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Update: I flew from Cleveland to Philadephia yesterday with my grandfather and a friend, checking off my 23rd active ballpark while watching the Guardians beat the Phillies and enjoying the excellent kosher stand at Citizens Bank Park.
We were able to fly using 6,000 Qatar Avios to fly on American Eagle (Republic Airways), despite those regional flights not showing up on Qatar’s website. While Qatar wasn’t able to book the regional flight online or over the phone, I booked a mainline AA flight online at 6am and then successfully called Qatar to switch to the 8am regional flight. While the Qatar site only shows AA mainline award space, the BA site shows AA mainline and regional carrier award space.
Qatar.com with mainline flights only:
BA.com with AA mainline and American Eagle regional flights:
The same exact process worked for my friend as well. We even got upgraded to first class thanks to my AA status! Not bad for 6K Avios. The same flight now costs 12,000 BA Avios.
Have you been able to book American Eagle regional flights by calling Qatar?
Originally posted on 5/8:
Disclaimer: Qatar continues to host Hamas’ politburo leadership, which it has done since 2012 and says it will continue to do while mediation efforts are in effect. Those efforts led to the release of several dozen hostages. The country funded Hamas in the past, though that was done with Israel’s request and coordination. Qatar Airways is fully owned by the country of Qatar. Should you fly on Qatar Airways? Should you use their program to save miles or cash versus other programs? I’m reporting the news of what can be done with Qatar Avios, and if you’re on the fence, I’d suggest asking a trusted source of guidance on what you should do in this situation. Or just work to ensure that you are their least profitable or a money-losing customer!
With British Airways raising their Avios prices, you can get a much better value from your Avios by booking the same flights via Qatar Avios.
Several readers last week were unsure how to book with Qatar Avios, so I’ll discuss how to do it in this post.
Table of Contents
How to acquire Qatar Avios
Avios credit cards:
- British Airways Visa Signature® Card: Earn 75K Avios for spending $5,000 in 3 months.
- Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: Earn 75K Avios for spending $5,000 in 3 months.
- Iberia Visa Signature® Card: Earn 75K Avios for spending $5,000 in 3 months.
Transfer points from banks into Avios:
- American Express Membership Rewards points transfer instantly directly into Qatar Avios at a 1:1 ratio. There was a 30% bonus in August 2023 and a 40% bonus in May 2022, we expect a bonus to come later this year.
- Citi ThankYou Points transfer instantly directly into Qatar Avios at a 1:1 ratio. There was a 30% bonus in May 2024.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer instantly into British Airways Avios at a 1:1 ratio. There was a 30% bonus in September 2023, we expect a bonus to come later this year.
- Capital One points transfer instantly into British Airways Avios at a 1:1 ratio. There was a 30% bonus in November 2022.
- Marriott points transfer within a few days into British Airways Avios at a 60K:25K ratio.
Combine Avios
While Chase and Capital One don’t transfer to Qatar, you can still transfer to British Airways Avios and then to Qatar.
You will need to open a British Airways Avios account and a Qatar Avios account and then link your two accounts together.
You can combine Avios between BA, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Qatar on the BA site here.
Or you can combine Avios between BA and Qatar on the Qatar site here.
Booking with Qatar Avios
In order to book awards, you must log in to Qatar and then return to the homepage to book online. In most cases, the homepage search is now a much better search engine, than using the other award search page.
Once you are logged in, you will see the option on the homepage to “Book an award flight:”
Frustratingly, American’s regional partner flights don’t show up on Qatar’s site. You can search for availability on the BA site and then call Qatar to book it at 800-988-6128. Note that not all reps will book American’s regional partner flights.
You may have better luck booking another flight and then paying $25 to switch to a regional partner flight.
Alternatively, you can send a secure message to Qatar to book here. Select any option and write the details of what you’re trying to book in the message.
Qatar Avios Partner Rates
Qatar has an excellent partner award chart:
You can also use Qatar Avios for bargains on JetBlue, which has its own unpublished partner award chart that I put together here:
| Flight distance | Economy | Business | Sample routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-1,100 | 8.5K | 17K | JFK-Boston, Chicago, or Fort Lauderdale |
| 1,101-2,000 | 13K | 26K | JFK-Aruba, S. Maarten, or S. Thomas |
| 2,081-2,800 | 18,500 | 74K | JFK-Barbados, Liberia, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, or Seattle |
| 2,801-3,700 | 25K | 78K | JFK-Amsterdam, Dublin, London, or Paris |
Cancelations cost $25.
You can fly on AA on short-haul flights like NYC-Cleveland, Detroit, Montreal, Pittsburgh, or Toronto for 6,000 Qatar Avios in coach or 12,500 Qatar Avios in business class. With BA that would be 8,250 in coach or 16.5K in business.
You can fly on AA between NYC and Miami for 9,000 Avios in coach or 16,500 Avios in business class. With BA that would be 11K in coach or 20.5K in business.
A JetBlue flight from NYC to Miami is just 8.5K Qatar Avios:
While British Airways Avios, you’ll pay a fortune in fuel surcharges to fly overseas on American, a business class ticket from JFK to London will set you back 62K Avios + $1,002:
But you can save a ton by booking with Qatar Avios, the same business class ticket on AA will be 62K Avios + $237:
A JetBlue flight from NYC to Paris is just 25K Qatar Avios in economy or 78K Avios in Mint business class, with no fuel surcharges:
That’s a fraction of what JetBlue charges:
I took advantage of the Qatar Avios pricing to fly to Paris last year in JetBlue Mint business class.
You can also use Qatar Avios for travel on Qatar, where you can redeem points for their business class QSuites, considered one of the best business class seats:
Credit cards with transferrable points:
If you, a member in your household, or an authorized user has one of the following Chase cards, you can transfer points into miles:- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a 60K signup bonus for spending $4K in 3 months, earns 2.1 points per dollar on travel after the card's 10% anniversary bonus, 3.1 points per dollar on dining, streaming, and online groceries after the card's 10% anniversary bonus, has a $50 hotel credit, can transfer all Chase points into miles, and points are worth at least 1.25 cents each for paid travel ($95 annual fee). Read more here.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a 60K signup bonus for spending $4K in 3 months, earns 3 points per dollar on dining/travel, has a $300 travel credit, can transfer all Chase points into miles, and points are worth at least 1.5 cents each for paid travel ($550 annual fee with $300 travel credit). Read more here.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has a 90K signup bonus for spending $8K in 3 months, and earns 3 points per dollar on up to $150K of annual spending on shipping, advertising, and travel, can transfer all Chase points into miles, and points are worth at least 1.25 cents each for paid travel ($95 annual fee). Read more here.
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has a 35K signup bonus for spending $3K in 3 months and another 40K signup bonus points for spending another $3K in 6 months for a total of 75,000 Chase Ultimate points, plus if you have a Chase business checking account open on the card's first anniversary you will get a 10% points bonus on all earnings from card spending, this card earns 5 points per dollar on the first $25,000 in combined purchases on cable, TV, telecom, cellular, and office supply stores, plus 2 points per dollar on dining and gas on up to $25,000 in purchases ($0 annual fee). Read more here.
- Chase Freedom Flex has a 20K signup bonus, plus 5 points on rotating categories, 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, and 3 points per dollar on dining and drugstores ($0 annual fee). Read more here.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a signup bonus that earns an extra 1.5% cash back in the form of 1.5 points per dollar everywhere on up to $20K of spending during your first year, on top of at least 1.5 points per dollar everywhere, 5 points per dollar (marketed as 5% cash back) on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, and 3 points per dollar on dining and drugstores ($0 annual fee). Read more here.
- AMEX Blue Business Plus is offering a rare bonus to earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership and offers 2 points per dollar spent on up to $50K spending annually 1 point per dollar thereafter, plus transfer points to airlines and hotels and keep AMEX points alive. Read more here.
- AMEX Platinum Business is offering a 150K bonus for spending $20,000 in 3 months and offers over $1,000 in annual credits, lounge access, and much more. Read more here.
- AMEX Gold Business Card is offering a 100K bonus for spending $15,000 in 3 months and offers up to $240 in annual business credits, Walmart+ membership, up to 4 points per dollar spent with a $150K annual spend cap, and more benefits. Read more here.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express is offering a 80K bonus for spending $8,000 in 6 months and offers over $1,000 in annual credits, lounge access, and much more. Terms apply. Read more here.
- American Express® Gold Card is offering a 60K bonus for spending $6,000 in 6 months, 20% back in statement credits for restaurants worldwide, up to $100 back-Complete Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply. Read more here.
- AMEX Green Consumer Card is offering a 40K bonus for spending $3,000 in 6 months and offers up to $189 in annual CLEAR Plus® credits, $100 LoungeBuddy credit, plus transfer points to airlines and hotels and keep AMEX points alive. All information about the AMEX Green Card has been collected independently by DansDeals.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is offering 75,000 bonus miles for spending $4K in 3 months, plus earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, 10K anniversary bonus miles, Global Entry/Pre-Check, Capital One lounge access, Priority Pass Lounge membership, Hertz President's Circle status, free lounge access and status for free additional cardholders, transfer miles to airlines and hotels, 5K MLB redemptions, and more. $395 annual fee. Read more here.
- Capital One Venture X Business is offering 150,000 bonus miles for spending $30K in 3 months, plus earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, 10K anniversary bonus miles, Global Entry/Pre-Check, Capital One lounge access, Enhanced Priority Pass Lounge membership, transfer miles to airlines and hotels, 5K MLB redemptions, and more. $395 annual fee. Read more here.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is offering 75,000 bonus miles for spending $4K in 3 months, plus 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, transfer points to airlines and hotels, 5K MLB redemptions, and more. $95 annual fee. Read more here.
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is offering 20,000 bonus miles for spending $500 in 3 months, transfer miles to airlines and hotels, 5K MLB redemptions, and more. No annual fee.
- Capital One Spark Miles for Business is offering 50,000 bonus miles for spending $4,500 in 3 months, 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, Global Entry/PreCheck, transfer miles to airlines and hotels, 5K MLB redemptions, and more. $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- New offer: Capital One Spark Cash Plus is offering $2,000 cash back (convertible to 200,000 miles) for spending $30,000 in 3 months, plus get another $2,000 cash back for every $500K spent in your first year, 2% back everywhere, $40 MLB redemptions, annual fee refund when you spend $150K/year, and more. $150 annual fee.
Do you use Qatar Avios for award redemptions?
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92 Comments On "[Workaround To Book American Eagle Regional Flights] How To Book Qatar Avios Award Bargains"
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No mention of the qatar airways credit cards?
I wouldn’t recommend them at this point.
Low signup bonuses and you can never again get a different cardless card in the future if you get one.
I’m still catching up from Pesach news I didn’t cover, but I hope to get there.
its a once per lifetime?
Yes, and it precludes you from getting any of their cards ever again.
Supposedly…
Is there a chart for Iberia and Aer Lingus short and long haul US flighta
Those should match BA’s chart. I assume eventually Qatar’s chart will match that as well, so take advantage while you can.
Agree Qatar offers better value than most other Avios options. Exceptions would be Iberia and Aer Lingus in biz on their own metal
Last I checked BA Avios charges the same lower taxes that Aer Lingus does for their metal.
That’s news to me. Thanks!
Hi Dan, what is the best option/airlines you’d suggest for using my Chase/Citi points to book July RT flight NY to Greece?
There’s no single answer for that, you need to check on availability for your dates across several programs.
Do they also charge per leg of the flight has a stopover (like BA does)?
Yes
Just FYI you might be on a VERY long Q-Suites flight with no food! Qatar airways says on their website they have kosher meals but after I booked a Q-suites ticket (Abu Dhabi-US, via Doha) kosher meals were not options for either flight (and they most definitely can be sourced from the UAE).
As an aside, I booked my ticket with BA Avios, only 75k, and I only do feel comfortable booking this ticket because BA got the money for the point conversion from Chase and Qatar will lose money on that seat but I would feel very uncomfortable to have Qatar benefit from any ticket purchase or credit card conversion, especially since they support Hamas and the Islamic Republic of Iran (they allowed every other national flag at the World Cup except for the Persian flag of the Shah’s government and Persian media also reported they gave lists of Persian attendees to the Iranian government to monitor and punish their citizens). They deceptively advertise they have kosher meals but don’t actually offer kosher food on these overseas flights just like they promised there would be kosher food at the World Cup and then legally banned its sale the week before!!
They do offer kosher meals, just not on their site. Did you call or DM them to request it?
Don’t you think Kosher meals are the least of your issue? It might be asur to order Kosher because you are putting yourself in sakana nefashot. This isn’t Lawrence or Lakewood. When you fly through Doha you have to start thinking like someone who lived through the Farhood of Baghdad or Berlin 1935. Im not joking either. Better not to fly them but if you do you’re probably best eating vegan or bringing your own food. Publicly identifying yourself as a religious Jew in Doha is moronic. People are attacking Jews in Amsterdam I don’t want to think about what can happen in Qatar. Use your sechel we aren’t in Kansas anymore.
As a proud Jew you will never take away my Jewish identity. I flew Qatar Airways this august for my first time and had a better experience then the likes of other middle eastern airlines IE: Etihad, Emirates ETC. I ordered a kosher meal by calling them. Once on board the plane, before departure, a flight attendant approached me and introduced herself and said to me, we understand you ordered a special meal today and we are going to need your help opening it. Upon take off they brought me the box with my Hermolis kosher meal, I opened the box for them to heat my meal, they were pretty accustom with how our kosher meals operate. (unlike my Neos flight this month from JFK-MXP-JFK). Since they don’t get kosher meals frequently, they don’t have mid flight snacks, instead, they give you another full hot meal. I asked the flight attendant’s how often they get a request for a kosher meal, they responded about once a month.
Flying Qatar and traveling VIA Doha is not considered Sakana (according to my LOR). I felt extremely safe traveling solo during my flight, as well, during my stay in Doha city. On my return flight, the head flight attendant saw I was wearing my kippa during the flight and said to me, you should always be proud of you religion, I said thank you. that makes me feel safe coming from you as my inbound flight I was hesitant to wear it, so I opted for a cap. After striking up a conversation with him I told him I look forward to the day when there are diplomatic relations between Israel and Qatar and hope to be on that inaugural flight between the two countries.
Isn’t vegan meals not kosher?
Does Qatar Airways make money when you transfer Avios to them and then use them to book other airlines’ flights?
They would get money for the transfer and they would spend money to get you a ticket on another airline.
Is there anyway of knowing/guessing how much will cost them to book you a ticket on another airline and how much they’re getting paid for the transfer?
I would guess they get paid between $50-$70 for 6,666 points.
I don’t know what they would pay United for a flight from Newark to Honolulu, but I’d be pretty surprised if a redemption like that was profitable. It’s more likely just a loophole of allowing 10K flat rate awards within a country (which is probably going to be more profitable in smaller countries) and Turkish counting Hawaii as part of the US, which other programs don’t do.
There is old info in the post:
“Capital One points transfer instantly into British Airways Avios at a 1:1 ratio. There was a 30% bonus in November 2022.”
It’s showing when the last time there was a bonus.
No mention of jetble to london?
Paris is mentioned. It would be almost exactly the same for London.
If you live in Canada and have RBC Avion points there is a 30% bonus transferring them to BA Avis until the end of May.
I moved my points (500k) from BA to Qatar but they now locked my account citing my ba account is also locked can anyone help me?
I hope they quickly address this issue.
Sounds like they flagged the transfer as a suspicious transfer and locked the account(s) because of that.
Are the addresses and all other details in the entries for the common fields on both accounts an exact match? Was the geolocation of your IP address on your access device for the account transfer in the same general area as the mailing addresses on your QR and BA accounts, and were you using a commercial VPN at the time of the transfer or a public wifi network? Those kind of things and a large transfer in one fell swoop can make some transfer-related parties more suspicious and thus interested in buying time to let the situation sort out and try to reduce the chances of there being any funny business with unauthorized account transfers or other account abuse.
Call them?
Thanks Dan was waiting on booking a bunch of aa flights on ba now I’ll be saving 3000 points on each ticket
Can I book points for my family on my account?
Nice!
Yes.
First Dan thanks again for saving me thousands of points!!!
So expert flyer said there is 7 award tickets on the flight I wanted. Booked 3 still 7 left booked another 6 still 7 left
Is this normal?
Yes, it doesn’t display more than 7.
Is there any ryme or reason as to which routes they dont show online? Is it just some city pairs arbitrarily never come up?
Which routes are you having issues with?
CLE-NYC was the only one I noticed offhand.
AA is no longer on the dropdown on Qatar for ‘flights with our partners’?
Please read the post again.
I havent been able to get jet blue options to populate, ive tried all 3 search options listed. one of the searches is saying that i need the 8500 avios. does that mean i need the avios in the account to see search results?
Which route?
It will only populate if there is saver award availability. You can try calling or chatting to see if there is availability if you don’t see it online.
TPA to NYC
Needs to be an American Airlines metal flight. It won’t be available if it’s a republic airways dba American airlines flight.
Thanks Dan.
1 Point to add, On domestic flights Qatar airways is showing before booking the baggage symbol as if it would include luggage, In fact it does not include them unless you fly First/Business.
Its still worth to book Eco with them just take in account that its without luggage.
just booked however ticket does not show up on AA yet – how long does it take for AA to issue the ticket?
I learnt the hard way, Qatar doesn’t add lap infants to AA partner awards, and AA won’t either. AA says to call Qatar…
Should be able at the airport I’d assume.
Fake news I added on aa
I’ve missed a flight in the past due to that assumption. (although that was United booked with Turkish, and the check-in counter sent me to the Ticketing desk that had a 2 hour wait…)
Can I book Jet blue flight lax Nyc in mint with Qatar ? How much miles
I am trying to book a seat for my infant and it is not letting me it says age is unavailable for a ticket and if I book as an infant it doesn’t give me an option for a seat
Would I be able to book an aa award flight not showing up on Qatar thru secure message?
Now with Finnair as an option for domestic US/Canada flights, you can avoid Qatar.
Thanks again for your help, really amazing. You write in this post that for regional AA flights that don’t show it may be worth just paying the $25 and changing it after booking another flight, mind explaining what you mean by that and how that would help, would it show up on search after I have a different ticket?
I was able to book a regional AA flight by phone. But it did take a long phone call.
Same. NYC-CVG
+1 PHL to CLE. Very looooong phone call.
Also note, the phone reps (and the website) are asking for passport# in order to book, even though flights are domestic.
I’m confused
Which flight do I book first?
Don’t advertise that not paying the $25 is an option! Would hate for them to change the process, this has been great.
booked through qatar aa not allowing me to add aa ff number ?
I’m confused. So you booked a mainline AA flight and then switched to the regional? Why? Because times suited better? I’m very curious as this is a great trick but am trying to see when the seemingly limited cases (available in larger plane but you want smaller?) would apply.
Thanks,
David
does not paying $25 work to cancel also ?
when you booked the 6am flight with Qatar, how did you know that they will be able to upgrade you to an 8am flight? Was it showing up on BA.com? Do you first check on BA.com and use that as your guide for availability? what do you mean by “mainline” and “regional” flight?
Exact same questions, wondering the same
Added screenshots to the update.
I started doing this all for many flights What’s the difference between regional and mainline?
Does that mean I can change from a award flight to non award
How would this work if there are no mainline flights available for the route you need?
Should be able to switch routes, try and let us know.
Would the flight change method work for switching airports from one that has mainland to one that has regional? Just booked GSO-MIA with 12K Qantas (16K on BA), but its only 9K on Qatar.
Should work. Try and let us know.
Where does AA mainline fly ?
Where do they fly within 600 miles that I could switch to my desired route?
Why is that easier than just calling qatar from the start to book the 8am flight? How does booking a 6am and calling them to change it make it easier
Because they wouldn’t do it from the start for me, though you may have success with HUCA.
Thanks tried chatting to do a change a few times and they said no but when calling they were able to do
Awesome!
I saw you wrote something about not having to pay but removed it I’d rather have Qatar loose as much money as possible should I be paying?
Would I be able to switch routes on JetBlue as well? Qatar is only able to see the night flight. Would I be able to switch it to a morning flight using this method?
I fly my kids ORD-NYC and ORD-CLE in both directions and occasionally use Qatar to book. I find NYC usually works online and CLE never does. When I call for the CLE flights I am pretty sure they let me book any AA flight but it is a huge pain. I am usually on for over 30 minutes. My guess is that it is not something they regularly do so they have to find a supervisor to show them. It doesn’t help that the Avios are in my name and the passengers have different names and some are minors. They usually pick up right away, English is decent, and they say they are actually based in Qatar. I tell them to send regards to my buddy Ismael Haniyeh yimach shemo. I asked some Rabbis if this is supporting enemies in any way and they say no, no issues.
just to get this straight the regional flight was not bookable over the phone only after you booked the mainline flight using watar avios and called up to switch to the regional if their computer systems cant see regional flights to book lchatchilla how could they see it aafterwards once their computer systems cant see it they shouldnt see it after
If you book Qatar Avios to fly on American Eagle, does Qatar Airways earn any money off of that transaction?
I booked through Qatar a award ticket on AA, but how can I get my AA record locator so i can choose seats etc.
On Qatar website i wasn’t able to do it.
how do i book ams to jfk on Jet blue through qatar??
nothing coming up!
if i cancel a flight, do i have to pay $25 or should i ask them to bill Haniye instead? 🙂
Hi Dan
how would I be able to book a flight from DTW to NYC using Qatar as I see not BA or Qatar mention any AA flights
how do I get around it?
FYI, I called Qatar many times and no one was able to find the regional AA flights. I tried calling an overseas office (HKG) and all of the reps were able to find it.
What number did you call?
I actually was able to book a regional flight on the first try to the US number this week.
@Dan Seems like Qatar has raised their redemption rates
Pretty cool hack.
Wonder if there’s a way to do that with jetblue.
I can see the flight avlb on jetblue website. But that’s not going to help much with knowing what’s avlb on Qatar website.
For example take a date like this Sunday from JFK-NAS 18th of August can’t seem to pull up any flights with Jetblue.
Nor a return, for example take that same week 22nd of August NAS-JFK Only seeing availability for 30+ days out. So seems like it’s hard to know what’s book-able online with Qatar flying on B6.
Though AA you can use ba to check.
I booked an aa phl to cle flight using Qatar
My flight was canceled and they are refusing to refund my points saying it was a no show
Any advice?
File a DOT complaint.
Anyway to find Jetblue availability without searching each individual date?
Requires expert level searching, but yes:
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/milespoints/awesome-redeem-emirates-miles-wide-open-award-space-jetblue-mint-business-class-flights/