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club
Utilize ANA Mileage Club miles for award redemptions with partners like United Airlines, Air Canada, and more. Check for availability on United’s website, then confirm your booking with ANA.
- Economy Class: 65,000 miles round-trip
- Business Class: 104,000 miles round-trip
- First Class: 195,000 miles round-trip
Dubai Hotels You Can Book with Points
Dubai is home to various hotels that reward you with points, including options affiliated with Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, and World of Hyatt.
Budget-friendly choices include the Hyatt Place Dubai Jumeirah (from 6,500 points per night) or the Hyatt Regency Dubai (from 9,500 points per night). For luxury, consider the Grand Hyatt Dubai (from 18,000 points per night) or Andaz Dubai The Palm (from 23,000 points per night).
Bottom Line
With careful planning and strategic use of your points and miles, a trip to Dubai can be more affordable than you might think. By taking full advantage of rewards programs, you can enjoy all that Dubai has to offer without overspending.
