A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us a question regarding an email that was just received from Qatar Airways telling that Privilege Club miles were about to expire on March 31, 2021.
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You can access Qatar’s page for expiring miles here.
Here’s the question from the reader:
I lost track that I had miles accumulated in Qatar airways from a flight 3 year ago. I just received this email from Qatar airways and am reaching out to you for advice on how to extend the expiration of these miles in the best possible way. I missed out on the 50% bonus on miles purchase. I am based in Boston don’t foresee any travel until sometime in November 2021.
Your help is appreciated. Stay safe
Here’s the email:
REMOVED, did you know Qmiles now last longer than ever before? Each time you earn or spend a Qmile, your balance will be valid for a further 36 months.
You have 13,004 Qmiles due to expire on 31 March 21. You can spend your Qmiles for a wide range of rewards, such as complimentary flights, cabin upgrades and extra baggage allowances. Earn or spend to extend the life of your Qmiles balance for a further 36 months.
Here are some suggestion in the email to extend the validity:
And the web page has more options:
The reader’s miles are about to expire in less than a week. I would say that the only way to extend them for sure is to use $35 and buy 1,000 miles. This would extend the miles that the reader has by 36 months.
Conclusion
The reader’s miles are worth perhaps $100. It is up to them to decide whether spending an extra $35 is worth extending them by three years and if they can ever get enough value for them.
I had some Privilege Club miles (5,000 or so) expire, and I did not lose any sleep over them. Sometimes, it is just easier to let them go if there is not much value attached to them.
Or better do not invest in overseas loyalty programs with limited earning choices. All us airlines and hotels have credit card, dining, survey partners to earn miles on the side.
Or better do not invest in overseas loyalty programs with limited earning choices. All us airlines and hotels have credit card, dining, survey partners to earn miles on the side.
My wife and I flew Qatar to Bali a few years ago as they not only had the best service option (Business Class) but also pricing. The loyalty program was a bonus and, given that we weren’t too likely to use them again, transferred the points out to our hotel program. As such, I would suggest that we weren’t really “invested” in their program at all.
I have points with Qatar and I’m sure they will be expiring soon, but I don’t really care because I can’t use them for anything and I don’t plan on flying Qatar until next fall at the earliest.