💰 Buying Avios via Qatar Airways Vs BA: Is One Better Value?

Hello, Adventurous Travellers, and Happy Thursday!

We’ve got some exciting tips, news and offers for you this week!

Let's get started:

• 💰Buying Avios with Qatar Vs BA: Is one option better value?

• 🌍 Qatar Airways Announces Extra Flights: Find out which popular routes now have additional flights.

• 🏨The Intercontinental Ambassador Programme: Is it Worth Joining?

• 🎯Double Tier Points with British Airways Holidays: How to make the most of the offer.

💰 Buying Avios with Qatar Vs BA

Did you know you can buy Avios via the Qatar Privilege Club and the British Airways Executive Club and easily transfer Avios between your two accounts?

If you’re thinking of topping up your Avios balance by buying Avios, the costs can vary depending on whether you buy your Avios with Qatar or BA. In some cases, this can save you £1,000. You can use our balance boost calculator to work it out

You can see that there’s not a ‘cheaper’ way to buy Avios. Instead, you should plan how many Avios you want to buy and compare the two options. For example, if you want to buy 200,000 Avios, this is nearly £1,000 cheaper with BA, but buying 2,000 is cheaper with Qatar.

The maximum number of Avios you can buy with BA is 200,000, whereas you can buy 250,000 with Qatar for £4375.

To transfer Avios, simply link your Qatar Privilege Club account with your BA Executive Club account and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be able to view your combined Avios balance and move Avios as many times as you like.

🌍 Qatar Airways Announces Extra Flights to London Heathrow, Miami, Malé and Tokyo

Qatar Airways is ramping up services on four key routes just in time for the busy winter travel season. Starting October 27th, there will be an eighth daily flight between Doha and London Heathrow, meaning there will now be 42,000 weekly seats. This boosts the total daily flights between Doha and Heathrow to 10 when combined with British Airways' services. 

The new flight slot will depart at:

Doha (DOH) to London (LHR) – Flight QR109: Departure 09:30; Arrival 14:05

London (LHR) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR110: Departure 15:30; Arrival 01:10

Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, said, "Qatar Airways' is also strengthening its commitment to the UK. Growing to 56 flights a week – the most of any Gulf carrier – further reinforces our long-standing relationship with London Heathrow Airport, as well as our unique strategic alliance with British Airways, which also operates two flights a day to Doha."

Qatar Airways is also increasing its Miami flights from 10 to 12 weekly services beginning December 16th. The extra flights will offer more connections across Southeast Asia, perfect for winter getaways. 

Starting December 13th, there will also be a fourth daily flight to Malé. This means there will be up to 28 weekly flights to the Maldives during the peak winter season.

There will also be more Japan-bound flights, with extra flights to Tokyo Narita Airport. From February 14th, 2025, Qatar Airways will boost its service to 11 weekly flights, arriving just in time for cherry blossom season.

🏨The Intercontinental Ambassador Programme: Is it Worth Joining?

We recently covered the status match offer from Royal Jordanian, which allows you to match hotel status to Royal Jordanian Status. This matches Oneworld status tiers and gives a range of benefits, including when flying with BA. Joining the Intercontinental Ambassador Programme is a good hack for buying Intercontinental Platinum Elite Status.

Note: You can now only match Oneworld Ruby/Silver Jay (the equivalent of BA Bronze Status) with the offer - but this offer is still a great way to get hotel status.

If you travel to IHG lots, the Intercontinental Ambassador programme offers a huge number of benefits. It's a great option if you want instant hotel status and start enjoying the perks immediately. The IHG group has a huge selection of well-known brands.

Benefits of Intercontinental Platinum Elite Status include:

• Guaranteed one-category room upgrade

• Extended 4 PM checkout

• Complimentary weekend night on the second night of a paid stay.

• Platinum Elite status in IHG® One Rewards

• Restaurant & bar credit of up to USD20 for every stay

• A dedicated check-in area

• Free WIFI

• For stays in Mainland China, you can get a complimentary breakfast for one night each stay.

Depending on the chain you stay at, there are also a range of other benefits. For example, at Sixsenses Resorts, you'll also get a complimentary breakfast, a wellness platter, and a complimentary massage or experience for two.

Ambassador membership costs £160 a year or 40,000 reward points.

So, Is it Worth it?

The free weekend night benefit can pay for the membership if you opt for one of the more luxurious hotels. Even the benefits at select resorts, like the massage for two at Sixsenses, pay for the membership. Upgrading to the next room tier for two nights can sometimes pay for the membership.

It may not be worth it if you're considering purchasing the membership just for benefits like a 4 PM checkout. You're better off working your way through the membership tiers. Just joining IHG One Rewards gives a 2 PM checkout, and some of the lower tiers also provide benefits like this.

🎯 Earn Double Tier Points with British Airways Holidays

You can earn double-tier points if you book a package holiday with BA and travel before 30th June 2025. This is a great way to earn BA tier status faster. The holiday must be at least five nights and include flights + hotel or flights + car hire. In addition, you will earn Avios at the normal rate of 1 per £ spent.

You will also be eligible if you are a solo traveller or have already booked your holiday.

For example, a BA holiday to Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong would earn you 320 tier points and earn you Bronze status from one trip without the offer. With the offer, you would earn 640 points to earn Silver Status.

Now you can jump straight to Bronze, staying closer to home with a trip to places like Agadir, Antalya, Athens and Catania. You will earn 80 tier points per way (160). With the offer, you will earn 320 points. 

Make sure you add your membership number to your booking! You will receive your bonus tier points separately within 14 days of travel.

Final Words

That’s all for this week! We hope these tips help you maximise your travel rewards and have better experiences.

Safe travels, and always aim for the upgrade!

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Bye for now!