Qatar Airways Privilege Club is currently offering a limited-time flash sale on Avios, the loyalty currency that the Doha-based airline adopted last year alongside British Airways. The sale includes an impressive bonus of up to 80% on Avios purchases, but it’s set to end on June 22nd.
What’s the Deal?
Qatar Airways Privilege Club is offering a flash sale on Avios until June 22. The airline initially advertised a bonus rate of 60%, although some members are actually being offered a bonus of up to 80%.
You can buy Avios in blocks of 1,000 points up to a maximum of 250,000 Avios per calendar year. In order to unlock this offer, you already need to have acquired 1,000 Avios, although if you don’t have this amount in your Privilege Club account, you could easily transfer in the required number of points from a British Airways Executive Club account.
The Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Qatar Airways Privilege Club adopted Avios in 2022, which is also the loyalty currency used by Aer Lingus, British Airways and Iberia. At the same time, Qatar Airways linked up with British Airways to allow easy Avios transfers between Privilege Club and the Executive Club at a 1:1 exchange rate.
Unfortunately, you can’t easily transfer Avios between Qatar Airways and Aer Lingus or Iberia, but you can simply use British Airways as an intermediary.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club operates using a distance-based award pricing system, which means that the number of Avios required for an award flight varies based on the distance of the flight.
Although Qatar Airways doesn’t have a traditional redemption chart, you can easily determine the number of Avios required for a specific flight by using the ‘My Calculator’ tool available on the Qatar Airways website.
This tool also provides information about the fees associated with award bookings.
Transferring with British Airways
Qatar Airways Privilege Club and British Airways Executive Club have a partnership that allows for easy points transfer between the two programs. Members can link their Privilege Club account with a British Airways Executive Club account and transfer points between the two at a 1:1 exchange value. Additionally, Avios from Aer Lingus and Iberia can also be transferred via British Airways to Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
Is Buying Avios Worth It?
Generally, I don’t advise buying points or miles speculatively unless you have a specific redemption in mind. However, if you frequently use Avios for Qatar Airways, British Airways, Aer Lingus, or Iberia flights, this flash sale can present a valuable opportunity to maximize the value of your Avios.
It’s rare to get a bonus Avios offer, so this promotion allows you to stretch the value of your Avios and provides some flexibility to make the best use of them.
Of course, redemptions with British Airways attract pretty high carrier-imposed surcharges and local taxes, so it can be worthwhile to make the most of your Avios by booking a Qatar Airways redemption instead.
How Much is an Avios Worth?
Valuing loyalty club currencies can be subjective, but on average, an Avios is typically worth between 1 cent to 1.3 cents. The actual value may vary depending on how and where you choose to redeem them. If you aim to maximize their worth, consider utilizing programs and routes with lower taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges, such as Qatar Airways redemptions.
Important Terms to Note:
- The price includes all applicable fees.
- You can purchase Avios in increments of 1,000.
- This offer is available only to members with a minimum balance of 1,000 Avios. Remember, you can transfer Avios from British Airways Executive Club.
- The maximum purchase limit is set at 250,000 Avios per year.
