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Minor improvement to Qatar Avios flight bookings
We covered some significant changes to the Qatar Airways Privilege Club a few weeks ago, which affect the way you book Avios redemptions for anyone other than yourself. While this was obviously introduced to combat fraud, it significantly disrupts the ability to book flights using Avios through the Qatar Privilege Club for your travel companions. Luckily, you can still book Qatar flights as normal through British Airways. If you want to read more about the advantages and disadvantages of each, take a look at our original article here.
The change meant that you needed to add the people you want to buy tickets for to one of two lists in your account in advance and, more importantly, have credited at least one flight to your account before you can add people to your lists. There is a glimmer of good news, but it is unlikely to affect the majority of TLFL readers. Qatar has relented and will allow Gold and Platinum Privilege Club members to book for anyone. At the moment this will have to be done by phoning the call centre until the ability to book online is restored at the end of August.
Nectar Avios bonus
If you haven’t already spotted it, there’s 10 days left to make the most of the Nectar Avios bonus. In order to take part, you will need to link your Nectar account with your BA Club account. Then you need to convert a minimum of 400 points between Nectar and Avios in either direction by 31 July 2026. You can convert 400 Nectar points into 250 Avios or 400 Avios into 400 Nectar points.
This will then allow you to collect double points on qualifying purchases made at Sainsbury’s Habitat, Argos, and Tu by 31 July. Bonus points will be credited to your account by 28 August 2026.
You can find more information on this page.
Air Canada upgrades business class amenities
With many TLFL readers who previously considered only oneworld airlines now spreading their wings to other business class products, I thought Air Canada’s latest on-board improvements may be worth mentioning. While Air Canada may not be as “sexy” as some other airlines, they have a solid business class product on its long-haul aircraft. One of the key advantages is the consistency of the seats, which are pretty much the same across their fleet, and all have aisle access on their long-haul Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
Air Canada is introducing a new collection of premium bedding and amenities for customers on international flights.
Launching across all cabins beginning next month, the collection includes upgraded Signature (business) Class duvets and pillows, generously sized blankets in Premium Economy and Economy Class, and new amenity kits developed in partnership with Canadian brands.
“From the generously sized Premium Economy and Economy Class blanket that keeps you comfortable from shoulders to feet, to our new plush Signature Class duvets, every element introduced as part of this launch was thoughtfully chosen to help customers settle in, relax and rest throughout their journey,” said Jacqueline Harkness, Managing Director, Products & Services at Air Canada. “We’ve spent meaningful time with our customers, getting their perspective on what would make a flight more relaxing and restful. Then we went to work investing in high-quality products that deliver the very best that leading Canadian partners have to offer.”
Air Canada partnered with leading Canadian hospitality partner Hunter Amenities for the new amenity kits, which are designed to be reusable. Air Canada also partnered with Sahajan, an award-winning, female-founded skincare company.
New Signature Class amenity kits will feature Sahajan’s “Lip Karma,” a nourishing lip balm with castor and argan oils for lasting moisture, and “The Hand Remedy,” a rich, fast-absorbing cream that provides immediate relief and a non-greasy barrier for dry hands.
Air Canada Signature Class Bedding and Amenity Kit:
- An upgraded, 145 gsm duvet designed to offer increased softness, warmth, and superior comfort.
- A new pillow featuring a 16.5 oz AirFlow fill for optimised breathability and support.
Air Canada Signature Class Amenity Kit:
- A best-in-class eye mask that is soft, weightless and adjustable, precision-shaped to completely block out light and maximise comfort.
- Sahajan’s science-backed Lip Karma balm and The Hand Remedy cream for in-flight hydration.
- High-quality 3M earplugs made from soft, hypoallergenic polyurethane foam with a noise reduction rating 32 decibels.
- Quintessentially Canadian striped knitted cabin socks, made with 70 per cent cotton for warmth and comfort at high altitudes.
- An antimicrobial bamboo toothbrush with Colgate toothpaste and dental floss.
- The amenity kit is made in Canada and presented in a recycled cotton drawstring bag designed to be reused on future journeys.
I can’t say the bag is overly exciting, and I’m not sure how much reuse I’d get from it, but I do really like some of the contents. The eye mask looks like one of the best airline ones I have seen, with its contouring and well-designed shape. I also like the snazzy socks, which have a high percentage of cotton, unlike most sweaty airline socks! The skin care products also sound like something most people would use, although it is not a brand I am familiar with.
