Qatar announces a new Edinburgh service …. a good Avios redemption for Scots

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I have written a few pieces recently about Qatar Airways joining BA in the oneworld alliance, eg here and here. This gives you a very interesting new option for spending your Avios points, especially as Qatar Airways has an impressive reputation and a growing route network.

Qatar will be launching a new service from Edinburgh to Doha from May 28th. They will fly five times per week, and this will – apparently – be the first service from Edinburgh to any Middle Eastern destination.

It is also worth noting that Qatar will using a brand new Boeing 787 on the route, which means that it will feature their impressive new business class seating as pictured above.

Even better, it is running as a day flight. It will leave Edinburgh at 14.45, arriving in Doha at 23.40.

Avios redemption seats are already bookable at ba.com. A one-way from Edinburgh to Doha in business class costs 40,000 Avios plus £240 – £112 less tax than taking a BA flight with a change in Heathrow.

If flying to Qatar, it is worth noting that ex-Heathrow redemptions are also a lot cheaper on Qatar. The tax on a direct BA flight to Doha is £506 return, whilst a Qatar flight is £365 return. Unless you are using a 2-4-1 voucher from your BA Amex, Qatar Airways seems a no-brainer if you can get a 787 departure.

As the comments below show, even the older 777 planes are seen as a having a better business class service than BA.

How to earn Avios points from UK credit cards

How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (December 2021)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways BA Amex American Express card

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up, no annual fee and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending ….. Read our full review

British Airways BA Premium Plus American Express Amex credit card

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the UK’s most valuable credit card perk – the 2-4-1 companion voucher Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points, such as:

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital On Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios:

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus: