Qatar Airways: business class from the US Central region to East Asia from about 95,000 Avios
From the Central US, Qatar's own flights win by a lot. Chicago to Hong Kong via Doha has been booked at 95,000 Avios one way, and Dallas to Seoul or Shanghai at 100,000. Cathay's nonstops to Hong Kong are over 7,000 miles, so as partner awards they cost 154,500. American's Dallas to Seoul nonstop is 108,250.
How Qatar Airways prices this route
USA Central → E Asia · business, one way
Two award systems in one currency. Cathay Pacific and American are priced by the total distance flown. Qatar's own flights via Doha use unpublished route pricing, so the price shown is what has been seen, not a chart. Flexi awards on Qatar cost 2× Standard when Standard seats are gone.
Cathay, Alaska and American nonstops between the US and East Asia
Qatar Airways · partner awards · one way, by distance
Hover a cell to see the full price for that route.
Qatar's partner chart, rebuilt from 2026 bookings (Qatar doesn't publish it). Distances shown are straight-line airport-to-airport; Qatar prices the total distance actually flown, so a connection can move an itinerary into a higher band. SEA–HKG sits right on the 6,500 mile edge, so confirm its price in a search. Qatar's own flights via Doha are not on this chart.
Good to know
- Qatar awards are one way, so you can book the return with another program.
- Via Doha is well over 13,000 miles and a very long travel day. The price is the draw, not the routing.
- Qatar’s own flights add Qatar’s carrier surcharges. Taxes on American and Cathay are low.
How to find seats
- 1 Search Qatar Airways from ORD or DFW to Hong Kong via Doha and pick Standard, not Flexi. Standard seats come out around 361 days, in random batches, and again 1–14 days before departure.
- 2 For Seoul or Shanghai, the same search from DFW has shown 100,000.
- 3 If you'd rather fly nonstop, American DFW to ICN is 108,250. Cathay to Hong Kong is 154,500.
- 4 Transfer points only once you see the seat.
Other programs on this route
The return trip: E Asia → USA Central
Questions people ask
Why is flying via Doha cheaper than a nonstop?
Qatar prices partner flights by distance, and Chicago or Dallas to Hong Kong is over 7,000 miles (154,500). Its own flights use a separate route price, about 95,000 to Hong Kong, however far the detour.
Why not just add USA–Doha and Doha–Hong Kong?
Qatar prices its own flights as one trip. The whole routing costs about 95,000, much less than two separate awards.
What's Flexi?
Qatar's own-flight award that opens up more seats when Standard is sold out. It costs exactly twice the Standard price, so about 190,000 to Hong Kong.
Is 95,000 guaranteed?
No. Qatar doesn't publish a chart for its own flights. 95,000 is the Standard price people have booked; peak dates run higher.
I have Chase points. Can I use this?
Yes. Transfer Chase to British Airways Avios 1:1, then combine them into Qatar Avios 1:1 in the Qatar account. Link the two accounts first.