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Qatar to Launch Qsuite to Chicago as of April 1, 2018

March 01, 2018
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3 min read
Qatar 777 Qsuite Review
Qatar to Launch Qsuite to Chicago as of April 1, 2018
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Qatar Airways will begin flying its Qsuite business-class product to Chicago (ORD) beginning later this year. The carrier quietly made a change in its seat map showing that it's going to launch its new business-class product, which is widely considered to be the best in the sky, between Doha (DOH) and ORD beginning April 1, 2018, on one of its Boeing 777-300ERs.

As One Mile at a Time reports, the route will be the longest operated by a product featuring Qsuite — coming in at 7,133 miles. Beginning April 1, 2018, the Qsuite-equipped 777-300ER will operate on the following schedule:

  • QR725 Doha (DOH) 8:10am Departure ⇒ Chicago (ORD) 2:55pm Arrival
  • QR726 Chicago (ORD) 6:50pm Departure ⇒ Doha (DOH) 4:10pm (+1) Arrival

Qatar didn't officially make this announcement, however it did change the seat map on its ORD-bound aircraft beginning April 1. Quietly changing seat maps is also how the carrier announced it would launch Qsuite to Washington, DC (IAD), so it's entirely possible that this Qsuite route will launch. In addition, Qsuite stops showing up on the route following May 31, 2018, but it's possible that's just because Qatar hasn't built out its schedule any further yet.

With the addition of Chicago (ORD), Qatar now offers Qsuite on three US routes — New York (JFK), Washington, DC (IAD) and Chicago (ORD). In addition, the carrier also flies Qsuite on its routes to London (LHR), Paris (CDG) and Seoul (ICN).

Not only do the carrier's 777-300ER aircraft offer Qsuite, but Qatar's latest A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft also feature the seat. For now, Qatar is flying its new Qsuite-equipped A350-1000 to London (LHR). But, it soon plans to launch the aircraft on routes to the "East Coast."

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At each seat, Qsuite passengers get their own sliding door for privacy, fine dining options, access to a premier lounge in Doha, top-notch amenities and the option to turn the center two seats into a "honeymoon seat" bed. When TPG Editor-at-Large Zach Honig tried out the product, he was blown away.

As for this new Qsuite route to Chicago (ORD), there seems to be some decent award availability on the Doha-bound leg. Check out this post for complete details on how to search and book Qsuite with miles. Your best bet is to use AAdvantage miles for a one-way business-class ticket on the route, which will cost you 70,000 miles. If you’re looking to book with AAdvantage miles, you’ll need to call AA to do so.

This is good news for travelers based in the Chicago area who are looking to test out Qsuite. Rather than having to get to New York or Washington, DC, to try it out, there will soon be an option right at ORD — at least temporarily. Of course, there is the chance that this is an error on Qatar’s part and the Qsuite-equipped 777-300ER wasn’t supposed to appear on this route. However, the roll-out for the product has been smooth up until this date, so it’s entirely possible that Qatar does intend to have its Qsuite on the route.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.