Qatar Airways has added “booking fees” per segment for award flights booked in Privilege Club. This change is unannounced and begins with immediate effect.
Key points to note
- Booking fee for Business Class award bookings is US$70 per segment (i.e. SIN-DOH-AMS = US$70 + US$70)
- Booking fee for Economy Class award bookings is US$35 per segment
- This booking fee will only apply to award bookings made with Avios in Qatar Airways Privilege Club
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Is this a devaluation?
Although this does not affect the amount of miles required to redeem for award flights, it definitely makes Avios worth less to me.
I valued Qatar Airways Avios (previously Qmiles) at 1.5 cents (USD) because of the lack of fuel surcharges on award bookings, the amazing Business Class product, extendable miles expiry and also because it requires 18% less miles than Krisflyer does to fly to Europe.
With this change, I am dropping my valuation of Qatar Airways Avios from 1.5 cents to 1.4 cents (USD) per mile. This makes it only a little more valuable than Krisflyer and Asia Miles.
Related: Values of Miles and Points in 2022
Which credit card miles/points can be transferred to Qatar Airways?
In Singapore, only miles/points from Citibank cards can be transferred to Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to British Airways Avios, which can then be transferred to Qatar Airways. However, there really aren’t any AMEX cards in Singapore with good earn rates.
Related: Best credit cards in Singapore
Bottom line
It’s a real shame that there’s a stark contrast between how hard Qatar Airways tries to impress with its superb Business Class product and how poorly the frequent flyer program (FFP) is being handled. The least that Privilege Club could do was to send a “heads-up” email to members to inform us of this change.
I’ve said in the past that this FFP looks like it is managed by a temperamental teenager who makes rash decisions every now and then. It looks like that kid is still in the cockpit.
Now, who’s betting on Qatar Airways bringing back fuel surcharges to award bookings?
H/T: LoyaltyLobby
Hi Fai, can i check is there an expiry date to the avios points? thinking of transferring with such an attractive bonus! thank you!
Hi Dionne, Avios do not expire as long as there is account activity within 3 years.
https://qatarairways.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/206459018-How-long-are-my-Avios-valid-for