Qatar Airways Privilege Club rose four places to sixth in point.me’s 2026 ranking of 33 airline loyalty programmes, the US award search company said on October 29.
It is the only Gulf programme in the global top 10 and leads the Middle East table. Emirates Skywards dropped out of the top 10 to joint 13th, while Etihad Guest tied for 15th.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue ranked first for the third year in a row with 88.8 points. United MileagePlus was second on 85.0 and Air Canada Aeroplan third on 82.2.
point.me scored programmes on 250 million award fares across routes US travellers fly, using eight categories from ease of earning to change fees. It assessed policies in force on August 1.
Qatar’s programme scored 72.5, up from tenth place in 2025. The full report credits its Avios currency, which several major card points schemes transfer into, along with competitive award prices and routings through Doha. It calls Privilege Club the most reliable way to book Qsuite seats.
Its drawbacks include limits on who members can book awards for and change fees of up to $100.
Emirates Skywards scored 67.8, level with ANA Mileage Club. The Dubai carrier’s programme recently doubled Miles on partner hotels and car hire.
“The card in a traveler’s wallet increasingly decides what they can book and what they pay,” said Adam Morvitz, CEO of point.me.
The report found partner award space shrinking as airlines keep premium seats for their own members. Aeroplan, British Airways, avianca lifemiles and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer have raised award prices since the 2025 edition.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles ranked tenth and led the Asia and Oceania table, where Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus placed lowest at 32nd overall.
Aeromexico Rewards finished last of the 33 programmes with 46.3 points.
