You know the saying — if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Well, one airline has just significantly lowered the cost of partner award redemptions, which I think is an exception to that rule.
Redeem fewer BA Avios for Qatar Airways flights
Earlier I wrote about how Qatar Airways Privilege Club is adopting Avios as its rewards currency. This is a significant development, and is generally great for consumers. It means that you’ll be able to move your rewards between the various programs earning Avios, including Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
As it turns out, the news gets even better than that. Overnight British Airways Executive Club has drastically cut award redemption rates for travel on Qatar Airways. On top of that, surcharges for these redemptions have largely been cut significantly as well.
For example, you can now redeem just 70,000 Avios for a one-way Qatar Airways business class ticket from Boston to Doha, putting the pricing in line with what you’d find through American AAdvantage. Taxes, fees, and surcharges are $101.85, which is more than you’d pay through AAdvantage, but still reasonable.
Amazingly enough, Los Angeles to Doha costs the same number of Avios, but surcharges on that routing are significantly higher, as you’d pay a total of $481.85.
Connecting itineraries are also more expensive, but still reasonable in most cases. For example, you can fly from Boston to Doha to Male in business class for 105,000 Avios, plus $206 in taxes, fees, and surcharges.
British Airways Executive Club has just become a really attractive program for booking Qatar Airways tickets. For situations where Qatar Airways Privilege Club has lower award pricing, you could transfer Avios between the programs and book through Privilege Club instead.
Why this development is really significant
Historically booking Qatar Airways business class through American AAdvantage has been a real sweet spot of the program. The catch is that AAdvantage miles can be tough to earn, given that American doesn’t partner with any major transferable points currencies.
British Airways Executive Club, on the other hand, partners with Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, and Chase Ultimate Rewards. These points are significantly easier to rack up, so now you have an easy pathway for booking Qatar Airways business class awards at a great price with these currencies.
Bottom line
With Qatar Airways joining the Avios points currency, award redemption rates on the airline have been improved considerably through British Airways Executive Club. At a time where there’s generally not much good loyalty program news, this is a pleasant surprise. Huge kudos to Qatar Airways and British Airways on this!
What do you make of these Qatar Airways award pricing changes through BA Executive Club?
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