Qatar unveils three new airport lounges in Doha for Oneworld frequent flyers
Planning to spend some time in Doha, Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) soon?
Qatar Airways has revealed a trio of new lounges – named Platinum, Gold and Silver, specifically – that should probably be on your radar.
The new spaces were built in addition to three existing Qatar lounges in the airport: Al Safwa, catering to Qatar and Oneworld airlines first class passengers only; Al Mourjan, inviting Qatar and Oneworld business class passengers; and Oryx, which welcomes Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members.
The development is perfectly timed ahead of this winter’s FIFA World Cup, when hundreds of thousands of fans, ambassadors and delegates will swarm the Gulf state to take in one of the biggest sporting events on earth.
There’s no doubt the extra space will be welcomed. But have any new goals been scored here?
First up: entry. The new Platinum, Gold and Silver lounges are open to both Privilege Club loyalty members and equivalent Oneworld status members.
This includes British Airways Executive Club members traveling on a Oneworld flight in economy, with the level of entry for each traveler depending on their frequent flyer status.
In Concourse A, the Platinum South Lounge boasts seating for 140 people, a bar, a restaurant for buffet or a la carte dining, showers, a quiet area and a prayer room.
Privilege Club Platinum Oneworld Emerald (Executive Club Gold) members can enter this lounge with their status.
Related: Is it better to redeem Avios through British Airways Executive Club or Qatar Airways Privilege Club?
The airline’s Gold Lounge South can seat 85 passengers and includes a bar, dining area plus buffet, showers — and no doubt the great service we’ve come to expect of Qatar Airlines.
Privilege Club Gold and Oneworld Sapphire (Executive Club Silver) members can enter this lounge with their status.
Lastly, in Concourse B you will find the Silver Lounge South, which opened in March.
It welcomes Qatar Airways Privilege Club Silver members.
There’s a capacity for 195 travelers who can enjoy buffet dining, meeting rooms, a family area and baggage storage facilities.
Unfortunately at this stage, it does not appear that the equivalent Executive Club members (Bronze) will be permitted entry.
Related: Avios vs. Tier Points: British Airways Executive Club status explained
The airline’s chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said the lounges demonstrated “the airline’s commitment to rewarding Privilege Club and Oneworld alliance members with coveted benefits that befit the service quality Qatar Airways is synonymous for.”
“We look forward to welcoming passengers to experience our sophisticated, modern and spacious lounges when transiting through the world’s best airport,” he added.
How will they measure up to other lounges at Doha? After all, the Al Safwa is one of the finest airport lounges in the world. And the Al Mourjan lounge blows most first class lounges out of the water, never mind its business-class rivals. This was always restricted to passengers traveling in first and business-class respectively, regardless of their Oneworld status level.
In fact, in many ways those lounges are too good, packing a level of luxe and indulgence that stretches beyond the norm. Any frequent flyer worth their points knows this pair are god-tier lounges worth booking a trip for alone.
TPG’s Zach Griff declared Al Safwa one of the most “visually appealing lounges” he had ever been to. “The extremely tall ceilings provided an open-air experience without letting in the noise from the terminal,” he said. And he added that thanks to its decor, "walking around the lounge felt more like browsing a museum than killing time in one of the busiest airports in the world.”
But that left a real gap in quality between these two and the other Qatar lounges such as the Oynx business-class lounge and Oneworld first lounge (currently closed), which have tended to look dated and very basic by comparison.
Our pre-pandemic review of the Oneworld business lounge found it was “worlds apart” from the likes of the Al Moujran and called it an “inferior product”.
Oneworld Emerald status members who are accustomed to swanning into first class lounges with an economy ticket in Oneworld hubs like Sydney and Hong Kong will likely be disappointed with their frequent flyer lounge choices in Doha.
If some of the reports from travelers who’ve already visited the newly opened Silver Lounge South are to be believed, it’s not the roomiest of spaces and can suffer from overcrowding. It isn't exactly bursting with world-class amenities, either.
You’ll have to either book tickets, or wait for our coming reviews of the Platinum, Gold and Silver lounges, to see whether they can make up some ground in relation to the airport’s most elite lounges, or will continue to be the runners-up.
Forgive us for not being bowled over in the meantime.
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- 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.
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| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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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.