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American Express points have become even easier to use with the addition of Qatar Airways Privilege Club as the 21st and newest transfer partner program.
Membership Rewards points can now be transferred to become Qatar Avios at a rate of 1:1, and transfers should occur instantly. Qatar Airways is known for its award-winning Qsuite business-class product, its world-class hub at Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar, and for being a member of the Oneworld alliance. This means you can redeem Qatar Avios on partner airlines like American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia and many others.
Privilege Club is also a transfer partner of Citi ThankYou Rewards.
While the convenience of being able to transfer Membership Rewards points to Qatar Airways is a plus for members, remember that Avios can already be transferred between the different programs that use Avios as their loyalty currency — British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus and Aer Lingus AerClub. Given that these three programs are already Membership Rewards partners, the option to move points from American Express to Privilege Club has existed for some time, provided you were willing to transfer via one of these three programs.
Now, there’s an easier way to do it directly.
Privilege Club uses a distance-based award chart for redemptions on both Qatar Airways and partner metal, so you won’t be hit with dynamic pricing. However, saver-level award space is limited, with more-flexible awards available for twice the number of Avios.
Here are the prices for popular one-way itineraries per person (there is no peak or off-peak pricing).
| New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to DOH in business class | 70,000 + $73.35 |
|---|---|
| JFK to DOH in economy | 35,000 + $62.35 |
| JFK to Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in business class | 80,000 + $201.50 |
| JFK to DEL in economy | 40,000 + $131.50 |
| JFK to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in business class | 95,000 + $202.90 |
| JFK to BKK in economy |
47,500 + $132.90 |
| Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) in business class | 75,000 + $169.30 |
| LAX to DXB in economy | 37,500 + $132.90 |
The partner award chart closely resembles British Airways’ partner award chart, meaning both programs have the same sweet spots:
- Short-haul redemptions on American Airlines or Alaska Airlines start at just 6,000 Avios each way with no peak or off-peak pricing.
- American Airlines regularly flies internationally configured wide-body aircraft on domestic routes, including 777s and 787s. For example, American’s flagship 777-300ER operates some flights between JFK and Miami International Airport (MIA), a 1,089-mile journey. You could book a business-class award on this flight for only 16,500 Avios, which is a great deal.
- Fly from major West Coast cities to the Hawaiian Islands for just 13,000 Avios on American Airlines or Alaska Airlines.
Bottom line
While American Express Membership Rewards cardmembers have had the option of moving their points to Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios via the British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus programs, it’s now more convenient to send them directly to Privilege Club.
Privilege Club has attractive pricing, especially for short-haul flights operated by partner airlines and flights to the Middle East and beyond in Qatar Airways’ fantastic Qsuite business-class product.