Qatar Airways Privilege Membership: The best way to earn and redeem Avios, elite standing and extra

Editor’s be aware: Citi is a TPG promoting companion.

Qatar Airways is without doubt one of the world’s prime airways, with a wonderful business-class product and nice lounges at its hub in Doha’s Hamad Worldwide Airport (DOH). The airline has an enormous route community as effectively, with routes to main U.S. airports like Chicago’s O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD), Dallas Fort Value Worldwide Airport (DFW) and Philadelphia Worldwide Airport (PHL).

The Oneworld member has its personal loyalty program known as Qatar Airways Privilege Membership and makes use of the more and more common Avios forex. With this loyalty program, you’ll be able to earn and redeem Avios when flying Qatar Airways and its Oneworld companions. Plus, it has three elite standing ranges that give frequent flyers particular privileges like entry to lounges and entry to most well-liked seating.

New to the provider’s Privilege Membership? You’re in the suitable place. Right here is all the things it’s good to find out about this system.

What’s Avios?

Avios is the forex utilized by the next loyalty applications:

• British Airways Government Membership
• Iberia Plus
• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Qatar Airways Privilege Membership
• Finnair Plus

Avios will be transferred between any of those applications at a ratio of 1:1, so every Avios is theoretically price the identical in every program. Nevertheless, there are other ways through which Avios will be redeemed in every program, which means the savvy reader can obtain totally different values relying on which program they’re utilized in … and the way.

This information focuses on Avios earned and redeemed by means of the Qatar Airways Privilege Membership program.

Associated: 5 variations of Avios: When to make use of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways elite standing

Qatar Airways has three elite standing tiers past the entry-level Burgundy stage: Silver, Gold and Platinum. You may qualify for these tiers by incomes a sure variety of Qpoints when flying with Qatar Airways and its companions (these are separate from Avios and solely used to rely towards your standing). To view what number of Qpoints you’ll earn with every flight, use Qatar Airways’ My Calculator.

Under is a take a look at what number of Qpoints you’ll have to qualify for every tier. You need to earn these inside a single 12-month interval. When you’ve certified for Silver, you’ll be able to improve by incomes extra factors inside 12 months. That is thought of your renewal date.

Fewer Qpoints are required to resume your elite standing. You may both earn a smaller variety of Qpoints in 12 months or the next quantity in 24 months — every calculated out of your renewal date.

If you happen to fail to fulfill renewal necessities, you’ll drop to the tier you probably did qualify for.

Moreover, you have to earn not less than 20% of your Qpoints on flights marketed or operated by Qatar Airways to qualify. Alternatively, you’ll be able to fly 4 Qatar Airways segments on 12-month renewals or eight Qatar Airways segments on 24-month renewals to fulfill this requirement.

Elite standing advantages

Silver (Oneworld Ruby) is Qatar’s lowest elite standing tier and contains the next advantages:

• Discounted seat reservation
• 25% bonus Avios
• Member of the family bonus
• Lounge entry (no friends)
• Two visitor lounge passes
• Free checked baggage
• Precedence boarding and check-in
• Precedence wait-listing

Gold standing (Oneworld Sapphire) contains all Silver advantages, plus the next perks:

• Most popular seating
• Assured financial system awards
• 75% bonus Avios
• 5% low cost on redemptions
• Award-fee waivers
• Lounge entry (one visitor)
• 4 visitor lounge passes
• Precedence baggage dealing with
• Additional baggage
• Precedence cellphone assist
• Al Maha Gold service

Qatar’s top-tier Platinum elite standing is the equal of the precious Oneworld Emerald standing. This tier contains all Gold standing advantages, plus the next perks:

• 100% bonus Avios
• Lounge entry (two friends), with first-class lounge entry when flying in enterprise class
• 5 visitor lounge passes

The best way to earn Avios with Qatar Airways Privilege Membership

Cardless bank cards

Cardless has just lately launched two new Qatar Airways cobranded bank cards.

The Qatar Airways Privilege Membership Visa Infinite Credit score Card, which comes with a $499 annual price, presents:

• A welcome supply of as much as 70,000 Avios: 45,000 Avios after the primary transaction and a further 25,000 Avios and 150 Qpoints after you spend $5,000 within the first 90 days; that is barely decrease than the present welcome bonuses on Chase’s three Avios-earning bank cards
• 5 Avios per greenback spent on Qatar Airways purchases, 3 Avios per greenback spent on restaurant purchases and 1 Avios per greenback spent on all different purchases
• 2 Qpoints for each 1,500 Avios earned
• One yr of complimentary Qatar Airways Privilege Membership Gold standing
• Visa Infinite advantages like concierge providers, entry to the Luxurious Lodge Assortment and rental automobile privileges

The data for the Qatar Airways Privilege Membership Visa Infinite and Signature playing cards has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

With this card, you’ll be able to successfully purchase Gold standing with this system for $499 yearly. Additionally, with the 150 Qpoints within the welcome supply, you’ll be 25% of the way in which to Platinum standing.

The Qatar Airways Privilege Membership Visa Signature Credit score Card, the opposite cobranded card possibility, has a $99 annual price and comes with:

• A welcome supply of as much as 50,000 Avios: 30,000 Avios after the primary transaction and a further 20,000 Avios after you spend $3,000 within the first 90 days
• 4 Avios per greenback spent on Qatar Airways purchases, 2 Avios per greenback spent on restaurant purchases and 1 Avios per greenback spent on all different purchases
• 2 Qpoints for each 2,000 Avios earned
• Automated Silver standing with Qatar Airways Privilege Membership

Citi ThankYou Rewards

One other straightforward means for U.S. vacationers to earn Qatar Avios is by transferring Citi ThankYou Rewards factors to Qatar Airways Privilege Membership. Factors switch to Qatar at a 1:1 ratio, although transfers normally take round two days to course of.

Observe that should you’re nonetheless holding on to the Citi Status® Card, which is not open to new candidates, you’ll be able to switch ThankYou Rewards factors to Privilege Membership.

That stated, as with Chase Final Rewards factors, you’ll be able to mix your Citi ThankYou Rewards factors right into a single account for choose merchandise, permitting you to successfully “convert” your fixed-value earnings from playing cards just like the Citi Rewards+® Card (see charges and charges) and the Citi Double Money® Card (see charges and charges) into totally transferable ThankYou factors.

The data for the Citi Status has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

Associated: Higher collectively: Why the Citi Strata Premier and Rewards+ playing cards are a terrific pair

Switch from different Avios applications

You can too switch Avios from British Airways Government Membership, Iberia Plus or Aer Lingus AerClub at a 1:1 fee in any course.

The next playing cards all at the moment supply sturdy welcome bonuses that you possibly can simply convert to Avios in these three applications (after which switch to Qatar Airways Privilege Membership):

• American Categorical® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, obtain 20% again in assertion credit on eligible restaurant purchases (as much as $100) throughout the first six months of card membership. Phrases apply.
• The Platinum Card® from American Categorical: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards factors after you spend $8,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. Test to see should you’re focused for the next welcome supply by means of CardMatch (supply topic to alter at any time). Phrases apply.
• Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases throughout the first three months from account opening, plus a $250 Capital One Journey credit score within the first cardholder yr.
• Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases throughout the first three months from account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Switch from Marriott Bonvoy

Alternatively, you’ll be able to switch Marriott Bonvoy factors to Qatar Airways Privilege Membership at a 3:1 ratio. As an added perk, you’ll get a 5,000-Avios bonus once you switch 60,000 factors. This implies transferring 60,000 factors nets you 25,000 Privilege Membership Avios.

Earn Avios by flying Qatar Airways

You can too earn Avios when taking paid Qatar-operated flights all over the world. The variety of Avios you earn depends upon your cabin and ticketed fare class. Qatar Airways Privilege Membership nonetheless awards Avios primarily based on the gap flown, however do not forget that most discounted fare lessons will earn a lot decrease than higher-tier fares.

Right here’s a desk that particulars the way you’ll accrue Avios on Qatar flights.

You should use Qatar’s on-line calculator to see info for a particular itinerary.

Earn Avios with program companions

You can too earn Qatar Avios for flights on any of the next Oneworld airways:

• Alaska Airways
• American Airways
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Fiji Airways (Oneworld Join companion; totally becoming a member of the Oneworld alliance by 2025)
• Finnair
• Iberia, together with Iberia Categorical and Air Nostrum
• Japan Airways
• Malaysia Airways
• Qantas, together with QantasLink and Jetconnect
• Royal Air Maroc
• Royal Jordanian Airways
• S7 Airways (at the moment suspended)
• SriLankan Airways

Qatar Airways Privilege Membership additionally companions with the next airways outdoors of Oneworld:

• Bangkok Airways
• JetBlue
• LATAM
• Center East Airways
• Oman Air (becoming a member of the Oneworld alliance in 2024)
• RwandAir
• Virgin Australia

Flights on these airways comply with Qatar Airways’ incomes scheme, however you should use the calculator for extra particulars.

Redeeming Qatar Airways Privilege Membership Avios

Reserving Qatar Airways flights with Avios

Qatar Airways’ award-winning Qsuite product is broadly thought of one of many world’s finest business-class merchandise. Even the provider’s financial system product is a strong possibility. Listed here are the costs for common one-way itineraries per particular person on any date (there may be now peak and off-peak pricing).

Availability will be restricted, particularly in premium cabins, so the additional prematurely you’ll be able to guide, the extra probably you might be to seek out a number of seats on the dates you want.

Off-peak redemption charges in enterprise class are a good way to redeem Qatar Avios if you’ll find availability, given the provider’s wonderful product.

Upgrading Qatar Airways flights with Avios

You can too use your Qatar Avios to improve paid flights operated by the airline. You need to use the airline’s calculator to seek out the price of upgrading a particular flight primarily based in your route and fare class.

For instance, you’ll be able to improve the most affordable financial system ticket from the East Coast to Doha to a business-class seat on the identical route for 55,000 Avios one-way. This isn’t less expensive than reserving an award ticket, so we advocate steering away from this selection until you have got booked a particularly low cost money fare.

Moreover, it’s good to discover accessible improve area with a purpose to improve your ticket. You are able to do this by calling the airline or making an attempt to improve a ticket on-line.

Reserving companion flights with Avios

Qatar has lowered the award costs for a lot of partner-operated flights, bringing them in step with different Avios applications. Right here’s the award chart for all Qatar Airways Privilege Membership companion redemptions, together with Oneworld members and different carriers, aside from flights 3,000 miles and below and people operated by American Airways and Alaska Airways:

Having the ability to guide flights from simply 6,000 Avios is a terrific deal.

Following a current devaluation, short-haul flights operated by American Airways and Alaska Airways are actually priced as follows:

You may redeem many companion awards, together with flights operated by American Airways, JetBlue, British Airways and Virgin Australia, on-line. To redeem your Qatar Avios on a companion flight that doesn’t seem on-line, you’ll be able to name Qatar Airways Privilege Membership at 800-988-6128. Know, although, that the decision heart is simply open throughout working hours on weekdays.

You can too see companion flight schedules by deciding on “E-book my award flight” on Qatar’s web site. You may then submit a request to guide a companion flight, and a Qatar agent will course of your reservation if there’s award area. We don’t advocate this selection since award area can quickly change. As a substitute, we advise transferring Avios to British Airways so you have got extra companion flight choices you’ll be able to guide on-line.

Associated: The perfect methods to redeem British Airways Avios

Different redemption choices

You can too use your Qatar Avios for merchandise, duty-free objects, lodge stays and extra. Nevertheless, we typically advocate staying away from most of these redemptions, as they nearly all the time supply much less worth than a free flight, usually dropping the worth to half a cent per Avios (or much less).

Backside line

Qatar Airways has fabulous merchandise on the bottom and within the air. You probably have by no means flown long-haul enterprise class, you can’t go incorrect with the world-famous Qsuite to Doha and past.

Whereas this system beforehand flew below the radar as a result of some uncompetitive pricing and complicated reserving choices, adopting the already common Avios forex in 2022 has opened up new methods to simply earn and redeem Avios in this system.

The power to simply switch Avios between 5 airline loyalty applications makes this system rather more engaging, particularly as Qatar Airways Privilege Membership now has related short-haul pricing that many admire when redeeming Avios by means of the British Airways Government Membership program.