Qatar Airways Privilege Club - is Premium Terminal / lounge worth extra 4 hours in airport?

I'm thinking of flying QR business class via DOH, and have a choice of either 1h45m connection, or 6-hour connection, between two long flights (14 hours incoming, 6 hours connecting).

We almost never fly in premium cabins and so want the complete experience. Also I'm a little worried that the incoming flight may be late and if the next one has no business seats available then we may be stuck there even longer (I won't fly coach when I'm paying for business!). I would lean more toward the longer connection if the airport is something to experience.

It is hard to understand from the website what is included in Premium Terminal business class access. It sounds like the Spa is not free (since prices are listed, and they are not low).

What about the food? The website talks about all kinds of food and drink options, any of them free and worth the experience? How easy is it to get a private room, and a shower? Good showers?

How far is the city, would I have time to step out of the airport and see anything interesting?

Any ideas/insights are greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

There are a few trip reports on people's experiences flying Qatar Airways business and with more pictures than the website.

SPA's arent free, but all alcohol, food and showers are free. Personally 3 hour transit time is ideal as you get about 2 hours in the Premium Terminal which is more than enough imo. With a 6 hour transit time you are looking at roughly spending close to 5 hours in the terminal. Which is a long time. Forgot to mention there is also a sandwich bar as well which is quite nice.

6 hours is not enough time to really get out the airport and see things nor do I think they will allow you to see things either.

But yeah get drunk, eat alot and get the most out of the experience of flying QR business. Depending on the time of the day the place gets packed and can cheapen the whole experience.

Personally QR in the air is where you get your money's worth.

As above really. I flew with Qatar in Business from Manchester to Shanghai and had the use if the Premium Terminal. Good food, plenty of choice, booze etc. A couple of hours is enough though.

If price is the same and hours don't make a difference, I would take the extra time. One hour is not enough, and if you do not travel in C very often then you can make it a special thing:
- "haute-couture" sandwiches and canapes
- a la carte dinner
- drinks on-demand
- games room :)
- showers
- 1hr stroll through the shopping area
- no risk for delays

To find out our award winning permium terminal by Skytrax world Airport Award, please log to http://www.worldairportawards.com/Awards_2012/premium.htm

Our Premium terminal facilities can be found at http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/premium-terminal.page

Best regards,
Alex

If price is the same and hours don't make a difference, I would take the extra time. One hour is not enough, and if you do not travel in C very often then you can make it a special thing:
- "haute-couture" sandwiches and canapes
- a la carte dinner
- drinks on-demand
- games room :)
- showers
- 1hr stroll through the shopping area
- no risk for delays

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. CAlex above captures my basic thinking. Also there may be some interesting people-watching in this high-end venue.

Unfortunately my circumstances changed and now it makes much more practical sense to fly either ANA or Asiana (I thought I was starting in Houston where QR flies, but now it looks like SFO will be the starting point; my final destination is BKK, thus it makes much more sense to go over the Pacific...

...unless someone convinces me that QR business is so much better than ANA or Asiana that it is still worth the longer trip and I simply MUST try it?! :) I'm actually tempted, but my wife may not appreciate the whole trip taking 30+ hours.

Leave QR for another time and take ANA or SQ or OZ to BKK...
Not worth it the extra time spent in transit.

Take the shorter connection if you decide to fly QR. The premium terminal is ok, but really not that special. If you hit the evening departure bank, you might have trouble finding a place to sit down like I recently encountered.

For 6 hour transit I would leave the airport and go to the architecturally stunning Islamic Museum and to the souk on the other side of the road from the museum.

The Premium Terminal is WAY overrated. I cannot wait for the new airport to open. I have EIGHT transfers coming in Doha in the next two months or so.

C'mon, let's be fair. If the PT is overrated, then what would meet your expectations? Indeed it is not a First-Class Terminal, but in terms of business class lounge/terminal, is there anything they can do in addition to what they currently have, without overlapping with First Class product (Spa, bedroom, etc)?

Most would be happy that they get to transfer DOH via Premium terminal, and not ADD or CAI :)

C'mon, let's be fair. If the PT is overrated, then what would meet your expectations? Indeed it is not a First-Class Terminal, but in terms of business class lounge/terminal, is there anything they can do in addition to what they currently have, without overlapping with First Class product (Spa, bedroom, etc)?

There just isn't enough space during the evening departure bank. I had to go to the business center just to find a place to sit down. How's that for the "premium" experience?

I also find it amusing how they are writing ont he inflight magazine about the premium transfers on a dedicated business/first bus @ DOH. During my last four transfers I got the business bus ONCE.

Most would be happy that they get to transfer DOH via Premium terminal, and not ADD or CAI :)

Did a transfer @ ADD last week. Oh well. Let's not even go there. But then ET is not advertising it as a premium experience. And somehow they do manage to get the dedicated better bus for their biz pax.

When (always the same time of day?) is this "departure bank"?

I think midnight to 2AM, when all flights to Asia/Australia depart DOH. At the time the whole airport becomes a mini-zoo. You best see this in the main terminal, but I agree that at the time PT becomes a bit full, and you need few minutes to find a place to relax.

I think midnight to 2AM, when all flights to Asia/Australia depart DOH. At the time the whole airport becomes a mini-zoo. You best see this in the main terminal, but I agree that at the time PT becomes a bit full, and you need few minutes to find a place to relax.

Okay, thanks for the insight.