Qatar announces a new Edinburgh service …. a good Avios redemption for Scots
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I have written a few pieces recently about Qatar Airways joining BA in the oneworld alliance, eg here and here. This gives you a very interesting new option for spending your Avios points, especially as Qatar Airways has an impressive reputation and a growing route network.
Qatar will be launching a new service from Edinburgh to Doha from May 28th. They will fly five times per week, and this will – apparently – be the first service from Edinburgh to any Middle Eastern destination.
It is also worth noting that Qatar will using a brand new Boeing 787 on the route, which means that it will feature their impressive new business class seating as pictured above.
Even better, it is running as a day flight. It will leave Edinburgh at 14.45, arriving in Doha at 23.40.
Avios redemption seats are already bookable at ba.com. A one-way from Edinburgh to Doha in business class costs 40,000 Avios plus £240 – £112 less tax than taking a BA flight with a change in Heathrow.
If flying to Qatar, it is worth noting that ex-Heathrow redemptions are also a lot cheaper on Qatar. The tax on a direct BA flight to Doha is £506 return, whilst a Qatar flight is £365 return. Unless you are using a 2-4-1 voucher from your BA Amex, Qatar Airways seems a no-brainer if you can get a 787 departure.
As the comments below show, even the older 777 planes are seen as a having a better business class service than BA.
How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2024)
As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!
In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.
You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:
Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard
Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review
Barclaycard Avios Mastercard
5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review
There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:
British Airways American Express Premium Plus
25,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review
British Airways American Express
5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review
You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express
40,000 bonus points and a huge range of valuable benefits – for a fee Read our full review
Run your own business?
We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 12th May 2024, the Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa card is offering a bonus of 30,000 points, convertible into 30,000 Avios. You must have a Limited Company to apply. Click here to learn more and click here to apply.
Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa
Huge 30,000 points bonus until 12th May 2024 Read our full review
You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus.
British Airways Accelerating Business American Express
30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review
There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.
American Express Business Platinum
40,000 points sign-up bonus and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review
American Express Business Gold
20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review
Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.
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