Originally Posted by STelite

Had a similar encounter last week, flew FCO-DOH-CAN in D received both boarding passes in FCO with seat assignment.

Upon arrival in DOH agent met me at the gate and simply said the flight was overbooked and there was another passenger booked in a higher fare class than mine and a GOLD card holder so they take priority over me. They handed me my new boarding pass in economy said the seat was in the first row, offered me US$125 in compensation and assured me that I would still earn business class miles on this trip. Well that seems adequate considering the amount I spent on this ticket, the US$125 and miles should cover it! Naturally I flat out refused and said I had already received my boarding passes in FCO and if they wanted to bump someone why not a passenger who originated in DOH as they would have checked in later than me. They held me for about an hour and said this is the policy of the airline and they do it all the time. Eventually they did let me go after an hour and I was able to board in business class but it was just a stuiped ordeal to go through after getting off a 7 hour flight. Upon entering the cabin J class was completely full with two families taking up most of the seats, as far as I could tell I was the only passenger flying solo.

This was my first trip with Qatar and although the on board experience was fantastic their ground staff though needs significant improvement, I've heard of upgrades but never down grades!

Originally Posted by lightyear40

This happened to me and my wife a few years ago, we were flying from MAD-BKK in J. They told us at DOHA that my wife had been downgraded, because Business Class was overbooked. We argued with the ground staff and eventually a telephone call to their supervisor reinstated her to Business Class. J was full mainly with two large families. We also had two economy tickets on another flight from LGW-BKK and I was bumped off the flight at DOHA. This was very up setting, because my wife was being forced to fly otherwise she would lose her money and I was told I would have to wait several hours for the next flight. Once again we ended up calling the supervisor who put us in Business Class this time with an Economy menu. Subsequently my 10000 Euros a year now goes to Emirates even though we still prefer Qatar's seat layout. Just a bit of advise don't let the ground crew bully you always call the supervisor who can make your seat reappear again. They call it magic I think!!