Booking Qatar flight using Avios - confused.
Sep 27, 2023, 11:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: BA Gold; Virgin FF; United Airlines; American Airlines; and was frequent c/c churner - RIP!
Posts: 945
Booking Qatar flight using Avios - confused.
I have looked at booking a return flight in Qatar Business cabin from LHR to Nairobi for June 2024. On the Qatar website it shows a redemption figure of 65,000 Avios each way (total 130,000 return). However, when going on to select flights it gives a redemption value of 130,000 each way, a total of 260,000. Can someone clarify this for me please? What am I doing wrong?
Sep 27, 2023, 2:21 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: ZRH
Programs: QR Gold / M&M FTL / Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 655
I have looked at booking a return flight in Qatar Business cabin from LHR to Nairobi for June 2024. On the Qatar website it shows a redemption figure of 65,000 Avios each way (total 130,000 return). However, when going on to select flights it gives a redemption value of 130,000 each way, a total of 260,000. Can someone clarify this for me please? What am I doing wrong?
I will call that devaluation.
Sep 28, 2023, 8:04 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
Yes, can certainly endorse comments by GalaxyChris here.
QR award inventory - at least where premium cabin seats are concerned - has been downscaled dramatically (across a whole variety of routes) in recent weeks ; and where there is availability, it is invariably being offered at the dreaded x 2 rate ……. which explains what higham44 found when attempting to book.
Standard (ie ‘normal’ rate) redemptions are becoming something of a rare species on the website. This is clearly a conscious policy change by QR management. and it remains to be seen whether a permanent - and most unwelcome - adjustment , or some sort of temporary aberration.
QR award inventory - at least where premium cabin seats are concerned - has been downscaled dramatically (across a whole variety of routes) in recent weeks ; and where there is availability, it is invariably being offered at the dreaded x 2 rate ……. which explains what higham44 found when attempting to book.
Standard (ie ‘normal’ rate) redemptions are becoming something of a rare species on the website. This is clearly a conscious policy change by QR management. and it remains to be seen whether a permanent - and most unwelcome - adjustment , or some sort of temporary aberration.
Sep 28, 2023, 12:47 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: BA Gold; Virgin FF; United Airlines; American Airlines; and was frequent c/c churner - RIP!
Posts: 945
I have found a similar thread on a Head for Points forum where others have discovered limited availability of redemption tickets and other seats being offered at x2 the Avios cost. I have now looked at using a 2-4-1 with BA on the route and have been quoted 90,000 + £450 taxes for a CW ticket - far more favourable.
Sep 28, 2023, 1:52 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
I guess the downside is that it means going with BA instead of QR.
Sep 29, 2023, 1:55 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: BA Gold; Virgin FF; United Airlines; American Airlines; and was frequent c/c churner - RIP!
Posts: 945
Sep 30, 2023, 1:44 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,672
You have to call to book it, but check availability on Rwandair (WB). Looks like it'd be 90,000 one way if the website is correct, seems like 2 awards are required, LHR-KGL @77,500 avios and KGL-NBO @12,500 avios. I don't know if there's any savings on the fees or not but £450 is a healthy chunk on your BA ticket.
https://www.qatarairways.com/en/Priv...artner-flight|
https://www.qatarairways.com/en/Priv...artner-flight|