Fees & surcharges can make an award flight far more expensive and many frequent flyer programs specifically use those surcharges to make a profit. Currently, Qatar Airways is waiving the Award Ticket Booking Fee for its own frequent flyer program, the Privilege Club.
Until now, that fee was US$25 (~€23) in economy class, US$50 (~€46) in business class, and US$75 (~€69) in first class, per segment! i.e. a roundtrip with four segments normally had a US$100 (~€92) surcharge in economy, US$200 (~€184) in business, and US$300 (~€276) in first class! If you book an award flight now, you won’t have to pay that surcharge.
Here’s an example for a business class roundtrip from Rome to Colombo, Sri Lanka, via Doha (ignore the difference in required miles, the first screenshot was made for this deal in January):
So, you’re practically saving US$200 (~€184). That definitely makes Qatar Airways Privilege Club award flights far more attractive.
It is unknown until when Qatar Airways will continue to waiver the surcharge.