Tier Miles - Without flying? Is it possible?
 

Hi there.
I've just returned to flying after a few years off. In a couple of months I've already hit Gold with EK. I just booked a AKL-AMS return flight in F and I see in my Emirates account I will be on 146,500 tier miles after this flight (happening in 3 weeks time).
My question is - is there anyway to earn tier miles without flying? In December I'll be taking the family to Dubai (2 adults, 1x infant and 1x child) in J class and I was really hoping I'd be in Platinum for that trip (for the faster baggage service, the better lounge access, faster check-in etc and also to start earning more points).

I looked at the Skywards+ membership plan (the top plan enables a 20% tier miles bonus) but as I called Emirates to book the AKL-AMS flight that flight is not eligible for the bonus. Personally I think this is a bit silly as the flight was booked with Emirates directly, but I just wanted clarification on a particular seat and then ended up finishing the booking on the phone. Anyway, rules are rules.

So yeah, i was curious if there are other methods to earn a few thousand tier miles outside of jumping on another plane.

Thanks in advance.

I am guessing you may be based in NZ. Instead of flying AKL-AMS the CHC-SYD-AMS is the same cost. you might earn more miles this way?. Also you get to fly A380 and 777 on the route I looked at if that matters

Hey, Yes based in NZ (NPL, so it's a long trip to Europe!)
Funny you mention that, I actually had that as my original flight as I had a meeting in Sydney so was going to do a night there. But that has been postponed so I changed to AKL direct... and it didn't change my calculated Tier Miles which I thought was odd.

Tier miles are generally based on regions and not on actual miles flown. For instance whether I fly CPT/DXB/LGW or CPT/DXB/AMS makes no difference in tier miles (or Skyward miles) as LGW and AMS are in the same region.
I assume it is the same with AKL and CHC (as SYD is just a layover and even at a stopover at the same fare it would have no effect on tier miles). You can check it on the mileage calculator on the website (It's under Loyalty'). Of course if you bought different tickets (CHC/SYD - I assume there is a fifth freedom right there - and SYD/DXB/AMS) you would get additional tier miles. But that of course comes at a cost.
There seem to be a few Emirates branded credit cards (in the USA and UAE if I am not mistaken) which may have an influence on tier miles. I am not at all certain as I don't live in either of those regions and therefore have never checked this up. Apart from that I am not aware of any opportunity to earn tier miles apart from 'bums on seat'.

Very interesting! I have spent a lot of time with that miles calculator tool and I could never quite work out it's formula! So that explains it.
Emirates CC - ahh yes. This is the kind of thing I thought may exist. But yeah I am in NZ so it will be tricky. I think I'll just have to book a flight to Aussie to get across the line before the big family trip. Unless do you think EK would be nice and bump me up to Platinum if I was at 147k... maybe I'll book the family flights in and then ask them... no harm in asking right?!

Never harm in asking but Emirates are not exactly known for their flexibility :rolleyes:

By the way, welcome to FlyerTalk and to the Emirates forum in particular. I hope you will find good information and share whatever you have to share!

I have the Emirates NBD card, which dumps a few tier miles in my account every month. Seems like it's for spend on Emirates tickets. I can never exactly reconcile the amount -- probably given for the base fare (no taxes, etc.) but I never bothered to look closely.

It used to be possible the get the card even if one wasn't a UAE resident, but I don't think that's an option anymore.

It's conceivable that there are other card options but probably not convenient for the OP. Look like a trans-Tasman tier run might be your best option.

Could you expand on why it’s not eligible on this route?

Not an issue with route, but with method of booking - only web bookings qualify for the 20% bonus, phone bookings make the itinerary ineligible.

The system does have an issue if you book online, but subsequently call in to make a modification (even if the only way to do that change is by calling) - it will not attract the tier miles bonus automatically. For that, you need to call in and complain to them, then email them, for it to be rectified.

You get 1 tier mile for every 4 skywards miles earned via the partner, up to 50k total - if it's the ongoing AE card offer.

Thanks. I didn’t follow the original post.

Good to know that if you book online (per the requirements) and then make changes by phone that it still is eligible but that it requires intervention.

I asked for a bump to Gold when 7k short and was turned down. Then again, that was more than 10% short (43k of 50k).

Ok, yeah I don't rate my chances. But I'll give it a go and let you all know how it plays out!

Same experience. Had upgraded both the legs to F and did not get the Skywards+ tier bonus. Called twice and then wrote to them. Finally they actioned the miles after 3 weeks. Was 500 miles short of Plat requirement, but just got the email that I made Platinum.