Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card review 2024: A card that matches the excellence of the airline
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“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Published 1:27 p.m. UTC May 7, 2024
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As the first Visa Infinite card offered by an international airline, the card offers industry-leading rewards and boundary-pushing benefits. Learn more in our full Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card * The information for the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. review.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card basics
- Annual fee: $499.
- Welcome bonus: 25,000 Avios after the first transaction, an additional 25,000 Avios and 150 Qpoints after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Rewards: 5 Avios per $1 on eligible Qatar Airways spend, 3 Avios per $1 at restaurants and 1 Avios per $1 on other spend.
- APR: 21.24% to 28.24% variable APR on purchases.
- Recommended credit score: Good to excellent.
- Does the card offer preapproval? No.
- Other benefits: Fast track to a year of Gold tier in Privilege Club’s elite status program, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit (up to $100), Visa Infinite services.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card review
Qatar Airways is a fantastic airline beloved for its premium in-air experience and the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite credit card matches the excellence you expect from the airline right down to its sleek, matte metal design.
The $499-annual-fee Visa Infinite, offered in partnership with Cardless, is packed with premium benefits and industry-leading rewards but arguably the standout feature of the card is the boost toward earning elite status.
From 25,000 Avios after the first transaction, an additional 25,000 Avios and 150 Qpoints after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening to the ability to earn 2 Qpoints per $1,500 spent on your card, the card offers a helping hand to those seeking top-tier benefits. New cardholders will also receive one year of Gold tier, which is the middle of three elite status tiers in the program and comes with perks including airport lounge access and priority stand-by, check-in and boarding privileges.
If you are focused on accumulating Avios to use on the trip of a lifetime, you can quickly accumulate Avios with the card’s generous rewards rate of 5 Avios per $1 on eligible Qatar Airways spend, 3 Avios per $1 at restaurants and 1 Avios per $1 on other spend. Notably, the rewards rate for airline spending bests that of the premium credit cards for major U.S. airlines like American, United, and Delta.
Not every card on the market will make sense for every consumer, but this card stands out as an attractive option for any Qatar Airways frequent flyer. Although it doesn’t include some features you can see on other airline cards, the benefits outshine the drawbacks to make it a standout offering.
Pros
- Impressive earning potential: Cardholders earn high rewards on Qatar Airways spending, rivaling the top cards on the market.
- One year of Gold elite status: Once approved for the card, you will receive one year of Gold elite status, which gives you benefits like airport lounge access.
- Visa Infinite services: Visa Infinite cards stand out for their benefits, which include access to the Visa Infinite Concierge, the luxury hotel collection and rental car privileges among others.
- No foreign transaction fees: As expected for a card from an international airline, you won’t have to pay any foreign transaction fees when making purchases abroad.
Cons
- Low earning rate on non-bonus category spending: You will earn a standard base rate on purchases outside of Qatar Airways and restaurants.
- Must work toward status to keep benefits: After the first year, you’ll have to earn your way to Gold status.
- High annual fee: This is a premium card with a premium price tag.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card rewards
The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite credit card has industry-leading rewards potential. Cardholders will earn 5 Avios per $1 on eligible Qatar Airways spend, 3 Avios per $1 at restaurants and 1 Avios per $1 on other spend. You can link your credit card to your Privilege Club account to collect and spend your Avios at retail, dining, entertainment and lifestyle venues. These Avios are in addition to the Avios you get for using your card.
New cardholders can earn 25,000 Avios after the first transaction, an additional 25,000 Avios and 150 Qpoints after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. Cardless makes this easy to do, as you’ll get instant access to your card number immediately after getting approved.
Additionally, for every $1,500 you spend on your card, you will earn 2 Qpoints, making it easier than ever to earn elite status. Note that 20% of your Qpoints must be earned on flights operated or marketed by Qatar Airways to qualify for status.
Qpoints are awarded to help you upgrade or renew your membership tier and are earned on flights marketed and operated by Qatar Airways and oneworld partners.
| MEMBERSHIP TIERS | QPOINTS REQUIRED TO UPGRADE (WITHIN ANY 12 MONTH PERIOD) | QPOINTS REQUIRED TO RENEW (EARNED 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO RENEWAL DATE) |
|---|---|---|
Silver
| 150 Qpoints
| 135 Qpoints
|
Gold
| 300 Qpoints
| 270 Qpoints
|
Platinum
| 600 Qpoints
| 540 Qpoints
|
As a new cardholder, you receive one year of Gold status plus 150 Qpoints after meeting the spending requirement. This means you will need to earn 120 Qpoints throughout your first year as a cardholder to renew your status. You are also 25% of the way to the Platinum tier, the highest of the three elite status tiers. Between flights and the opportunity to earn Qpoints on everyday spending, there are multiple pathways to hold onto elite status.
Using government data and other publicly available information, we estimate that a household in the U.S. that would be in the market for this card has around $29,525 in annual expenses that can be charged to a credit card. Here’s how our sample household’s rewards could break down:
| SPENDING CATEGORY | SPENDING AMOUNT | POINTS PER DOLLAR | POINTS EARNED |
|---|---|---|---|
Airfare
| $2,828
| 5 points
| 14,140 points
|
Restaurants
| $3,639
| 3 points
| 10,917 points
|
Other
| $23,058
| 1 point
| 23,058 points
|
TOTAL
| $29,525
| 48,115 points
|
The cardholder in this example earns a grand total of 48,115 in rewards annually. The dollar value of these points will vary significantly depending on the redemption method.
To redeem your points, you can purchase flights on Qatar Airways or on Oneworld partners which include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian and SriLankan Airlines. You can also redeem your Avios on partner airlines including Bangkok Airways, JetBlue, Latam Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Oman Air, RwandAir, S7 Airlines and Virgin Australia.
Plus, you can use your Avios for upgrades, preferred seat selection, extra baggage, dining and shopping at Qatar Duty Free and packages with Qatar Airways Holidays. You’ll also have access to unique experiences through the Privilege Club Collection, which allows you to use your Avios to bid on “money-can’t-buy” experiences, like tickets to the Vegas F1 or concerts at the London O2 arena.
If you’re traveling internationally with Qatar, you’ll likely transit through Doha Airport, which has earned the accolade of the “best airport in the world.” Cardholders can experience this unparalleled luxury firsthand.
Let’s take a look at some potential routes to use your points. If you are dreaming of crystal clear water, you can fly in business class from New York (JFK) to the Maldives (MLE) with a layover in Doha (DOH) this summer for 170,000 Avios, plus $205.00 in taxes and fees.
If you don’t mind economy, you can take the same flight for just 51,000 Avios, plus $135 in taxes and fees.
If you live on the West Coast, you can fly from San Francisco (SFO) to Mumbai (BOM) in business class for just 160,000 Avios, plus $205 in taxes and fees. Or fly in economy for just 40,000 Avios, plus $135 in taxes and fees. The benefit of flying Qatar Airways is the luxury experience you receive on board and the connectivity to major destinations worldwide.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card perks
The benefits of being a Gold tier member with Privilege Club are extensive:
- 75% tier bonus on earning Avios with eligible flights.
- Priority stand-by, check-in, boarding and baggage handling.
- Complimentary access to lounges in airports and four guest lounge passes every year.
- Extra baggage allowance of 1 piece or 20 kg (44 lbs) and complimentary preferred seat selection.
- Complimentary meet and assist services from Al Maha Services while traveling through Hamad International Airport in Doha.
- Savings of up to 15% when paying with Avios on shopping at Qatar Duty Free.
These benefits are ones you will use and appreciate while you’re traveling. Since Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld alliance, you will also receive benefits of the oneworld Sapphire tier as long as you are a Gold tier member. Benefits of the Sapphire tier include:
- Access to Business Class lounges and priority check-in.
- Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating.
- Priority on waitlists and when on standby.
- Priority boarding.
- When you fly on oneworld member airlines, you can check in extra baggage for free in addition to your ticketed baggage allowance.
- Priority baggage handling.
For U.S.-based travelers, extending Qatar Airways status to local airlines is very useful. In addition to these benefits, you will receive all the benefits you know and love with Visa Infinite, including:
- 24/7 Visa Infinite Concierge services.
- Access to the Luxury Hotel Collection.
- Extended warranty protection.
- Purchase security.
- Return protection.
- Travel emergency assistance.
- Lost luggage reimbursement.
- Travel accident insurance.
- Roadside dispatch access.
- Primary auto rental collision damage waiver.
Finally, you will also enjoy a statement credit of up to $100 every four years for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Frequent travelers know how crucial these programs are to elevate your travel experience.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card drawbacks
Some standard benefits on cards of this caliber aren’t included with the Qatar Airways Visa Infinite. Some are unnecessary for Qatar Airways, like giving cardholders a free checked bag since everyone flying Qatar receives at least one checked bag. Others, like priority services, are included with being a Gold tier member.
However, the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite still lacks the perks you might find on other premium airline cards, like bonus upgrades or discounts on award tickets, a companion ticket, statement credits for select purchases or complimentary elite status with hotel or car rental partners. As a new credit card, we can’t be certain what the future has in store, but it would be good to see some of these benefits added to the card to make it that much more valuable.
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The Platinum Card® from American Express
How the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card compares to other airline cards
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card vs. Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card * The information for the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature card is the more basic card from the airline. For an annual fee of just $99, it comes with more concentrated benefits. The earning potential is still impressive, allowing cardholders to earn 4 Avios per $1 spent on eligible Qatar Airways purchases, 2 Avios per $1 at restaurants and 1 Avios per $1 on other spend. The welcome offer is slightly lower too, offering 20,000 Avios after the first transaction, an additional 20,000 Avios, plus 150 Qpoints after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
The Signature variant earns 2 Qpoints per $2,000 spent on the card but does not include an intro Qpoints bonus. Cardholders of the Signature variant will receive one year of Silver tier instead of Gold. Between the two cards, the Infinite version makes sense for Qatar Airways loyalists, while the Signature card makes sense for more infrequent flyers seeking to earn Avios with the airline.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card vs. United Club℠ Infinite Card * The information for the United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card * The information for the United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a similar card geared toward United loyalists. Among the most notable perks, cardholders receive a United Club membership, two free checked bags for themselves and a companion, Premier Access travel services, Avis President’s Club status, IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, and the ability to earn Premier qualifying points toward elite status.
Cardholders earn 4 miles per $1 at United, 2 miles per $1 on all other travel, dining including eligible delivery services and 1 mile on all other purchases. The United Club Infinite has a slightly higher annual fee than the Qatar Airways Visa Infinite at $525.
Between the two cards, the United Club Infinite has more elevated ongoing benefits and the opportunity to earn bonus points on travel purchases. However, the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite earns an additional point at restaurants and on flights. The differences between the two airlines are also substantial, which should factor into deciding which is best for you.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is one of the best airline credit cards because of its simple rewards system and premium benefits. The annual fee is $395, which is lower than many of the other cards in its class. Cardholders can earn 2 miles per $1 on purchases, 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One Travel and on purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 10 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.
The card also offers $300 as a statement credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel, which can effectively bring the annual fee down to $95.
You receive 10,000 bonus points on each account anniversary, Hertz President’s Circle Status¹, and airport lounge benefits. You can also transfer your Capital One miles to several hotel and airline partners, making it very useful for any traveler. There isn’t a ton of overlap between the two cards, so a Qatar Airways enthusiast could benefit from having both cards in their wallet.
Is the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card worth it?
Whether the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite card is worth it will depend on your spending habits and travel goals. To make the most out of the card, you will want to spend a decent amount of money on Qatar Airways flights each year. If you’re an infrequent flyer, you likely won’t earn enough to justify the annual fee. The welcome offer of 150 Qpoints gives you an excellent opportunity to renew your elite status, so you should be able to take advantage of that. Qatar Airways loyalists and high spenders may justify the annual fee through earning potential alone.
Applying for a card with a $499 annual fee isn’t something to take lightly, so you should carefully consider your spending habits and financial goals to see if it makes sense for you. If you are confident you can travel frequently enough to renew and utilize your elite status, you can get a lot of value from the card. If not, you might be better off with a premium travel rewards card that allows you to transfer your points to Qatar Airways and other partner airlines.
The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card is right for you if:
- You are a Qatar Airways enthusiast and plan to spend a solid amount of money on flights each year. If you only take one or two flights with Qatar each year, the lower-annual-fee Visa Signature version might make more sense.
- You do not already have status with a Oneworld member airline and can earn enough Qpoints to renew the Gold tier status. If you already have status with a Oneworld airline, like American, the benefits might begin to overlap.
- You have a Citi® or American Express card to combine rewards. Citi ThankYou® Points and American Express Membership Rewards® can transfer to Qatar Airways at a 1:1 ratio, allowing you to combine your points to book your dream flight.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card has an annual fee of $499.
The exact value of a Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios will vary based on your redemption method. Using the example from above, a business class flight from New York to the Maldives will cost 170,000 Avios. If you pay cash, you will pay $6,308. This gives you a point valuation of 3.7 cents per point.
The exact number of points you need to purchase a flight on Qatar Airways will depend on the specific route. Qatar Airways’ My Calculator feature can help you determine how many points you will need to book a flight, how much you will earn if you purchase a flight and how much it will cost to upgrade your flight.
The card itself does not include a checked bag as a benefit, but Qatar Airways already allows at least one checked bag on all tickets. The weight allowance and number of bags permitted will depend on your ticket class and route. Cardholders receive a fast-track to one year of Privilege Club Gold elite status, and a perk of the Gold tier is extra baggage allowance on flights.
¹Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
*The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card, Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card and United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
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