Fortunately, we’re able to present Business Class deals with 5-star carrier Qatar Airways quite often. Too bad for most of our readers that those bargains usually depart from Scandinavian countries. This changes today. The golf carrier is selling tickets to Hong Kong and Johannesburg for less than €1,600. These flights are available into 2022. As it’s usual with this airline, you will have to change planes in Doha both ways.
This is a Qatar Airways Classic business class fare. Sadly, it does no longer include lounge access or seat selection.
Worldwide travel restrictions are in place to slow the spread of Covid-19. We strongly recommend gathering detailed information about the travel and quarantine restrictions that apply to your desired origin and destination.
A good start is the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website. It provides current updates on a country’s immigration policies. Even better, the Covid-19 Travel Regulations Map is one of the most useful tools you can find.
You can select flight dates in our Go2 tool, which will forward you to Qatar Airways’ website. You can search within the following time frames:
- Hong Kong: Very high availability from June 2021 onwards.
- Johannesburg: Very high availability from September 2021, with a block out between December 10 and January 9.
Most flights are Boeing 777 services, which gives you quite a good chance to experience Qatar Airways’ famous Qsuite business class product. Especially on routes to Hong Kong, the probability of Qsuite service is high.
Search & Book
According to the fares rules, the sales period for these tickets is not limited. You can find this fare for all trips longer than five days and shorter than a month.
It will be best to use Google Flights (instructions) to find dates that’ll work for you. We recommend booking directly on Qatar’s website, although you can check online travel agencies for cheaper tickets.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
Tickets for all flights will be issued in booking class R. This is obviously a discounted booking class, and therefore you’ll get an earning rate between 100% and 125% with most frequent flyer programs. An Amsterdam to Johannesburg roundtrip will be credited like this:
- 20,806 Miles on American AAdvantage
- 17,338 Avios + 120 Qpoints on Qatar Privilege Club
- 17,338 AsiaMiles + 210 Club Points on Asia Miles
- 17,338 Points on Finnair Plus
- 17,338 Miles on Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- 17,338 Points on JetBlue TrueBlue
- 17,338 Award Miles on LATAM Pass
- 17,338 Miles on MEA Cedar Miles
- 17,338 Miles on Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer
- 17,338 Miles on Royal Jordanian Royal Club
- 17,338 Award Miles on Oman Air Sindbad
- 17,338 Miles on Alaska Mileage Plan
- 17,338 Avios + 3,468 Tier Points on The British Airways Club
- 17,338 Avios + 5,000 Elite Points on Iberia Plus 2025
- 13,870 Award Miles on Bangkok Airways FlyerBonus
- 13,870 Points + 28 Elite Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- 13,870 Miles on SriLankan FlySmiLes
- Customize Calculation
Information & Tips for South Africa
South Africa offers a diverse range of attractions, from the iconic Table Mountain and Robben Island in Cape Town to the wildlife-rich Kruger National Park and the scenic Garden Route. The local currency is the South African rand (ZAR), and while credit cards are widely accepted, cash is still commonly used, especially in smaller towns. The cost of travel is generally affordable, with budget-friendly options available for accommodation, food, and activities. The weather varies by region: the coastal areas have mild, Mediterranean-like climates, while the inland areas can be hot and dry in summer and cooler in winter.
South Africa’s transport infrastructure is mixed in quality and convenience. Within cities, public transport is limited, with minibus taxis being common but often confusing for visitors; private cars or ride-hailing apps like Uber are more reliable. Between cities, domestic flights are the fastest option due to long distances, while intercity buses offer affordable travel, though journeys can be long. Trains exist, but are generally slow and not widely used for tourism.
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as Airalo and BNESIM. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for South Africa 🇿🇦 Compared
→ All Dealz for South Africa
Information & Tips for Hong Kong
Hong Kong is known for its skyline, Victoria Peak, harbour views, and a mix of modern and traditional sights like temples and street markets. The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), and credit cards are widely accepted, though cash is still useful in smaller shops and markets. Prices are relatively high compared to much of Asia, especially for accommodation and dining. The weather is hot and humid in summer, with a cooler, more pleasant season from October to March. Typhoons can occur between June and October.
→ All Dealz for Hong Kong
Cover Picture: © Qatar Airways