jbalmuth

I'm eager to know whether anyone knows what the sentence:

PURCHASE OF ONEWORLD MIDDLE EAST PASS IN
CONJUCTION WITH INTERNATIONAL QR TICKET WILL
SUPERSEDE THE ABOVE RULE STOPOVER FEE AND
RESTRICTIONS.

means in the following context:

Category 8: Stopover restrictions

2 STOPOVERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT AT USD 100.00
EACH
NONE IN DOH INBOUND
1 IN DOH OUTBOUND
1 IN AREA 2
1 IN AREA 3
1 IN AREA 1.
A STOPOVER MAY NOT EXCEED 96 HOURS.
NOTE -
ALL STOPOVER RESTRICTIONS OR FEES ARE WAIVED IN
CASE OF APPLICATION OF HIP/HIF CHECK AND RAISING
THE FARE TO THE HIGHER MIDPOINT FARES.
---------------------------------------------
PURCHASE OF AN OFFICIAL QR HOLIDAY STOPOVER
PACKAGE WILL SUPERSEDE THE ABOVE RULES STOPOVER
FEES AND RESTRICTIONS. REFER TO QR OFFICES AND QR
HOLIDAYS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OFFICIAL
STOPOVER PACKAGE AND BOOKING PROCESS.
PURCHASE OF ONEWORLD MIDDLE EAST PASS IN
CONJUCTION WITH INTERNATIONAL QR TICKET WILL
SUPERSEDE THE ABOVE RULE STOPOVER FEE AND
RESTRICTIONS. REFER TO INFORMATION ON WORLD
MIDDLE EAST PASS. AGENT SHOULD CONTACT QR OFFICE
AND PROVIDE PNR DETAILS AND TICKET DETAILS OF
BOTH LONG HAUL TICKET AND ME PASS TICKET.SAME
INFORMATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED BY QR OFFICE.
STOPOVER RESTRICTIONS CAN BE SUPERSEDED BY
APPLYING APPROPRIATE HIP CHECK AND MANUALLY
RAISE THE FARES TO THE CORRECT LEVELS.
--------------------------------------------------
ALL STOPOVER FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONNECTION STPC
MAY BE PROVIDED FOR ITINERARIES WHERE SHORTEST
STOPOVER OPTION IS MORE THAN 8 HOURS AND LESS
THAN 24 HORUS FOR FULL DETAILS CONTACT LOCAL QR
OFFICE OR REFER TO GGAIRQRSTPC IN AMADEUS.
-----------------------------------------------
IF THE STOPOVER IN DOHA BETWEEN CONNECTING
FLIGHTS IS LESS THAN 24 HOURS PLEASE NOTE THAT
THE BAGS WILL ALWAYS BE CHECKED THROUGH TO THE
FINAL DESTINATION.THE PASSENGERS SHOULD CARRY
EVERYTHING THEY NEED IN DOHA IN A HAND BAG.
-----------------------------------------------
IN CASE THE PASSENGER NEEDS THE BAGS IN DOHA THE
HIP RULE MUST BE APPLIED OR TWO SEPARATE TICKETS
NEED TO BE BOUGHT.
--------------------

My specific question: which exact restrictions are "superseded" if the OneWorld Middle East Pass is bought in conjunction with this QR fare ((IRTEULK CMB to NYC, business class roundtrip fare)?

For example,

• Are stopovers in Doha allowed both outbound and inbound?
• Is a Doha stopover not counted in the 2 stopover limit?
• Is a stopover in excess of 96 hours permitted in Doha?

I called QR Customer Service to ask these questions, and they asked me to write to their regional service center, who acknowledged the email and then forwarded the query to their OneWorld Helpdesk, and I've not heard anything back.

Insights from FT's QR flyers, TAs, or QR lurkers who have any actual experience/knowledge about these "superseded" restrictions after purchase of a OneWorld Middle East Pass (or a QR Holiday Stopover Package, for that matter) would be very much appreciated. TIA!

hillrider

Did you hear anything back?

I would interpret the language as meaning that you don't pay USD 100 for the stopover (the "FEE" superseded), you can do it inbound as well as outbound, and you're not limited to 96 hours (the "RESTRICTIONS" superseded). But have no experience with it.

jbalmuth

I did hear back from QR Customer Contact Centre The Americas with very good news, and have now ticketed both the oneworld Middle East Pass and the related international ticket (with the above fare rules) through their office. btw, their service is exemplary.

As correctly predicted by hillrider the language means that there is no USD 100 charge per stopover, that stopovers in Doha are permitted both inbound and outbound, and that stopovers are not limited to 96 hours. In addition, more than 2 stopovers are permitted ("there is no limit" according to the email I received from the Customer Contact Centre).

My ticketed roundtrip international itinerary has 3 stopovers, each in excess of 96 hours, and no additional stopover fees were assessed.

My oneworld Middle East Pass cost USD277 all in (i.e. inclusive of airport taxes and YQ), and is composed of 3 segments (the minimum number allowed), each quoted at USD75 (flights under 300 miles) in economy class. I learned the rules of the ME Pass here

My international business class ticket was very well priced (CMB - JFK RT, IRTEULK), and carries reasonable penalties (USD50 for changes, USD100 for cancellation). Add in unlimited stopovers in both directions and I think that this QR offering could become best in class. I wish that one of our resident TAs would take it upon themselves to become expert in these fares ---- I'm ready to book another!