Qatar Airways has announced a revamp of the number of Qmiles needed to redeem award flights within its Privilege Club loyalty programme, with selected rates reduced by as much as 49 per cent.
The carrier said that the reductions included direct services from Doha, as well as connecting flights through Hamad International. A number of example rate reductions have been highlighted, including:
Business class return flights
- Doha (DOH) to London (LHR) reduced by 26 per cent from 116,000 to 86,000 Qmiles
- Sao Paulo (GRU) to Tokyo (HND) reduced by 49 per cent from 391,000 to 200,000 Qmiles
- Auckland (AKL) to Los Angeles (LAX) reduced by 45 per cent from 434,000 to 240,000 Qmiles
- Paris (CDG) to Bangkok (BKK) reduced by 40 per cent from 251,000 to 150,000 Qmiles
Economy class return flights
- Mumbai (BOM) to New York (JFK) reduced by 39 per cent from 131,500 to 80,000 Qmiles
It’s not clear if rates have been reduced across all routes, or just on selected services – Business Traveller has contacted the airline and will post any response here.
Qatar Airways also said that members booking flexi award tickets (which require twice the number of Qmiles) would also benefit from the reduction in rates.
Earlier this year Qatar Airways changed its Qmiles expiry policy, with miles now valid for 36 months when a member earns or spends within their Privilege Club account. Booking fees were also recently removed for award flight redemptions.
The carrier also said that “Members booking business class award flights will continue to receive complimentary lounge access – including to Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge at HIA – and seat allocation”.
This follows the introduction of a new “classic” business class fare which does not include lounge access.
Qatar Airways introduces ‘classic’ business class fare with no lounge access
Commenting on the news Qatar Airways chief commercial officer Thierry Antinori, said:
“Your Qmiles now take you further when you travel with us on medium, long and ultra-long haul flights. We have increased their power in an important effort to ensure that our valued Qatar Airways Privilege Club members will be amply rewarded for their loyalty.
“This step is a part of the wider transformation of our loyalty programme that has seen a number of enhancements this year – with more exciting changes to follow in the coming months. Our aim is to establish and cement ourselves as the leading airline loyalty programme in the Middle East and among the best in the world.”
