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Qatar Airways is famous not just for its premium fleet and Qsuite business class, but also for operating with Avios — the same currency used by British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. Its loyalty program, Qatar Privilege Club, allows you to earn and spend Avios across a wide spectrum of partners. But like all programs, there’s a catch: Qatar Avios can expire.
Here’s exactly how Qatar handles expiration, and what you can do to protect your balance.
Page Contents
Do Qatar Avios Expire?
Qatar Avios expire if you have no activity on your account for a 36-month period. Per the Qatar Privilege Club terms and conditions, Avios expire as follows:
“By default, if a member has no activity for thirty-six (36) consecutive months, then all of that members balance of Avios will expire as of the Avios Expiry Date. Qatar Airways will take reasonable steps to notify you to your registered email address prior to the Avios Expiry Date.
For Example:- if a Member performs an accrual / redemption activity on 02 January 2021, then if there is no further activity on the account by 01 January 2024 then the Avios will expire as of 02 January 2024 00:01hrs Doha local time (Arabian Standard Time).”
Track your points and miles expiration for 630+ loyalty programs and get email alerts before your miles expire by signing up for a free AwardWallet account.
Exceptions to the Qatar Avios Expiration Policy
According to Qatar Airways, there is only one exception to the mileage expiration policy: Platinum members will not see their Avios expire as long as they maintain their status. Of course, to retain elite status, the member is likely generating qualifying activity.
Related: A New Look at Qatar Airways Privilege Club as Per Segment Fees Return
Reinstating Qatar Avios
Fortunately, if your Qatar Avios expire for some reason, you have some grace and can pay to have your Avios reactivated for a fee. Avios are reactivated at a cost of 1.5¢ (USD) per Avios.
You can reinstate Avios up to one year after the date they expired. If you wait longer than a year, they are lost forever.
Once reinstated, your Avios balance remains valid for an additional 36 months before your Qatar Avios expire.
How To Prevent Your Qatar Avios From Expiring
There are plenty of ways to earn or redeem Avios to extend their validity:
Earning Avios
- Take a flight with Qatar Airways.
- Credit a flight on a partner airline to the Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
- Rent a car with a partner like Avis, Burdge, Sixt, Europcar, or Hertz.
- Stay with a hotel partner like Hilton, Accor, or sites like Booking.com.
- Transfer points to Avios from Citi ThankYou® or Marriott Bonvoy (more partners discussed below).
- Shop with Qatar partners.
- Earn Avios for everyday spending with a Qatar Airways co-brand credit card.
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card
Redeem Avios
- Redeem your Avios for flights with Qatar or a Oneworld partner.
- Use your Avios for upgrades or excess baggage.
- Pay with Avios at various outlets at Hamad International Airport.
- Gift or transfer Avios to another member.
Bear in mind that Qatar Airways has numerous other partners across a range of services. However, they are mostly based in the Middle East. It's always worth checking the Qatar partners page if you're spending time in the Middle East.
Related: Redeem Your Qatar Avios For Experiences and Events
Boosting Your Qatar Privileges Avios Balance
You have multiple options if you want to boost your Qatar Avios balance quickly. Qatar Airways is a transfer partner with every major point currency, either directly or indirectly, through its partners.
However, that is not the end of the story when it comes to Qatar Airways Privilege Club. You can transfer Avios between all of the following programs at no cost:
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- British Airways Club
- Club Iberia Plus
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Finnair Plus
- Loganair Logan Loyalty
This means you can transfer flexible points to one of the above programs before sending them to Privilege Club. This makes Qatar a de facto transfer partner with every flexible points currency.
Related: How To Transfer Avios Between Accounts
Use AwardWallet To Track Your Qatar Avios Expiration
Although 36 months is a generous amount of time before your Qatar Avios expire, it is still long enough that it is easy to lose track of your Qatar Avios and risk losing them. That's why it pays to use AwardWallet to keep track of your Avios. Once set up, you will receive a timely reminder if you have any Avios due to expire soon.
To add your Qatar Privileges Club account to AwardWallet, log in and link your Qatar Privileges Club account. You're set!
Related: How To Track Your Rewards Using AwardWallet
Our Take
While Qatar Airways offers some of the best products in the sky, with its QSuite standing head and shoulders above competitors' business class offerings, the program also boasts some excellent redemption sweet spots.
Couple that with the fact you won't see Qatar Avios expire for a substantial amount of time, and the Qatar Airways Privilege Club is one of the strongest loyalty programs around.
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