Qatar Airways has recently announced a significant reduction in award ticket prices for its partner airlines, offering great value for Avios users. This change is especially beneficial for those traveling to the Middle East, South America, and Australia.

Much-Needed Change for Qatar Airways’ Prices

Before integrating with Avios, Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club charged higher prices for all oneworld partner tickets. Booking or changing flights was also challenging due to the lack of an online platform. However, since the adoption of Avios in 2022, Privilege Club members have been transferring their miles to the British Airways Executive Club to redeem with oneworld partners instead.

Now, Qatar Airways has substantially cut the prices of its partner awards by up to 50% in some cases, creating value for Avios users.

New Award Chart for Partners of Qatar Airways

Effective from 18th June, Qatar has a new award chart for partners. The biggest changes include larger distance brackets, which can greatly affect pricing, and over 60% discounts on long-haul routes.

For example, a one-way economy ticket from Frankfurt to Doha has decreased from 35,000 miles to just 13,000 miles, while a one-way business ticket has decreased from 70,000 miles to 38,750 miles. However, the best value isn’t found with oneworld partners, as Qatar is matching British Airways’ prices on most routes, but with Privilege Club’s own partners.

Partner Award Chart
(from 19th June, 2023)

Flying with Non-Oneworld Airlines

Each airline program is unique, and Privilege Club has six partners that you won’t find on the Executive Club, including Bangkok Airways, LATAM, Middle East Airlines (MEA), RwandAir, and Virgin Australia. Oman Air is also a partner but only offers one route: Doha to Muscat. However, the change in miles requirements affects all carriers, making flying with these six partners far cheaper.

Avios users can now book a Singapore to Koh Samui ticket for just 6,000 Avios in economy or 12,500 in business – half the previous rate. Similarly, passengers can book a Melbourne to Sydney ticket for just 6,000 miles or a Perth to Melbourne business ticket for 22,000 miles with Virgin Australia.

Middle East Airlines also opens up some interesting options due to its substantial regional and European network. Dubai to London Heathrow (via Beirut) could be a new opening to avoid the usual carriers and their high taxes.

Booking Challenges

While this change presents great opportunities for Avios users, Qatar’s booking system is somewhat primitive. Passengers must call or submit a form to book tickets, and it must be done 96 hours in advance. Additionally, there is no way to check availability with Privilege Club, although British Airways’ website usually has all the necessary information. Nevertheless, with these prices easily beating other redemptions with non-oneworld partners, Qatar Airways has given passengers a great sweet spot for travel with its partners.

In conclusion, Qatar Airways’ cuts in award ticket prices for partner airlines offer great value for Avios users, particularly for travel to the Middle East, South America, and Australia. While booking can be challenging, the potential savings make it worth the effort.

Are you an Avios user, and if so, how do you plan to take advantage of Qatar Airways’ reduced partner award ticket prices?

Also, you might be interested in reading: Qatar Airways Welcomes First New Airbus A350 After Long Wait