- Emirates launched Skywards Rail with 40 operators across 12 European countries.
- Members can pay for rail journeys using miles or cash and miles.
- The site values each Skywards Mile at approximately 0.63p.
- Heathrow Express redemption values a mile at 0.52p compared to direct purchase.
- The platform has teething issues with labelling and search results.
Emirates has added a new redemption option for its 39 million Skywards members, launching a European rail booking tool called Skywards Rail. The platform initially partners with around 40 operators across 12 European countries, allowing members to pay for rail journeys using miles or a combination of cash and miles. Redemption tickets can be booked on express routes serving Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted airports, as well as with major train operating companies including Thameslink, LNER, Southern, GWR, Great Northern Trains, ScotRail and the Caledonian Sleeper.
The booking platform also features mainland European operators including SNCF, Deutsche Bahn, Trenitalia, Renfe, OBB, CFF, and the international high-speed service Eurostar. Members can redeem miles for family and friends up to a maximum of nine travellers on a single booking. The site values each Skywards Mile at just over half a penny (0.63p) for redemptions, which is lower than what members can typically get for their miles.
A comparison for Heathrow Express showed the site was charging £31.34 or 4,956 miles for a fully flexible single ticket, while the direct price was £26, valuing a mile at just 0.52p. A Eurostar comparison showed the site charging £334.15 or 52,738 miles for a Premier ticket, compared to £330 direct, valuing a mile at just under 0.63p. The platform has teething issues including classes of travel not correctly labelled and search results listed in ascending redemption rate order rather than time order.
