Get a 40% bonus from bank points to Qatar Airways Privilege Club and BA Avios

EXPIRED This article relates to an offer or promotion which has now expired.
 

For those sitting on a stash of points in either Citi or Standard Chartered in Singapore, there’s a new transfer bonus on offer from Qatar Airways running between now and 30th June 2022, which will net you up to 40% more Avios than usual when transferring.

This allows you to achieve great value Qatar Airways Business Class redemptions like Singapore to Europe for the equivalent of 50,000 miles transferred from credit card points like Citi Miles, or oneworld awards like Qantas from Singapore to Perth in Business Class for the equivalent of 28,000 Citi Miles transferred.

That’s a potentially attractive offer now that travel has mostly returned, plus the Qatar programme is good value again following a recent return to 2018 redemption levels, including the Qsuite from Singapore to Europe for 70,000 miles with no fuel surcharges.

Unfortunately Qatar Privilege Club (QRPC) has recently reintroduced award surcharges of US$35 to US$70 per sector, which spoils the value slightly, but still makes it well worth considering, especially with a bonus like this running.

Better still, a recent move to adopt Avios as its award currency with a 1:1 ratio from the old Qmiles opens up a wide variety of great oneworld awards, by switching your Avios across to British Airways instantly and free to tap a far superior award chart.

Up to 40% bonus miles offer

For transfers made between now and 30th June 2022, Qatar Airways will award a bonus 20% Avios for any total transfer equivalent to 1 – 20,000 Avios and a higher 40% bonus Avios for any total transfer equivalent to 20,001 Avios or more from its bank and credit card partners, with no upper cap.

That means provided your transfer is normally equivalent to 20,001 Avios or more, the whole amount gets a 40% boost (not just the amount above 20,000 points).

Here’s how it works:

Note that bonus Avios will not be awarded instantly.

You’ll have to wait up to 45 days after the points are credited to your account at the regular transfer rate, before receiving the bonus miles as a separate transaction. The bonus will also not be reflected by your bank during the transfer process itself.

That’s disappointing, since it will be no use to those hoping to use the bonus to jump on a redemption ticket in the coming weeks, or even one you have your eye on in the coming months (will it still be available 45 days from now?).

Full terms and conditions for the transfer bonus are available here.

Citi to Qatar Privilege Club

Citi Miles, earned exclusively through the Citi PremierMiles card in Singapore, usually transfer into Qatar Privilege Club at a 1:1 ratio.

With this offer you’ll get 12,000 Qatar Avios for every 10,000 Citi Miles converted instead (1:1.2 ratio), for transfers of 10,000 or 20,000 Citi Miles, or better still 14,000 Qatar Avios for every 10,000 Citi Miles converted (1:1.4 ratio) if your transfer is 30,000+ Citi Miles.

Here’s how it looks for a larger transfer block, which you’ll no doubt be focusing on during this offer to pick up the higher bonus rate.

Transfer Ratio Citi Miles    QR Avios 30,000 : 30,000 30,000 : 42,000

Citi ThankYou Points (TYPs), earned through cards like the Citi Prestige and Citi Rewards, usually transfer into QRPC at a 2.5:1 ratio.

With this offer you’ll get 14,000 Qatar Avios for every 25,000 Citi TYPs converted instead (1.79:1 ratio), for transfers of 75,000 TYPs or more (to achieve above that 20,000 Avios threshold for the full 40% bonus), as shown below.

Transfer Ratio Citi ThankYou Points    QR Avios 75,000 : 30,000 75,000 : 42,000

Citi Miles transfer into Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles at a 1:1 ratio and Citi ThankYou Points at a 2.5:1 ratio, the same as the regular Qatar conversion rates, so this 40% bonus for Qatar it’s definitely worth considering if you think you’ll use Qatar (or BA) Avios in the near future.

Standard Chartered to Qatar Privilege Club

When Standard Chartered first revealed its transfer ratios to a range of new airline partners with the launch of the X Card in 2019, its Rewards Points transferred into the Qatar Airways programme at a 3:1 ratio.

Unfortunately in late 2020 this was quietly devalued to 3.5:1, making it even less attractive, especially while Citi retained its 2.5:1 ratio for equivalent points into QRPC.

With this offer you’ll get 1,400 Qatar Avios for every 3,500 Rewards Points converted instead (2.5:1 ratio), provided your transfer is at least 73,500 Rewards Points.

Transfer Ratio SC Reward Points    QR Avios 73,500 : 21,000 73,500 : 29,400

Standard Chartered Rewards Points convert into KrisFlyer miles year-round at a 2.5:1 ratio, so under this offer you have the opportunity to convert to Qatar Avios instead at the same rate, which doesn’t sound great but may actually be of interest (read on to find out why).

QRPC award surcharges are back

When it shifted to using the Avios currency, Qatar Airways rather sneakily reintroduced a carrier-imposed booking fee on award redemptions, in addition to the taxes and fees normally payable, and of course in addition to the unchanged Qmiles (now Avios) redemption rates themselves.

Surcharges apply sector-by-sector and are applied at the rates shown below:

• Economy: US$35
• Business / First: US$70

The problem for most of our readers is that the sector-by-sector nature of the additional charge means paying at least twice for a redemption from Singapore (e.g. to Europe) and then twice again on the way back home if you’re also using Avios on Qatar for the return trip.

For a round-trip Business Class award (e.g. SIN-DOH-MAD-DOH-SIN) that’s potentially an additional US$280 (~S$380) cash outlay per person, compared to previous charges.

Very few people are merely going from Singapore to Doha and back (ok, 2022 FIFA World Cup aside!), in which case the surcharge would only be applied once for a one-way award and twice for a round-trip.

Business Class to Europe from 50,000 miles

For our readers based in Singapore, one of the best value redemptions on Qatar Airways is to Europe and back in Business Class.

Here’s an example of how you can use this 40% bonus to fly from Singapore to Athens and some other cities in Business Class on Qatar Airways for just 50,000 Citi Miles + S$260 in taxes.

QRPC
Business Class redemptions from Singapore
(one-way)

Route
	QR Avios	Citi Miles (40% bonus)	KF Miles
Singapore Doha	50,000 +S$152	35,714 +S$152	n/a
Singapore Athens	70,000 +S$260	50,000 +S$260	n/a
Singapore London	75,000 +S$260	53,571 +S$260	92,000 +S$52
Singapore New York	95,000 +S$289	67,857 +S$289	99,000 +S$76*

* S$109 to S$143 if routing via FRA
KrisFlyer Miles rates are pre-5th July 2022 devaluation levels

As you can see, a transfer of just 50,000 Citi Miles to Qatar Privilege Club is enough to net you 70,000 Avios in the programme, including the bonus, enough to get you from Singapore to Athens via Doha in Qatar Airways Business Class with around S$260 in taxes and fees to pay.

That shorter Europe zone also includes destinations like Bucharest, Sofia and Mykonos.

For longer Europe flights like London and Paris, a transfer of 53,571 Citi Miles into QRPC will be enough to redeem in Business Class at the 75,000 Avios rate (usually 92,000 miles with KrisFlyer, soon increasing to 103,500 miles!).

Granted you can’t actually transfer 53,571 Citi Miles into QRPC, since the transfer blocks are in 10,000-mile denominations, but even assuming you have a zero Qatar balance right now – 60,000 miles is a great deal (giving you 84,000 Avios in QRPC after the bonus pays out, so you’ll have 9,000 Avios left over for future use).

Singapore – USA trips in Business Class don’t normally represent a huge saving using Avios on Qatar Airways versus KrisFlyer on SIA, but with this bonus running you’d only need to transfer 70,000 Citi Miles (67,857 in fact) for such a routing – a great deal compared to 99,000 miles under KrisFlyer.

While a transit in Doha is inconvenient, do remember that Qatar Airways is serving many cities in Europe and the USA which require a transit anyway when you fly with SIA – like Madrid or Washington.

Qatar does not impose any pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirement for transit passengers at Doha Airport, so you’ll only be subject to the requirements for your final destination (if any). That means travel to all of Europe, Canada and now even the USA is test-free for fully vaccinated passengers.

This also works for transfers to BA Avios

Since Qatar Airways shifted its frequent flyer currency into Avios, the loyalty points of the IAG Group in which the airline has a 25% stake, these frequent flyer points aren’t only good for redeeming only on the airline itself.

You can now easily link your British Airways Avios and Qatar Airways Avios accounts together (see this guide) and make unlimited instant transfers back and forth between the two.

This allows you to tap good value short-haul redemptions on other oneworld carriers at the BA Avios rates, which are far better than the Qatar Avios rates when used to redeem oneworld flights directly.

Here are some examples of how you can make significant redemption savings with this deal by transferring Citi Miles (or Citi TYPs) to Qatar Avios with a 40% bonus, then transferring them free 1:1 into British Airways Avios.

BA Avios via QRPC
Business Class redemptions from Singapore
(one-way)

Route			Using KrisFlyer orAsia Miles
	BA Avios	Citi Miles (40% bonus)
Singapore Kuala Lumpur (MH)	12,500 +S$75	8,929 +S$75	19,000 +S$52
Singapore Colombo (UL)	22,000 +S$167	15,714 +S$167	39,000 +S$52
Singapore Perth (QF)	38,750 +S$86	27,679 +S$86	36,500 +S$76
Singapore Sydney (QF)	62,000 +S$113	44,286 +S$113	62,000 +S$84
Singapore Sydney (BA)*	50,000 +S$239	35,714 +S$239
Singapore Tokyo (JL)	62,000 +S$283	44,286 +S$283	47,000 +S$52
Singapore Helsinki (AY)	92,750 +S$52	66,250 +S$52	70,000 +S$52
Singapore London (QF)	108,250 +S$69	77,321 +S$69	92,000 +S$52
Singapore London (BA)*	87,500 +S$276	62,500 +S$276

* Based on off-peak travel dates. BA charges more Avios for travel on its own flights during peak periods.
KrisFlyer Miles rates are pre-5th July 2022 devaluation levels

As you can see you can unlock some attractive effective rates with this process (Citi > QR Avios with 40% Bonus > BA Avios).

Even the excellent 70,000 Asia Miles rate for Finnair’s non-stop Singapore – Helsinki flight, which now has the well-rated new Business Class product, comes in cheaper under this deal at 66,250 Citi Miles converted.

Another great pick is BA non-stop from Singapore to Sydney in Business Class for the equivalent of less than 36,000 Citi Miles (though watch out for BA’s fuel surcharges!).

BA’s Avios Economy Class pricing for its own flights and those of oneworld partners is also worth looking at here, with the following examples representing great value versus a KrisFlyer Saver Economy or Asia Miles award.

BA Avios via QRPC
Economy Class redemptions from Singapore
(one-way)

Route			Using KrisFlyer orAsia Miles
	BA Avios	Citi Miles (40% bonus)
Singapore Kuala Lumpur (MH)	6,000 +S$75	4,286 +S$75	7,500 +S$52
Singapore Colombo (UL)	11,000 +S$167	7,857 +S$167	18,500 +S$52
Singapore Perth (QF)	13,000 +S$86	9,286 +S$86	20,000 +S$76
Singapore Sydney (QF)	20,000 +S$113	14,286 +S$113	28,000 +S$84
Singapore Sydney (BA)*	13,000 +S$239	9,286 +S$239
Singapore Tokyo (JL)	20,750 +S$283	14,821 +S$283	25,000 +S$52
Singapore Helsinki (AY)	31,000 +S$52	22,143 +S$52	35,000 +S$52
Singapore London (QF)	35,000 +S$69	25,000 +S$69	38,000 +S$52
Singapore London (BA)*	22,750 +S$276	16,250 +S$276

* Based on off-peak travel dates. BA charges more Avios for travel on its own flights during peak periods.
KrisFlyer Miles rates are pre-5th July 2022 devaluation levels

We’d definitely snag Singapore to Perth in Economy on a daytime A330 flight with the great 2-4-2 configuration – perfect for couples by the window – at under 10,000 Citi Miles each way (Singapore Airlines wants double the number of KrisFlyer miles, and that’s also going up soon!).

Remember that for sub-20,000 Citi Miles equivalent rates in these examples, we are still assuming you will make a 20,001+ miles total single transfer to pick up the full 40% bonus at the Avios side (as you can see, there are plenty of ways to use any excess in future!).

Qatar Premium Lounge in Singapore is reopening

As we reported last week, Qatar Airways is reopening its excellent Singapore Premium Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 1 on 15th June 2022, with up to two daily opening windows based on the airline’s own departures from Changi, as shown below.

Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge Opening Hours
	15 Jun – 30 Jun	From 1 Jul
Morning	—	07:25 – 10:25 (Tue, Thu, Sat)
Evening	17:55 – 02:40 (Daily)	17:55 – 02:40 (Daily)

If you’re thinking of transferring points into Qatar Airways to make a Business Class redemption originating in Singapore, that’s great news because this new lounge will be your first port of call after check-in.

The facility boasts á la carte dining, spacious relaxation pods, a tended martini bar pouring two different Champagnes, and no fewer than five private shower suites.

Check out our comprehensive review to find out why this reopening is great news if you’re looking to lock in a Qatar Airways or oneworld Business Class redemption ex-Singapore in the coming months.

Careful if you want the Qsuite

As we reported back in September, Qatar Airways stopped serving its Singapore – Doha route exclusively with Qsuite-equipped aircraft in Business Class in May 2021, for the first time in nearly two years.

Currently it’s the airline’s older Collins Super Diamond product serving most flights, though the Qsuite does make an appearance here and there, but so do the older 2-2-2 configured Boeing 777s come September.

While none of Qatar’s wide-body Business Class products are bad, the Qsuite certainly has the edge, and it’s a shame the product is no longer guaranteed at least for the Singapore – Doha part of the journey.

Be sure to check the aircraft type and seat map before booking, to know what product to expect on each stage of your journey.

Transferring resets the expiry clock

Since July 2020, Qatar’s Qmiles (now Avios) work on an activity-based expiry policy, meaning any earning or redemption will ‘reset the clock’ for all Avios in your account – keeping them alive for another 36 months (as with BA Avios).

That means any credit card points you transfer during this campaign will be valid for three years, even if your account is empty right now. Alternatively a transfer will not only top up any existing Avios, but then ensure your entire balance is good for another three years.

Do note that transfers between Qatar Avios and British Airways Avios do not reset the expiration clock (that would be too easy!).

Remember the lead time

One important condition for this promotion is that you won’t receive a 20% or 40% bonus for Qatar Avios credited to your account after 30th June 2022, even if the transfer from your bank was initiated before that date.

“If the Avios, which your Bank Rewards Points were converted into, are credited to your Privilege Club account after the period during which this offer is valid has passed, you will not earn bonus Avios under this campaign.”

Qatar Airways

It’s therefore vital to allow sufficient time between initiating the transfer at the bank side and the closing date of this offer.

We have converted Citi Miles in Singapore across to Qatar Privilege Club (QRPC) in the past, and like most Citi partners the miles reflected in our frequent flyer account the next day (within 24 hours).

We have never transferred Standard Chartered Rewards points to QRPC, but it takes a week (4-5 working days) for these to reach KrisFlyer in most cases – so do build in a comfortable buffer if you’re going to make an SC > QRPC transfer, since it’s likely to be no quicker.

Other bank transfer partners are included

If you have credit card points in banks outside Singapore, don’t forget this Qatar Privilege Club offer is open to all partner banks (except Avios earned directly with a Qatar Airways credit card).

Options here include Citi points accrued in Australia, Indonesia and the USA, or with HSBC in Hong Kong.

For a full list of QRPC’s global bank partners – click here.

Is Privilege Club trustworthy?

Here’s perhaps the biggest concern with this otherwise excellent deal.

Qatar Airways has previously devalued its Qmiles overnight, without notice, by a whopping 40% (and on some routes by 80%).

That has always led us to recommend that QRPC is not a frequent flyer programme to trust with a large miles balance in your account for too long.

We would only recommend transferring miles if you have a specific redemption in mind to book in the near future, even with this bonus rate on offer.

The ability to combine your Avios 1:1 with your British Airways account does hopefully provide some partial insurance here, since even if Qatar Airways devalues its own awards you should still be able to tap good value Avios redemptions in the region.

Qatar Privilege Club has an excellent 40% bonus offer for those transferring the equivalent of 20,001 or more Avios into the programme from partner bank reward points, including Citi and Standard Chartered here in Singapore, between now and 30th June 2022.

If you’re going to take advantage, build in a good lead time for the transfer to complete before the cutoff. Qatar’s terms are quite clear – if the miles land in your account on or after 1st July – no bonus for you.

There are certainly some attractive equivalent miles rates on offer during this promotion, especially for those transferring from Citi, but we do advise to have a redemption plan in mind before too long, given Qatar’s history of decimating its own redemption rates without notice.

On the plus side this time round Qatar’s shift to the Avios programme means the ability to tap excellent value redemptions to and from Singapore on oneworld carriers via British Airways, including the latest Finnair Business Class product for the equivalent of 66,250 Citi Miles – less than Asia Miles requires.

Will you be transferring your Citi or Standard Chartered points into the Qatar Privilege Club Avios during this deal? If so, let us know which routes give you good value in the comments section below.

(Cover Photo: Qatar Airways)