Qatar Qsuites are indisputably some of the best business class seats in the world. But if you ask us, Qatar Airways First Class deserves a shout-out – and right now, there's a way to book it for even fewer miles … and visit one of the best airport lounges in the world, too.
According to American Airlines' award chart, a one-way flight from Qatar's hub in Doha (DOH) to the Maldives (MLE) should set you back 40,000 AAdvantage miles while the longer flights to Southeast Asian cities like Hong Kong (HKG) and Bangkok (BKK) clock in at 50,000 miles.
Yet you can currently book Qatar First Class awards to and from all three cities later this year or in 2026 for 10,000 fewer miles than normal: Just 30,000 AAdvantage miles to the Maldives or 40,000 miles to Southeast Asia! Those are the same rates you'll typically pay for a business class seat.
It's unclear whether this is an inadvertent pricing glitch or an unadvertised award sale … but we wouldn't wait around to find out: If you've got American miles set aside (or transferrable Citi ThankYou points, which you can now send to American), book ASAP!
This is the consummate Nerd Alert, as you'd need to find yourself in the Middle East or Asia in order to take advantage – Qatar doesn't fly any first class-equipped planes to and from the U.S. And while the carrier also offers first class on its double-decker Airbus A380s, we're not seeing any first class award space on those jets.
Instead, you'll be booking one of the Boeing 777s that Qatar has leased from Cathay Pacific with some of the widest, most comfortable seats in the sky. With just six seats in the cabin, there's plenty of privacy. And Qatar takes its first class to another level with elevated and personal service, a delicious caviar course, and top-shelf champagne selections like vintage Krug onboard.
Read our full review of Qatar Airways First Class!
While you can also fly from the Maldives, Thailand, or Hong Kong to Doha at these discounted rates, you should do yourself a favor and book a flight departing from the Middle East. That's because your first class ticket gets you into one of the coolest airport lounges in the world: The Al Safwa First Class Lounge.
Just look at this.
Seriously, this place is part lounge, part museum: a jaw-dropping, art-filled expanse with a sit-down restaurant at the front and private sleeping rooms at the back. Spending a few hours in the lounge should be on virtually every aviation geek's bucket list.
While it might be a tad unorthodox, this is one of the best ways to redeem American AAdvantage miles. And considering how hard it's become to book Qatar premium cabin awards to and from the U.S. using AA miles, this deal stands out even more.
You'll need to find award availability to book at these cheaper rates – fortunately, AA.com is among the best websites to find that critical award space. Use the airline's handy calendar, filter for nonstops in first class, and you should see a bevy of first class awards between Doha and Malé in the Maldives through the end of the year and into 2026, though it's quite spotty over the winter.
Finding those first class awards to Bangkok and Hong Kong is a bit trickier (but still possible) until 2026, when the floodgates really open – especially to Hong Kong.
Even at the normal rate of 50,000 miles, booking that 8-plus-hour flight in Qatar First Class is a phenomenal redemption. At just 40,000 AAdvantage miles, it's an absolute steal.
Bottom Line
What's better than flying first class using points and miles? Just one thing: Sipping top-notch champagne while you enjoy a caviar course for fewer miles than normal.
We just discovered this pricing quirk with discounted Qatar First Class awards using fewer American AAdvantage miles than normal. Book it before it's gone!
