Stealth Devaluation on Qatar Airways through Alaska Airlines?

[Update: Alaska is no longer charging carrier surcharges on redemptions. If you paid the hefty charges, you can most probably ask Alaska Airlines for a refund]

This is developing news, and I believe there has been a stealth devaluation on Qatar Airways through Alaska Airlines.

The cost of a mileage redemption has not changed, at least at the saver level. Instead, I am seeing carrier surcharges being imposed on both Economy and Business Class redemptions.

In the screenshot below, the carrier surcharge on a flight from Bangalore to New York in Qatar Airways is nearly US$1,400! Fuel surcharge is just over US$1,000.

The carrier surcharges are aligned with revenue fares as well, as seen in this screenshot, from Bangalore to New York.

Changing the flight to be Doha to New York, we still see a carrier surcharge of US$150. Much less than originating in Bangalore, but it still exists.

I am only just noticing this, but if true, that’s a huge devaluation for those looking to use your Alaska Mileage Plan on Qatar Airways.