Avios collectors have by now become accustomed to frustrations. In recent months, award flights with British Airways, as well as American, Alaska Airlines, and LATAM through the BA Executive Club, have become significantly more expensive. This devaluation was later extended to the Qatar Privilege Club, though in a somewhat milder form.
This past weekend, the next mileage devaluation occurred, this time affecting flights with Qatar Airways. Although the amount of Avios needed for the flights remained unchanged, the surcharges increased significantly. For a one-way ticket from Europe to Doha in business class, the surcharges have risen from €63 to €109. Flights to Australia are now 80% more expensive, and on some particularly long routes, the surcharges have nearly tripled.
The change affects bookings made through both the Qatar Privilege Club and the British Airways Executive Club. Programs of other airlines, such as Alaska Airlines (no fuel surcharges) or Asia Miles (surcharges already higher than through QR/BA), remain unaffected for now.
Surcharges for award flights up to 188% higher
Unfortunately, Qatar Airways has not been very transparent about this change. It was introduced spontaneously over the weekend without prior notice. Initially, all surcharges were twice as high as intended. According to Qatar Airways, this was a mistake and has since been corrected.
At the same time, the company confirmed the changes in fees to LoyaltyLobby and stated:
Qatar Airways Privilege Club has transitioned our reward fees policy for redeeming Qatar Airways award flights from a sector-based model to a distance-based structure, effective today. Reward fees have decreased up to 15% or remained unchanged for several of our most popular short and medium-haul routes while others have increased representative of the distance travelled.
Accordingly, surcharges for some short routes were reduced by up to 15%, while others remained unchanged. Qatar Airways admits, however, that other amounts were increased and are now based on distance.
Qatar Airways, of course, only mentions percentage changes when it comes to the few short routes that saw price reductions. Thus, we did our own calculations and compared the fuel surcharges before and after the devaluation with a few examples. These all refer to one-way flights in business class:
| Route | Required Avios | Previous fees | New fees (Change) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doha – Dubai (sold as First Class) | 21,000 | ~ €63 | €55 (-13%) |
| Berlin – Doha | 43,000 | ~ €63 | €109 (+ 73%) |
| Doha – Singapore | 50,000 | ~ €63 | €109 (+ 98%) |
| Doha – Adelaide | 70,000 | ~ €63 | €182 (+ 188%) |
| Doha – Auckland | 70,000 | ~ €63 | €182 (+ 188%) |
| Berlin – Doha – Singapore | 75,000 | ~ €126 | €164 (+ 30%) |
| Berlin – Doha – Adelaide | 90,000 | ~ €126 | €227 (+ 80%) |
It’s evident that very short routes within the Middle East have indeed become cheaper. But this doesn’t overshadow the fact that all the truly interesting routes are now significantly more expensive. Those flying from Europe to Australia now have to pay €100 more. From Doha to Australia & New Zealand, the surcharge has risen by €120, making it 188% more expensive than before!
The table only considers surcharges imposed by the airline. Actual taxes and fees, ranging from approximately €30 to €120 (depending on the departure airport), are additional and not influenced by Qatar Airways.
Let’s take a quick look at the example of Berlin – Doha – Adelaide (one-way) in Qatar’s business class. Previously, 90,000 Avios plus €267 in taxes and fees were required. We had used this route as an example of sweet spots earlier in the year. Of that amount, US$140 (~€119) was the airline surcharge, and the rest went to actual taxes and fees.
Now, it’s €100 more, due to the redemption fee, which has now increased to €227. The required amount of Avios remains the same at 90,000 Avios in the low season.
According to Qatar Airways, the booking fee is non-refundable. However, this seems to be an error on the website. Based on experience, cancellation up to 24 hours before departure only incurs a US$25 (~€21) cancellation fee (at the QR Privilege Club) or €43 at the BA Executive Club.
The last devaluation for Qatar flights was less than a year ago
The last devaluation for award flights with Qatar Airways wasn’t too long ago. Back then, a distinction between peak and off-peak travel times was introduced without any prior notice. On certain days, flights now cost 20% to 35% more miles than before. This change was also not announced in advance:
Conclusion
Oneworld frequent flyers have had a tough time lately. Finnair Plus has seen several price increases for award flights since 2023. In the British Airways Executive Club, one price increase follows another, and the Qatar Privilege Club has now seen its second devaluation within 30 days.
Only Finnair was transparent enough to announce these changes in advance. It doesn’t help much that Avios can now be freely transferred between programs. Qatar Airways and British Airways regularly sell miles, only to devalue them the next day. Trust is quickly lost this way if there is any left at all.
Despite the recent price increase, award flights with Qatar Airways remain a reasonably attractive option for redeeming Avios. But the next devaluation is surely just a matter of time.
Translated by Ditmar
Cover Picture: © Qatar Airways