A Step Forward for Avios Users: Qatar Airways New Reward Seat Finder

If you’ve ever dreamt of using your Avios points for a long-haul Business Class escape, maybe to Asia, New Zealand, or beyond, Qatar Airways has made some promising changes that could bring that dream a little closer.

A new version of the Reward Seat Finder Tool has been launched by Qatar Airways

The airline recently unveiled its new Avios reward flight finder, aiming to make it easier for Privilege Club members to find and book reward seats. You’ll find the tool here on their website, and it's designed to offer a smoother, more user-friendly experience for anyone planning to spend their hard-earned Avios.

Qatar Airways’ New Reward Seat Finder Tool Getting Started: A Bit of a Hurdle

Before diving into your search, you’ll need to sign into your Privilege Club account. That’s fair enough for security, but it does come with two-factor authentication (2FA), which means waiting for a code via email or text each time you log in or time out. While this adds a layer of safety, it can feel like a speed bump, especially when you’re comparing dates or jumping between tabs. That said, the codes have always arrived quickly in my inbox, so the process is smooth, just a bit repetitive. It would be great if the system remembered returning users in the same session.

Considering that this tool is just for looking at the cost of seats available, why could this not be achieved without the login?

Sleek Interface, Easy Navigation

Once you’re in, the tool feels intuitive and clean. You can search broadly (using airport codes like “LON” to include both Heathrow and Gatwick) or narrow things down. The calendar-style layout is great for browsing month-by-month, and selecting cabins is simple, Qatar has grouped Business and First Class under "Premium," which makes perfect sense given First Class isn’t available on every route.

The booking portal search is clear and easy to use

Premium Avios Availability: Looks Great... Until You Click

At first glance, Premium availability looks generous. Take a search for London to Singapore in November 2025, lots of green dates on the calendar give the impression that Business Class is wide open. But once you click through, most of those options turn out to be “Flexi” pricing, which means DOUBLE the Avios required than the standard rate.

Unfortunately, the calendar doesn’t tell you this upfront, and it’s easy to assume you’ve found a deal when you haven’t.

It would be great to see the Avios prices listed on each date like it says at the top under "November 2025"

This could easily be fixed. If the calendar displayed the lowest Avios price for each day, whether Flexi or standard, it would save users a lot of time and guesswork.

Auckland Anyone? Not So Fast...

On another search, London to Auckland in February 2026, the tool initially showed reward availability every day. But when I clicked on dates, many turned out to be unavailable, and I was suddenly pushed back to January to find seats at the standard 90,000 Avios each way. This was exactly what we paid back in January 2025, so the rate is fair, it’s just that finding it took more effort than expected.

Economy Gets It Right

Interestingly, Economy searches feel far more straightforward. Looking at a one-way ticket from London to Bangkok, the calendar clearly distinguishes between standard and Flexi prices: 37,500 Avios for standard, 75,000 for Flexi.

I like that it shows you the Avios prices at the top on the calendar which it doesn't do for premium cabins

No surprises, no digging. Even better, once you choose a date, you’re taken directly to the booking screen. It's quick, clear, and a model the Premium tool should follow.

Again, the Economy booking experience is actually better as they are clear on the fares for each cabin.

Return Trip? Open a Second Tab

One thing missing is the ability to view outbound and return flights side by side. You have to pick your departure date before seeing return options, which can make planning trickier if you're chasing standard rates both ways. But with two tabs open, one for outbound, one for return, it’s a manageable workaround.

A Few Tweaks Would Make a Big Difference

Qatar Airways is clearly moving in the right direction, and this tool is a great addition for anyone aiming to use Avios for long-haul travel. But a few simple updates would make it even better:

• Display lowest Avios per day directly in the calendar, because who doesn’t love spotting a bargain and really that is why you here isn't it?

• Mark Flexi fares clearly, so there’s no second-guessing.

• Add a side-by-side return view to simplify round-trip planning.

• Remove login requirement for checking seat availability.

Knowing Qatar Airways’ track record for innovation, I wouldn’t be surprised if these improvements are already on the horizon.

Final Thoughts: A Solid Start for Everyday Avios Collectors

For those of us who book a couple of flights a year and are aiming for that one big Business Class redemption, Qatar Airways’ new reward seat finder tool is a welcome development. It’s not perfect yet, especially if you’re hunting for Premium deals, but it’s a promising step that makes reward travel feel more accessible.

Qatar Airways is a great airline with customer experience at the forefront of all that they do

With a few thoughtful updates, it could become an invaluable resource for casual travellers looking to make their points go further.

Helena

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