5 Things to Know About Qatar Airways Credit Cards
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Qatar Airways offers two branded credit cards for U.S. consumers. Launched by the airline in May 2024 in partnership with financial technology company Cardless and issued by First Electronic Bank, the cards offer sign-up bonuses, rewards on purchases and an accelerated path to status in Qatar Airways Privilege Club (the airline's frequent flyer program) and the Oneworld alliance (of which the airline is a member).
One card is more feature-rich than the other, and the difference is evident in an annual fee that rivals what you'd pay for the best premium travel rewards credit cards. For that price, other cards may have more to offer, especially if you’d prefer more flexibility with your rewards.
Here are five things to know about the Qatar Airways credit cards.
1. There are two Qatar Airways credit cards
You can choose between the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card, with a $99 annual fee, and the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card, with a $499 annual fee.
Here's how the cards compare:
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card | Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
Annual fee | $499. | $99. |
Sign-up bonus | Earn up to 50,000 Avios, including 25,000 Avios after the first transaction and 25,000 Avios after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days. | Earn up to 40,000 Avios, including 20,000 Avios after the first transaction and 20,000 Avios after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days. |
Loyalty program points |
| Earn 2 Qpoints for every 2,000 Avios earned. |
Earnings rates |
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Other perks |
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2. The cards earn Avios
The cards earn rewards in the form of "Avios," which you can use to book award travel on Qatar Airways. Avios are also the rewards currency for several other airlines, including British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Finnair; you can transfer Avios among those airlines' frequent flyer programs, although the value you get per point will differ.
Because Qatar Airways is part of the Oneworld alliance, you can also redeem Avios toward flights on partner airlines such as American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Qantas and more.
3. You get an accelerated path to status
With the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card, you automatically get Silver status in Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club for the first year you have the card. This grants you a 25% bonus on rewards earnings for eligible flights; priority standby, check-in and boarding; a 20% discount on the cost of seat selection; an allowance for extra baggage; and lounge access. You’ll also get Ruby status in the Oneworld alliance, which gets you business class priority check-in, preferred seating and priority on waitlists and standby.
The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card grants you Privilege Club Gold status for the first year, which comes with a 75% bonus on rewards earnings for eligible flights; priority standby, check-in and boarding; preferred seats; an allowance for even heavier extra baggage; lounge access; credits you can redeem for upgrades; a “meet and assist” service; and a discount on online redemptions. You’ll also get Sapphire status on Oneworld, which provides the benefits of Ruby plus access to business class lounges, priority boarding, a free extra checked bag and priority baggage handling.
Note that the automatic elite status lasts for only the first year. To keep (or increase) your status, you need to earn "Qpoints," which you can do by flying Qatar Airways or any Oneworld member airline. Using the Qatar Airways credit cards can also earn Qpoints — you get 2 Qpoints for every 1,500 to 2,000 Avios you earn with credit card spending, depending on the card.
» MORE: What is First Electronic Bank?
4. One card’s annual fee is extra pricey
The "Infinite" version charges a sky-high $499 annual fee, which is certainly something to take into consideration when considering these two cards.
For the extra cost, you get a larger sign-up bonus, higher ongoing rewards rates, a higher rate at which you earn Qpoints, a higher status tier and Visa Infinite benefits.
5. Other premium travel cards may be a better option
If you’re considering the more expensive Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card, note that other premium travel cards allow you to transfer points to airline partners, which includes some of the Avios airlines mentioned above.
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which has a $550 annual fee, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to airlines including British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia.
Plus, you get a $300 annual travel credit, a statement credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global entry, airport lounge access and more.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card includes both British Airways and Finnair among its transfer partners.
The $395 annual fee can be effectively wiped out by the card’s many perks.
Included among those perks are a $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel; a statement credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry; airport lounge access; and a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus.
Again, these are expensive cards, but unlike the $499-annual-fee Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card, they come with better perks and more redemption flexibility.
United℠ Explorer Card
Travel
Get valuable perks like free checked bag, lounge passes and rental car insurance for a fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95. Limited time offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
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