Qatar launches Amsterdam to Doha – and why it is not the best Avios redemption

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.

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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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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