Qatar Airways Privilege Club: A Guide to Earning and Redeeming Avios, Achieving Elite Status, and More

Qatar Airways ranks among the world's premier airlines, boasting a fantastic business class experience and exceptional lounges at Doha's Hamad International Airport (DOH). With an extensive route network, it connects to major U.S. airports like Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), and Philadelphia (PHL).

As a proud member of Oneworld, Qatar Airways offers its own loyalty program, the Qatar Airways Privilege Club, utilizing the increasingly popular Avios currency. This program allows you to earn and redeem Avios when flying with Qatar Airways and its Oneworld partners, plus it features three elite status tiers that provide frequent flyers with exclusive perks such as lounge access and preferred seating.

Are you new to the Qatar Airways Privilege Club? You're in the perfect spot. Here’s all you need to know about the program.

What exactly is Avios?

Avios serves as the currency for the following loyalty programs:

• British Airways Executive Club
• Iberia Plus
• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Finnair Plus

Avios can be transferred among all these programs at a 1:1 ratio, meaning each Avios holds equivalent value across them. However, redemption methods vary by program, allowing savvy users to maximize their value depending on how and where they utilize their Avios.

This guide highlights how to earn and redeem Avios through the Qatar Airways Privilege Club program.

Qatar Airways Elite Status

Qatar Airways offers three elite status tiers in addition to the entry-level Burgundy level: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. You can qualify for these tiers by accumulating a specific number of Qpoints while flying with Qatar Airways and its partners. Note that Qpoints are distinct from Avios and are solely used to determine your status. To find out how many Qpoints you will earn for each flight, utilize Qatar Airways' My Calculator.

Here’s a breakdown of the Qpoints required to achieve each tier. You must accumulate these within a single 12-month timeframe. After qualifying for Silver, you can advance to the next tier by earning additional points within 12 months; this marks your renewal date.

Fewer Qpoints are needed to maintain your elite status. You can either earn a reduced number of Qpoints within 12 months or a higher amount over 24 months, both calculated from your renewal date.

If you do not meet the renewal criteria, you will be downgraded to the highest tier for which you do qualify.

Moreover, to qualify, you must earn at least 20% of your Qpoints from flights that are marketed or operated by Qatar Airways. Alternatively, you can achieve this requirement by flying four segments on Qatar Airways during 12-month renewals or eight segments during 24-month renewals.

Elite Status Advantages

Silver (Oneworld Ruby) represents Qatar's lowest elite status tier and offers the following perks:

• Discounted seat reservations
• 25% bonus Avios
• Family member bonus
• Lounge access (no guests allowed)
• Two guest lounge passes
• Complimentary checked baggage
• Priority boarding and check-in
• Priority wait-listing

Gold status (Oneworld Sapphire) encompasses all the benefits of Silver status, along with these additional perks:

• Preferred seating options
• Guaranteed economy award tickets
• 75% bonus Avios
• 5% discount on redemptions
• Waivers for award fees
• Lounge access (with one guest)
• Four guest lounge passes
• Priority handling for baggage
• Additional baggage allowance
• Priority phone assistance
• Al Maha Gold service

Qatar's highest-tier Platinum elite status equates to the esteemed Oneworld Emerald status. This level includes all benefits from Gold status, plus these additional perks:

• 100% bonus Avios
• Lounge access (with two guests), including first-class lounge access when traveling in business class
• Five guest lounge passes

How to accumulate Avios with the Qatar Airways Privilege Club

Cardless Credit Cards

Cardless has recently introduced two new co-branded credit cards with Qatar Airways.

The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card, which carries an annual fee of $499, offers:

• A welcome bonus of up to 70,000 Avios: 45,000 Avios after your first transaction, plus an additional 25,000 Avios and 150 Qpoints after spending $5,000 within the first 90 days; this is slightly less than the current welcome bonuses available on Chase's three Avios-earning credit cards
• 5 Avios for every dollar spent on Qatar Airways purchases, 3 Avios for each dollar spent at restaurants, and 1 Avios per dollar spent on all other transactions
• 2 Qpoints for every 1,500 Avios earned
• A complimentary one-year Qatar Airways Privilege Club Gold status
• Visa Infinite perks, including concierge services, access to the Luxury Hotel Collection, and rental car benefits

The details regarding the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite and Signature cards have been independently gathered by Dinogo. The information provided on this page has not been reviewed or supplied by the card issuer.

With this card, you can essentially purchase Gold status in the program for an annual fee of $499. Additionally, the 150 Qpoints included in the welcome offer will put you 25% of the way toward achieving Platinum status.

The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card, the alternative co-branded card, has a $99 annual fee and offers:

• A welcome bonus of up to 50,000 Avios: 30,000 Avios after your first purchase, plus an additional 20,000 Avios after you spend $3,000 within the first 90 days
• 4 Avios for every dollar spent on Qatar Airways purchases, 2 Avios for each dollar spent at restaurants, and 1 Avios per dollar spent on all other transactions
• 2 Qpoints for every 2,000 Avios earned
• Automatic Silver status with Qatar Airways Privilege Club

Citi ThankYou Rewards

U.S. travelers can easily earn Qatar Avios by transferring Citi ThankYou Rewards points to the Qatar Airways Privilege Club at a 1:1 ratio. Typically, the transfer takes about two days to complete.

If you still possess the Citi Prestige® Card, which is no longer available for new applicants, you can transfer your ThankYou Rewards points to the Privilege Club.

Similarly to Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can consolidate your Citi ThankYou Rewards points into one account for certain products. This allows you to convert your fixed-value earnings from cards like the Citi Rewards+® Card (see rates and fees) and the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) into fully transferable ThankYou points.

The information regarding the Citi Prestige has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The card details presented here have not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Transfer options are available from other Avios programs.

You can transfer Avios between British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, or Aer Lingus AerClub at a 1:1 ratio in any direction.

These cards currently provide attractive welcome bonuses that you can easily convert to Avios in the three mentioned programs (and then transfer to Qatar Airways Privilege Club):

• American Express® Gold Card: Receive 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first six months. Additionally, enjoy 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) during this period. Terms apply.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Get 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first six months. See if you qualify for a higher welcome offer via CardMatch (offer may change). Terms apply.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, plus a $300 statement credit on Chase Travel℠ purchases in the first year.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Transfer options are available from Marriott Bonvoy.

You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Qatar Airways Privilege Club at a 3:1 ratio. Plus, when you transfer 60,000 points, you'll receive a bonus of 5,000 Avios, resulting in 25,000 Privilege Club Avios for the transfer.

Earn Avios by flying with Qatar Airways.

You can accumulate Avios when you take paid flights operated by Qatar Airways worldwide. The amount of Avios earned varies based on your cabin and fare class. While Qatar Airways Privilege Club still credits Avios based on distance traveled, be aware that discounted fare classes typically yield fewer Avios than premium fares.

Check out this table that outlines how you can earn Avios on Qatar flights.

Utilize Qatar's online calculator to find details for your specific itinerary.

Earn Avios through program partners.

You can also accumulate Qatar Avios when flying with any of the following Oneworld airlines:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Fiji Airways (Oneworld Connect partner; set to fully join the Oneworld alliance by 2025)
• Finnair
• Iberia, including Iberia Express and Air Nostrum
• Japan Airlines
• Malaysia Airlines
• Qantas, including QantasLink and Jetconnect
• Royal Air Maroc
• Royal Jordanian Airlines
• S7 Airlines (currently suspended)
• SriLankan Airlines

Additionally, Qatar Airways Privilege Club partners with these airlines outside the Oneworld alliance:

• Bangkok Airways
• JetBlue
• LATAM
• Middle East Airlines
• Oman Air (set to join the Oneworld alliance in 2024)
• RwandAir
• Virgin Australia

Flights operated by these airlines adhere to Qatar Airways' earning structure, but you can consult the calculator for additional details.

How to Redeem Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios

Using Avios to book flights with Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways' award-winning Qsuite is often regarded as one of the top business-class products in the world. Even their economy service is a commendable choice. Here are the prices for popular one-way trips per person on any date (note that peak and off-peak pricing now applies).

Availability can be scarce, particularly in premium cabins, so booking well in advance increases your chances of securing seats on your desired dates.

Off-peak business class redemption rates are an excellent way to use Qatar Avios, provided you can find availability, thanks to the airline's outstanding service.

Upgrading Flights on Qatar Airways Using Avios

You can also apply your Qatar Avios to upgrade paid flights with the airline. Utilize the airline's calculator to determine the upgrade cost for a specific flight based on your route and fare class.

For instance, you can upgrade the lowest economy fare from the East Coast to Doha to a business-class seat on the same route for 55,000 Avios one-way. This is not significantly cheaper than booking an award ticket, so we suggest avoiding this option unless you've secured an exceptionally low cash fare.

Moreover, you must find available upgrade space to successfully upgrade your ticket. This can be done by contacting the airline or trying to upgrade your ticket online.

Using Avios to Book Partner Flights

Qatar has reduced the award prices for many flights operated by partners, aligning them with other Avios programs. Here’s the award chart for all Qatar Airways Privilege Club partner redemptions, including Oneworld members and additional carriers, excluding flights 3,000 miles and shorter and those operated by American Airlines and Alaska Airlines:

Booking flights for as little as 6,000 Avios is an amazing opportunity.

Due to a recent devaluation, short-haul flights operated by American Airlines and Alaska Airlines now have updated pricing:

You can easily redeem various partner awards, including flights from American Airlines, JetBlue, British Airways, and Virgin Australia, online. For Qatar Avios on a partner flight that isn’t available online, contact Qatar Airways Privilege Club at 800-988-6128. Keep in mind that their call center operates only during weekday business hours.

To view partner flight schedules, click on "Book my award flight" on Qatar's website. You can request to book a partner flight, and a Qatar agent will handle your reservation if award availability permits. We advise against this option due to the rapidly changing award space. Instead, consider transferring your Avios to British Airways for more online partner flight options.

Alternative options for redemption

You can also redeem your Qatar Avios for merchandise, duty-free goods, hotel accommodations, and more. However, we typically advise against these types of redemptions, as they often provide less value than a free flight, sometimes bringing the value down to half a cent per Avios or even lower.

In summary

Qatar Airways offers exceptional services both on the ground and in the air. If you haven't experienced long-haul business class yet, the renowned Qsuite to Doha and beyond is an excellent choice.

Although the program was once overlooked due to uncompetitive pricing and complicated booking options, the introduction of the popular Avios currency in 2022 has provided new opportunities to easily earn and redeem Avios within the program.

The ability to seamlessly transfer Avios across five airline loyalty programs greatly enhances the program's appeal, especially now that Qatar Airways Privilege Club offers similar short-haul pricing, which many find beneficial when redeeming Avios through the British Airways Executive Club program.