A straightforward option to get into the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge in Doha

Qatar Airways is famous for its world-class travel experience, especially if you’re traveling in a premium cabin. And the carrier’s flagship Al Safwa First Lounge at Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha is spacious, opulent and on the bucket list of many avid travelers.

Passengers who can access this facility enjoy sit-down dining, private nap rooms and even a hot tub in the spa.

Unfortunately, the airline flies two-cabin planes between the U.S. and the carrier’s hub that aren’t outfitted with first class. While the Qsuite business-class product flying U.S. routes is one of the best in the world, passengers only get access to the airline’s Al Mourjan Business Lounge. This is still a fantastic lounge — but it’s not first class.

Oneworld elite status notably won’t get you into the Al Safwa First Lounge. Instead, there are just three published ways to access it:

• Flying in Qatar Airways first class (explained below).
• Purchasing entry for 600 Qatari riyals (around $165) if traveling on a business-class ticket (excludes upgrades).
• Traveling in full-fare business class as a Privilege Club Platinum member (including up to two guests).

Qatar Airways flies first class on a very limited (and declining) number of high-yield, long-haul routes, such as to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), and Australia’s Sydney Airport (SYD) and Perth Airport (PER).

Here’s the tip: Qatar classifies its business-class cabin on flights to neighboring countries in the Middle East (think: United Arab Emirates, Oman and Jordan) as “first class,” meaning these passengers can access the Al Safwa First Lounge, too.

The most common way someone living in the U.S. could take advantage of this option would be to book a Qsuite (business-class) flight from the U.S. to Doha using American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles or British Airways, Iberia or Qatar Airways Avios (transferable from all major flexible points currencies). Then you could add a “first-class” flight from Doha to a nearby destination such as Dubai International Airport (DXB), Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) or Muscat International Airport (MCT) for as few as 21,000 Avios plus $110 in taxes.

And that’s exactly what I’m doing three months from now. I have redeemed 70,000 British Airways Avios to fly business class from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Doha. Then I have a separate award redemption using 21,000 Avios to fly onward to Muscat in “first class.”

So that’s 91,000 Avios in total for 14 hours in a lie-flat business-class seat with a sliding privacy door from Houston to Doha, followed by eight hours — planned on purpose — in the first-class lounge, finishing up with a short 90-minute flight to Muscat.

And during my time in the lounge, I’m looking forward to sitting down to a multicourse meal, enjoying a quiet siesta and perhaps even getting a relaxing massage before continuing on my journey to Oman.

The next time you travel on Qatar Airways, consider using this tip to gain access to the Al Safwa First Lounge.