Qatar Airways introduced basic business class fares in late 2020. The carrier will make changes to its business class fares classes again less than a year later. These changes are mixed. There are positive changes, but also very negative changes in mileage earning.
Qatar Airways offers four types of business-class fares
Qatar Airways will offer four business class fare options starting October 1, 2021. They are Lite, Classic and Comfort. The baggage allowance for all business class fares is the same (both carry-on and checked bags), but this is where the similarities end. Let's discuss the differences. Below is a chart that compares all fare classes.
Qatar Airways family class tickets
These fare classes only apply to revenue tickets. Nothing is changing for award tickets which still enjoy full privileges.
Qatar Airways Lite Business Class fares
Qatar Airways Lite business class fares for entry-level business class are subject to the greatest restrictions. These fares are:
Book into the P Fare Class, and these are the new basic business class fares
Get 75% Miles in the Privilege Club Program
Advance seat assignments are not included (oneworld elite members may still assign seats in advance but they will be charged an additional fee). Lounge access is only available for purchase
Refunds and changes to the original payment form are possible for a fee
Qatar Airways Lite fares dont include lounge access
Qatar Airways Classic Business Class fares
Qatar Airways Classic Business Class fares have some restrictions. However, they are not as severe as the Lite fares. These fares are:
Book into the R-class fares; these were the business class fares. However, that is no longer the case
Earn 125% miles through the Privilege Club Program
They do not offer advance seat assignments (oneworld members can still assign seats in advance free of charge), but they do provide lounge access
One complimentary ticket change and refunds in the original payment form for a fee
Qatar Airways Classic fares dont include advance seat assignments
Qatar Airways Comfort Business Class fares
Qatar Airways Comfort business class fares offer the best value in terms of inclusions. These fares are:
Book into the I and D fare classes
Get 175% miles with the Privilege Club Program
Lounge access and advance seat assignment are included
Two complimentary ticket changes and refunds in the original payment form for a fee are included
Qatar Airways Comfort fares include two complimentary ticket changes
Qatar Airways Elite Business Class fares
Qatar Airways Elite business class fares offer the most flexible and expensive business class fares. These are the fares:
Book into the J and C fare classes
Earn 200% Miles in the Privilege Club Program
Lounge access and advance seat assignment are included
Unlimited ticket changes and refunds are included in the price
Qatar Airways Elite fares include free refunds
Qatar Airways Mileage Earnings Adjusted by AAdvantage
Not only are the miles earning rates for Qatar Airways flights adjusted via Privilege Club but also through partner programs. Here's an example: The new American AAdvantage Mileage Earning Chart for Qatar Airways as of October 1, 2021.
Qatar Airways business class fares are subject to a huge devaluation.
Qatar Airways's cheapest business class fares in the R class earned 100% base miles, 150% elite qualification miles and elite dollars equal to 20%.
Qatar Airways' newest business class fares in the P fare category will earn 75% base mileage, 150% elite qualifying mile, and elite dollars equal to 15% for the distance traveled.
To see the practical implications, fly one-way from New York to Doha, covering 6,704 miles.
The flight in the R-class class would have earned 6,704 redeemable mileage, 10,056 elite qualification miles, and 1,341 elite qualified dollars
The flight in the P fare class will earn 5,028 redeemable points, 10,056 elite qualification miles and 1,005 elite qualified dollars
Qatar Airways: What are the changes in fares?
These changes have significant practical implications, particularly since Qatar Airways has introduced restrictions on basic business class fares in the past year. These are the things that stand out to me:
Qatar Airways will now have four business class families. Previously, there were Classic Comfort and Elite fares. Now there are Lite, Classic Comfort, Comfort and Elite fares
It makes a lot of sense that the most restrictive business-class tickets that do not offer lounge access are called Lite, rather than Classic. There is nothing classical about not offering lounge access with a Business Class ticket.
The flexibility of fares is now permanent. Comfort fares provide two complimentary changes to the original Classic fares.
Mileage earned has been significantly reduced for the cheapest business class tickets previously they earned 125% miles. Now they earn 75% miles at the Privilege Club program.
Qatar Airways used to have the most restrictive business class bookings for R-class tickets. Now they will book into the P-class fare class. I expect that many R fares previously booked in the R fare category will now be priced similarly to P fares
The good news? Those who have previously purchased R-class tickets for travel beginning October 1, 2021 will be able to access lounge access even though their ticket didn't include it.
Qatar Airways now offers four business class family tickets
Bottom line
Qatar Airways will make changes to its business-class fare families starting October 1, 2021. Qatar Airways will now offer four business class fares, instead of three.
Qatar Airways will now call most of its discounted tickets Lite fares. This makes sense and some fares will also offer additional complimentary changes on an ongoing basis. However, many flyers will be disappointed to see the mileage earning rates for Qatar Airways' cheapest business class fares reduced.
What do you think of Qatar Airways' new business class family fare?
(Tip of a hat to YHBU
