Last December, I received an exciting email from Thrifty Traveler Premium, revealing a treasure trove of Q-suite availability to Doha—and beyond. As fate would have it, the timing lined up perfectly with the Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix. While attending a Formula 1 race had never been at the top of my travel list, I’ve always wanted to experience a night race. Plus, Qatar offered the added bonus of being one of the most affordable Grand Prix events, with cheap tickets and low transit costs in comparison to other destinations.
Without hesitation, I booked tickets for myself, my girlfriend (flying out of Dallas), and my dad and brother (flying from Chicago). I thought it would make for the perfect Christmas present. Of course, the catch was that we would all need position flights, but the cost of 70,000 miles each for a one-way ticket and only $99 in taxes and fees was too good to pass up.
Positioning Flights and First-Class Comfort
Our adventure began on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the busiest travel day of the year in the U.S. To my surprise, navigating through the crowds was smoother than I expected. For the positioning flight, we flew from our home base to Dallas, where we spent the night at the Hyatt Regency. This hotel turned out to be incredibly convenient—close to the airport, with a shuttle service and a well-equipped fitness center.
The real luxury, however, began when we boarded our Qatar Airways flight in Q-Suites for the 15-hour journey. The service and comfort exceeded all expectations—especially for such a long haul. The only downside was that the Wi-Fi was out during the flight. However, the perks of flying Business or First Class with Qatar Airways more than made up for it. Upon landing in Doha, we were ushered into a personal lounge and given priority for customs clearance, cutting our wait time to less than 10 minutes—while others waited over an hour.
Stay at the Intercontinental Doha Beach & Spa
When planning our time in Qatar, I wanted to stay somewhere that offered beach access, as the focus of the trip was the Formula 1 race. I booked a four-night stay at the Intercontinental Doha Beach & Spa using points. Since I have the IHG credit card from Chase, I was able to score the fourth night free when booking with points. The total cost came to 130,000 points, which would have amounted to $1,600 USD.
The hotel exceeded all expectations. The staff was fantastic, and we were even lucky enough to run into F1 teams and drivers on the beach in the mornings and at the hotel’s restaurants in the evenings. It was a cool experience to see the athletes in such a laid-back setting.
The Qatar Grand Prix Experience
Attending the Qatar Grand Prix was a highlight of our trip. The three-day grandstand tickets cost $220 USD per person for a seat in Turn 16. While the seats weren’t ideal, I would probably opt for a spot in Turns 1 or 2 if I return. Still, the race organization was superb, and the experience was top-notch. The ticket price included metro and bus transfers, with a convenient bus drop-off right at the entrance to the circuit.
One surprise was the weather. Despite being in the desert, it got quite chilly at night, so be sure to pack something warm if you’re planning to attend. The race itself was a bit less exciting than expected due to frequent safety cars, but the atmosphere, energy, and logistics were fantastic. I’d rate the experience 5/5, and I would definitely return for another race.
Exploring Doha
Outside of the Grand Prix, we spent one day exploring Doha’s modern cityscape. We wandered around the city and visited some of the impressive malls, enjoying a mix of local culture and luxurious shopping. Qatar’s skyline is both futuristic and impressive, making it a great place for both sightseeing and relaxation.
Costs & Total Breakdown
Here’s a quick rundown of our expenses during the trip:
- Positioning Flight: $195 (including the upgrade to first class)
- Positioning Hotel Stay in Dallas: 6,500 points for one night at the Hyatt Regency
- Qatar Airways Flight: 70,000 miles transferred from Capital One to Qatar Avios + $99 taxes/fees
- Hotel (Intercontinental Doha Beach & Spa): 130,000 IHG points (4 nights for the price of 3 with Chase IHG card)
- Qatar Grand Prix Tickets: $220 USD per person for the three-day pass
- Food and Drinks for Two: $875
- Uber Rides (for 4 people): $36
- Souvenirs from the Grand Prix: $150 for two people
Total Cost: $1,035 per person and 206,500 points.
It was an unforgettable trip to Doha, and the Formula 1 Grand Prix was a unique way to experience Qatar. Stay tuned for the next post, where I’ll share the second leg of our journey, exploring Cairo and Istanbul as I check off my sixth continent, cheers!