Overview
- Effective Nov. 3, Qatar introduced paid advance seat selection for business-class awards booked in fare class U, covering Avios redemptions and Qcredit upgrades through Qatar or partner programs.
- Reported prices vary by route and are charged per segment, with examples including 370 QAR (about $102), £75 for UK-issued tickets, and roughly €85–€100 on European routes.
- Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald elites, including Qatar Gold and Platinum and equivalents like BA Silver/Gold and AA Platinum and above, remain exempt from the charges.
- Flexi awards that do not book into U and first-class awards booked into Z are not subject to the new fee, while non-elite travelers can still choose seats for free at online check-in 24–48 hours before departure.
- Early rollout shows inconsistencies, with some existing bookings losing seat assignments and some routes not showing fees, reinforcing a broader trend of Qatar unbundling premium award benefits.