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.

Related: How to transfer your Avios between British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Aer Lingus accounts

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:

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.

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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.

Related: Qatar Airways Qsuite review: Still setting the standard for business class (and a mileage sweet spot)

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.