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For the past few years, British Airways' award chart for Qatar Airways flights has been…well, quirky. Rather than using its standard distance-based partner award chart, British Airways used a unique award chart for Qatar flights — with plenty of exceptions to any general rule. Unfortunately for travelers who enjoyed taking advantage of some of the quirky sweet spots, British Airways recently standardized its award chart for Qatar Airways flights.
You're no longer able to book 6,000-Avios business class flights between Doha and Sofia or 7,000-Avios flights between Doha and Cairo. However, it's not all bad news. Award prices were decreased on some routes by up to 50%. Plus, travelers still can find sweet spots in the new British Airways award chart for Qatar flights.
Here's the updated British Airways award chart for Qatar flights — and some of the good and bad changes.
Page Contents
- British Airways New Award Chart for Qatar Flights
- Intra-Middle East nonstop Qatar flights
- Qatar nonstop flights to/from Europe
- Qatar nonstop flights to/from Africa
- Qatar nonstop flights to/from Asia
- Qatar nonstop flights to/from South America, Australia, and New Zealand
- Intra-South America flights
- British Airways award chart for Qatar flights to/from the U.S. and Canada
- British Airways award chart for mixed-partner flights from the U.S.
- Qatar Award Sweet Spots Slashed by British Airways
- Lower Avios Award Rates on Certain Qatar Routes
- Accumulating British Airways Avios
- Bottom Line
British Airways New Award Chart for Qatar Flights
British Airways now uses a hybrid region- and distance-based award chart for Qatar flights. That's different than the typical British Airways award chart, which prices award flights separately based on the distance of each flight segment.
However, you won't find the Qatar award chart — or any award charts — published anywhere on the British Airways website. Instead, we at AwardWallet performed innumerable award searches to determine the new British Airways award chart for Qatar Airways flights.
First, let's start by looking at nonstop flights between Doha (DOH) and Qatar's many destinations around the world.
Intra-Middle East nonstop Qatar flights
AwardWallet searches revealed that British Airways uses two award prices when flying Qatar within the Middle East. It seems like the distance cutoff is around 1,000 flight miles.
| Economy | Business Class | First Class | Minimum Mileage Found at This Rate | Maximum Mileage Found at This Rate | Example Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,000 | 14,000 | 21,000 | 198 miles | 881 miles | Abu Dhabi (AUH), Dubai (DXB), Muscat (MCT) |
| 13,000 | No examples found | 39,000 | 1,045 miles | 1,131 miles | Amman (AMM), Beirut (BEY) |
Qatar nonstop flights to/from Europe
British Airways separates Qatar award flights to Europe into two buckets. The distance cutoff is somewhere between 2,000 and 2,200 miles.
| Economy | Business Class | First Class | Minimum Mileage Found at This Rate | Maximum Mileage Found at This Rate | Example Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17,500 | 35,000 | 52,500 | 1,052 miles | 1,948 miles | Istanbul (IST & SAW), Athens (ATH) |
| 21,500 | 43,000 | No examples found | 2,200 miles | 3,516 miles | Rome (FCO), Paris (CDG), London (LHR), Madrid (MAD) |
Qatar nonstop flights to/from Africa
The British Airways award chart for Qatar flights between Doha and Africa is similar to that for Europe. However, short flights start at just 13k Avios in economy, and the 17.5k/35k distance band is a bit more generous. Flights from Doha to South Africa are a reasonable 22,500 Avios in economy or 45,000 Avios in business class.
| Economy | Business Class | First Class | Minimum Mileage Found at This Rate | Maximum Mileage Found at This Rate | Example Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13,000 | No examples found | 39,000 | 1,276 miles | 1,660 miles | Cairo (CAI) |
| 17,500 | 35,000 | No examples found | 2,078 miles | 2,552 miles | Nairobi (NBO), Seychelles (SEZ), Kilimanjaro (JRO), Zanzibar (ZNZ), Dar es Salaam (DAR) |
| 22,500 | 45,000 | No examples found | 2,939 miles | 4,620 miles | Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT) |
Qatar nonstop flights to/from Asia
Award flights to Asia are split into four different tiers, with Qatar flights under ~1,600 miles to India and Pakistan costing just 13,000 Avios each way. Other flights to/from Asia are divided into three additional bands, with the most expensive band starting around 4,000 miles in distance.
| Economy | Business Class | First Class | Minimum Mileage Found at This Rate | Maximum Mileage Found at This Rate | Example Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13,000 | 26,000 | No examples found | 971 miles | 1,587 miles | Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM) |
| 17,500 | 35,000 | 52,500 | 1,762 miles | 2,426 miles | Male (MLE), Kathmandu (KTM) |
| 25,000 | 50,000 | 75,000 | 3,273 miles | 3,901 miles | Bangkok (BKK), Singapore (SIN) |
| 30,000 | 60,000 | No examples found | 4,213 miles | 5,145 miles | Seoul (ICN), Bali (DPS) |
Qatar nonstop flights to/from South America, Australia, and New Zealand
From what we've found, the British Airways award chart for nonstop Qatar flights to South America, Australia, and New Zealand is identical:
- 35,000 miles in economy
- 70,000 miles in business class
- 105,000 miles in first class
Intra-South America flights
Qatar operates a fifth-freedom flight between Buenos Aires (EZE) and São Paulo (GRU). You can book awards on this flight for:
- 10,000 miles in economy
- 20,000 miles in business class
British Airways award chart for Qatar flights to/from the U.S. and Canada
On nonstop flights between the U.S. or Canada and Doha, award prices are the same no matter the distance of the flight: 35,000 Avios in economy or 70,000 Avios in Qsuite business class. However, the award cost of flights connecting onward depends on how far you're flying beyond Doha:
| Destination / Distance from Doha | Economy | Business Class | Example Routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doha (DOH) | 35,000 | 70,000 | |
| Within 1,600 miles of Doha | 40,000 | 80,000 | Karachi (KHI), Mumbai (BOM), Lahore (LHE) |
| Within 1,600 and 2,500 miles of Doha | 42,500 | 85,000 | Almaty (ALA), Dhaka (DAC), Seychelles (SEZ) |
| Within 2,500 and 4,000 miles of Doha | 47,500 | 95,000 | Bangkok (BKK), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Singapore (SIN), Hong Kong (HKG) |
| More than 4,000 miles from Doha | 50,000 | 100,000 | Shanghai (PVG), Seoul (ICN), Manila (MNL) |
British Airways award chart for mixed-partner flights from the U.S.
British Airways utilizes yet another region-based award chart for mixed-partner flights from the U.S. Say you fly American Airlines to Doha and then continue onward with Qatar to a final destination in Africa or Asia. Award rates are generally:
- 60,000 miles in economy.
- 90,000 miles in premium economy (even though premium economy isn't available on Qatar flights).
- 120,000 miles in business class.
Those are pretty disappointing rates, but this option could be useful when Qatar doesn't offer award availability on the date you want to travel.
Qatar Award Sweet Spots Slashed by British Airways
483% increase in business class between Doha and Sofia, Bulgaria
One of the best sweet spots in the former British Airways “award chart” for Qatar Airways flights was booking business class between Doha and Sofia (SOF) for just 6,000 Avios each way — a sweet spot previously publicized by Frequent Miler. That was a stunningly good price for a five-hour flight covering 2,000 miles.
Unfortunately, this award quirk is no longer available. An award on this Qatar Airways route now prices in line with the new British Airways award chart at 35,000 Avios each way:
150% increase between Doha and Almaty, Kazakhstan
Another quirky British Airways award rate was on Qatar's route between Doha and Almaty (ALA). This roughly five-hour flight covers over 1,900 miles. Yet, British Airways previously priced this flight at just 7,000 Avios each way in economy or 14,000 Avios each way in business class. Another excellent deal!
However, this deal is no more. With these British Airways changes to its Qatar partner award chart, you'll now pay 17,500 Avios each way in economy (a 150% increase)
…or 35,000 Avios each way in business class (a 150% increase).
86% increase between Doha and Cairo
Another regional Qatar sweet spot eliminated by this British Airways award chart realignment is between Doha and Cairo (CAI). Nonstop awards on this 1,280-mile route previously required just 7,000 Avios in economy or 21,000 Avios in first class. This route was an affordable way of booking a ticket eligible for Qatar's exclusive Al Safwa first-class lounge.
Unfortunately, this route isn't nearly as affordable now. You'll need to pay 13,000 Avios each way in economy (an 86% increase)
…or 39,000 Avios each way in first class (an 86% increase).
Lower Avios Award Rates on Certain Qatar Routes
As I mentioned at the top, these changes aren't all bad. British Airways actually dropped award rates on several routes. Here are a few examples where we've found lower pricing.
17% decrease on routes between the U.S. and Indian Subcontinent
The most relevant British Airways award chart decrease for U.S. travelers is on Qatar routes between the U.S. and the Indian Subcontinent. Award flights on these routes used to cost 48,000 Avios in economy or 96,000 Avios in Qsuite business class. Now, those have dropped to much more reasonable rates. You'll pay just 40,000 Avios in economy
… or just 80,000 Avios each way in Qsuite business class:
Up to 23% decrease on routes between the U.S. and Asia
Really want to stretch out your experience on Qatar Airways? Routes between the U.S. and some parts of Asia dropped between 21% and 23%. Previously, routes to destinations like Bangkok (BKK), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Singapore (SIN), and Hong Kong (HKG) required a whopping 60,000 Avios each way in economy or 120,000 Avios in business class. Now, these routes have dropped to much more reasonable levels. Economy awards now cost 47,500 Avios (a 21% drop):
Meanwhile, business-class rates on these routes cost 95,00 Avios each way (a 21% drop):
The price dropped even more on longer routes to destinations like Shanghai (PVG), Seoul (ICN), and Manila (MNL). When flying Qatar, these ultra-long routes used to cost 65,000 Avios each way in economy or 130,000 Avios each way in business class. Now, you'll pay 50,000 Avios in economy (a 23% drop)
… or 100,000 Avios in business class (also a 23% drop).
50% decrease between Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo
Qatar operates a fifth-freedom flight between Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) and São Paulo, Brazil (GRU). This roughly three-hour flight covers approximately 1,069 miles and used to cost 20,000 Avios in economy or 40,000 Avios in Qsuite business class. Now, those prices have been halved, charging 10,000 Avios each way in economy
…or 20,000 Avios each way in business class.
For what it's worth, those rates match what American Airlines AAdvantage charges for awards on this route. And booking through American Airlines means cheaper out-of-pocket costs:
25% decrease on nonstop routes between Doha and Windhoek, Namibia
As part of these British Airways award chart changes, several African routes have dropped in price. The biggest drop that we could find is between Doha and Windhoek, Namibia (WDH). This nine-hour, 4,000-mile nonstop flight used to run 30,000 Avios in economy or 60,000 Avios in business class. Now, these rates have dropped by 25% to 22,500 Avios each way in economy
…and 45,000 Avios each way in business class.
19% decrease on nonstop routes between Doha and Seychelles/Zanzibar
Two more African routes that dropped in price were Qatar award flights to Seychelles (SEZ) and Zanzibar (ZNZ). Previously, these routes were priced at 21,500 Avios each way in economy or 43,000 Avios in business class. Now, you'll only need 17,500 Avios in economy (a 19% drop)
…or 35,000 Avios in business class (a 19% drop).
Accumulating British Airways Avios
If you're looking to take advantage of any of these bookings, you'll need British Airways Avios. The good news: Avios are easy to accumulate. British Airways is a transfer partner of the following U.S. transferable point programs:
- American Express Membership Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio; transfers process immediately)
- Bilt Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio; transfers process immediately)
- Capital One Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio; transfers process immediately)
- Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio; transfers process immediately)
- Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 transfer ratio, plus a 5,000-Avios bonus for each 20,000 Avios received; transfers process in 10 hours on average)
Plus, you can transfer Avios between British Airways, Iberia, Qatar, and Aer Lingus accounts at 1:1 transfer ratio, instantly and without cost.
You also can earn British Airways Avios directly using the British Airways Visa Signature® Card. Eligible new cardholders can 75,000 bonus Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL.
- Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. Plus earn 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- 10% off British Airways flights starting in the US when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.
- Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you'll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
- Simply tap to pay with your contactless British Airways Visa Signature Card. Just look for the contactless symbol at checkout. It's fast, easy and secure!
- Member FDIC
- 3X Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL
- 2X Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations
- 1X Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Bottom Line
British Airways just standardized its award chart for Qatar Airways flights. This led to the elimination of some “quirky” sweet spots formerly available. But, besides this, it's generally good news. U.S. travelers can fly to the Indian Subcontinent or further into Asia for fewer Avios than before, and certain nonstop Qatar routes also dropped in price.
Particularly for U.S. travelers, these award chart changes make British Airways worth considering when booking Qatar award flights. Especially when paired with a transfer bonus — which we've recently seen from Capital One, Amex Membership Rewards, and Chase Ultimate Rewards — booking through British Airways could be the best option.
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I am looking for US-Africa and I can’t get BA site to load it as a single ticket. If I search the two legs individually, the seats are there. Is there a trick? Or do you need to call in?
I noticed that BA doesn’t like to show QR availability in online search results when you search routes that it serves. So you’ll likely need to call to book those. I haven’t had the chance to price an award ticket over the phone, so please let me know if you get a different award price!
Great, comprehensive post. Well done and thanks.
Thank you Big Dan
Can you please clarify if your charts are based on roundtrips or one-way flights. Thanks!
All of these are one-way prices unless otherwise noted.
Can 170,000 Avios still get me from the UK to BKK or JNB in biz ?
One thing that I noticed during my searches is that BA usually doesn’t show QR award availability on routes that it operates — and that holds true when I try to search these routes.
I was planning a future trip to Kazakhstan, and was focused so much on Istanbul and Dubai, and hadn’t thought to look at Doha as an award flight. Forgot to use FlightConnections to see all the nonstops from Almaty…someone in the ether will find another sweet spot, and hopefully I’ll catch that one before it disappears!
I’m unclear when did these changes occur?
Hard to say the exact timing for sure. We noticed the change in early June 2023.