Can we expect any non-Flexi availability with Qatar during Peak season?

[xander337]

I’m looking at business class reward flights on Qatar (one-way, route DVO-LHR or DVO-LGW) in July 2025, for 2 persons, checking them over the past couple weeks as they are released, but I’m only seeing “Flexi” option, which is costing 320000 Avios (rather than non-Flexi which I think should be around 190000 Avios, even for Peak?).

I understand July is during Peak season, so if I look at the same flight for non-Peak (e.g. on 17 June), I can see plenty non-Flexi availability for 160000 Avios, and that’s true across all of June.

I’m just wondering, does anyone know if there would be any chance of non-Flexi seats coming up during Peak season or Qatar reward flights, or is this now a standard option for Qatar during Peak season? I’m trying to figure out if I should wait a bit to see if availability appears or not, and maybe I’m still too early for it, or if i should give up hope!

Keen to hear some insight. Thanks!

[NorthernLass]

There’s quite a bit of historic discussion on this, but probably not enough data points to say for sure. QR does seem to have earmarked the peak periods as “flexi” though.

[Colin MacKinnon]

DVO being Davao in the Philippines.

Off to the Philippines in November. Interested in any off the beaten track advice.

Remember that Qatar can offer different availability DVO – DOH depending on where your DOH – UK flight goes. So worth checking MAN and EDI.

[Aston100]

There doesn’t seem to be a definitive answer to Qatar standard reward availability during peak periods.
However, in my experience they don’t release business class seats at standard price for English school holidays initially. At some undefined point later on, they may release some seats.

Qatar have in the past told Rob that they don’t have black out dates, but clearly there’s some difference of opinion here.

[NorthernLass]

That could just mean not releasing any avios seats at all though! So technically if there seats available at double avios, it’s not a black out date.

[xander337]

Many thanks for all the replies! It seems consensus is that standard reward business seat availability in Flex can be limited by Qatar during peak season, however…

Colin MacKinnon wrote:

Remember that Qatar can offer different availability DVO – DOH depending on where your DOH – UK flight goes. So worth checking MAN and EDI.

..thank you Colin for this suggestion! Indeed, I can find availability for standard reward business seats for MAN (and some other european destinations, such as DUB, BER and FRA), for some days in peak period in July, just not any London airports. MAN should be fine for us so I have booked those to take advantage of the availability (in case those seats disappear too).

Colin MacKinnon wrote:

Off to the Philippines in November. Interested in any off the beaten track advice.

Enjoy! The Philippines is a fantastic destination, I’ve been to many places there, and November is a great time to visit. Spectacular beaches and sea (depending on your destination), and Filipinos are some of the most hospitable and friendly people you will meet. Make sure to enjoy as much food as you can, it’s all delicious – eat lots of lechon, and ending the evening at a karaoke bar. One point to note is that, depending on where you go in the Philippines, your UK travel insurance may not cover your trip (e.g. if you travel to Davao, or the rest of Mindanao – check the UK Gov FCO travel advice website before going).

[ekposh]

I am yet to get any joy at all in Business non-Flexi from Manchester for any peak date in June – July 2025. It’s fine on non peak and then coincidentally all becomes Flexi (For J anyway). Have to admit I have seen some Y class standard at peak season.