Rare Emirates Skywards Platinum Membership Auction generates Dh8.8mn for humanitarian projects
Seven premium loyalty numbers attract bids from 131 countries
DUBAI – The Emirates Airline Foundation and Emirates Auction have raised Dh8.8 million ($2.4 million) through a global charity auction of rare Emirates Skywards Platinum membership numbers, with all proceeds directed towards humanitarian programmes for underprivileged children worldwide.
The initiative marks the first collaboration of its kind between the two entities and is set to become an annual fundraising fixture.
The month-long auction ran from 17 December 2025 to 17 January 2026 and drew more than 900 bids from participants across 131 countries. Seven rare Emirates Skywards membership numbers carrying Platinum tier benefits were offered to bidders globally, generating strong international competition and record interest.
Global bidding
According to organisers, the highest single bid reached Dh1.6 million during the auction period. Two bidders secured 20-year Platinum memberships, while five others won 15-year Platinum memberships linked to the exclusive Skywards numbers. Successful bidders came from multiple markets including the UAE, UK, India, United States, Pakistan, France, Germany, Egypt and Thailand, among others.
All proceeds from the auction will be channelled into new humanitarian initiatives as well as the expansion of existing grassroots projects supported by the Foundation. The Emirates Airline Foundation currently works with 14 NGOs across nine countries, delivering targeted support to vulnerable children and communities.
Following the strong response, both organisations confirmed that the auction partnership will continue as an annual event, creating a recurring channel for supporters worldwide to contribute to child-focused humanitarian work while acquiring high-value loyalty privileges.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline and Chairman of the Emirates Airline Foundation, said the initiative was designed to introduce innovative fundraising avenues while strengthening the Foundation’s global reach.
“When we brought this initiative to life in December, we were guided by a simple objective to look at new, innovative ways to grow the Foundation’s humanitarian work and impact,” he said. “What made this initiative so compelling wasn’t just the exclusivity of the membership numbers, but the value and prestige that comes with Platinum status. Bidders recognised that, and they showed up.”
He described the response as extraordinary and credited the generosity of Skywards members and international bidders. Clark added that the proceeds will enable the Foundation to partner with more organisations, reach new communities, and strengthen programmes already supporting hundreds of children across India, the Philippines, Brazil, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
He also confirmed that the Emirates Airline Foundation and Emirates Auction will continue the collaboration annually, offering supporters a structured way to contribute while receiving tangible loyalty benefits.
Auction partner
Abdullah Matar Al Mannai, Chairman and Managing Director of Emirates Auction, said the results highlighted the value of combining purpose, innovation and collaboration through digital auction platforms.
He noted that supporting charitable and humanitarian initiatives remains a core part of Emirates Auction’s mission, particularly when working with national institutions that maintain a global humanitarian outlook such as the Emirates Airline Foundation.
Al Mannai said the company dedicated its platforms, expertise and teams to ensure the auction achieved its intended reach and results. He added that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to translating value into measurable social impact and expanding cooperation in future editions.
Active projects
Operating under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Emirates Airline Foundation is the airline’s official charity arm. It provides vulnerable children with housing, healthcare, nutrition, education and vocational support, and is funded by Emirates customers and employees. The Foundation reports that it has completed more than 50 projects, with nearly all donations directed straight to programmes.
Current supported projects span nine countries. In India, initiatives include the Emirates-CHES Home for 37 children living with HIV/AIDS and the IIMPACT Girls Education Project serving 5,000 girls across 11 states. In Sri Lanka, Prithipura Communities supports 250 individuals with disabilities through care, education and vocational training.
African projects include St Marcellin’s Children’s Village in Zimbabwe for 56 orphaned children, Singakwenza Education and Health in South Africa serving 1,000 children in early childhood education, and Fikelela Children’s Centre supporting 40 children affected by HIV/AIDS. In Kenya, partners include Little Prince Nursery and Primary School in Kibera, Alfajiri Street Kids assisting more than 200 children through art therapy, and Starehe Boys’ Centre providing four-year scholarships for academically talented boys.
Emirates Auction
Additional programmes are active in the Philippines through the Virlanie Foundation, in Brazil through Saint Rita de Cassia Orphanage and Externato São Francisco de Assis, in the UAE through the SAFE Centre for Autism for students aged 4 to 18, and in Bangladesh through the Emirates Friendship Hospital, which has delivered medical care to more than 650,000 people in isolated areas.
Established in 2004, Emirates Auction LLC is the UAE’s largest auction house and a regional pioneer in asset auctions. It manages auctions across vehicles, real estate, distinctive number plates, exclusive watches, medical equipment, industrial assets and charitable listings. Through its digital platforms and nationwide presence, the company enables real-time participation from bidders worldwide and holds multiple Guinness World Records for record-breaking sales across high-value asset categories.
The charity auction of Skywards Platinum memberships now joins its portfolio of high-profile sales, with future editions planned as part of an ongoing fundraising channel for children’s humanitarian programmes.