
Episode 116
✈️ Qatar Airways Just Started Charging for THIS on Award Bookings
Smart With Points Podcast - Boost Your Miles & Points
November 6, 20259m 18s
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Show Notes
Qatar Airways has quietly introduced seat selection fees for business class award bookings starting November 3rd, 2025. Passengers redeeming Avios or Q credits now face approximately £85 per flight segment to select seats in advance, unless they hold oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status. This change affects all partner programs including British Airways, Iberia, and Alaska Airlines. Combined with recent fuel surcharge increases, these fees are significantly eroding the value of Qatar award redemptions, making it crucial for points collectors to diversify their strategies and consider building elite status protection.
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Topics
smart with pointsmilespointstravelaviationaviosflightshotelsstatusairlinebritish airwaysoneworld