Qatar Airways has announced an immediate partnership with British Airways between the airlines’ frequent flyer programmes. Qatar Airways Privilege Club members and British Airways Executive Club members are now able to earn miles, and can begin redeeming miles as of 1st October 2013 on each other’s flights.
Privilege Club is Qatar Airways way of saying thank you to its customers for choosing to fly with the airline. Members enjoy a range of exclusive privileges and benefits designed to make travelling even more rewarding.
“The benefit partnering with British Airways brings to our customers is the added opportunity to earn Qmiles,” Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, said. Privilege Club members may redeem their Qmiles for award tickets, excess baggage or merchandise through Qatar Duty Free or Oryx Galleria in Doha.
“This Frequent Flyer Programme partnership also gives British Airways customers an opportunity to attain credit for destinations throughout the entire Qatar Airways network,” Al Baker, added. “Passengers of both airlines traveling to and from the UK, Africa, Australia and Asia now have more flexibility and frequency when they route trip through Doha as Qatar Airways flies five flights daily to London Heathrow Airport.”
Qatar Airways Privilege Club offers members exciting ways to redeem Qmiles. With flight awards to over 300 destinations served by Qatar Airways and its airline partners, passengers can also use Qmiles as a convenient means of payment for shopping at Qatar Duty Free located at the departures, arrivals and the Premium Terminal of Doha International Airport and Oryx Galleria, Doha, Qatar.
British Airways Executive Club members can collect “Avios” when booking flights or shopping with the airline’s partners. Avios can be used for flights, hotels and “members only” special offers and promotions.
Effective 1 September 2013, passengers flying Qatar Airways routes worldwide will have enhanced baggage allowances with additional baggage weight allowed per person.
Economy weight allowances have increased from 23kg to 30kg while Business and First Class have each increased from 30kg and 40kg to 40kg and 50kg respectively. The number of bags remains the same and dependent on the type of ticket purchased. The increased weight allowance does not apply when travelling to points that are regulated by per-piece allowance.
“Revising our standard baggage allowance comes at a time whereby the number of destinations we fly is increasing and our global reach is broadening,” Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, said. “The number of customers we see travelling for longer periods of time, whether for business or on holiday reflect the necessity for increased baggage allowance no matter their destination.
Those passengers who have travelled prior to 1st September will be able to take advantage of the increased baggage allowance on their return trip if travel is on 1st September or later. The Company will also publish new Excess Baggage rates in September which will also see an increase. Passengers will be able to purchase Excess Baggage at discounted rates of up to 20% on qatarairways.com. Privilege Club members will continue to enjoy excess baggage allowance in addition to the new increased baggage allowance.
Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 129 aircraft to 128 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.