Qatar Airways will soon use Avios as its loyalty currency
Qatar Airways Privilege Club has announced it will adopt Avios as its new points currency, replacing Qmiles.
The news will be welcomed by members of British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus Aer Club and Vueling Club who already use Avios as their currency.
While details are yet to be announced, it's likely members of loyalty programs will be able to exchange Avios in and out of Privilege Club – opening the doors to more ways to earn and redeem Avios. Moving Avios between British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus is already a popular option for savvy travelers.
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If this Avios exchange is offered, this means anyone with Avios in any program will be able to upgrade flights on Qatar Airways by transferring Avios into Privilege Club. Qatar's QSuite is widely regarded as one of the world's best business-class products, so having another way to book this product would be an exciting development.
Privilege Club members with existing Qmiles when the conversion to Avios takes place (by late March), will have their Qmiles converted at a rate of 1 to 1. There will be no change to the expiration date of Qmiles once they convert to Avios. Additionally, there'll be no change to redemption rates — a Privilege Club redemption will cost the same number of miles regardless of whether they are Qmiles or Avios.
"The transition from Qmiles to Avios marks a groundbreaking new era for Privilege Club, enabling our loyal members to participate in the most compelling loyalty network and the largest portfolio of partners in the industry. We look forward to revealing more details of this exciting change over the coming weeks, as we explore even more ways to reward our valued members both on and off the ground," said Qatar Airways group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker.
While Qatar Airways is already a member of the Oneworld alliance along with fellow Avios adopters British Airways and Iberia, the airline's connection with Avios runs even deeper. Qatar Airways is also the largest shareholder of International Airlines Group, which in turn owns each airline that uses Avios as its currency.
Related: The ultimate guide to Qatar Airways Privilege Club
More details will be announced closer to the transition date, but for now, anyone with Qmiles or Avios should be optimistic that there will be even more earning and redemption options to come later this year.
Photo by Zach Griff / The Points Guy.
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