Qatar Airways’ Qmiles is finally a competitive frequent flyer program after reducing their award prices by up to 49% in 2020.
That rarely happens in the world of miles and points, where devaluations, rather than higher valuations, happen every few years.
This post will cover everything you need to know about redeeming your Qmiles on Qatar Airways and their partner airlines.
We have a lot of ground to cover, so let’s dive right in.
The Basics of Using Qmiles
Qatar Airways does not publish award charts for their own flights, but instead requires you to put your routing into their “Qcalculator.”
We calculated the cost of over 100+ flights using the Qcalculator and detailed them below for you in our best ways to use Qmiles section.
A few other things you should know about using Qmiles for Qatar Airways:
- You can book an award ticket on Qatar Airways on their website or by phone.
- If you don’t have enough miles in your account, you cannot see award space online. A workaround is searching Qatar award space using AA.com or British Airways.
- You can’t book infant tickets in first or business class.
- Stopovers and open jaws are not allowed.
- There are no fuel surcharges on awards for Qatar Airways, but you still have normal taxes and fees.
- You can’t book first class on the A380 between London (LHR) and Doha (DOH).
- For flights within the Middle East, Qatar only operates economy and first-class (similar to business class).
- Qatar only operates long-haul first class on Airbus A380s, which are grounded indefinitely.
Qatar's Partner Award Chart
Qatar uses a distance-based award chart for its partners, which means that the longer the flight, the more miles are required.
This also means it can be quite hard to find a really good deal on Qatar’s partners., but we think the best deal is the 2,001 to 3,500 mile range for business class for 70,000 Qmiles.
We recommend using Great Circle Mapper to calculate the distance.
Qatar Airways is apart of the OneWorld Alliance, so you can book an award on any of the airlines below.
OneWorld Alliance Airlines
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Alaska Airlines
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American Airlines
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British Airways
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Cathay Pacific
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Finnair
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Iberia
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Japan Airlines
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Malaysia Airlines
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Qantas
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Qatar Airways
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Royal Air Maroc
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Royal Jordanian
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S7 Airlines
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SriLankan Airlines
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Qatar Airways also partners with the four airlines below, which also utilize the award chart above.
Bangkok Airways
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GOL
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LATAM
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Middle East Airlines
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A few other things to know about partners are:
- You cannot book a partner award online. It is best to call to book an award. You can also fill out a partner award request form, but that could take days to process.
- Stopovers are not allowed, but open jaws are allowed.
- You can book up to four segments on a single award.
- You cannot mix and match partners (e.g., you can’t fly Cathay Pacific and American Airlines on a single award).
- You cannot book award tickets for infants.
Using Qmiles for Qsuites
The reason why you are here is most likely because you want to fly the best business class in the world, Qatar Airways’ Qsuites.
Qsuites is a fantastic product with great seats, service, and food. It competes with the best business class in the world with ANA’s new “The Room” business class.
Qsuites are now offered on most long-haul flights, but you can double-check that your preferred route offers it by searching for a cash-fare on QatarAirways.com.
Then, look for the “Q” symbol next to the business class fare, which indicates this plane offers Qsuites.
Best Ways to Use Qmiles for Maximum Value
Below are the best ways to use your Qatar Airways Qmiles.
We even created a Google Sheet to help us calculate the best deals, which we compared to the cost to book the flight with other miles and the flight’s practicality.
A few important notes before we dive into our rankings:
- Number 1 through 14 on our list is for Qatar Airways flights, and Number 15 through 19 is for partner flights.
- We included a list of example destinations because some countries have different award rates, such as China and India. Luckily, all of the cities in North America are priced the same.
- We also included the price to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles for Qatar Airways flights because that is another popular option to book those flights. We also noted situations where American Airlines would charge extra points due to their routing rules.
1. North America to/from Australia & New Zealand
The best deal is flying from North American to Australia or New Zealand for 120,000 Qmiles one-way for Qsuites.
It is a lot of flying (28-32 hours), so this is the best deal if you want to maximize your flight time in Qsuites.
You could also fly in economy class for 60,000 Qmiles, but you would be insane for flying 28+ hours in economy class!
Example Destinations: Sydney (SYD), Perth (PER), Auckland (AKL), Brisbane (BNE), Melbourne (MEL), Adelaide (ADL), and Canberra (CBR).
AAdvantage Cost: 150,000 miles (normally 80,000 miles).
2. Europe to/from Australia & New Zealand
A great and convenient way to get from Europe to Australia & New Zealand is using 90,000 Qmiles for Qsuites or 45,000 Qmiles for economy class.
While in Doha, you can check out the amazing El Mourjan business class lounge.
Example Destinations: Sydney (SYD), Perth (PER), Auckland (AKL), Brisbane (BNE), Melbourne (MEL), Adelaide (ADL), and Canberra (CBR).
AAdvantage Cost: 85,000 miles.
3. North America to Southeast Asia
Another good use of Qmiles is flying to Southeast Asia or Hong Kong for 95,000 miles each way in business class or 47,500 miles in economy class.
Example Destinations: Hong Kong (HKG), Bangkok (BKK), Singapore (SIN), Jakarta (CGK), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Hanoi (HAN), Chengdu (CTU), Chongqing (CKG), Guangzhou (CAN), and Kuala Lumpur (KUL).
AAdvantage Cost: 110,000 miles (normally 70,000 miles).
4. North America to East Asia
If you want to maximize your time in Qsuites, you can book North America to East Asia for 100,000 miles.
This would allow you to get two 10+ hour flights in Qsuites.
Example Destinations: Seoul (ICN), Tokyo (NRT or HND), Manila (MNL), Cebu (CEB), Shanghai (PVG), Beijing (PEK), Hangzhou (HGH), and Bali (DPS).
AAdvantage Cost: 110,000 miles (normally 60,000 miles).
5. North America to Northern India
A convenient option to fly to India is via Doha for 80,000 miles in business class and 40,000 miles in economy class.
Example Destinations: Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), and Ahmedabad (AMD).
AAdvantage Cost: 70,000 miles
6. North America to Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Southern India
You can fly from North America to the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Southern India for 85,000 miles in business class and 42,500 miles in economy class.
Example Destinations: Male (MLE), Colombo (CMB), Bangaluru (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Hyderabad (HYD), and Kathmandu (KTM).
AAdvantage Cost: 70,000 miles
7. North America to Africa
Qatar Airways prices Africa based on how far the country is from Doha.
Below are the rates for each country:
40,000 Miles for Economy and 80,000 for Business:
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
42,500 Miles for Economy and 85,000 for Business:
- Tanzania
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Tunisia
47,500 Miles for Economy and 95,000 for Business:
- South Africa
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Nambia
- Mozambique
- Botswana
AAdvantage Cost: 75,000 miles
8. North America to Europe
An out of the way option to Europe is to fly via Doha.
Qatar prices out Europe and Southeastern Europe at different rates:
- Europe: 45,000 miles in economy class and 90,000 miles in business class.
- Southeastern Europe: 42,500 miles in economy class and 85,000 miles in business class.
Europe Destinations: U.K., Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Belgium, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Russia, and Finland.
Southeastern Europe Destinations: Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania.
AAdvantage Cost: 112,500 miles (normally 57,500 miles).
9. North America to South America
Another option to spend a lot of time in Qsuites is to fly from North America to South America via Doha for 120,000 Qmiles.
Example Destinations: Sao Paulo (GRU)
AAdvantage Cost: 160,000 miles (normally 57,500 miles).
10. North America to the Middle East
Qatar Airways has many connections to almost every major Middle Eastern city, which makes it a good option for using miles for the region.
You can fly to Doha for 35,000 miles in economy class or 70,000 miles in Qsuites.
Or for slightly more to other Middle Eastern cities for 37,500 miles in economy class and 75,000 miles in business class.
Example Destinations: Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Kuwait City (KWI), Riyadh (RUH), Dammam (DMM), and Jeddah (JED).
AAdvantage Cost: 70,000 miles
11. Europe to Southeast Asia
Qatar Airways is a great option for flying to Southeast Asia due to its large route network. You can fly to Southeast Asia from Europe for 37,500 miles in economy class and 75,000 miles in business class.
Example Destinations: Hong Kong (HKG), Bangkok (BKK), Singapore (SIN), Jakarta (CGK), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Hanoi (HAN), Chengdu (CTU), Chongqing (CKG), Guangzhou (CAN), and Kuala Lumpur (KUL).
AAdvantage Cost: 75,000 miles
12. Europe to East Asia
You can fly from Europe to East Asia for 40,000 miles in economy class and 80,000 miles in business class.
Example Destinations: Seoul (ICN), Tokyo (NRT or HND), Manila (MNL), Cebu (CEB), Shanghai (PVG), Beijing (PEK), Hangzhou (HGH), and Bali (DPS).
AAdvantage Cost: 75,000 miles
13. Europe to South America
You can fly from Europe to South America for 45,000 miles in economy class and 90,000 miles in business class.
Example Destinations: Sao Paulo (GRU)
AAdvantage Cost: 132,500 miles (normally 87,500 miles).
14. Middle East to Doha
One interesting redemption is to redeem 21,000 Qmiles for first-class on a 1-2 hour flight from a Middle Eastern city to Doha (or 7,000 Qmiles in economy class).
Short-haul first class is equivalent to long-haul business class, but the big advantage is getting access to the best lounge in the world, Qatar’s Al Safwa First Class Lounge in Doha.
I’ve always wanted to experience that lounge, and 8+ hours in the lounge, plus a short flight in first class, would be a good deal at 21,000 Qmiles.
Example Destinations: Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Kuwait City (KWI), Riyadh (RUH), Dammam (DMM), and Jeddah (JED).
AAdvantage Cost: 30,000 miles
15. East Coast to the U.K. and Ireland on American Airlines
Qatar prices business class flights between 2,001 and 3,500 miles on partners at 70,000 Qmiles, which can be a good deal from the East Coast to Ireland and the U.K. on American Airlines, which has lower fees than British Airways.
A few options for 70,000 Qmiles are:
- New York (JFK) to/from London (LHR)
- Philadelphia (PHL) to/from Edinburgh (EDI)
- New York (JFK) or Philadelphia (PHL) to/from Dublin (DUB)
- Philadelphia (PHL) to/from Shannon (SNN)
Unfortunately, after 3,500 miles, the pricing jumps to 100,000 Qmiles for 3,501 to 5,000-mile flights. That is too expensive compared with other options to Europe.
16. Madrid to Boston on Iberia
Boston to/from Madrid is also in that under 3,500-mile sweet spot so that you can book Iberia business class for 70,000 miles each way.
Alternatively, if you have any Iberia, British Airways, or Aer Lingus Avios, you can book that same flight for only 34,000 Iberia Avios.
17. Boston to Casablanca on Royal Air Maroc
The last long-haul sweet spot for 70,000 miles from North America is from Boston to Casablanca on Royal Air Maroc in business class.
Alternatively, you could book Boston, New York, or Washington D.C. to Casablanca for 44,000 Etihad Guest miles.
18. Tokyo to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur on Japan Airlines
Tokyo to/from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are both 7+ hour flights that you can book for 70,000 Qmiles each way in business class on Japan Airlines’ very nice business class.
19. Sydney to Bali or Jakarta on Qantas
You can book Qantas business class for 70,000 Qmiles each way from Sydney to Bali (DPS) or Jakarta (CGK).
The Verdict
There are many great ways to use your Qatar Airways Qmiles, especially Qatar Airways, now that they lowered the award cost.
We would like Qatar Airways to add the option for a stopover in Doha, given they heavily promote the stopover program on paid flights. This would be a great way to breakup long-trips and get to see Qatar for several days.
