Originally Posted by subject2load

ryuryubu - I believe mrtdxb is correct, and that you will earn tier miles on EK operated flights ONLY.

But, even setting that aside, I couldn't in all honesty encourage you to join Emirates Skywards with the notion that it will somehow open up a whole new world after your disenchantment with the United programme.

As a member you will get lots of emails from Emirates extolling the benefits of the scheme - but it can be a different story altogether when it comes to securing award/upgrade availability on the flights & dates YOU want, as opposed to those the airline wants (and then there's the rather quaintly-named "carrier-imposed charges" of course ..... )