Qatar Airways Privilege Club Signature Card Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
We don’t recommend this card for most travelers. The main exception is if you need to satisfy Qatar’s eligibility requirements to book award flights for family or friends. The 40,000-Avios signup bonus is weak, although the minimum spend is relatively low at $3,000. Beyond automatic Silver status, which is only included the first year of owning the card, the Qatar Signature card offers few benefits that justify its $99 annual fee.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The card offers a 20,000 Avios welcome offer after opening the card and making one eligible purchase. You can earn another 20,000 Avios after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days.
Cardholders also receive automatic Qatar Airways Privilege Club Silver status (including oneworld Ruby benefits) for the first year of owning the card. After that, you have to maintain status by earning Qpoints and taking a certain number of qualifying flights on Qatar Airways.
Highlights of having Silver status are:
- Lounge access
- Two guest lounge passes
- Free checked baggage
- Priority boarding and check-in
- Priority wait-listing
Cardholders also earn:
- 4x Avios on Qatar Airways purchases
- 2x Avios on restaurant purchases
Perhaps the biggest reason to open this card is to satisfy Qatar's eligibility requirements for booking award flights for other travelers.
Most Privilege Club members may only redeem Avios for travelers on their designated "My List," which can include up to four additional Privilege Club members. To create a My List, you must have been a Privilege Club member for at least 30 days and earned Avios by flying Qatar Airways or spending on a co-branded credit card.
If Qatar's restrictions affect your ability to book for family or friends, opening this card may be one of the easiest ways to become eligible. However, consider the card's $99 annual fee and its impact on your 5/24 status before applying.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
You may not want this card if:
- You don't plan on flying Qatar Airways and booking for other passengers
- You only fly solo so the new rules are irrelevant
What to Know About Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Qatar Airways uses Avios, which makes it flexible, but not always cheap.
- QSuites redemptions (especially U.S. to Doha) can offer solid value, particularly during transfer bonuses.
- Qatar charges high surcharges on some awards, sometimes adding $500 or more to business-class redemptions.
- Award pricing is segment-based, which makes long itineraries expensive.
- You can transfer from Amex, Citi, Capital One, and Bilt, and they are nearly instant.
- When you are using transferable points, new eligibility rules can prevent members from booking awards for other travelers.
How The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Signature Card Credit Card Fits In The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Ecosystem
Qatar only offers one other card, and it comes with a premium price tag but without premium benefits. This isn't a card we recommend, even for those who fly Qatar regularly.
The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Infinite card:
- Offers a 25,000 Avios signup bonus after the first transaction and then another 25,000 Avios after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days
- Has a $499 annual fee
- Automatic Gold tier after being accepted for the card, but only for the first year
- 5x Avios on purchases with Qatar Airways
- 3x on restaurant purchases
- 2 Qpoints for every 1,500 Avios earned
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
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