Qatar Airways silently reintroduces redemption fees per segment

In February, we learned that Qatar Airways would soon use Avios as its loyalty currency. Then, in March, Qatar launched Avios transfers and British Airways lowered the price of Qsuite awards. TPG even wrote about why Qatar's switch to Avios is huge news for Citi ThankYou points.

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However, now the good news is souring a bit. On March 31, Qatar Privilege Club silently reintroduced redemption fees per segment on Qatar-operated flights after removing them in 2020. This change was first noticed by LoyaltyLobby.

To check the redemption fee on an award, you'll need to go through the booking process on Qatar's website until you reach the "trip summary" page and can finally click on "fare breakdown."

The redemption fee is $35 per segment on Qatar-operated economy flights, as you can see on this economy flight award from Atlanta to Male, Maldives, via Doha, Qatar:

Further, the redemption fee is $70 per segment on Qatar-operated business flights, as you can see on this business-class award from Atlanta to Male via Doha:

Related: Sunny with a few rough spots: Qatar Qsuite on an A350-1000 from Houston to Doha

The redemption fee is 260 Qatari riyals (about $71) per segment on Qatar-operated first-class flights, as you can see on this first-class award on a Cathay Pacific-configured 777-300ER from Doha to Male:

And to make matters worse, British Airways is passing on surcharges when you book Qatar-operated flights with British Airways Avios.

When you reach the "Your price quote" page when booking a Qatar-operated award through British Airways, click on the "i" next to "Taxes, fees and carrier charges per person." For a two-segment business-class award from Atlanta to Muscat, Oman, via Doha, I saw the following:

This shows that British Airways passes on Qatar's $70-per-segment redemption fee.

Related: How Qatar Airways' new 787-9 business class compares to Qsuite

You won't need to pay the redemption fee when redeeming Qatar Avios for a British Airways-operated flight, though. For example, here's a look at the Qatar Avios, fees and taxes when booking a British Airways-operated flight from London to Madrid:

But, if you booked this same flight with British Airways Avios, you'd only need to redeem 11,750 Avios and pay $1.

Although Qatar isn't charging a redemption fee for British Airways flights, you'll still want to avoid using Qatar Avios for these flights.

We couldn't quickly confirm whether Qatar charges a redemption fee for other partner awards. Even though I have enough Qatar Avios to book an American Airlines-operated award, Qatar only gives me the option to request a partner award ticket and then wait for an email.

Related: Watch us fly Qatar Airways 2 different ways: Qsuite business class vs. economy

Bottom line

Overall, the addition of this redemption fee is a negative for anyone who was excited about redeeming Qatar Avios for Qatar-operated flights. Unless you want to originate or terminate in Doha, you'll need four segments on Qatar if you plan to fly with the airline round-trip. You'd need to pay $140 in redemption fees per person in economy (and $280 in redemption fees per person in premium cabins) for a four-segment round-trip itinerary.

Redeeming American Airlines miles for Qsuite awards remains a more compelling option if you can earn enough American Airlines miles. After all, the taxes and fees on Qatar-operated flights booked with American Airlines are still modest. For example, you can redeem 70,000 AAdvantage miles plus $42 to fly from Atlanta to Male via Doha:

Related: Sweet Spot Sunday: Fly Qatar business from the US to South Africa for 75,000 miles and $16