Quantcast

Qatar Airways devalues short-distance American Airlines and Alaska awards without notice

Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Jet2 warns of profits squeeze from rising costs and late bookings
Southwest bends further to activist shareholder Elliott's demands
Qatar Airways devalues short-distance American Airlines and Alaska awards without notice
Research
Webp p18pueyozwbyaegyt1fzg7i1qaau
View from the Wing | View from the Wing

Qatar Airways has historically offered favorable award pricing for short-distance travel on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, with points that are relatively easy to acquire. The airline has a U.S. credit card and is a transfer partner of American Express and Citibank. Additionally, points from British Airways, Aer Lingus, Finnair, and Iberia can be moved into Qatar's program, allowing for transfers from Chase, Wells Fargo, Capital One, and Bilt through these intermediaries.

However, as highlighted by Dan’s Deals, Qatar Airways has recently devalued these redemptions without prior notice. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have their own separate award chart distinct from other oneworld redemptions (and also separate from Qatar’s own flights and JetBlue). This chart is unpublished but the following changes have been noted:

- For distances of 1-650 miles: Coach class increased from 6,000 to 9,500 points; Business class increased from 12,500 to 20,000 points.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

- For distances of 651-1151 miles: Coach class increased from 9,000 to 13,000 points; Business class increased from 16,500 to 27,000 points.

- For distances of 1152-2000 miles: Coach class increased from 11,000 to 14,500 points; Business class increased from 22,000 to 34,000 points.

- For distances of 2001-3000 miles: Coach class increased from 13,000 to 16,000 points; Business class increased from 38,750 to 43,000 points.

Despite these increases in redemption rates making them less competitive than before compared to British Airways charges an arbitrage opportunity still exists. Nonetheless the value gap has narrowed.

Dan notes that booking American regional jet flights via Qatar hasn't been supported. However mainline bookings with regional segments can be changed by Qatar for a $25 fee.

"You might technically be able to book AA awards within the contiguous U.S. and Canada for just 11K Finnair Avios in economy or 30K in first class," Dan observes though he acknowledges that successfully booking these awards through Finnair has proven difficult.

The lack of notice for these unpublished changes is seen as disappointing by some frequent travelers.

### Breakline ###

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Long Beach Airport has announced a new daily nonstop service to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) through Southwest Airlines.

Jun 7, 2025

Lidl workers in Belgium initiated a strike and blockades on June 5, following similar actions in France and Italy.

Jun 6, 2025

Delta Air Lines is expanding its flight offerings for the 2025 pro football season, introducing new routes and increasing capacity to accommodate fans traveling to major games.

Jun 6, 2025

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen addressed the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee, emphasizing the urgent need to reform the nation's air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure.

Jun 6, 2025

Last month, over 130 volunteers from Delta Air Lines and several partner organizations collaborated to construct a new playground in College Park, Georgia.

Jun 6, 2025

Walking together on Omaha Beach, 19-year-old college student Caleb Walker and 101-year-old WWII veteran Jack Myers reflected on the sacrifices made during the D-Day invasion.

Jun 6, 2025