While I don’t want to suggest that this is the world’s most exciting new redemption opportunity, it is a valuable new option to be aware of, in my opinion (and one I personally plan to take advantage of).
In this post:
Qatar Airways adds award redemptions on Philippine Airlines
Qatar Airways and Philippine Airlines have just strengthened their partnership, with loyalty reciprocity. As I see it, there’s one aspect to this that’s most exciting, and that’s the ability to redeem Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios for travel on Philippine Airlines worldwide.
These award redemptions are bookable directly on Qatar Airways’ website, and pricing is roughly distance based. Qatar Airways doesn’t publish an exact award chart for these redemptions, but it seems business class awards range from 18,000 Avios to 154,500 Avios one-way, depending on the distance.
For example, Manila (MNL) to New York (JFK) is the carrier’s longest flight, and that costs 154,500 Avios one-way in business class.
Meanwhile flying from Manila to Hong Kong (HKG) costs 24,000 Avios one-way in business class.
There are mild carrier imposed surcharges on the tickets — for example, the longest flight will cost you around $200 in additional fees.
Why these Philippine Airlines redemptions are useful
I definitely appreciate the ability to now redeem Qatar Airways Avios for travel on Philippine Airlines:
- Philippine Airlines doesn’t belong to a major alliance, so the redemption opportunities on the carrier are rather scattered and limited
- Some of the programs that Philippine Airlines has historically partnered with are known for their complicated rules, like All Nippon Airways Mileage Club, which limits the people you can redeem for, requires booking by phone, etc.
- Alaska Atmos Rewards was supposed to launched a redemption partnership with Philippine Airlines, but it seems the two carriers have backtracked on that; it’s really disappointing how many partnerships Alaska announces, and then it delays or changes the actual ability to redeem
- Avios are super easy to acquire, thanks to the ability to freely transfer Avios between a variety of programs, plus all the transfer partners they have; it’s also common to see transfer bonuses
So being able to redeem Qatar Airways Avios for travel on Philippine Airlines directly online is great, and on top of that, business class award availability is actually good. While pricing is higher than I’d prefer, with a transfer bonus, it gets to a value where it’s okay, and is at least an option to be aware of. After all, transpacific premium cabin award seats can often be hard to find nowadays, so at least this unlocks some availability.
Bottom line
Qatar Airways Privilege Club has just rolled out award redemptions on Philippine Airlines, so this is a great new option for redeeming Avios. While the premium cabin redemption rates are on the high side, it’s nice to have some option to redeem directly online for travel on Philippine Airlines, given the unique routes the airline operates.
I’ve been wanting to fly Philippine Airlines’ new Airbus A350-1000, so this is something that will come in handy for me.
What do you make of this new Qatar Airways Avios redemption option?
World’s worst airline.
That would mean you’d have to, at some point travel through Manila, having just done that , there won’t be a second time no matter the deal
Pal has really decent fares especially for business class, so usually it is just better to buy business by cash.
MNL is a shockingly difficult airport to transit through.
True that. Especially if you have to change terminals. Yikes.
All full-service carriers (including Philippine Airlines) will eventually be housed in Terminal 3 for international flights, while LCCs like Cebu and AirAsia will be housed in Terminal 1.
Terminal 2 will eventually house domestic flights on Philippine Airlines, Cebu, and AirAsia.
While still a mess, it's certainly more seamless than before.
I'd have thought it better to have PAL's domestic and international flights use the same terminal!
Years ago, Philippine Airlines looked into building a new Terminal 5 right next to Terminal 2 and have the two terminals connected as they own the ramp space, but I'm not sure what their plans are anymore.
I often travel to DVO, so this would be very useful for me if it was possible to easily+cheaply attach MNL-DVO to another PAL (or OW) flight.
Unfortunately, I think it would be neither easy (the QR booking system seems not to allow multi-segment partner award itineraries) nor cheap (MNL-DVO is 12k avios in Y, and I think a connecting itinerary booked by phone would sum the cost of the two segments).
I'd be delighted to learn that I'm wrong, though!
Because the Manila airport is soooo delightful for transit or origination/termination. Ugh.
Thank you! In the past I booked PR roundtrip business class flights using ANA mileage club and you are right that there were a lot of obstacles but the redemption rates back then were great at 95k roundtrip.
Eww. In Southeast Asia, the airline goes by its other name.
"PAL: Plane Always Late."
Indeed - why would you NOT fly HKG-MNL on CX J instead, for 7500 fewer Avios?
It's a unique airline for one.
Two, hard product alone. A lie-flat bed is pretty much a given on a widebody. With CX, you can get the latest Aria Suites, down to the oldest aircraft with recliners on the 773 and select A330s.
And you're not getting a lie flat on PR from HKG to MNL on PR. If you think it's worth an extra 7500 points to fly on an A321 with no IFE go for it.
It is a uniquely retro airline, pretty much impossible to find angled flats in a 2-3-2 crossing the Pacific anywhere else
This is exciting for availability and for value. 120k Avios is pretty easy to come by
These days, availability in J is the ‘name of the game.’ 120K Avios is like $1,200. Most long-haul J is gonna be 2-5x that paying cash. It is a deal, even if it’s on PAL. If JFK-MNL is included, I’d seriously consider it.
I keep thinking you're Dennis Bunnik, that lovely Aussie bloke on YouTube! Hah!