Qatar Airways Introduces Seat Selection Fees for Business Class Award Tickets

Updated: November 6, 2025, 8:50am CST

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Qatar Airways Adds Advance Seat Fees to Saver-Level Business Awards
Final Thoughts

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Qatar Airways, best known for its luxurious Qsuite business class, has made a small but notable change for travelers booking with miles.

Starting this month, passengers redeeming points for saver-level business class awards will need to pay if they want to choose their seats in advance — unless they hold Oneworld elite status.

Here’s what you need to know.

Qatar Airways Adds Advance Seat Fees to Saver-Level Business Awards

As first reported by One Mile at a Time, Qatar Airways has begun charging seat selection fees on business class award tickets booked in the “U” fare bucket, which includes most saver-level redemptions through its Privilege Club and partner loyalty programs.

The policy, which took effect this month, November 2025, brings award bookings more in line with the airline’s lower-priced paid business class fares.

I redeemed 70,000 American AAdvantage miles to book Qatar’s Qsuites between the U.S. and the Middle East. — Qatar Airways will now charge flyers to choose their seats when booking Qsuites or other business class saver awards. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

If you’re booking a more flexible “Flexi” award, you won’t be affected. And as before, all travelers can select seats for free during online check-in, which typically opens 24 to 48 hours before departure. The new fees mainly impact those who want to lock in specific seats ahead of time.

There’s good news for frequent flyers, though: Travelers with Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status — including American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum and Executive Platinum members or British Airways Silver and Gold members — can still choose seats for free.

Qatar Airways isn’t the first major carrier to make this move. Air France and KLM introduced similar seat selection fees for business class back in April 2023, signaling a broader industry shift toward unbundling traditional perks.

Qatar Airways hasn’t confirmed what seat fees cost across the board, but travelers can expect prices to vary widely — from as little as around $25 on short-haul routes to a few hundred dollars on long-haul international flights.

Hot Tip:

If you have Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status, make sure to include your frequent flyer number when booking. You’ll still get complimentary advance seat assignments on Qatar Airways business class awards — an easy way to save money and snag your preferred seat early.

Final Thoughts

It’s a bit of a letdown to see Qatar Airways start charging for seat selection on saver business class award tickets, but it’s not exactly surprising. More airlines are taking this route, unbundling perks that used to be included — even for premium travelers.

While Qatar’s onboard experience remains among the best in the world, those booking with Avios or partner miles should expect to pay a little extra if they want to secure a specific seat before check-in.