In an exciting twist for travel rewards enthusiasts, Capital One recently offered a 25% transfer bonus to Emirates Skywards — a rare and unadvertised opportunity that caught many off guard. Whether you’re planning a luxury getaway or maximizing your miles for long-haul business class, this bonus presented a golden opportunity. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Was the Capital One to Emirates Skywards 25% Transfer Bonus?
Capital One miles typically transfer to Emirates Skywards at a 1:1 ratio. However, during this limited-time offer, the ratio increased to 1:1.25 — meaning for every 1,000 Capital One miles you transferred, you received 1,250 Emirates miles.
For example:
100,000 Capital One miles = 125,000 Emirates Skywards miles
That extra 25% could go a long way, especially for premium redemptions such as:
First-class one-way flight from New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP)
Round-trip business class from London (LHR) to Dubai (DXB) at Saver fare
This offer was not displayed prominently on most Capital One accounts, and many users only saw the bonus reflected after the transfer was completed — making it even more surprising.
Why Was This Transfer Bonus Important?
This promotion came at a time when Emirates Skywards is tightening its partnerships with major U.S. credit card rewards programs:
Amex Membership Rewards transfers to Emirates Skywards will be temporarily suspended from May 28 to June 30, 2025.
Chase Ultimate Rewards will also pause transfers between May 29 and June 30, 2025 (tentatively).
Citi ThankYou Points were devalued, with the transfer ratio dropping from 1:1 to 1:0.8 starting July 27, 2025.
With these limitations, Capital One’s bonus offered a short-lived but powerful window of opportunity for travelers to top off their Skywards accounts before further program restrictions take hold.
How to Transfer Capital One Miles to Emirates Skywards
If such a bonus returns in the future, here’s how to transfer:
1. Log into your Capital One account.
2. Navigate to Rewards > Convert Rewards > Transfer Miles.
3. Select Emirates Skywards from the list of partners.
4. Enter the number of miles you wish to transfer.
5. Confirm your Emirates Skywards account details.
6. Finalize the transfer and wait for confirmation.
Note: During the bonus period, the extra 25% was automatically added after completing the transfer.
Redemption Tips for Emirates Skywards
Emirates Skywards is known for its luxurious cabin offerings, especially in Business and First Class. Here’s how far your miles can go with a bonus:
125,000 Skywards Miles (from 100k Capital One miles) can cover:
First Class: JFK to MXP (New York to Milan)
Business Class: LHR to DXB round-trip (London to Dubai)
Always book via Emirates.com and look for Saver fare availability to get the best value.
Final Thoughts
Though now expired, this Capital One 25% transfer bonus to Emirates Skywards was a rare gem — especially amid devaluations and temporary transfer pauses from other issuers. If you’re serious about maximizing points for luxury travel, it’s worth keeping an eye out for similar promotions in the future.
If you’re a Capital One cardholder and Emirates is on your radar, stay alert for unannounced or limited-time bonuses, as they might not be advertised in your account.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Was this 25% transfer bonus available to everyone?
Not exactly. While the bonus applied across the board, most users did not see it explicitly advertised in their Capital One dashboard. However, it appeared post-transfer, meaning everyone benefited once the transaction was complete.
Q2. How long did the Capital One to Emirates bonus last?
The exact duration is unclear as it was unadvertised. It appeared suddenly and expired quickly — highlighting the importance of acting fast during such promotions.
Q3. Can I reverse a transfer to Emirates Skywards?
No. Once Capital One miles are transferred to Emirates, the process is irreversible. Always confirm redemption plans before transferring.
Q4. Are there any upcoming restrictions with Emirates and other credit card programs?
Yes. As of the latest updates:
Amex transfers to Emirates will pause from May 28 to June 30, 2025
Chase transfers will pause tentatively between May 29 and June 30, 2025
Citi’s transfer ratio to Emirates will drop to 1:0.8 from July 27, 2025
Q5. Will Capital One offer another Emirates transfer bonus?
There’s no official word yet, but given the trend of enhancing loyalty offers, there’s a possibility such bonuses could return. Keep monitoring travel rewards news and Capital One updates.