For frequent flyers, it can be frustrating when the points and status credits for a flight take weeks or even months to arrive. This is especially the case if you need the points in order to book a specific reward, or you’re relying on the status credits to upgrade to a higher status tier.

There have been a few serial offenders over the years. For example, British Airways and Jetstar are often mentioned on the AFF forums as airlines that can take a long time to correctly credit the points after taking a flight.

Qatar Airways is bucking the trend. Not only is it now crediting points quickly, but up to two hours before the flight even departs!

Since yesterday, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members now receive their Avios (the points currency of the Privilege Club program) after checking in for Qatar Airways flights. They will be credited up to 120 minutes before the flight’s scheduled departure time, regardless of the departure airport.

Unfortunately, this likely only applies when flying on Qatar Airways and crediting to the Privilege Club program. If you choose to credit your Qatar Airways flight to Qantas Frequent Flyer or Virgin Australia Velocity, the points and status credits would still arrive after you’ve flown.

Why is Qatar Airways crediting Avios before departure?

Of course, there is something in it for the airline. At the same time as it made this change, Qatar Airways introduced the ability to earn and redeem Privilege Club Avios at the many duty-free stores in Doha’s Hamad International Airport.

By crediting Avios before departure, the airline is probably hoping passengers will use these as credit towards duty-free shopping while waiting for their flight.

“We have enhanced and upgraded our redemption options for our loyalty members and we are enabling access to a truly unique airport shopping and dining experience,” Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said.

“A first in the world initiative, this demonstrates our commitment for going the extra mile when enhancing the quality of our offerings by providing members with a seamless experience.

“We encourage everyone travelling through HIA to avail themselves of this experience and opportunity as there has never been an easier way to collect and spend Avios.”

Many AFF members would already know that redeeming your frequent flyer points for duty-free shopping is unlikely to be particularly good value. At least, not compared to the value you might be able to get when redeeming points for flights or upgrades.

But it sure is convenient to be able to redeem your points for a flight you’re about to take on shopping while you’re already at the airport – and possibly have time to kill while waiting to board. Some people – especially occasional flyers – may well take advantage of this option. It allows them to use their points instantly and easily, even if they might have gotten better value in the longer term by saving their Avios.

As you’ve probably already guessed, Qatar Duty Free is a subsidiary of Qatar Airways. So, Qatar Airways benefits directly when its frequent flyers choose to redeem their Avios on duty-free airport shopping in Doha.

How long do airlines normally take to credit points?

Most airlines, most of the time, take between a few days and two weeks to credit the points and status credits earned from flying to members’ frequent flyer accounts.

Qantas is a notable exception to this rule. All going well, Qantas Frequent Flyer members often receive their points and status credits shortly after boarding their flight (and occasionally even before take-off).

It generally takes longer to receive the points when crediting a flight to a partner airline’s loyalty program.

Why don’t more airlines adopt this approach?

There are a few reasons that airlines don’t usually award the points or status credits for a flight before departure.

One reason is that it takes time to complete the transaction that goes on behind the scenes between the airline and the relevant frequent flyer program (which could be owned by separate entities).

Another major reason is that there is a possibility a passenger might not actually take a flight they’ve booked or even checked in to. There are many possible reasons for this, such as the passenger cancelling their flight or a disruption that causes the passenger to get re-routed.

If airlines started awarding points and status credits at the time of booking, there could be a possibility for people with flexible tickets to cancel the booking for a refund after already spending the points received.

Presumably, Qatar Airways has considered the risk that somebody could check in for a flight, receive their Avios, but not actually board the flight. And presumably, they consider the trade-off – incentivising more passengers to shop at Hamad International Airport – to be worth it.

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include aviation, economics & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.