Qatar Airways Privilege Club, the loyalty program for Qatar Airways and a member of the oneworld® alliance, adopted Avios as its reward currency, aligning it with British Airways, Iberia, and others.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios Expiration Policy
Yes, Qatar Avios can expire. According to the Privilege Club terms:
- If there is no account activity for 36 consecutive months, your Avios balance will expire.
- Activity refers to either earning or redeeming Avios.
- For example, if you earn or redeem Avios on January 2, 2021, your balance will expire on January 2, 2024, if no further activity takes place.
Exceptions to the Expiration Policy
The only exception applies to Platinum members, whose Avios remain valid as long as they maintain that elite tier. Since keeping status requires ongoing activity, Platinum members rarely face expiration risk.
Extending or Reinstating Expired Avios
If your Avios are close to expiring or have already expired, Qatar Airways allows you to extend or reinstate them:
- Extension: Add 12 months of validity for a fee of 1.5¢ per Avios.
- Reinstatement: Bring back expired Avios for the same cost of 1.5¢ per Avios, but they remain valid for only 12 months from the original expiry date. Because of this, reinstatement usually only makes sense if you plan to redeem them immediately.
How to Prevent Qatar Avios From Expiring
The simplest way to avoid expiration is to earn or redeem Avios within every 36-month window. Here are the main ways to keep your account active:
Earning Avios
- Fly with Qatar Airways.
- Credit flights from Oneworld or other partner airlines to your Privilege Club account.
- Stay at partner hotels such as Hilton, Accor, or through sites like Booking.com.
- Rent cars with partners including Avis, Sixt, Europcar, or Hertz.
- Transfer points from Citi ThankYou®, Marriott Bonvoy, or other eligible partners.
- Shop with Qatar’s retail and service partners.
Qatar Airways also plans to launch two co-branded U.S. credit cards in 2024, offering another way to earn Avios.
Redeeming Avios
- Book flights with Qatar Airways or Oneworld partners.
- Use Avios for upgrades or excess baggage.
- Pay with Avios at outlets in Hamad International Airport.
- Gift or transfer Avios to another Privilege Club member.
Boosting Your Qatar Avios Balance
If you need to top up your balance, Qatar partners with nearly every major transferable points currency, either directly or through its Avios ecosystem.
| From Program | To Program | Transfer Ratio | Minimum Transfer | Average Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Membership Rewards (U.S.) | Qatar Privilege Club | 1,000:1,000 | – | 15 hours |
| Amex Membership Rewards (U.K.) | Qatar Privilege Club | 500:500 | – | Unknown |
| Amex Membership Rewards (Germany) | Qatar Privilege Club | 3:2 | 900 | Unknown |
| Citi ThankYou Rewards (U.S.) | Qatar Privilege Club | 1,000:1,000 (some cards 1,000:700) | – | 1 day |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Qatar Privilege Club | 3:1 | 3,000 | 3–4 days |
| Accor Live Limitless | Qatar Privilege Club | 2,000:1,000 | – | Unknown |
| Bilt Rewards | Qatar Privilege Club | 1,000:1,000 | 2,000 | Unknown |
| Hilton Honors | Qatar Privilege Club | 10,000:1,000 | – | Unknown |
| HSBC Rewards (U.S.) | Qatar Privilege Club | 1,250:1,000 | – | Unknown |
| Hyatt (World of Hyatt) | Qatar Privilege Club | 1,250:500 | 5,000 | Unknown |
| Ramp Rewards | Qatar Privilege Club | 150:100 | – | Unknown |
| Shangri-La Circle | Qatar Privilege Club | 500:500 | 1,000 | Unknown |
The Avios Ecosystem Advantage
Qatar’s adoption of Avios means that balances are transferable at no cost between:
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- British Airways Executive Club
- Iberia Plus
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Finnair (expected later this year)
This makes Qatar effectively a partner of all major transferable points programs, since you can send points to one Avios program and move them across to Qatar.
Official Policy
For the most accurate details, including specifics for Platinum members and the exact calculation of expiry dates, always consult the official Privilege Club documentation:
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club Terms and Conditions (Look for sections on Avios validity and expiration)
Summary
Qatar Avios only expire if there is no account activity for three years, making them relatively easy to keep active. By earning or redeeming at least once every 36 months, or by leveraging transfers from partner programs, you can preserve your balance indefinitely. The ability to move Avios freely across multiple airline programs adds even more flexibility, making Qatar Privilege Club one of the stronger loyalty options for frequent travelers.
Disclaimer: Program terms and conditions, including elite status benefits and expiration rules, can change. This guide is for informational purposes only. Verify details directly with Qatar Airways.