In late 2020, Qatar Airways introduced “basic” business class fares. Less than a year later, the carrier will be making changes to its business class fare classes once again. These changes are a mixed bag — there are some positive adjustments, but also some very negative changes when it comes to mileage earning.
In this post:
Qatar Airways’ four types of business class fares
For flights as of October 1, 2021, Qatar Airways will be rolling out four different business class fare families — Lite, Classic, Comfort, and Elite. All business class fares have the same baggage allowance (both for carry-ons and checked bags), but that’s where the similarities end. Let’s talk about the differences (below you can find a chart comparing all the fare classes).
Note that these fare classes are only for revenue tickets — nothing is changing with award tickets, which continue to have full privileges.
Qatar Airways Lite business class fares
Qatar Airways Lite business class fares are entry-level business class fares, which come with the most restrictions. These fares:
- Book into the “P” fare class, and are the new “basic” business class fares
- Earn 75% miles in the Privilege Club program
- Don’t include advance seat assignments (oneworld elite members can still assign seats in advance for free), and lounge access is only offered for purchase
- Offer changes and refunds to the original form of payment for a fee
Qatar Airways Classic business class fares
Qatar Airways Classic business class fares still feature some restrictions, though not quite as many as the Lite fares. These fares:
- Book into the “R” fare class; these were previously the “basic” business class fares, but that’s no longer the case
- Earn 125% miles in the Privilege Club program
- Don’t include advance seat assignments (oneworld elite members can still assign seats in advance for free), but they do offer lounge access
- Include one complimentary ticket change, and refunds to the original form of payment for a fee
Qatar Airways Comfort business class fares
Qatar Airways Comfort business class fares are the most traditional fares in terms of inclusions. These fares:
- Book into the “I” or “D” fare classes
- Earn 175% miles in the Privilege Club program
- Include advance seat assignments and lounge access
- Include two complimentary ticket changes, and refunds to the original form of payment for a fee
Qatar Airways Elite business class fares
Qatar Airways Elite business class fares are the most expensive and flexible business class fares. These fares:
- Book into the “C” and “J” fare classes
- Earn 200% miles in the Privilege Club program
- Include advance seat assignments and lounge access
- Include complimentary unlimited ticket changes and refunds to the original form of payment
AAdvantage adjusting Qatar Airways mileage earning
Mileage earning rates when flying Qatar Airways aren’t just being adjusted through Privilege Club, but also through partner programs. For example, here’s the new American AAdvantage mileage earning chart for Qatar Airways for travel as of October 1, 2021:
There’s a massive devaluation here for Qatar Airways’ best business class fares:
- Qatar Airways’ previous cheapest business class fares (in the “R” fare class) earned 100% base miles, 150% elite qualifying miles, and elite qualifying dollars equal to 20% of the distance flown
- Qatar Airways’ new cheapest business class fares (in the “P” fare class) will earn 75% base miles, 150% elite qualifying miles, and elite qualifying dollars equal to 15% of the distance flown
Just to compare the practical implications of that, take a one-way New York to Doha flight, covering a distance of 6,704 miles:
- In the “R” fare class the flight would have earned 6,704 redeemable miles, 10,056 elite qualifying miles, and 1,341 elite qualifying dollars
- In the “P” fare class the flight will earn 5,028 redeemable miles, 10,056 elite qualifying miles, and 1,005 elite qualifying dollars
What is Qatar Airways changing with fares?
What are the practical implications of these changes, especially with Qatar Airways having rolled out the restrictions associated with “basic” business class fares last year? A few things stand out to me:
- Qatar Airways is going from having three business class fare families to having four business class fare families — previously there were Classic, Comfort, and Elite fares, and now there will be Lite, Classic, Comfort, and Elite fares
- It makes a lot more sense to me that the most restrictive business class tickets that don’t offer lounge access are called Lite rather than Classic (since there’s nothing “classic” about not offering lounge access with a business class ticket)
- Fares now permanently include more flexibility — Classic fares include one complimentary change, while Comfort fares offer two complimentary changes, which wasn’t previously offered on a permanent basis
- Mileage earning has been reduced significantly for the cheapest business class fares — previously they earned 125% miles, while now they earn 75% miles, at least in the Privilege Club program
- Previously Qatar Airways’ most restrictive business class tickets booked into the “R” fare class, while they’ll now book into the “P” fare class — so I’d expect many previous “R” fares to now be priced similar to “P” fares
- The good news is that those who previously booked “R” class tickets for travel starting October 1, 2021, will now be picking up lounge access, even though their ticket wouldn’t previously include that
Bottom line
Qatar Airways is making changes to its business class fare families for travel as of October 1, 2021. The carrier will go from having three types of business class fares to having four types of business class fares.
With this change, Qatar Airways’ most discounted tickets will be called Lite fares (which makes a lot of sense, if you ask me), and on top of that some types of fares will offer more complimentary changes on a permanent basis. Unfortunately at the same time we’re seeing mileage earning rates reduced for Qatar Airways’ cheapest business class fares, which will no doubt frustrate many flyers.
What do you make of Qatar Airways’ new business class fare families?
(Tip of the hat to YHBU)
I booked an award ticket through Alaska Airlines for January 2025, noted as “R” class. Does anyone know if that includes lounge access in Doha through either Qatar Air or a lounge partner?
I booked an award ticket through Alaska Airlines for January 2024, noted as “R” class. Does anyone know if that includes lounge access in Doha through either Qatar Air or a lounge partner?
The problem with these "fare" structures is they are intrinsically bad for Qatar and bad for the passenger. My PA booked a flight for my trip and only when trying to enter the lounge in Singapore did I discover I was not permitted entry. In fact, they had my name on a sticky note with express instructions to stop me at the door. I am a member of their club (albeit, Silver) but this had...
The problem with these "fare" structures is they are intrinsically bad for Qatar and bad for the passenger. My PA booked a flight for my trip and only when trying to enter the lounge in Singapore did I discover I was not permitted entry. In fact, they had my name on a sticky note with express instructions to stop me at the door. I am a member of their club (albeit, Silver) but this had no sway. I had my PA check the booking as she routinely keeps screenshots and there was no specific mention of the class in the booking process or the terms- which they assured me would be the case. Bottom line, a bad vibe, a bad impression. If the fares are meant to be introductory, it introduces you to a second-class flyer feeling and a disdain for Qatar. Not ideal me thinks. Very low-cost way of acquiring faithful customers letting them experience the lounge. By the by, their online support when questioned was a rebuttal process with no solutions and inadvertent insults. I think anyone buying a business class ticket would expect entry to a lounge. Full stop.
Even my travel agent with whom I have worked past 2 decades was unaware after the high price I paid for business class at the last minute for travel, that Qatar airways restricts use on certain business class tickets, it’s lounge usage.
I am truly disappointed.
The new four classes of Business class are ridiculous and and a disgrace for what we thought was highly respected airline, until now. My wife and I bought standard business class tickets, traveled from Karachi to Miami on June 08 2022 and used the business lounge in Doha, as we've been doing for years.
On the return journey with the same return ticket, when we arrived at Doha, the business lounge REFUSED TO LET...
The new four classes of Business class are ridiculous and and a disgrace for what we thought was highly respected airline, until now. My wife and I bought standard business class tickets, traveled from Karachi to Miami on June 08 2022 and used the business lounge in Doha, as we've been doing for years.
On the return journey with the same return ticket, when we arrived at Doha, the business lounge REFUSED TO LET US IN. This was not just torture after a 15 hour flight, but downright humiliating and disgraceful. We were standing there, begging the staff that there must be some misunderstanding, but they said "You have LITE class, so no entry". How shameful. How could QR do it to us?
Obviously, I will spread the word, "Don't ever trust QR."
Group of 8 traveling to Asia on QR business class. Unable to get seat assignment till we check in for flight. Surprisingly QR assigns seats to Economy class passengers. Would have never travelled this airline with headaches associated getting a seat next to spouse even in business class. Paid twice airfare compared to 2018.
Just been told I can’t access the lounge at Melbourne despite having paid for business class. Disgraceful.
Just booked 3 QR business class award tickets with AS points. Premium points paid for one ticket due to lack of award availability. 2 tickets booked into U class (showed as economy on AS PRN) but the more expensive award booked into R. Unable to a select a seat online for the "R" ticket. Tried calling QR 3 different times and tweeting support. No luck. Was told classic ticket can not be preassigned a seat...
Just booked 3 QR business class award tickets with AS points. Premium points paid for one ticket due to lack of award availability. 2 tickets booked into U class (showed as economy on AS PRN) but the more expensive award booked into R. Unable to a select a seat online for the "R" ticket. Tried calling QR 3 different times and tweeting support. No luck. Was told classic ticket can not be preassigned a seat without a fee regardless of it actually being a premium award ticket or being OW Emerald. Told to call AS. AS sees ticket booked as "premium" award on their end. Stalemate
It’s ridiculous to deny some business class flyers lounge access yet the fair is not that much discount. It was my first time flying business class but I will never waste my money again. This is open discrimination
Hi! Can I upgrade my ticket from economy class, to buseness class? I’m flying from Washington DC to Philippines.
what is the best seats to get on this airline? I am going from California to India.
Hi, good thread, as a QR platinum would I still get AL Safwa losing access on any business fare class? David
Lucky, you state that OneWorld elites will be allowed to pick seats for free irrespective of the fare class. Can you point me to a OneWorld site that says that? Qatar is telling me that the fare class controls the privileges. I have a paid biz ticket, one direction P, one direction R. Their escalation team refuses to allow free seat selection.
Once I enter my frequent flyer number, the fee selection automatically changed to free
@Lucky - You didn't write about crediting to Alaska. Right now their website (https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/how-to-earn-miles/airline-partners/qatar-airways) doesn't reflect the P fare.
In any case, it seems better to credit to Alaska for RDM and AA for EQM.
@Lucky,
you mentioned "The good news is that those who previously booked “R” class tickets for travel starting October 1, 2021, will now be picking up lounge access, even though their ticket wouldn’t previously include that"
is this verified with Qatar Air or just your take on it?
Lucky, what about accrual to other FFP, e.g. BA. On their website, they state that P credits 75% of the Avios, but is mute about Tier Points? How about AAdvantage?
How does a OW elite pick a seat on R fares? Will the QR online system recognize my Alaska MVP status and allow me to pick a seat? Or do I have to call in?
I messaged them on Twitter with my AA number and I was then able to pick seats.
Good to know, but there's gotta be a better way to do this than having to rely on Twitter!
I find Qatars strategy here quite baffling. On one hand they spend like there's no tomorrow with the best business class cabins and lounges of just about any airline. Then they nickel and dime their customers to squeeze every last cent out of them by forcing them to pay more for lounge access on a business class ticket.
I thought the purpose of Qatar Airways was to promote the state of Qatar and get people...
I find Qatars strategy here quite baffling. On one hand they spend like there's no tomorrow with the best business class cabins and lounges of just about any airline. Then they nickel and dime their customers to squeeze every last cent out of them by forcing them to pay more for lounge access on a business class ticket.
I thought the purpose of Qatar Airways was to promote the state of Qatar and get people to visit Doha (which they have both done very well). For such a wealthy, state run airline I didn't think profit was a top priority in their strategy yet they then come out with new fare classes to squeeze some extra revenue from pax.
Am I missing something? Is it just such a large company now that the brand and product teams don't talk to the revenue management teams anymore?
I checked a fare MAD-DOH-BKK on QR's website for January next year and what I find of particular interest is the differential between the fares.
Lite - €1,166
Classic - €1,263
Comfort - €1,364
Elite - €2,098
So, is the lounge worth €100, moving from Lite to Classic? Is seat selection worth €100 (classic to comfort)? t's up to the individua, I guess.
If that's the price for a round trip ticket I would pay the extra. Seat assignment on all 4 flights + 4 x lounge access for that price is fair.
At least with AA you earn 150% qualifying points for the flight! If you are in the QR Privilege Club program there is NO BONUS qualifying Q-Points allocated! It's almost like QR does not want people to requalify for Platinum status.
Admittedly, it’s now been well over two years since my last visit to the business class lounge, pandemic and all, but I am really struggling with the praise. Have I missed anything?
Dining area setting is beautiful, but the food itself was very ordinary. I stopped using the shower suites because of the long lines and the lack of aircon in the shower suites themselves became sweat baths very quickly. Great place to work...
Admittedly, it’s now been well over two years since my last visit to the business class lounge, pandemic and all, but I am really struggling with the praise. Have I missed anything?
Dining area setting is beautiful, but the food itself was very ordinary. I stopped using the shower suites because of the long lines and the lack of aircon in the shower suites themselves became sweat baths very quickly. Great place to work and have a drink, but definitely nowhere near top of the lounge list.
It is very possible that I just visited on bad lounge days, but still…
"Mileage earning has been reduced significantly for the cheapest business class fares — previously they earned 125% miles, while now they earn 75% miles, at least in the Privilege Club program"
I hope this statement can explain to some people why other programs are also revenue based not just US based programs, even if they never have an actual requirement figure.
But sometimes you just can't fix stupid.
We are scheduled to take a Qatar Airways flight in October. The reason why we booked the "Comfort" class (I) was because it included lounge access and seat selection. We could have saved like $1-2k if we would have booked the cheaper "Classic" fare but we kind of wanted lounge and seat selection - rats.
Nothing changes with Alaska Airlines miles crediting as a result of this?
You spent 2k$ for a seat selection amd Lounge access. Wow. I think the access to the Lounge is cheaper than that. :-))
We wanted to do the middle seat Q Suites specifically for my wife and I, didn't want to risk none being available at check in as that was the whole point of our booking. It was probably just a little over $1000 to be honest
I was going to book at the end of this month , for s trip next March. They had the classic fare up for months, so I thought it would stay. One day, they just took it off and only have the Comfort and Elite. $1,000 more! If they don't release more at the cheaper price, I will have to take Turkish.
I book cheap Qatar fares for the BA tier points so as long as that’s not affected I’m ok. I don’t mind paying a bit more for lounge access if it’s a long layover, especially for the al safwa lounge.
My route had the Classic fare, but they took it away and just have the Comfort and Elite.
Do you still have lounge access booking the lite fare if you are Platinum member?
By the way- the Doha Business Class Lounge is spectacular- certainly the best I've ever had (though I have not experienced that many to be honest).
The most recent time I went through Doha (Sept 21st, landing 3pm, then departing 7pm), the lounge was filled to the gills. I had to wait for shower facilities (though certainly worth the wait1) and the upstairs formal dining also had a wait for a table.
The previous two visits the lounge was empty and a tranquil oasis.
Then you try their Al Safwa First class lounge.
I was just there about a week before you from around 6pm - 10pm and there was no wait for the showers and lounge was half full. It was lovely. I guess I got lucky.
How does it work when you're booking using AA miles.
I mostly fly using my Advantage miles (70K each way in a Q-suite from New York to Dubai) and my tickets have always included lounge access. Will this still be the case or will the award tickets be booked into the lowest (P) fare?
This doesn't affect award tickets at all.
The EQD for the Lite fares is ridiculously low for a biz fare. I would love to consistently see $2400 fares from SFO-DOH, which is what you are earning on it.
What is the lounge rules for OW Elites on those fares? Can you access other OW lounges or no? I know Qatar makes up their own rules, and doesn't participate in the alliance for their own DOH lounge, but what about other players out outstations?