Qatar Airways Adds Business Class Seat Selection Fees for Avios
Qatar Airways has implemented a new policy, effective Monday, charging seat selection fees for business class Avios redemptions. This development applies to both new and existing bookings made via Qatar Airways or partner websites. For UK residents, the charge is £75 per segment, while flights from Dublin incur an €85 fee. A significant financial burden arises as a typical return flight, such as London to Bangkok, involves four segments per person. Consequently, a couple could face a substantial £600 charge to pre-select their business class seats on such a journey.
However, several exemptions and workarounds exist. Passengers can avoid these fees if they book a ‘double Avios' Flexi award or possess oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status, like British Airways Silver or Gold. Additionally, seat selection remains free for First Class bookings, which includes regional Business Class routes such as Doha to Dubai. The most accessible workaround for many is to wait until online check-in opens 48 hours before departure, at which point seat selection becomes free from the available options.
This last option is particularly relevant due to Qatar Airways' specific seating control mechanisms, especially for Qsuite services. Many desirable seats, including pairs and quads designed for groups, are deliberately withheld until closer to departure. This strategy ensures that late-booking couples or groups can still secure appropriate seating arrangements. Therefore, waiting until check-in is unlikely to leave only undesirable solo seats. Moreover, the inherent privacy of Qsuite seats means that not sitting directly adjacent to a travel companion is often a minor inconvenience.
While free seat selection has been removed, a key benefit remains for Avios business class ticket holders: complimentary lounge access. This is a significant advantage, often translating to four lounge visits on a return trip, and distinguishes Avios redemptions from Qatar Airways' ‘Business Lite' cash tickets, which omit both seat selection and lounge access. The change makes Avios redemptions less generous but maintains an important travel perk.
(Source: https://www.headforpoints.com/2025/11/07/qatar-airways-charging-for-avios-seat-selection/)
