New Qatar Airways credit cards automatically offer Elite status for one year

Qatar Airways has long been known for providing a top-notch in-flight experience, especially if you’re seated up front in the airline’s Qsuites business class. The Doha-based carrier is consistently ranked among the world’s best international airlines. Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Add to that a newly renovated Hamad International Airport, recently awarded the title of best airport in the world, and you have everything you need for a solid day of travel.

Now, it’s easier than ever for American travelers to earn and use points and miles with the world-class airline thanks to Qatar Airways’ first-ever co-branded credit card designed specifically for Americans. The two cards released Tuesday are issued by fintech startup Cardless and offer ways to earn miles faster, as well as the ability to quickly commit to coveted elite status.

You can apply for the new Qatar Airways Privilege Club credit cards on the airline’s website. But before you do, here’s everything you need to know about the new Qatar Airways credit cards.

Benefits, benefits and annual fees

Instead of unveiling a single product, Qatar Airways and Cardless are offering two cards from the start, each tailored to a different type of traveler. Both earn “Avios” points, the loyalty program currency used by Qatar and partner airlines including British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and Finnair.

First of all, the $99 per year Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card is ideal for travelers who don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a card with a high annual fee, but are at least semi-loyal to the airline. This Visa Signature card offers four Avios per dollar spent on Qatar Airways purchases, two Avios per dollar spent at restaurants and one Avios per dollar spent on all other transactions.

Meanwhile, the $499-per-year Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card is aimed at die-hard airline loyalists. This includes travelers who are eager to achieve mid-to-high tier status with Qatar Airways. This card has an even higher earn rate than its more affordable sibling: five Avios per dollar on Qatar Airways purchases, three Avios per dollar on dining, and one Avios per dollar on all other spending. As a Visa Infinite-branded card, members can enjoy select concierge, luxury hotel, and car rental privileges.

The real benefit, however, is that spending will count towards elite metrics on both cards, providing a whole new tangible way to improve or maintain status within the Qatar Airways Privilege Club.

Visa Signature cardholders (with a $99 annual fee) earn two elite Qpoints for every $2,000 spent, while Visa Infinite cardholders (with a $499 annual fee) earn two elite Qpoints for every $1,500 spent. (QPoints are earned on all flights with Qatar Airways or any Oneworld member airline and can only be used to earn status; Avios points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including flights .)

Registration bonus and first year of free status

The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card offers a sign-up bonus of up to 40,000 Avios upon acceptance for the card: 20,000 Avios after the first transaction and an additional 20,000 Avios after spending $3,000 on the course of the first 90 days. While it’s certainly not the highest bonus offer we’ve seen on an airline-specific co-branded card, it’s pretty easy to earn.