Is it still possible to book Qatar Airways Qsuite awards using American AAdvantage miles?

Qatar Airways' acclaimed Qsuite has consistently ranked as one of the finest business-class offerings globally.

The Qsuite experience includes private suites with sliding doors and high walls (providing remarkable privacy), on-demand dining options, and an outstanding ground experience at Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha. In summary, flying Qsuite is a fantastic way to travel.

But it gets even better.

This product has generally been available for booking with points and miles, particularly when arranged in advance and with some date flexibility. For many travelers based in the U.S., this has revolved around the American Airlines AAdvantage program, which has historically provided Qsuite redemptions at competitive prices — even with a published award chart.

Recently, TPG readers have inquired whether this business-class suite is still available for booking with AA miles. Continue reading to discover more, along with tips on how to maximize the value of your AA miles.

Essential information for booking Qsuite with AA miles

AAdvantage has implemented dynamic pricing for flights operated by American Airlines. However, for now, redemptions on Oneworld and other partner airlines continue to utilize a zone-based award chart, and the redemption rates are excellent. These airlines include Qatar, British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, and Iberia.

To fly Qatar Qsuite one-way from the U.S. to the Middle East or Indian subcontinent, you will need only 70,000 American Airlines miles plus minimal taxes and fees.

You can also include a flight from Doha to various African cities that Qatar serves for just an additional 5,000 miles each way in business class. This means you can travel one-way from the U.S. to Africa for only 75,000 AAdvantage miles plus minimal taxes and fees.

If you're not near a Qatar Airways gateway, you might be able to find an itinerary that allows you to connect domestically in the U.S. with American or Alaska Airlines at the same cost.

Is it still possible to book Qsuite using AA miles?

Qatar Airways' strategy for releasing award seats has been somewhat erratic for a while. However, several unique events over the past two years may help clarify the current situation:

• In early 2022, Qatar Airways declared its switch to Avios as the loyalty currency for its Privilege Club program. This move aligned Privilege Club pricing with other programs using Avios, such as British Airways Executive Club, allowing for easy transfers between the programs at a 1:1 rate without any fees.
• In July 2022, American Airlines commenced flights to Doha for the first time, thus offering award seats on its routes alongside those operated by Qatar Airways.
• Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup, leading to a surge in demand for flights to its hub in Doha. Consequently, cash fares during the event were steep, and award availability was limited.

Business-class award availability on Qatar Airways has always been limited. However, in 2023, booking these award seats through partner programs like AAdvantage and British Airways Executive Club became nearly impossible.

This represented a significant shift, particularly since American charges 300,000 miles for its own business-class flights, while a partner award operated by Qatar only costs 70,000 miles.

Currently, only a few business-class awards are accessible on nonstop Qatar Airways flights between North America and Doha in either direction at the 70,000-mile rate, and these are all scheduled for the end of next year.

We did uncover a decent amount of business-class availability for 70,000 AAdvantage miles if you first take a domestic flight with American Airlines, followed by a long-haul Qatar Airways flight to Doha.

For instance, in February 2025, there are no available seats from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Doha on the nonstop service.

However, by adding a domestic stop, there are suddenly several February dates available at the 70,000-mile rate.

If you spot an itinerary with less than $20 in taxes and fees, it will consist of a mix of American Airlines and Qatar Airways flights. Conversely, if you encounter a route with taxes and fees exceeding $1,000, it will include a transatlantic flight in British Airways business class (followed by Qatar Airways to Doha). It's best to avoid British Airways due to its significant carrier-imposed surcharges.

You might need to experiment with different dates to secure the prices you desire while steering clear of British Airways, with more availability seen in 2025 compared to 2024. We're observing the best availability for connections to Qatar Airways flights at the following airports:

• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

If you can secure connecting flights at these low fares, why are Qatar flights unavailable for booking individually? It seems Qatar Airways employs married-segment logic when releasing award availability. This principle suggests there is lower demand for connecting itineraries compared to nonstop ones, resulting in more seats being offered.

Economy-class seats on Qatar Airways using AA miles are readily available on most routes, as Qatar does not offer a premium economy class.

Moreover, several Oneworld airlines — including Finnair and Iberia — now operate flights between the U.S. and Doha via Europe; there is excellent business class availability for the next 12 months. These flights require 70,000 Avios.

You can also use AAdvantage miles for flights operated by Etihad to the Middle East. Etihad boasts an excellent business-class offering, particularly on its new A350 aircraft. While Etihad is smaller than Qatar, it services several of the same U.S. gateways. Similar to Qatar, availability from the U.S. to Zayed International Airport (AUH) isn't great, but some seats can be secured in advance.

You might also have success applying the married-segment logic to find itineraries extending beyond Doha to other locations in the Middle East, South Asia, or Africa.

Unfortunately, we're no longer seeing extra Qsuite business-class seats released last minute from North America for booking with AAdvantage miles.

Lastly, consider booking Qsuite awards from other regions, such as Europe. These remain readily available and can be booked online using American miles or through partners like British Airways.

How to accumulate AAdvantage miles

In addition to flying with American (and its partners), a straightforward way to accumulate American AAdvantage miles is through American Airlines credit cards. For instance, you can sign up for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $7,000 in the first three months of opening your account (see rates and fees). This card also offers various benefits to enhance your travel experience with American.

Citi is a TPG advertising partner.

Additionally, you can earn AA miles through several nonflying activities, such as the AAdvantage shopping portal, the AAdvantage dining program, and the SimplyMiles platform.

Bottom line

Sadly, nonstop Qsuite redemptions on Qatar Airways using AAdvantage miles from the U.S. to Doha are mostly unavailable unless booked 11 months in advance. The silver lining is that if you include a domestic American Airlines segment first, you'll find better availability in business class for the 70,000-mile rate.

You might also think about booking AAdvantage award flights on these routes served by partner airlines such as Iberia, Finnair, and Etihad at the same low rate (subject to availability).