Emirates launches two UK Skywards credit cards with Jaja Finance

Emirates has launched two UK credit cards in partnership with Jaja Finance, according to Head for Points. The Premium and Rewards cards let UK-based customers earn Emirates Skywards miles from a UK card for the first time in many years, and both carry sign-up bonuses that run to 30 November 2026.

The two cards

Head for Points says the launch came with no advance notice or press release. The Emirates Skywards Premium Credit Card has a £250 annual fee and a representative APR of 107.2% variable, based on an assumed £1,200 limit. The Emirates Skywards Rewards Credit Card costs £120 a year, with a representative APR of 59.7% variable on the same assumed limit. Purchase interest on both is 29.94% APR variable.

• Premium: 30,000 bonus miles for spending £3,000 within 90 days; automatic Skywards Silver status in the first year; a fast-track route to Gold; credit limit capped at £10,000.
• Rewards: 20,000 bonus miles for the same spend; two annual passes for Emirates airport lounges in the UK, which can be shared with a travel companion but are not valid on reward flights; credit limit capped at £7,000.

Earning rates

On the Premium card, spending earns 3 Skywards miles per £1 on Emirates, 1.5 miles per £1 outside the UK and 1 mile per £1 in the UK. The Rewards card earns 2, 1 and 1 respectively. A 2.99% foreign exchange fee applies to overseas spending on both. Cardholders also earn one Tier Mile for every four Skywards miles earned on the card, excluding the sign-up bonus.

Head for Points notes that the UK earn rate is identical on both cards, so those spending mainly in the UK may not need the pricier option. It also says the cards look stronger now that the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card has cut its earning rate to 1.25 Avios per £1. See also our pages on Emirates and British Airways.

Status and conditions

Premium cardholders get Silver status in their first year, and must spend £5,000 in foreign currency each card year to keep it. Existing Silver members have their status extended by 12 months. To fast-track to Gold, they must spend £5,000 in foreign currency and £3,500 on Emirates in a card year (£5,000 from year two). Silver status gives access only to the Emirates Business Class Lounge in Dubai.

Until 31 March 2027, miles can be used for a discount on Emirates cash fares at 2,000 miles for Dhs 70, which Head for Points calculates as about 0.7p per mile. Credit limits can be churned up to four times a month. Bonuses arrive within 14 days of meeting the spend target, while regular miles can take up to six weeks after a statement period ends.

Jaja Finance is a private equity-backed firm founded in 2016 that buys credit card portfolios, and it also issues the Asda Money cards. Participating lounges are at Birmingham, Glasgow, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester.

What this means for travellers

Frequent Emirates flyers in the UK now have a way to earn Skywards miles on everyday spending. Head for Points argues the sign-up bonus alone may justify taking a card for a year, and that the lounge passes on the Rewards card offset much of its fee. The bonus offers end on 30 November 2026, and applications are made on the Emirates website. Interest rates are high, so balances should be repaid in full. Head for Points says full reviews will follow.

Sources: Head for Points.