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Quick Points: Here's how you can easily get into the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge in Doha

June 23, 2023
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4 min read
Al Safwa First Class Lounge entrance
Quick Points: Here's how you can easily get into the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge in Doha
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Qatar Airways is famous for its world-class travel experience, especially if you're traveling in a premium cabin. And the carrier's flagship Al Safwa First Lounge at Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha is spacious, opulent and on the bucket list of many avid travelers.

Passengers who can access this facility enjoy sit-down dining, private nap rooms and even a hot tub in the spa.

Al Safwa First Lounge
Al Safwa First Lounge
Al Safwa First Lounge
Al Safwa First Lounge
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Unfortunately, the airline flies two-cabin planes between the U.S. and the carrier's hub that aren't outfitted with first class. While the Qsuite business-class product flying U.S. routes is one of the best in the world, passengers only get access to the airline's Al Mourjan Business Lounge. This is still a fantastic lounge — but it's not first class.

Oneworld elite status notably won't get you into the Al Safwa First Lounge. Instead, there are just three published ways to access it:

  • Flying in Qatar Airways first class (explained below).
  • Purchasing entry for 600 Qatari riyals (around $165) if traveling on a business-class ticket (excludes upgrades).
  • Traveling in full-fare business class as a Privilege Club Platinum member (including up to two guests).

Qatar Airways flies first class on a very limited (and declining) number of high-yield, long-haul routes, such as to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), London's Heathrow Airport (LHR), and Australia's Sydney Airport (SYD) and Perth Airport (PER).

The airline's "real" first-class cabin. ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Here's the tip: Qatar classifies its business-class cabin on flights to neighboring countries in the Middle East (think: United Arab Emirates, Oman and Jordan) as "first class," meaning these passengers can access the Al Safwa First Lounge, too.

Qatar Airways Airbus A350-1000 parked at Doha (DOH)
Even standard 2-2 business-class cabins are classified as "first class" on Gulf routes. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

The most common way someone living in the U.S. could take advantage of this option would be to book a Qsuite (business-class) flight from the U.S. to Doha using American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles or British Airways, Iberia or Qatar Airways Avios (transferable from all major flexible points currencies). Then you could add a "first-class" flight from Doha to a nearby destination such as Dubai International Airport (DXB), Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) or Muscat International Airport (MCT) for as few as 21,000 Avios plus $110 in taxes.

And that's exactly what I'm doing three months from now. I have redeemed 70,000 British Airways Avios to fly business class from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Doha. Then I have a separate award redemption using 21,000 Avios to fly onward to Muscat in "first class."

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So that's 91,000 Avios in total for 14 hours in a lie-flat business-class seat with a sliding privacy door from Houston to Doha, followed by eight hours — planned on purpose — in the first-class lounge, finishing up with a short 90-minute flight to Muscat.

And during my time in the lounge, I'm looking forward to sitting down to a multicourse meal, enjoying a quiet siesta and perhaps even getting a relaxing massage before continuing on my journey to Oman.

ZACH HONIG/THE POINTS GUY

The next time you travel on Qatar Airways, consider using this tip to gain access to the Al Safwa First Lounge.

Featured image by ZACH HONIG/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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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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  • $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.
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