Qatar airlines

[wesheltonj]

I just read where Qatar airline is going to drop their frequent flyer program and change to Avios. That’s the frequent flyer program of BA and Iberia. I will post the article when I return home.

 

[Tanks]

Here you go:

Qatar Airways To Start Using Avios Frequent Flyer Points

The change will take effect next month, with existing members experiencing a 'seamless transition.'

simpleflying.com

 

[rinehart0050]

That's awesome news for Amex cardholders! Was previously a pain to transfer/redeem point with Qatar.

 

[sierraone]

That's awesome news for Amex cardholders! Was previously a pain to transfer/redeem point with Qatar.

I have been using airline frequent flyer miles for around 20 years although only a couple of times since covid hit. I have never "transferred miles/points from one airline to another. So does this news with Qatar allow me, if a member to transfer Qatar miles to my Amex card to Delta, or from Delta to Qatar?

 

[rinehart0050]

I have been using airline frequent flyer miles for around 20 years although only a couple of times since covid hit. I have never "transferred miles/points from one airline to another. So does this news with Qatar allow me, if a member to transfer Qatar miles to my Amex card to Delta, or from Delta to Qatar?

So I don't think you'll be able to transfer Delta points to Qatar and vice-versa. Additionally, those two airlines aren't partners either, so you can't use miles from one to book with another.

What this change does enable is to transfer amex points into avios, which can then be redeemed on Qatar. This wasn't possible with Amex before, as they didn't have a partnership with Qatar.

Additionally, I think this is no change for Chase Sapphire users, as they could already transfer chase points to Qatar.

At least, this is how i understand this change. Will be interesting to see once it goes into effect.

 

[sierraone]

So I don't think you'll be able to transfer Delta points to Qatar and vice-versa. Additionally, those two airlines aren't partners either, so you can't use miles from one to book with another.

What this change does enable is to transfer amex points into avios, which can then be redeemed on Qatar. This wasn't possible with Amex before, as they didn't have a partnership with Qatar.

Additionally, I think this is no change for Chase Sapphire users, as they could already transfer chase points to Qatar.

At least, this is how i understand this change. Will be interesting to see once it goes into effect.

Bear with me a minute. I found the connection earlier but can't find it now. It listed all of the airlines the Avios connection was compatible to. there were about 13 and Delta was one of them. I thought Delta was connected because my Amex Card is connected to Delta. I am still confused on what the benefit of this Qatar change is. I'll keep trying to figure it out tomorrow. For the years that I flew a lot, I had a credit card for Delta, American and United. And of course each of those had several airlines they were connected to. So this Avios thing using points is all new to me.

 

[Milo]

On a side note, I got this in my email from Alaska Air the other day:

Save $500 on a Business Class roundtrip ticket or $125 on an Economy Class roundtrip ticket using promo code ASQR22 for travel through October 31, 2022.* Just book from any of its 12 U.S. gateways, including daily service from Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Qatar Airways’ expanding network takes you to more than 140 destinations, including the Maldives, Johannesburg, Cairo and Dubai. Offer ends March 31, 2022.​

 

[rinehart0050]

Bear with me a minute. I found the connection earlier but can't find it now. It listed all of the airlines the Avios connection was compatible to. there were about 13 and Delta was one of them. I thought Delta was connected because my Amex Card is connected to Delta. I am still confused on what the benefit of this Qatar change is. I'll keep trying to figure it out tomorrow. For the years that I flew a lot, I had a credit card for Delta, American and United. And of course each of those had several airlines they were connected to. So this Avios thing using points is all new to me.

So I did some research. Avios are the frequent flyer currency for 3x airlines (+ Qatar soon). You can transfer avios between these airlines whenever you like:

Now, distinguishing between transferring and redeeming is key. You can redeem avios for flights on the following airlines (by booking through BA, Iberia, Aer Lingus, or Qatar's websites but on a partner carrier):

Sadly, not Delta. But I sure hope more airlines move to similar shared frequent flyer currency models. Will make redeeming miles earned across multiple airlines easier.

Here's a good write up on the Avios program:
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/ultimate-ba-avios-guide/

 

[Mountaineer]

I typically fly out of Washington DC. How many miles would it typically take fly from DC to SA or Namibia in coach for free on Qatar. Thanks

 

[jcnelsn1]

I typically fly out of Washington DC. How many miles would it typically take fly from DC to SA or Namibia in coach for free on Qatar. Thanks

There are whole websites dedicated to how to maximize miles and redemptions. I did a little looking and it looks like the best way to redeem for Qatar is to transfer your Avios points over to Japan Airlines and book the Qatar flight through JAL. I saw round trip q suite business class rewards from the U.S. to Doha can be had for 100,000 miles. That is an insane deal

 

[Mountaineer]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Philip Glass]

I have AA points from my CC and building quite a few Qmiles now from the recent trips. I need to be able to use all of them on AA and/or Qatar. I hope this does not complicate things but I’m sure it will.
A side note is that the airlines in question here are One World Alliance and Delta is Star Alliance. We are just lucky that AA and Delta have a baggage agreement as they do not cooperate in any way.
PG

 

[Nevada Mike]

I have a bunch of miles on AA, Delta, United, Air France, etc. as well as AMEX points.

I guess I'll have to look into some useful redemption program. Just paid Qatar and AA a fat amount for RT first class tickets to TZ. I thought I was through with all this crap...