Here is an update to my situation:
I received the following prompt and laboriously worded response from QR to my complaint:
-----Original Message-----
From: Qatar Airways Customer Relations Department <
[email protected]>
To: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Sun, Feb 26, 2012 7:28 am
Subject: XXXXXXXXXXXX
26 February 2012
Dear Mr. XXXXXXXXXXX
Thank you for your email concerning your disappointment regarding the facility
of a Transit Hotel Accommodation for your layover in Doha on your recent flights
from Manila to Istanbul.
May we firstly share that this facility is applicable only on certain
itineraries and routes. For itineraries or routings that are not eligible and no
immediate (less than 8 hours) connection is available, then passengers may opt
for the transit hotel accommodation at additional charges. Additionally, the
type and level of airfare for your flights will also govern whether you receive
this service free of charge, or if a fee will be charged, and this information
is available at the time of booking.
Should you wish to find out if your airfare for your subsequent travels entitles
you to this service, whether paid or complimentary, may we please refer you to
contact your nearest Qatar Airways office for further clarification.
Thank you for this opportunity to correspond with you and to explain the matter.
Yours sincerely,
Syahirah Beck
Officer - Customer Care (Asia Pacific)
Qatar Airways
---------------------------------------------------------------
The response does not make me feel too much better about the whole incident and I found the ground staff, including the supervisor to be shockingly ill-informed about their own procedures; I received 3 different versions of their policies from 3 people. I note that QR has apparently now altered their website to reflect the conditions and exceptions that applied to me:
http://support.qatarairways.com/entr...-hours-in-doha
All in all, not a true 5-star airline. High standards need to apply throughout the organization and not just with flight attendants as employees.