Qatar Airways launched a Student Club program in 2020 and it comes with great benefits for students (and up to 3 companions), plus a nice graduation gift.
Membership qualification
- Enrollment is required (it’s free!)
- Aged between 18 and 30 years
- Studying for a Degree in a university or college
- Hold a valid Student ID, Student Visa or official acceptance letter
- Provide expected graduation date when enrolling
- Maximum membership duration of 7 years from enrollment
- Terms and conditions
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Key benefits
- 10% off first booking, 15% after first trip, 20% after second trip1
- Fare discounts can be applied to a maximum of 4 passengers (3 non-student companions)
- Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard on selected aircrafts
- Extra piece of checked baggage or 10kg on Qatar Airways operated flights
- 1 free date change per booking, fare differences chargeable
- Get a 1-tier status upgrade upon graduation2
1Use the unique promo codes sent in confirmation email. Discounts applied to base fares, excluding taxes/fees.
2Proof of graduation required within 6 months. Students must have paid and flown at least 1 roundtrip or 2 one-way journeys per membership year.
How good are the benefits?
Fare discounts
As mentioned above, the fare discounts only apply to base fares, excluding taxes and fees. As Qatar Airways have high fuel surcharges, you can expect to see about 10% actual discount with a 20%-off promo code. Not mind-blowing, but still alright, especially when you can apply the discount for up to 3 companions.
Wi-Fi, baggage, date changes
Other benefits like complimentary Wi-Fi, extra baggage allowance and free date change are great to have too.
Status upgrade
Getting a 1-tier status upgrade upon graduation is pretty interesting, although it requires the student to fly with the airline at least once a year. It is not clear how long the upgraded status will be valid for, probably till the end of the calendar year.
Even if the student holds the base Burgundy status during graduation, an upgrade to the Silver tier (oneworld Ruby) brings some fantastic benefits that other airlines’ Silver members can only dream of.
This includes airport lounge access at selected airports (yes, Changi Airport is one), priority check-in/boarding and extra baggage. My partner has been a Silver member for about a year and she shared that she always received verbal recognition onboard and priority meals and attention, even when flying in Economy!
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Bottom line
These are great benefits that students can enjoy, while kickstarting their travel-hacking journey, plus a lovely graduation gift at the end.
I think it is generous of the airline to offer the discounts to 3 additional non-student companions. If you have friends or family members who are students, get them to enroll today!