Qatar Airways Avios Devaluation Affects American and Alaska Awards

Qatar Airways has devalued Avios awards, affecting travelers who use their American Express Membership Rewards and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles to book flights.

The devaluation impacts awards in all cabins, including economy, premium economy, business, and first class.

Travelers who book awards on Qatar Airways using their Avios will see a significant increase in points required for the same flights.

Suggestion: British Airways Premium Economy

Qatar Airways devalued redemptions for American and Alaska flights without notice, just like British Airways did earlier in the year.

The changes affect redemptions for all cabin classes, making it more expensive to book award flights with these partners. This is the end of yet another loophole.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club previously had some attractive rates for award flights, but the recent change means you'll need more Avios for these redemptions. Some routes now require up to 63.6% more Avios!

Here are the new redemption rates for economy and business class:

The short-haul flights of 650 miles or less were hit the hardest, with costs increasing by over 50% in economy and 60% in business.

The recent devaluation of Qatar Avios has led to a significant increase in prices for American and Alaska flights. The cost of redeeming Qatar Avios for partner flights with American and Alaska has increased by up to 60%.

One example is a one-way flight from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Miami International Airport (MIA) using Qatar Avios. The cost of this flight has increased from 9,000 to 13,000 Avios, a 44.4% increase.

Business class flights have also been affected, with a flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) increasing from 16,500 to 27,000 Avios, a 63.6% increase.

Here's a breakdown of the changes in pricing for Alaska and American awards with Qatar Avios:

Overall, the prices for Alaska and American awards with Qatar Avios have increased significantly, and the savings are far lower than before.

Earning Qatar Airways Avios is easier than ever, thanks to the ability to pool Avios from other programs. You can now earn Avios from British Airways, Iberia, and even transfer them from Citi ThankYou Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards at a 1:1 rate.

Expand your knowledge: Southwest Rapid Rewards plus

Transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points will get you a 5,000-mile bonus, making it a great way to boost your Avios balance. This is especially useful since you can now earn Avios from other programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One Miles.

One of the best ways to earn Qatar Airways Avios is to transfer them from Marriott Bonvoy. For every 60,000 Bonvoy points transferred, you get a 5,000-mile bonus.

Here's a quick rundown of how to earn Qatar Airways Avios:

Now that you know how to earn Qatar Airways Avios, let's talk about the devaluation of these points.

If you have upcoming Qatar Airways award bookings, check if the new fees apply and consider whether they still represent good value.

The devaluation of Avios points means your points are now worth significantly less when redeeming on Qatar Airways or its partners. This is particularly harsh for business and first-class redemptions, which now require substantial cash co-pays.

Consider exploring other oneworld alliance partners for potentially better value redemptions. This might be a good time to explore less-known sweet spots.

In fact, the shift in sweet spots means Qatar Airways may no longer be the best choice for many routes. This is a stark reminder of why it's crucial to spread your miles and points across multiple programs.

It's worth comparing the cost of award tickets against paid fares, especially for economy travel. With such high fees, this might be a more cost-effective option.

It's disappointing to see Qatar Airways opt for a quick cash grab by doubling award booking fees.

The new fees can make it unsustainable to use points, as seen with Emirates, where award fees on a business class ticket from Australia to Europe can reach nearly $1,800 one way.

Buying an economy ticket for less than $3,000 return and upgrading with miles might be a smarter strategy in such cases.

The increase in Qatar Airways' Avios redemption costs might lead to the release of more saver awards, which have been increasingly scarce lately.