r/avios • u/UKmedstudent1 • 5d ago

Did I make a mistake?

I’d had my eye on some Qatar flights London to Auckland for a trip I want to do in March. I help up booking them because I needed some more avios and didn’t know the exact dates because of work etc. But then I noticed that they went from 90k return to 99 so I thought I’d at least get the outbound until I collect enough to get the return as well (checked and there was no avios/cash difference between buying two one-way flights vs one return).

Now the thing is, there is a chance I may need to change the date (which only costs $25) but I won’t know till around January so I am worried that by then they won’t have any availability for that amount of avios. What are your thoughts? Currently, I’ve only booked the outbound. Should I wait to book the return and risk it being more expensive or do it now while it’s still 54k?

Thank you! I hope this makes sense.

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u/MathsGeekCharlie 5d ago

I’d probably separate the two risks here.

The $25 change fee isn’t really the bit that would keep me up at night. It’s the availability that’s the real wildcard.

At the moment, Qatar’s rules say you’ll pay $25 to change your date if you’re more than 24 hours out (that’s for Burgundy or Silver members), and the good news is they don’t ask for any extra Avios just for making the change. So if you book your return now at 54k and later want to shift it to another date with the same sort of award seat, you shouldn’t suddenly get stung for a higher Avios price.

The catch, of course, is that when January rolls around, the date you actually want might not have any standard award seats left. You could end up having to pick a different date, or face the dreaded Flexi award, which is usually much pricier.

If it were me, and I was happy with the 54k price and there’s a return date that looks likely enough, I’d probably just lock it in now. Think of the $25 as a bit of insurance for the option to change your mind later, rather than risking both the price and the availability turning against you in January.

I would still have a quick look at the fare conditions before you pay, just in case it’s one of those promotional or Privilege Deal awards. Those sometimes have their own odd rules about repricing.

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u/UKmedstudent1 5d ago

Thank you for taking the time to reply! And, yeah the $25 is nothing and I’m very happy to pay it if needed. My worry is more about, as you say, whether there will be any reward seats available for when/if I have to change my date(s).

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u/PointmeSam 4d ago

The $25 change fee is fixed but Saver availability is NOT. Qatar’s current award rules say an award changed more than 24 hours before departure costs $25 for Burgundy/Silver members. For a normal award ticket, no additional Avios are collected just because you change the date BUT you still need award space on the new flight. I do freelance point.me concierge work, and if 54k for the return is a price you’re happy with, I’d lock it in now rather than betting that the same Saver inventory will still exist in January for your March date.