Qatar launches Amsterdam to Doha – and why it is not the best Avios redemption

Qatar Airways is continuing its expansion in Europe with the launch of services from Amsterdam on 16th June.

Flights will operate daily and will use a new Boeing 787 which features Qatar’s latest business class seating (photo below).  This is an impressive 1-2-1 fully-flat arrangement which I reviewed last year.

As Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld alliance, alongside British Airways, you can use your Avios points to book this flight.  Flights are already loaded at ba.com.

The good news ….  is that taxes are low compared to flying Qatar Airways from Heathrow.  A one-way redemption in Business Class from Amsterdam to Doha is 40,000 Avios + £119 in taxes and charges.  The same flight from Heathrow would cost 40,000 Avios + £274.  You might find it worthwhile getting a cheap one-way flight to Amsterdam to save £155 per person.

The bad news …. well, it isn’t really bad news.

However, if you are willing to start your Qatar Airways redemption flight in Europe, Amsterdam is NOT the best place to start.   Frankfurt is a better option.

Why?  Well, Frankfurt is – just – under 3,000 miles from Doha.  This means that it falls into the cheaper Avios redemption bracket.

Instead of 40,000 Avios points each way in Business Class, Frankfurt to Doha is just 25,000 Avios each way.  (Economy is a laughable 12,500 Avios each way.)  Frankfurt is also a Boeing 787 route.  The tax on a one-way from Frankfurt to Doha in Business Class is £160.

Other options to Doha in the 25,000 Avios one-way Business Class band include Zurich (£163 tax), Berlin (£144 tax) and Vienna (£135 tax).  Paris falls into the 40,000 Avios band.  The standard Qatar policy is to release four seats in Business Class per flight.

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 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 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:

British Airways Accelerating Business American Express

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.

(Want to earn more Avios?  Click here to visit our home page for our latest articles on earning and spending your Avios points and click here to see how to earn more Avios this month from offers and promotions.)