Qatar Airways eases Avios redemption rules

Qatar Airways has relaxed key restrictions on using Avios points to book flights for other people. The airline's Privilege Club programme no longer requires members to have credited a cash flight to their account before setting up redemption lists for friends and family, reversing a controversial rule introduced in June.

The airline implemented the tough restrictions to combat high levels of Avios fraud. The original changes required the account holder to have taken a cash flight with Qatar Airways or a partner like British Airways and credited the miles to their Privilege Club account before they could add anyone to a 'My List' or 'Family & Friends' list for redemptions. This posed a significant problem for members who primarily earned Avios through transfers from British Airways Executive Club or credit card points.

The revised rules for booking

Qatar Airways has now removed the cash flight requirement. All members can once again set up a 'My List' containing up to four other Privilege Club members, or a separate 'Family & Friends' list. The 'Family & Friends' list has even been expanded, now allowing up to nine people who are not Privilege Club members, including children.

However, not all restrictions are gone. A 30-day rule remains in place for the 'My List' feature. To add another Privilege Club member to your 'My List' and book an Avios ticket for them, that individual must have held their Privilege Club account for at least 30 days. There is also a six-month minimum period before someone can be removed from your 'My List', and an individual can only be on one such list.

Handling the remaining 30-day rule

The 30-day account rule is not an absolute barrier to immediate bookings. The Head for Points report notes that most Qatar Airways redemptions can be booked through the British Airways website, ba.com, without these restrictions. This provides a workaround for booking flights for people who do not have a 30-day-old Qatar Airways account.

There are, however, specific redemption types that cannot be booked via ba.com and are therefore subject to the 30-day rule if booked directly through Qatar Airways. These exceptions are:

Considerations for families and pooling

For families, the 'Family & Friends' list is often the more practical option, as it is the only way to include children who cannot hold their own Privilege Club accounts. However, the Qatar Airways system involves Avios pooling for flights credited to the account, meaning any miles earned from flights booked for a person on this list will automatically pool into the primary member's account. The source advises getting permission before adding anyone for this reason, making it less ideal for casual bookings for colleagues or friends.

While the rollback is positive news for points collectors, planning is still essential. The core limitation of four slots on 'My List' with a six-month lock-in period remains. The report concludes that effectively immediately, members can once again book Avios tickets for others via their Privilege Club account regardless of their own flight activity, provided they handle the remaining account age requirements for certain booking methods.