Qatar Airways and IAG Loyalty announced a loyalty partnership that will see Privilege Club moving from Qmiles to Avios.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club members will see their Qmiles balance converted to Avios in March. However, the loyalty program and earning and redeeming miles, Avios in the future, won’t change (at least for now). Also, Privilege Club members continue to earn and redeem Qpoints and Qcredits.
You can access Qatar’s page for Avios here.
Announcement from Qatar & IAG Loyalty:
Ground-breaking new partnership will open a new world of reward opportunities for Privilege Club members, in addition to their current redemption options
Qatar Airways has today announced that it will be adopting Avios as the reward currency for all members worldwide from late March 2022.
All Privilege Club members will experience a seamless transition into the loyalty programme’s new reward currency, Avios, with their existing Qmiles balances changing automatically to Avios on a 1:1 ratio basis.
Privilege Club members will be provided even greater opportunities to accumulate rewards and leverage exciting new innovations in managing and spending with the change to Avios. In addition, members will retain their well-earned rewards balance and will be able to continue enjoying the redemption opportunities they currently have. Further details are available on www.qatarairways.com/Avios. and more will be announced by Qatar Airways Privilege Club next month.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, stated: “The transition from Qmiles to Avios marks a ground-breaking new era for Privilege Club, enabling our loyal members to participate in the most compelling loyalty network and the largest portfolio of partners in the industry.
“As the World’s Best Airline, Qatar Airways continues to redefine loyalty through the adoption of exciting digital innovations to create unique world-class experiences for our members. We look forward to revealing more details of this exciting change over the coming weeks, as we explore even more ways to reward our valued members both on and off the ground.”
IAG Loyalty owns and manages the Avios currency. CEO of IAG Loyalty, Mr. Adam Daniels, said: “Qatar Airways have recognised the power of Avios. By adopting Avios they will be able to offer their customers a wider range of benefits and support their business development ambitions. It’s an exciting step for IAG Loyalty as we extend our leadership in loyalty, increase Avios’ global reach, and build out our partnership strategy even further.”
Avios is the global loyalty currency used by British Airways Executive Club, AerClub, Iberia Plus and Vueling Club, and will soon be the new Qatar Airways Privilege Club currency. Through its existing programmes, Avios can be collected across a wide mix of consumer sectors, including aviation, travel, leisure, shopping and financial services. IAG Loyalty currently partners with over 200 leading global brands such as American Express, Nectar, Avis Budget Group and Marriott. Further information is available at iagloyalty.com.
IAG Loyalty and Qatar Airways are working to introduce new customer benefits from the partnership, as well as more ways to earn and collect Avios around the world in the coming months.
Qatar Airways has released the following FAQs:
What is changing?
Qatar Airways Privilege Club will change its reward currency from Qmiles to Avios.
What are Avios, and how do I spend them?
Avios is the reward currency of British Airways Executive Club, AerClub, Iberia Plus, Vueling Club and soon, Qatar Airways Privilege Club. You will be able to collect and spend Avios in the same way you did Qmiles; through flights, holidays and partners.
How will this change affect Qatar Airways Privilege Club members?
At launch, all Qmiles in a member’s account will be reflected as Avios, based on a ratio of 1 Avios to 1 Qmile.
When will this change take effect?
This change will take effect by the end of March. Privilege Club members will receive additional information directly to their nominated email addresses.
What will happen to my Qmiles balance when Qatar Airways Privilege Club moves to Avios?
Your Qmiles will become Avios on a 1:1 basis, so every 1 Qmile will become 1 Avios.
For example, if you had 35,000 Qmiles in your account you will have 35,000 Avios.
Will the amount of Avios required to book a ticket with Qatar Airways be different to the amount of Qmiles previously required?
No, the amount of Avios required to book an award ticket or use Cash + Avios will not change.
Will Qatar Airways Privilege Club change Qpoints and Qcredits to Avios?
No, Qpoints and Qcredits will remain unchanged.
Will the expiry date of my Avios be different to Qmiles?
There is no change in the expiration date with the transition to Avios. Your Avios will reflect the same expiry date previously held as Qmiles. For more information, see the Privilege Club terms and conditions here.
Will the expiry date of my Avios be different to Qmiles?
There is no change in the expiration date with the transition to Avios. Your Avios will reflect the same expiry date previously held as Qmiles. For more information, see the Privilege Club terms and conditions here.
What do I need to do to prepare for this change?
Members don’t need to change anything, as your Qmiles will become Avios automatically.
To enjoy the benefits of Privilege Club, it’s important to always keep your personal details in your profile up to date. If your details such as your first or last name have changed, you can update your details by clicking here.
The Qatar Airways mobile app is the best way to seamlessly view and manage your account, to download the app to your device click here.
Not a Privilege Club member yet? Don’t miss out on the great rewards coming your way, click here to sign up.
Conclusion
You have to remember that Qatar Airways owns 25.2% of the Spanish company, International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. (IAG), which is the parent of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, and LEVEL + IAG Loyalty.
This new partnership allows Qatar Airways to tap into the partnerships that IAG Loyalty has in place that are probably easier to manage from the U.K. than from Doha.
You can move Avios between IAG airlines, but each respective loyalty program has stayed separate, although the long-term plan must be to integrate them all into one.
UPDATE: Qatar has now indicated that you can move Avios between various programs like you can currently do with the IAG airlines. More award seats should also be available on both BA and Qatar flights.
