Qatar Airways increases cash surcharge on award seat redemptions
Qatar Airways has increased the carrier-imposed surcharges on redemptions for flights it operates in all classes without notice.
While the airline had previously imposed small surcharges (an additional cash payment unrelated to the compulsory airport fees and government taxes), these amounts, which the airline calls a "redemption fee," have increased.
Qatar Airways increased redemption fee surcharge
The redemption fee is payable through any program that passes along these costs to its members, including Qatar Airways Privilege Club and British Airways Executive Club. The American Airlines AAdvantage and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan programs do not impose these surcharges, so there will be less cash out of pocket when booking through American or Alaska. However, these programs generally have access to less Qatar Airways business-class availability than the Avios programs.
Qatar Airways initially imposed much higher redemption fee increases over the weekend, adding several hundred dollars per leg, which would have been a truly worrying change. However, the airline quickly rolled these back to more reasonable increases, stating that the initial prices were "higher than intended," as first reported by Head for Points.
The airline also claims that short- and medium-haul fees have decreased; however, all routes from the U.S. and Europe checked by TPG have increased by varying amounts. Business-class rates have seen higher increases, while economy redemptions have only suffered small increases.
Here are the previous redemption fees on popular routes, showing the newly increased fee one-way, per person:
| Route | Avios required (through Qatar Airways Privilege Club or British Airways Executive Club) | Previous fees, taxes and surcharges | New fees, taxes and surcharges |
|---|---|---|---|
New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Doha's Hamad International Airport (DOH) in business class | 70,000 (off-peak) or 140,000 (peak) | $99.85 | $236.55 |
JFK to DOH in economy | 35,000 (off-peak) or 47,500 (peak) | $64.85 | $135.62 |
JFK to India's Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in business class | 80,000 (off-peak) or 160,000 (peak) | $201.50 | $302.28 |
JFK to DEL in economy | 40,000 (off-peak) or 48,000 (peak) | $135 | $186.18 |
JFK to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | 95,000 (off-peak) or 190,000 (peak) | $206.40 | $329.93 |
JFK to BKK in economy | 47,500 (off-peak) or 57,000 (peak) | $136.40 | $197.66 |
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) in economy | 37,500 (off-peak) or 45,000 (peak) | $136.40 | $187.50 |
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Bali, Indonesia's Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in economy | 40,000 (off-peak) or 48,000 (peak) | $172 | $195 |
What does this mean for travelers?
Increases in points and miles needed to book a flight or to the associated fees, taxes and surcharges (commonly known as a "devaluation") are never welcome but are an unfortunate reality of the loyalty industry. When these devaluations occur without notice, they are especially unpleasant, as they do not allow members to redeem their points and miles at previous rates and create distrust in a program that relies on members' trust and continued loyalty.
The initial huge redemption fee increases were worrying. However, the revised amounts are a fairly mild increase, and with no increases to the amount of Avios required through Qatar Airways Privilege Club or British Airways Executive Club, they still represent good value.
With other programs charging over $1,000 in carrier-imposed surcharges for one-way flights to Europe, paying 70,000 Avios plus $236.55 in fees, taxes and surcharges (which is an increase of about $135) for a 12-hour flight in Qatar Airways' award-winning Qsuite business class is still a terrific deal for a such a premium product. Not to mention, it remains an excellent way to redeem transferable credit card points given that Avios partners with all major currencies.
How to earn Avios
Qatar Airways Privilege Club is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards.
You can also transfer Avios from British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus and Aer Lingus AerClub at a 1:1 rate in any direction.
The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses that you could easily convert to Avios:
- American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 on purchases within the first six months from account opening.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Bottom line
Qatar Airways' no-notice redemption fee increase is unwelcome but relatively mild compared with the more severe devaluations in other programs we have seen in 2024. The Avios required through Qatar Airways Privilege Club or British Airways Executive Club still represent solid value, and using these programs is still a great way to redeem credit card points.
While you can find availability through the American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan programs, the redemption fee surcharge is not applied, so it's a good idea to explore all your options, including through Qatar Airways Privilege Club and British Airways Executive Club, before booking with Avios.
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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. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$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. (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.