Qatar to Launch Qsuite to Chicago as of April 1, 2018
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."
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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.