Akthr vs Avios: which loyalty program wins?

We score Akthr and Avios on the same five factors — earning rate, redemption value, partner network, ease of use, and point expiry — to help you choose the right program for how you actually spend.

Verdict

Akthr is best for Anyone wanting flexible redemption across airlines, hotels, and investment, while Avios is best for Frequent travelers.

Skip Akthr if Anyone seeking high earn rates without a premium card, and skip Avios if Saudi residents who don't travel internationally.

Overall rating

	Akthr	Avios
Overall rating	3.6 / 5	4.4 / 5
Earning	3.0 / 5	3.0 / 5
Redemption	4.0 / 5	5.0 / 5
Network	4.0 / 5	5.0 / 5
Ease of use	4.0 / 5	4.0 / 5
Expiry	3.0 / 5	5.0 / 5

Earning structure

Akthr	Cardholders earn Akthr points on every purchase, with rates varying significantly by card tier. Standard credit cards and the Traveler prepaid card earn 1 point per SAR. Intermediate tiers (Platinum, Signature) earn at higher rates. Infinite cards earn 6 points per SAR on domestic purchases and 7 per SAR on international - but Infinite cards are income-restricted and held by a small minority of customers. Members can also earn points through banking products and services beyond card spend. Welcome bonuses up to 10,000 points are offered to new members. Promotional doubling campaigns run periodically at supermarkets and partner merchants. Digital wallet top-ups do not earn points.
Avios	Members earn Avios on Qatar Airways flights - earning rates vary by route, fare class, and booking class. Earnings also accrue on flights with oneworld alliance partners (American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Iberia, Finnair, Royal Jordanian, and others) and on 90+ global partners including hotels (Marriott, IHG), car rentals (Hertz, Avis), retail, dining, and financial services. Avios are credited up to two hours before takeoff after check-in. Members can also purchase Avios to top up their balance, gift them to family and friends, or transfer between accounts. There is no Saudi bank co-branded credit card for Avios as of 2026.

Redemption structure

Akthr	Points redeem through multiple channels via the alinma app: cash to AlinmaPay wallet, partner POS discount codes via registered mobile number plus OTP (from as few as 2 points per code), e-vouchers and selected products, transfer to Alfursan miles, transfer to flynas naSmiles miles (24 Akthr points = 1 naSmiles mile), transfer to ALL Accor hotel rewards (22,000 Akthr = 1,000 ALL Reward Points, 5,500+ hotels worldwide), conversion to Alinma Capital investment wallet, charitable donations, hotel and car bookings, and gifting points to other registered Akthr members. Most redemption options have low or no minimum thresholds. The mobile-number-plus-OTP mechanic at partner POS is among the simplest redemption flows in Saudi banking.
Avios	Avios redeem on Qatar Airways and oneworld alliance flights worldwide - economy, business, and first class. Cabin upgrades to Business class on Qatar Airways are available. Cash + Avios allows part-payment for flights, giving flexibility on Avios-poor or last-minute bookings. At Qatar Duty Free in Hamad International Airport (Doha), Avios redemptions save up to 20% on luxury brands and dining. Members can also redeem at the Privilege Club Collection (lifestyle merchandise) and convert Avios with partner programs. Expired Avios can be revalidated at USD 0.015 per Avios - unique flexibility among airline programs.

Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy

	Akthr	Avios
Number of partners	0	0
Partners	—	—
Number of tiers	0	4
Top tier	—	Platinum
First-tier qualification	—	150 points
Point expiry	12 months	36 months inactivity (reset on earn)

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