How much ransom did they pay?
According to numerous geniuses on AJAM it was the Qatars who were the lead negotiators for the release. But it is also the Qatars who are funding some of the mayhem in Syria in the first place. My guess is that it would be a threat of funding getting cut that got an American out rather than a ransom in this case. Qatar does indeed try to stay on good terms with the US Fifth Fleet.