Qatar launches Amsterdam to Doha – and why it is not the best Avios redemption
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Qatar Airways is continuing its expansion in Europe with the launch of services from Amsterdam on 16th June.
Flights will operate daily and will use a new Boeing 787 which features Qatar’s latest business class seating (photo below). This is an impressive 1-2-1 fully-flat arrangement which I reviewed last year.
As Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld alliance, alongside British Airways, you can use your Avios points to book this flight. Flights are already loaded at ba.com.
The good news …. is that taxes are low compared to flying Qatar Airways from Heathrow. A one-way redemption in Business Class from Amsterdam to Doha is 40,000 Avios + £119 in taxes and charges. The same flight from Heathrow would cost 40,000 Avios + £274. You might find it worthwhile getting a cheap one-way flight to Amsterdam to save £155 per person.
The bad news …. well, it isn’t really bad news.
However, if you are willing to start your Qatar Airways redemption flight in Europe, Amsterdam is NOT the best place to start. Frankfurt is a better option.
Why? Well, Frankfurt is – just – under 3,000 miles from Doha. This means that it falls into the cheaper Avios redemption bracket.
Instead of 40,000 Avios points each way in Business Class, Frankfurt to Doha is just 25,000 Avios each way. (Economy is a laughable 12,500 Avios each way.) Frankfurt is also a Boeing 787 route. The tax on a one-way from Frankfurt to Doha in Business Class is £160.
Other options to Doha in the 25,000 Avios one-way Business Class band include Zurich (£163 tax), Berlin (£144 tax) and Vienna (£135 tax). Paris falls into the 40,000 Avios band. The standard Qatar policy is to release four seats in Business Class per flight.
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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