Qatar Airways Adopts Avios & BA Slashes QR Redemption Costs

Qatar Airways has officially replaced Qmiles with Avios. 

From March 22, 2022, passengers wishing to use points to redeem flights on Qatar Airways flights through Qatar’s website will now use Avios instead of Qmiles.

“The transition from Qmiles to Avios marks a ground-breaking new year for Privilege Club, enabling our loyal members to participate in the most compelling loyalty network and the largest portfolio of partners in the industry,” said His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive.

Here’s what you need to know.

Qatar Airways Now Uses Avios for Award Flights

This is certainly big news in the miles and frequent flyer world as it’s rare for an airline to completely scrap its own miles currency for that of another carrier.

Frequent Qatar flyers can rest assured their hard-earned Qmiles have been transferred to Avios at a rate of 1:1. There has been no change to the way that members of Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club are able to earn Qpoints and Qcredits.

Qatar’s adoption of Avios means that the popular miles currency can now be transferred between Qatar Airways and 3 other airlines within the International Airlines Group (IAG) of airlines that use the Avios: Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia.

Ultimately, this means more possibility to get the most value from your redemptions.

British Airways Slashes Cost of Qatar Airways Redemptions

It is still possible to use Avios to redeem flights on Qatar Airways, with one of the best ways being through British Airways’ website.

This brings us nicely onto a further exciting update: British Airways has slashed the cost of Qatar Airways reward flights when booking through ba.com.

Why is this so great? Well, first of all, the British Airways Executive Club is an Amex airline partner, Capital One airline partner, and Chase airline partner, meaning you can convert the points you earn in those programs to Avios.

It’s far easier to earn points for the aforementioned programs than it is to earn American AAdvantage miles, the alternative program to consider when booking flights with Qatar Airways.

Better still, you can now book a nonstop Qatar Airways flight from New York (JFK) to Doha (DOH) in the airline’s coveted QSuites for 70,000 Avios and just ~$103!

For double the Avios and just $225, you can even fly the very same QSuites from the East Coast all the way to Australia!

Hot Tip: Even if you’re based in the U.S., there are many ways you can earn lots of Avios!

Qatar’s Limited-Time Bonus Avios Offers

Qatar is currently offering 2 opportunities for its members to earn bonus Avios.

If you are a new member, you can join Qatar Airways Privilege Club by March 31, 2022, and earn 2,500 Avios when using “enrolment code” FLYQR3 (new members must be 18 years old or older). These Avios can be easily transferred to British Airways once you link your accounts.

If you pay with Cash + Avios on your next booking (promo code QRAVIOS) through March 31, 2022, you will earn 5,000 bonus Avios for economy bookings and 10,000 bonus Avios for business or first class bookings.

Final Thoughts

Qatar Airways has ditched its own points currency and replaced it with Avios.

Not only that, but British Airways has reduced the cost for Avios redemptions on Qatar Airways flights.

This is great news for those wishing to experience the finest in Qatar Airways hospitality and fly across the world in the ultimate luxury.