Citi to Qatar Airways Avios 40% Transfer Bonus

Qatar Airways Privilege Club is running a limited-time up to 40% Avios bonus when you convert points from participating partners, including Citi ThankYou Rewards in the United States. The window is September 15–October 15, 2025 (GMT+3), and the kicker posts from Qatar’s side, not Citi’s. That matters for timing and for how much you need to move in one go. 

This is a tiered deal.

Transfers that land as

• 1–9,999 Avios get +20%.
• 10,000–49,999 Avios earn +30%.
• 50,000+ Avios in a single transaction unlock +40%.

Qatar calculates the bonus per transaction—not cumulatively—so two 30k moves won’t combine into the 40% tier. Per the official terms, bonus Avios may post later (by November 30, 2025), which is great for topping up but awkward if you needed those extra miles this week. 

Why This Is Interesting for Citi Holders

If you have Citi Strata Premier or Strata Elite (or a legacy Prestige), you can transfer 1:1 to Qatar. Hit that 50k-Avios threshold and your effective rate is 1:1.4. That’s unusually strong for Avios—especially because Avios move freely and instantly between Qatar Privilege Club and British Airways Executive Club (and you can also shuffle via BA to other Avios flavors when needed). In practice, you’re not locking yourself into a single award chart. 

Transfers from Citi to Qatar are often quick (sometimes near-instant, sometimes ~1–2 days), but don’t count on speed if your plans are time-sensitive. Names must match exactly between accounts. If you need to consolidate ThankYou points first, Citi lets you share up to 100,000 TYP per calendar year with another ThankYou member, though shared points expire in 90 days. Factor that clock into your plan. 

What To Book With Boosted Avios

Qatar’s own awards are the headline—Qsuite to Doha and beyond remains a bucket-list redemption—with award pricing checked via the program’s My Calculator tool.

Do remember Qatar now passes carrier-imposed/“redemption” fees, and they can add up on long itineraries. Short and medium-haul surcharges are milder; transoceanic business class can be heavier. If that bugs you, shift your Avios to British Airways or target partners where fees are lower, or redeem Avios on non-Qatar partners through Privilege Club depending on route and cost. 

The Avios web of partners is the quiet superpower. Link BA and Qatar and move Avios 1:1 at no cost. That lets you pounce on BA-priced partner flights when they’re cheaper, then move back to Qatar when you need the different inventory or a specific partner (JetBlue, Bangkok Airways, etc.). The transfer itself is instant once accounts are linked. 

Strategy Regarding the Use of the Offer

Aim for one 50k+ transfer rather than several smaller moves to lock the full +40%. If you’re short, combine ThankYou balances inside your household before you send to Qatar, or wait to cross the threshold with a single transaction. Because the bonus may post later (Qatar promises by Nov 30), only transfer what you can use from the base Avios if your trip is imminent; move extra for flexibility only if your travel is looser. 

After the Avios land, link BA and Qatar and keep the miles where fees and availability make the most sense for each booking. Treat Avios like a liquid currency: leave them with BA if a partner sweet spot is cheaper there; push them to Qatar when Qsuite space appears. That optionality is the edge this promo gives you, beyond the headline multiplier. 

Fine Print That Can Bite

Because Qatar runs this promotion, Citi won’t display any bonus on its transfer page. Qatar’s terms set the window at September 15–October 15, 2025 (GMT+3) and apply the bonus per single transfer. The extra Avios will post by November 30, 2025, and Qatar decides eligibility based on when the base Avios actually arrive in your Privilege Club account. If they land after 23:59 on October 15 (GMT+3), you won’t receive the bonus—even if you initiated the transfer earlier. To be safe, start the transfer a bit early in case Citi→Qatar takes a day or two.

Surcharges are real. Qatar lists taxes and carrier-imposed fees on award tickets, and independent tracking shows these fees rose in 2024, with business-class segments hit the hardest. Always price the cash co-pay alongside Avios before committing your points. 

Bottom line

For Citi cardholders with the right transfer-enabled account, this up to 40% Qatar Avios bonus is one of the strongest ways to turn bank points into long-haul comfort—if you can transfer 50k+ Avios in one go and if your timeline doesn’t require the bonus to post immediately. Use the Avios network to your advantage: transfer once, then shuffle between Qatar and BA as needed to minimize fees and maximize award availability. If your dates are firm and you’ve found space, this is a compelling time to top up. If not, resist speculative hoarding and wait for the next cycle.