News

Qatar Airways launches switch from QMiles to Avios

23 Mar 2022 by Tom Otley
Qatar Airways Avios Switch-screen-1

Qatar Airways has launched its integration with Avios.

Members of its Privilege Club will now have their QMiles currency converted into Avios and will from earn miles in the Avios currency.

Travellers who have both a Privilege Club account and a British Airways Executive Club account can link them, and see both accounts on a single dashboard.

In addition, Qatar Airways has reformed its allotment of reward seats on flights.

The change means there will be more seats for Privilege Club members to book using Avios.

For many routes, it will be advantageous for members of the reward programmes of British Airways (British Airways Executive Club), Iberia (Iberia Plus), Aer Lingus (Aer Club) and Vueling (Vueling Club) to redeem Avios with Qatar Airways to destinations through Doha.

The reason is that although the surcharges have risen for members of Privilege Club, they are still substantially lower than if redeeming through the BAEC programme.

BA-surcharge-costs

(Note that award tickets for First Class are not available on A380 services to or from London. Business or First Class award flight requests are not valid for infants – below 2 years).

Qatar Airways Avios Switch-screen-2

As an introductory promotion, from March 23-31 members of the Privilege Club will receive a bonus of 10,000 bonus Avios in business or first class, or 5,000 bonus Avios in economy class, when they book their next flight using cash and Avios 31 March 31, 2022 using the promo code QRAVIOS.

The advantage of using cash and Avios is that if there is no availability for a ‘pure’ reward ticket, you can simply book a revenue ticket but reduce the cost using Avios.

For those redeeming miles for reward flights in Qatar Airways business class, access is also granted to the airline’s lounges in Doha International, something that is not true of all of its business class tickets (Classic, Comfort and Elite, with Classic not including lounge access).

Qatar Airways Avios Switch-screen-3

British Airways Executive Club members can combine their Avios accounts and have unlimited transfers of their Avios balances between accounts, without balance limitations or transfer fees.

Current Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can effect a transition into the loyalty programme’s new reward currency, Avios, with their existing Qmiles balances changing automatically to Avios on a 1:1 ratio basis.

The amount of Avios for award flight redemptions will remain the same as it previously did with Qmiles.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, stated: “As we come out of the most difficult two years in the industry, we want to thank our passengers who have supported us and kept us flying, by taking this chance to reward them in a meaningful way. Adopting Avios maximises our members’ opportunities to earn and spend rewards across the globe, anticipating their needs after this difficult period. This is a testament to our determination of offering the best experiences for our members, reflecting our journey to perfect our loyalty programme. We look forward to continuing the expansion of our customer benefits, in search of new ways to give our members a chance to collect Avios.”

CEO of IAG Loyalty, Mr. Adam Daniels, said: “In recognising the power of Avios, Qatar Airways is now able to offer greater flexibility and richer rewards for its members. The arrival of guaranteed award seats on its network and the ability for members to combine their Avios balances are two great examples of just this. Qatar Airways are looking to redefine loyalty for the Privilege Club’s global member base, we – at IAG Loyalty – look forward to working with them on this significant journey”.

IAG Loyalty and Qatar Airways say they are working to introduce new customer benefits from the partnership, as well as more ways to earn and collect Avios around the world, in the coming months. Future benefits will include an extensive list of both airline and non-airline partnerships, including telecom, retail, lifestyle, financial services and much more.

Privilege Club recently extended tier status for members, with all Silver, Gold and Platinum members whose tier status is due for renewal between December 2021 and December 2022 being automatically extended to 31 December 2022.

 

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