Devaluation: Qatar Airways Devalues Awards Again With Redemption Fee

Hey, sad news I’m afraid.

We've got an update that's sending ripples through the miles and points community. Qatar Airways has implemented a massive devaluation of their awards program, and the impact is expensive. Here's what you need to know:

The Big Change: Skyrocketing Redemption Fees

Qatar Airways has dramatically increased the cost of award tickets by adding a substantial carrier-imposed fee. Let's break this down with a real-world example:

Business Class: London (LHR) to Dubai (DXB)

• Avios required: 45,000

• Total fees and taxes: £539.09

  • New carrier-imposed fee (YRVB): £244.80

  • Other taxes and fees: £294.29

Key Points to Note

1. Economy vs. Business: The carrier-imposed fee is halved for economy class bookings, but it's still a significant increase.

2. Partner Airlines Affected: This new fee structure applies when booking Qatar Airways flights through partners like Cathay Pacific, British Airways, and Finnair.

3. Potential Wider Impact: While not yet confirmed, it's possible this fee structure may extend to bookings through JetBlue, Qantas, and American Airlines as well.

4. No Change in Avios Required: The number of Avios points needed for redemptions remains the same. However, the increased fees largely offset this small consolation.

What This Means for Avios Collectors

1. Reduced Value: Your Avios points are now worth significantly less when redeeming on Qatar Airways or its partners.

2. Costlier Premium Travel: The impact is particularly harsh for business and first-class redemptions, which now require substantial cash co-pays.

3. Shifted Sweet Spots: Qatar Airways, once a go-to option for maximizing Avios value, may no longer be the best choice for many routes.

Our Advice

1. Reassess Your Bookings: If you have upcoming Qatar Airways award bookings, check if the new fees apply and consider whether they still represent good value.

2. Explore Alternatives: Look into other oneworld alliance partners for potentially better value redemptions. This might be a good time to explore less-known sweet spots.

3. Diversify Your Portfolio: This devaluation is a stark reminder of why it's crucial to spread your miles and points across multiple programs.

4. Consider Paid Fares: With such high fees, it's worth comparing the cost of award tickets against paid fares, especially for economy travel.

The Bigger Picture

This move by Qatar Airways marks a sad day for Avios collectors. It's a reminder of the volatile nature of loyalty programs and the importance of staying informed and flexible in your travel hacking strategy.

We'll be closely monitoring how this change affects the broader landscape of award travel. There may be new opportunities emerging as savvy travelers shift away from Qatar Airways redemptions.

Remember, in the world of miles and points, knowledge is power. Stay informed, stay adaptable, and most importantly, stay smart with your points!