Amazing Qsuites Fare From New York To Kiev | One Mile at a Time

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As I've said before, I don't think there's anything wrong with planning travel way in advance, given the deals that are available. However, if you're going to do so, go into it with the expectation that the trip may not materialize, as we don't know how the current situation will evolve.

Well, Qatar Airways has brought back one of the best business class fares we've seen in a long time - it was available in early March, and is now back at an even lower price.

As far as I'm concerned, Qatar Airways offers the world's most well rounded business class experience. Not only that, but thanks to their membership in oneworld, flying with Qatar Airways can be a great way to earn elite qualifying miles in your preferred program (American AAdvantage, British Airways Executive Club, etc.).

Qatar Airways Qsuites cabin on the A350-1000

Qatar Airways is currently offering the cheapest business class fare I recall them offering from the US in years. I'm not sure it's necessarily the most useful fare at this point, but it sure is good.

Amazing US to Kiev business class fares

You can fly roundtrip Qatar Airways business class between New York or Philadelphia and Kiev for around $1,600:

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• There's availability for this fare throughout the schedule, with plenty of availability from June onwards (though personally I'd book further out than that, given all the current restrictions)
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• There's a seven day minimum stay requirement
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• You need to travel outbound Mondays through Thursdays, and inbound Sundays through Wednesdays

Qatar Airways' website is pretty good for actually searching availability, though if you prefer you can use Google Flights or ITA Matrix. You can potentially have the fare drop a bit further by booking through Momondo, though that comes with some risks as well, which I personally wouldn't want to take right now, given the uncertainty.

Save even more with the Amex International Airline Program

The Amex International Airline Program, which is available to those with The Platinum Card® from American Express ( review) and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ( review), offers further discounts when booking through amextravel.com.

For example, with those discounts the fare goes down to well under $1,600, which is even better.

Best of all when you pay with your Amex Platinum you earn 5x points. I value those points at ~1.7 cents each, so to me that's the equivalent of a further 8.5% discount (knocking down the "real" cost to ~$1,430).

How many miles do you earn?

The New York to Kiev itinerary covers a distance of ~17,513 flown miles, so if crediting to American AAdvantage you'd earn:

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• ~26,270 elite qualifying miles (150%)
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• ~17,513 redeemable miles (100% for segments in the "R" fare class)
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• A 120% mileage bonus if you're an Executive Platinum member
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• ~3,503 elite qualifying dollars (elite qualifying dollars for 20% of the distance flown)

Qatar Airways Qsuites seat

Bottom line

This New York and Philadelphia to Kiev Qatar Airways sale is spectacular. I don't remember the last time we saw a Qatar Airways business class fare this low out of the US.

That being said, this is the most useful deal, at least on a widespread basis - there's quite a bit of backtracking involved, there are potentially long layovers required in Doha, there's a one week minimum stay requirement, etc.

Add in the general uncertainty right now, and the potential that many airlines are just outright extending status, and this is even less useful. But I still imagine some people will find this to be worthwhile.

If you need to travel between the US and Ukraine later this year, then by all means consider this. But otherwise I'd sit this one out until there's less uncertainty.

(Tip of the hat to Witthuus)