Via God Save the Points Qatar Airways is running a flash sale through January 16 with some amazing pricing. Note he says you’ll save an additional 15% when paying by Visa and using promo code VISA.
Travel is allowed most any time that discount seats are available, and through end of schedule. He notes:
$475 ECONOMY Class Atlanta To Kuala Lumpur
$500 ECONOMY Class Los Angeles To Jakarta (Close to Bali).
$625 ECONOMY Class New York To Dubai.
$2000 BUSINESS Class Los Angeles To Singapore.
Atlanta – Kuala Lumpur for $475 roundtrip is a great fare, but it’s a long way in coach, what I’m interested in is Los Angeles to Singapore for $2000 roundtrip in business class which turns out to even be a really nice American Airlines mileage run as I’ll show you in a moment.
Let’s take a Los Angeles – Singapore business class itinerary example.
NOTE that two passengers drops the average price per passenger by $100 down to ~ $1900 apiece. Similar $2000 pricing is available for New York – Singapore roundtrip. (HT: One Mile at a Time)
The fare has a $400 change fee prior to departure of first flight:
Los Angeles – Singapore via Doha is 24,325 flown miles roundtrip.
Let’s take a look at how that earns crediting to Qatar Airways oneworld partner frequent flyer program American AAdvantage.
- Redeemable miles: 24,325 plus elite status bonus (so an Executive Platinum member would earn 53,515 miles).
- Elite qualifying miles: 36,488
- Elite qualifying dollars: $4865
You’ll earn just over 2.5 times the American AAdvantage elite qualifying dollars flying a discount business itinerary like this on Qatar than you would spending the same amount on a ticket from American Airlines, since this is an $1173 base fare plus $730 in fuel surcharges:
Now, Los Angeles – Doha is operated by a Boeing 777-200LR. The 777 has Qatar’s oldest business class product — still a great soft product, and fully flat seats, but if you want direct aisle access without someone potentially having to climb over you take a middle seat.
The 777, of course, lacks the inflight bar of the Airbus A380 as well.
The New York – Singapore late flight is operated by Qatar’s newest business class product on an Airbus A350, which is one of the best business classes in the world. So for New York itineraries, watch your aircraft to avoid the Boeing 777.
Although not first class that $475 fare is really good
You know, yeah the a350 J seats are amazing but I don’t see why everyone knocks the seats on the 777 so much. They’re actually really comfortable. The only thing that makes me choose the a350 JFK flight is the schedule, gets me back in time for work.
Anyone know the minimum stay requirements?
Wow, if I had time, I’d love to play with that YQAC…..
Just booked LAX-SIN-LAX.
Getting information like this is one reason I try to get my cards through your links.
Thank you!
Looks like the minimum stay is a seven day trip if you want to take advantage of the lower business fare but from JFK it’s pricing out at $1,759 without any promo code, all via Qatar’s A350: https://goo.gl/flights/eNuY
The timing of this deal couldn’t have been better since I have to be in S.E. Asia for a few weeks ASAP. Booked it on Saturday for a Monday flight and the LAX-DOH-SIN-DOH-LAX flights cost me $1721 (all in). I tried to use the VISA 15% off promo code but was quoted a higher price at around $1780 with it. Would have been nice to get an additional 15% off but it didn’t seem to take. AND yes… I followed the instructions of applying the VISA promo code and selecting flights with a red star on them.
Gary… quick question – I don’t have any elite tier with American or any other OneWorld airlines and I was wondering if it’s better to bank these miles with American or with Qatar’s Privilege Club? I read that if banked with Qatar’s Privilege Club, they will give double miles with this promotion. How is the redemption chart with Qatar and are any of the Chase, Citi, SPG or AMEX transfer partners?
And as always, keep up the great work and thanks for heads-up on this great deal!