Qatar has one of the best business class product in the world in its ‘QSuites’. These are revolutionary suites with doors and movable partitions that allow two and even four passengers to travel together in their own space. Right now there’s fantastic award availability booking for October through January. This deal was first spotted by Thrifty Traveler‘s premium airfare deal alert service.

You can use this for travel from the U.S. to Doha and beyond to the Mideast, India, the Maldives and elsewhere. In fact, there’s even good business class award space on the connecting flights to Male, Maldives. You’ll find business class space on the long haul flights for at least two and sometimes four passengers, with best availability out of Los Angeles and New York JFK.

• American AAdvantage charges 70,000 miles each way per person in business class, and that includes a connecting flight in the U.S. and the connection beyond Doha to anywhere in the Mideast or ‘Indian Subcontinent’

• Qatar Airways charges 70,000 miles one-way in business class between New York JFK and Doha; 85,000 from New York JFK to Male, Maldives in business class.

If you’re using AAdvantage miles, bear in mind that American is offering its own planned New York JFK – Doha flight for fewer miles (as low as 66,000 miles one way) but I do not consider the downgrade to fly American Airlines business class versus Qatar’s to be worth the savings. Watch the operating carrier!

Generally Qatar availability goes in waves, it comes and goes, and is usually best towards the end of the booking window. Four seats are special to be seated in a section of four, take down dividers.

Credit: Qatar Airways

Credit: Qatar Airways

This is a fantastic chance to redeem miles for one of the world’s best business classes. You may want to visit Doha, I recommend a couple of days and definitely seeing the Museum of Islamic Art. However it’s also a great connecting point for India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and elsewhere.

The Maldives no longer requires PCR tests for vaccinated tourists (doesn’t even require boosters). And this is one of the best ways to get to one of the best relaxation spots on the planet. I’ve stayed at the Park Hyatt Malidves six times. I’ve booked and had to cancel three St. Regis Maldives trips. The Le Meridien is still a great value redemption (as low as 35,000 points per night until the program drops award charts at the end of the month). Hilton folks will look to the Waldorf and Conrad.

Park Hyatt Maldives

British Airways (Chase, American Express transfer partner) can book Qatar Airways seats with fuel surcharges. Cathay Pacific AsiaMiles (American Express, Citi transfer partner) can as well. Alaska shows both saver availability at reasonable prices, and availability when no saver is open at exorbitant prices.