Article: How to Use Qatar Airways Avios

[Mattg]

With Iberia now joining the QJB it seems like Avios can be moved between all 3 programs and sets up a pretty good partnership.

Is there a direct transfer option now between Qatar & Iberia Avios?

You could already transfer from QR to BA, then BA to IB or vice versa.

 

[levelnine]

Is there a direct transfer option now between Qatar & Iberia Avios?

That's what this post seems to suggest will happen:

• Iberia Plus accounts will (it appears, this is not spelt out clearly) be linkable to Qatar Airways Privilege Club accounts in the same way that British Airways Executive Club accounts are at present

Bits: Iberia joins BA / Qatar joint venture, Volotea launches Strasbourg

The Joint Business Agreement between British Airways and Qatar Airways is the biggest of its type globally, swamping the transatlantic JVs. Iberia is now joining.

www.headforpoints.com

 

[fkcn]

Having transferred AMEX points to Avios, does anyone know if I then transfer them to BA, whether I’m eligible for the Avios boost, as per link below? And can Avios be transferred to and from BA, or is it a one way deal?

Post automatically merged: Jul 29, 2023

https://pgt.shopping.ba.com/#booster-section

 

[jetset]

Is it me or has Qatar drastically reduced their saver reward availability? Pretty much every day now is a Flex Award, this wasn't the case a week ago.

I've been inspecting the availability because I was thinking about transferring some points across and I've noticed the same thing. I couldn't find any non-flex business flights between europe and australia.

I hope this is temporary because otherwise it's a huge devaluation.

 

[jase05]

VA redemptions now available to book online with QR. Not bad value either and interestingly you are still unable to book QF redemptions (perhaps deliberately)

 

[Mattg]

VA redemptions now available to book online with QR. Not bad value either and interestingly you are still unable to book QF redemptions (perhaps deliberately)
View attachment 380820View attachment 380821

This is a nice development!

Unfortunately it looks like the QR website doesn't yet recognise a lot of VA destinations. E.g you can't search for flights to or from HBA or LST.

Also, the taxes & charges on VA Y awards seem unusually high. In J they're about as you would expect.

 

[bpc]

I've had a pretty good experience with QR's Privilege Club.

The joining bonus, two return economy flights from Oz to France and a bit of duty free got me enough Avios for an award ticket from Australia to Jordan via Doha. It was easy to find, plenty of availability.

1 1/4 return flights to Toulouse in France (one from Adelaide, one from Sydney) got me to Silver membership status - I hadn't paid any attention and wasn't expecting it but the digital membership card in my Apple Wallet updated instantly and notified me as soon as I arrived in Doha, and I was able to use the Silver lounge there. Silver is equivalent to OneWorld Ruby and doesn't give you anything on OneWorld partner airlines or lounge access anywhere else, but if going through Doha which almost all QR flights do it's handy, and it gives you priority chicken and boarding and an extra 15kg of luggage.

Worst aspect of QR is the extortionate prices for seat selection.

Unfortunately for me they stopped flying from Doha to Toulouse last year otherwise they'd be my first choice.

 

[djkelly69]

priority chicken

Mmmmm tasty

 

[dsotm]

Worst aspect of QR is the extortionate prices for seat selection.

Is that just for cash fares? I just booked 2 x MEL-LHR awards in J, and managed to select the rear-facing bed QSuites at no cost.

 

[bpc]

I’ve not had the pleasure of J on QR, but my next flight is a Y reward and all seats are extra.

 

[bpc]

Silver is equivalent to OneWorld Ruby and doesn't give you anything on OneWorld partner airlines or lounge access anywhere else

Just correcting myself as this is wrong. In my defence, I was given incorrect information by Privilege Club customer support on chat. This is pretty standard unfortunately, I think they're in a call centre somewhere in India and don't have access to much information, and if you take more than about thirty seconds too reply they end the session,

If flying with Qatar out of Sydney, Silver gives you lounge access to the Air New Zealand lounge. Which is rather nice. This isn't through OneWorld, they have their own contract arrangement with Air NZ. While in Melbourne, they have their own Marhaba lounge.

You can, sometimes, look up lounge access here: https://www.qatarairways.com/en/lounges/worldwide.html

That page didn't show any results for somewhere over a year, but magically started working again after I sent in some feedback following my last chat interaction with Privilege Club customer support.

 

[bpc]

for a little light relief, here's the chat interaction where the CSR asked me to check for him...at the check-in counter:

• Agent: Hello bpcmemorial! Welcome to privilege club team, My name is bobsyouruncle. Hope you are doing well and in best health! I am at your service for any assistance you may need, and I’ll do my best to help you with your query.
• bpcmemorial : Hi bobsyouruncle. I am flying out of Sydney, Australia next week on a Qatar flight QR909, class economy. I am privilege club Silver. Will I get lounge access in Sydney?
• Agent: I comprehend your concern. Please allow me a moment while I check on that for you.
• bpcmemorial : thank you
• Agent: At this moment there is no lounge's agreement in placed with us for Sydney, I would appreciate if you can check at your own.
• bpcmemorial : where do I check?
• Agent: You shall check at their counter directly at your own.
• bpcmemorial : I was rather hoping to find out before I go. That's why I've come here to ask.
• Agent: Please allow me a moment while I double check on this for you,
• Agent: Thank you for your patience, bpcmemorial. Please be informed as per one-world your tier level will be considered as "Ruby" which is not entitled to get the lounge access in Sydney, however you shall get the access in Doha.