The American Express Membership Rewards program in the United States has just added its first new airline transfer partner in years. It’s always good to be see new partners added, though this one probably won’t be too exciting for savvy travelers.
Continue reading: Amex Membership Rewards Adds Qatar Airways As Transfer Partner
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I agree that for the savvy flyer it was already possible to easily transfer AMEX points to Qatar Avios indirectly. However, one major positive of adding Qatar as a transfer partner is now there will be additional opportunities to transfer AMEX points to Avios during a transfer bonus. This includes indirectly to BA. As we have seen in the past, they’re plenty of times Qatar Avios has a transfer bonus while BA Avios does not.
Amex in Australia also recently added Qatar as a transfer partner at 2:1 (along with Hawai'ian, and at the same time as they devalued SQ and CX to 3:1). For us this is the only way we can transfer to the Avios ecosystem from MR, if folk here want to play in that sandpit. (AU MR points have an Amex cash redemption value of 0.5 AU cents, not the 1 cent that applies in the US, so 2:1 here is the same as 1:1 in the US. MR points are much harder to earn here.)
Hey Ben, any idea why saver business class award space on Qatar is almost non-existent between North America and Doha? In the past it was relatively easy to score seats, especially far out. However, for the past couple months or so it seems like this space has completely dried up.
Not been my experience. Are you checking on the Qatar website directly? They release availability prior to both AA and BA. I just booked 2 seats in business through QA site fairly easily. I think people are becoming more savvy booking through QA so availability isn’t there by the time BA or AA schedule opens.
I’ve just tried transferring form my Amex account to a colleague’s Qatar account and it went through despite the names not matching!
I’ve noticed it too, I haven’t found any business award availability for Qatar through the BA program. I’m hoping that it’ll only be an issue for summer ‘24 but I’m getting a bit worried.
I haven’t found any business award availability for Qatar through the BA program. I’m hoping that it’ll only be an issue for summer ‘24 but I’m getting a bit worried.
Ted, did you book flights to/from North America and Doha? It seems like other routes are available. I can't find any North American legs below 2x (non-saver level). Previously it was relatively easy to find space on random days throughout the calendar, as well as far out.
Yes, from West coast to Doha Qsuites next June booked around 3-4 weeks ago on QR website with points transferred from BA. It’s possible that they went into a summer schedule in 2024 so any flight mid June 2024 and later they aren’t releasing as saver.
Far from excited at this news, as there are now too many access points to QR awards.
The days of picking and choosing at leisure are gone, together with QR now holding back Business award seats for longer (in the hope of making cash sales no doubt.)
I understand you could already book it indirectly, but I don't get why you don't see this just as a good thing. I mean, its good that we can now book direct. Eliminates a step. Why shouldnt we get excited?