Now, thanks to two new credit cards from fintech company Cardless, members of Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club can earn Avios without having to fly, and also fast-track elite status.
The card will be available for applications on May 7, 2024. Here’s what to expect.
How Qatar Airways’ new credit card works
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card | Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| annual fee | USD 499. | USD 99. |
| Signup Bonus | Earn 50,000 Avios, including 25,000 Avios after your first transaction and 25,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 in the first 90 days. | Earn 40,000 Avios, including 20,000 Avios after your first transaction and 20,000 Avios after you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days. |
| Loyalty Program Points |
|
Earn 2 Qpoints for every $2,000 you spend. |
| rate of return |
|
|
| Other Benefits |
|
|
Those interested in applying for the card can join the waitlist in mid-April. If you join the waitlist and apply within 30 days of the card application going live, you will be eligible to receive an additional 5,000 bonus Avios on the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card or 10,000 bonus Avios on the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card. This is in addition to the sign-up bonus available to all applicants.
Elite Status and Benefits
Each card automatically qualifies for one year of elite status with no spending requirements. Additional Q Points earned through spending with this card can help members achieve status in subsequent years.
Gold membership benefits with the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card include: a 75% tier bonus on Avios earned on eligible flights; priority check-in and boarding; free lounge access and four lounge passes per year; free extra baggage allowance; and free priority seat selection. Gold members will also receive all the benefits of oneworld Sapphire elite members and collect Avios when flying with oneworld member airlines.
Silver status, earned with the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card, comes with the following benefits: 25% tier bonus on Avios earned on eligible flights; priority check-in and boarding; free lounge access and two guest lounge passes per year; extra baggage allowance; and 20% off on preferred seating. Silver elite members will also receive all the benefits of oneworld Ruby elite status and collect Avios when flying on oneworld member airlines.
Get a map that takes you further
Join NerdWallet to get a comprehensive view of your spending and receive personalized card recommendations to help you see the world more clearly.
The power of Avios
Avios earned on these cards can be redeemed for flights on Qatar Airways, as well as flights on Oneworld alliance airlines like Alaska Airlines and British Airways, and partner airlines like JetBlue. Rewards can also be transferred to other Avios-based rewards programs, such as British Airways and Iberia. This transferability and connection to partner airlines makes Avios very valuable for optimizers who don’t mind learning how to maximize the value of their rewards.
Should you get a Qatar Airways card?
Unless you’re a frequent flyer on Qatar Airways and take your elite status very seriously, there are easier and more flexible ways to earn Avios. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which are transferable to a variety of Avios-based rewards programs, including British Airways Executive Club, AerClub and Iberia Plus. These programs all allow you to use oneworld alliance rewards cards, including Qatar Airways. New cardholders also get a bigger introductory offer: 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 in bonus points when used through Chase Travel℠.
