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Qatar Airways Announces 7 New Destinations for 2019
Ben Smithson
Senior writer
Ben Smithson is a travel loyalty expert based in London.
March 06, 2019
•
3 min read
Qatar Airways Announces 7 New Destinations for 2019
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Qatar Airways announced on Wednesday service to seven new destinations in 2019 — Izmir, Rabat, Malta, Davao, Lisbon, Mogadishu and Langkawi.
Speaking at ITB Berlin in Germany, and following the unveiling of Qatar's new economy product, CEO Akbar Al Baker announced the new destinations and frequencies, hinting there would be another seven new destinations to be announced later in 2019.
In 2019, Qatar will begin flying from its hub in Doha (DOH) to:
- Izmir, Turkey — commencing May 23, 3x weekly with Airbus A320 aircraft
- Malta — commencing May 23, daily service with A320 aircraft
- Rabat, Morocco — commencing May 29, 3x weekly with Boeing 787 aircraft
- Davao, Philippines — commencing June 18, 1x weekly service with Boeing 787 aircraft. This limited service was explained as being due to current aircraft availability, but is planned to increase to 3x weekly
- Lisbon, Portugal — commencing June 24, daily service with Boeing 787 aircraft, following Qatar's long-standing request for landing slots
- Mogadishu, Somalia — commencing July 1, 3x weekly service with Airbus A320 aircraft
- Langkawi, Malaysia — commencing Oct. 15, 3x weekly service with Boeing 787 aircraft.
It should be noted that Qatar has a history of failing to launch some promised destinations, such as its unusual plans to fly to Las Vegas, which was supposed to commence more than a year ago and still hasn't.
TPG is at ITB Berlin this week and observed Al Baker being repeatedly pressed about the financial sense of expansion to new destinations during a period of global economic downturn. He insisted that Qatar is taking advantage of this situation, by expanding while other some airlines shrink and taking market share from them.
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But he did admit Qatar will again post a yearly loss in 2018-2019, as it did in 2017-2018.
He also pointed out that the new mid- and long-haul destinations, which should total 14 by the end of 2019, are compensating for the Gulf blockade, which caused a loss of 22 Gulf destinations and he referred to as "illegal under international law." He said operating costs have increased as a result of the blockade because of the additional flying time required to fly around blocked airspace.
Qatar was asked if it was considering any new ultra-long haul routes, considering it recently lost the title for world's longest flight from Doha to Auckland service, when Singapore Airlines commenced nonstop flights from Singapore to Newark.
Al Baker advised that the focus on Qatar's ultra-long haul routes was profitability rather than record holding, and there were no plans to find new routes to regain the title.
Featured image by Getty Images/iStockphoto
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Rewards Rate
| 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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$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.Pros
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- 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.
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- $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.