One of the world’s most remote airports has become more accessible through an easily earned points and miles currency.
St. Helena Airport (HLE), situated 1,200 miles off the coast of Africa in the British overseas territory of St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, now receives one weekly departure and arrival year-round via South African regional carrier Airlink, based in Johannesburg.
Previously, travelers could only redeem United MileagePlus miles on Airlink, with no award seats to or from St. Helena available at the time of publication.
Now, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can redeem Avios to book Airlink flights following Qatar Airways’ purchase of a 25% stake in Airlink.
The service originates at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) once weekly and stops at Namibia’s Walvis Bay International Airport (WVB). The return journey from St. Helena to Johannesburg is nonstop. Additionally, Airlink operates a limited seasonal nonstop service from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to HLE on select Christmas and New Year’s dates.
With only weekly service available for most of the year, passengers should be prepared for either a 60-minute or one-week visit to this remote island. Round-trip cash fares in economy class are typically around $1,000 per person. Alternatively, travelers can redeem 36,000 Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios plus 4,383.75 South African rand (approximately $237) in fees, taxes, and surcharges. Unlike United’s MileagePlus program, Privilege Club shows economy award seats available on this route.
Redeeming Qatar Avios to St. Helena offers a redemption value of almost 2.1 cents each—significantly higher than the February 2025 valuation of 1.4 cents each.
Avios are among the easiest currencies to earn with more transfer partners than United MileagePlus. Travelers can earn Qatar Avios by transferring Citi ThankYou Rewards points to Qatar Airways Privilege Club at a 1:1 ratio. Alternatively, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, American Express Membership Rewards points, Bilt Rewards Points and Wells Fargo Rewards points can be transferred to British Airways Executive Club at a 1:1 rate. By linking British Airways accounts with Qatar Airways accounts, combined Avios balances will show in both accounts allowing booking via Privilege Club.
The new partnership with Qatar Airways Privilege Club enables anyone with Avios to book flights to and from St. Helena thanks to numerous programs that have adopted Avios and mechanisms for moving them between programs.
