NEWS & OFFERS: Qatar Launches New Privilege Pro Subscription with Qpoints, Air France-KLM & Qantas Expand Codeshare, and No1 Lounge Jersey Discount

Qatar Airways Launches Privilege Pro: an Avios Subscription with Status Points

BA and Finnair already have Avios subscription options, but Qatar has just announced a subscription with a twist. Privilege Pro offers a set number of Avios per month, and at the top tier, you’ll also receive Qpoints.

It’s the first Avios subscription to bundle in status points. However, the cost per Avios is higher than that of both Finnair and British Airways.

Privilege Pro

There are 4 Privilege Pro subscriptions available:

Where Can 60 Qpoints Get You?

Ultimate works out more expensive per Avios than Exclusive. You’re effectively paying a premium for the Qpoints.

As a reminder:

• Silver (Oneworld Ruby): 150 Qpoints to qualify, 135 to renew

• Gold (Oneworld Sapphire): 300 Qpoints to qualify, 270 to renew

• Platinum (Oneworld Emerald): 600 Qpoints to qualify, 540 to renew

Silver requires 150 Qpoints. Although 60 Qpoints will not grant you instant status, they will help you reach the next tier. Essentially, 60 Qpoints could get you 40% of the way from Burgundy to Silver (or 44% to renew). However, you’ll also need to fly a minimum of 4 one-way segments or 20% of points with Qatar to qualify for status.

Are the Qpoints worth it? It depends on how much the Qpoints are worth to you. If they get you over the threshold of the next status tier, they may be absolutely worth the money, but if not, there are cheaper Avios subscriptions available.

Qatar vs BA vs Finnair: Which Avios Subscription Offers Best Value?

There is now plenty of choice when it comes to Avios subscriptions. From a value standpoint, the Qatar subscription is not as good value for money, unless, of course, you’re happy to pay for Qpoints.

Here’s how the subscription options compare across all four tiers:

Finnair

Tier 1: 24,000 Avios per year for £300 (1.25p per point)

Tier 2: 48,000 Avios per year at £523 (1.09p per point)

Tier 3: 120,000 Avios per year at £1,224 (1.02p per point)

Tier 4: 240,000 Avios per year at £2,328 (0.97p per point) – The best value option of all three subscriptions

British Airways

Voyager: 20,000 Avios per year at £259 (1.30p per point)

Traveller: 50,000 Avios per year at £549 (1.10p per point)

Explorer: 100,000 Avios per year at £1,049 (1.05p per point)

Adventurer: 200,000 Avios per year at £1,989 (0.99p per point)

Each Avios subscription has four tiers, each with a varying value per Avios. If you directly compare the four tiers of each subscription:

• The Finnair entry-level subscription offers the best value at 1.25p per Avios, compared to 1.28p with Qatar and 1.30p with BA. While Qatar may edge out BA on cost at certain tiers, that advantage is eroded by FX fees. Keep in mind that Finnair subscriptions may also have FX fees, so use a card with no (or low) FX fees if you can.
• Moving up to the second tier, Finnair remains the best value at 1.09p per Avios, compared to 1.10p with BA and 1.11p with Qatar.
• Finnair is again the best value at the third level at 1.02p per Avios compared to 1.03p with Qatar and 1.05p with BA.
• Looking at the top subscription level of each, Qatar offers the highest price at 1.12p per Avios, but you’ll also receive 60 Qpoints within that. If you’re looking for the best value Avios-only subscription, Finnair comes in at 0.97p per Avios for 240,000 per year.

With Avios fully transferable between Qatar, Finnair, and BA, the best value option is to subscribe to the option with the most favourable rate.

To learn more about the loyalty programmes and how to earn and spend Avios, make sure you read our guides:

• Qatar Privilege Club
• Finnair Loyalty Programme
• How to Earn and Spend Finnair Avios
• The Finnair Avios Subscription

NOTE: All subscriptions are via Points.com and won’t come under ‘airline’ if you’re looking for bonus AMEX points.

Worth It?

The Qatar subscription has less value than BA and Finnair subscriptions, as well as the added FX fees. However, it’s good to see a subscription that includes the option to earn status points. If the Qpoints are worth it to you, Qatar could work out the best choice.

Remember, a subscription means that Avios will only be credited to your account on a monthly basis. If you need Avios all at once, your only options are to earn Avios, boost them, or purchase Avios without a subscription. If Qpoints are what you’re looking for, there’s also the option to purchase Qpoints for $25 per point (£20.30) every three years.

You can sign up for Privilege Pro here >>>

Air France-KLM and Qantas Expand Codeshare Partnership

Air France-KLM has expanded its codeshare partnership, with several excellent additions that bring new redemption options, route access, and lounge benefits. This latest and most integrated phase builds on the partnership which started in 2018.

Here’s what’s changed!

Redeem Flying Blue Miles in Qantas First

Flying Blue members can now redeem Flying Blue Miles for Qantas First! This is an excellent opportunity due to the fantastic Qantas First product.

Seats are limited and may be even harder to find now. Flying Blue members can also book them.

Lounge Benefits for Ultimate Flying Blue Status Holders

Flying Blue Ultimate members now enjoy access to Qantas’ flagship First lounges in Sydney and Melbourne, matching Oneworld Emerald benefits.

Paris to Perth Now Bookable via Air France

Air France is now codesharing on the non-stop Qantas Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Perth route. It’s currently the only direct passenger service between France and Australia, taking an average of three hours off the fastest routes via Asia or the Middle East.

Haneda Joins the Hub List

Tokyo Haneda is now a hub for connections, joining the existing hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore. You’ll now be able to connect to another Qantas flight onwards to:

• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Perth
• Darwin 

This adds much more flexibility!

Codeshares via Singapore

Air France and KLM have also placed their codes on Qantas’ flights from Singapore to Darwin.

No1 Lounge Opens Early in Jersey with 15% Off Launch Discount.

No. 1 Lounges has announced the early opening of a new lounge at Jersey Airport on 18th July.

To celebrate the launch, there’s 15% off direct bookings until 31st August with code JERSEY (the code excludes child entries and cannot be combined with other offers).

The lounge is open from 5:30 to 20:00, and you can book visits of 1.5 or 3 hours.

Inside, you’ll find a light-filled orangery space, cosy seating and a bistro-style dining area with a distinctly Jersey twist. The design features subtle nods to the island’s coastline and heritage, with a menu built around seasonal, locally sourced Jersey ingredients. You can view the sample menu here.

You can also pre-book via Priority Pass, Lounge Key and DragonPass.

Pre-Book via No 1 Lounges here >>>