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.
In this post:
Transfer Amex points to Qatar Airways
American Express Membership Rewards has added Qatar Airways Privilege Club as its newest transfer partner, as flagged by Ryan Smith. Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio, and transfers should be instant. Qatar Airways Privilege Club is Amex’s 21st transfer partner, as the list otherwise includes 17 airline programs and three hotel programs.
Amex Membership Rewards is the second transferable points currency to add Qatar Airways Privilege Club as a partner, as you can also transfer Citi ThankYou points to Qatar Airways. There are of course lots of great ways to earn Amex points, as this currency is pretty easy to rack up.
Qatar Airways is of course known for its incredible Qsuites business class, which is considered by many to be one of the best in the world. Qatar Airways Privilege Club nowadays uses Avios as its points currency, and there are pretty good deals both for travel on Qatar Airways, as well as for travel on partner airlines.
However, keep in mind that there are many ways to redeem miles on Qatar Airways. For example, my preference is to book through American AAdvantage, as that typically represents the best value.
Why you shouldn’t get too excited
More airline transfer partners are always a good thing, though I wouldn’t get too excited about Qatar Airways Privilege Club being added. Why?
Because Qatar Airways uses Avios as its rewards currency. There are four main frequent flyer programs using Avios — British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, and Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
With some limitations, you can transfer Avios between all four programs at a 1:1 ratio. Amex already partners with British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus, so it has already been possible to indirectly convert Amex points into Qatar Airways Avios.
So for those looking to move points between Amex and Qatar Airways, adding Privilege Club as a transfer partner really just eliminates a step, but doesn’t open up anything that wasn’t previously possible.
Bottom line
Amex Membership Rewards has added Qatar Airways Privilege Club as a transfer partner, meaning Amex now partners with all four Avios currencies. Qatar Airways is a great airline to fly with, and the company’s Privilege Club program offers some solid award deals.
So it’s great to see Qatar Airways added to Amex’s partner roster, though it was already possible to indirectly transfer points between the two programs. I’m happy to see the Privilege Club program becoming increasingly more useful, including for partner redemptions.
What do you make of Amex adding Qatar Airways as a partner?
It depends on how you redeem for Qatar if it is good or bad I guess
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?
Here in the Middle east the transfer rate is 2:1!!!
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’ve just tried transferring form my Amex account to a colleague’s Qatar account and it went through despite the names not matching!
This should be added as a perk to the post!!
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.