Qatar Airways announces a new Edinburgh service …. a good Avios redemption option

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.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (September 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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 26th September 2024, sign up for FREE Barclaycard Avios Mastercard and you will receive a sign-up bonus of 10,000 Avios. This is double the usual bonus! You only need to spend £1,000 within 90 days. Our full review is here. Click here to apply.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

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.

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.

There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:

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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 22nd October 2024, the bonus on American Express Business Platinum is increased to up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points, worth 80,000 Avios. You will receive 8 points per £1 spent for the first three months, on up to £10,000 of spending. Click here to read our full card review. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 22nd October 2024, the bonus on American Express Business Gold is increased to up to 40,000 Membership Rewards points, worth 40,000 Avios. You will receive 4 points per £1 spent for the first three months, on up to £10,000 of spending. The card is FREE for your first year. Click here to read our full card review. Click here to apply.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.