Card reviewBarclays
Updated Jul 3, 2026 · research
Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard®
BarclaysEmirates SkywardsEditorially reviewed

Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard®

Earn Skywards Miles with Emirates, travel, and everyday purchases, plus Emirates Skywards Gold tier membership during the first year and premium travel benefits.

PremiumPersonal
Mastercard
$499
Annual fee
3x miles eligible emirates purchases
Top rate
None
Foreign fee
N/A
Rating

Current Welcome Offer

50,000 miles

Spend $3,000 in 90 days

Verifiedofficial issuer page

Card Offers

public

50,000 miles

Verified

Spend $3,000 in 90 days

official issuer_page

Earning Rates

eligible Emirates purchases
3xmiles
eligible travel purchases
2xmiles
all other purchases
1xmiles

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Elevated 3X miles on Emirates purchases and 2X on travel
  • Complimentary first-year Gold tier status
  • Unlimited Priority Pass Select lounge access with guests
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Miles do not expire with active account

Cons

  • $499 annual fee
  • $40,000 spend required to retain Gold status
  • 1X miles on most everyday spending
  • Excellent credit score needed
  • Balance transfer fee of 5% (min. $5)

Key Takeaways

  • 50,000 bonus Skywards Miles after $3,000 spend in 90 days
  • Gold tier status first year, retain with $40,000 annual spend
  • Unlimited lounge access via Priority Pass Select for cardmember and guests
  • 3X miles on Emirates, 2X travel, 1X other purchases
  • $499 annual fee, no foreign transaction fees

Fees

Fee TypeAmount
Annual Fee$499
Foreign Transaction Fee0%

APR Information

Purchase APR
19.49% - 29.49%
Balance Transfer APR
19.49% - 29.49%0% intro APR for 12 months
Cash Advance APR
29.74%

APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.

Card Benefits

10 benefits (2 strong or better)

Travel Access & Perks

Travel Credits

Elite Status

Purchase Protection

Lifestyle Benefits

Coverage Tier Legend

Best in ClassIndustry-leading coverage
StrongAbove average
StandardTypical coverage
LimitedBelow average

Hidden Gems

25% Savings on Buy or Gift Skywards Miles

Receive a 25% discount when buying Skywards Miles for yourself or gifting to others. This applies only to purchased miles.

Skywards Miles Don't Expire

Miles stay valid as long as the card account is open and active. Protection ends if account closes.

No Cap on Miles Earning

Earn unlimited Skywards Miles while the account remains open, active, and in good standing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee?
The annual fee is $499. It is not waived for the first year.
What is the welcome bonus offer?
New cardmembers earn 50,000 bonus Skywards Miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. This offer is listed on the product page.
What are the Skywards Miles earning rates?
Earn 3 Skywards Miles per dollar on eligible Emirates purchases, 2 miles per dollar on eligible travel purchases, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. Earn 10,000 anniversary bonus miles after $30,000 spend each cardmembership year. There is no cap on miles earning while the account remains open, active, and in good standing.
How does the Emirates Skywards Gold tier status work?
Cardmembers receive complimentary Gold tier membership during the first year. Retain Gold tier by spending $40,000 each cardmembership year thereafter. Failure to meet the spend drops status to a lower tier.
What airport lounge access does the card provide?
Unlimited visits to over 1,200 lounges worldwide via Priority Pass Select for the primary cardmember and guests. Guest access is included but check per-visit policies.
Are there foreign transaction fees?
No foreign transaction fees apply to international purchases. This is confirmed in benefits and pricing disclosures.
What application fee credits are available?
Receive up to a $120 statement credit for one Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every five years. Global Entry covers the full $120 fee.
What is the intro APR offer?
0% introductory APR for 12 billing cycles on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After that, variable APR of 19.49% to 29.49% applies. A 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5) is charged.
Do Skywards Miles expire?
Skywards Miles do not expire as long as the credit card account remains open and active. Closing the account may lead to miles expiry per program rules.

About This Card

Best for frequent Emirates flyers who spend heavily on the airline and travel to retain Gold status and utilize lounge access. Suited for those valuing uncapped miles earning and no expiration on Skywards Miles.

Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard earns Skywards Miles on eligible Emirates purchases, eligible travel purchases, and all other purchases, with Emirates Skywards Gold tier membership during the first year, Priority Pass Select lounge access, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and no foreign transaction fees.

Stands out with complimentary first-year Emirates Skywards Gold tier status and unlimited Priority Pass guest lounge access in the $499 fee tier.

Ready to Decide?

Apply for the Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard®

50,000 miles with a $499 annual fee.

Spend $3,000 in 90 days

Sources & Methodology

Data Collection

We collect card details from official issuer pages, then verify them through editorial review.

Last updated:

Editorial Review

Pending editorial review.

Data Quality
  • 10 of 10 benefits rated high confidence
  • 1 of 1 offer verified
Learn More

Read our full methodology for how we collect, verify, and rate credit cards.

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