Originally Posted by
cheltzel
Those are the "Business Classic" fares (Booking Class R) and do not include assigned seats and Lounge access. If you have any layover at all and want lounge access in DOH, it will be just under $100 each for 6 hours of lounge access, each way. If you want to get assigned to specific seats, there will be a charge for that as well and the seat charges are per flight. This could add significantly to the total trip costs as there could be 4 lounge charges and 4 seat assignemnt charges for your party for the entire trip.
If you upgrade to "Business Comfort" (Booking Class I), it will be about $2870. IMO it is a better value for you, assuming you will want lounge access and/or specific seats.
My wife and I are in your age group and we understand your perspective on long haul travel and the advantage of stopovers to break up a trip. We often do this, especially when we have to take multiple >10 flights to get to a destination.
If Qatar is open to visitors when you go, a bit of a stopover would have two advantages. First you would get time off the airplane, out of the airport and go into town. Also you could book on a DOH-ATH flight that has a real business class seat. Your shortest (< 3 hour) connection at DOH is on an A320 between DOH and ATH and could be the equivalent of a US domestic first class seat. Perfectly comfortable for a short flight. Currently the DOH-ATH flights you would likely get on longer connections include the 787 and A350.
If Qatar is not open to visitors when you go and you book a longer connection, you would have to stay at the airport and possibly book the airside hotel. This is not as good as getting out of the airport and into town, but still gets you a bit of a break in the travel.
Probably a good suggestion but even if Doha is open be careful about the temp - I read someone who regretted doing this b/c the temp was 40 C - I know that would have done me in!
Originally Posted by
LoungeLizardHugo
That is an important distinction to note.
As well, critical to carefully review the QR lounge access wiki post. I am Oneworld Emerald and have full seat picking and lounge privileges that come along with that status when booking the Business Classic (lowest cost) bucket. If you have status, enter your Alaska or AA program number when you purchase the QR ticket or add it later and it automatically unlocks seat selection on the QR site. When you go to the lounge they also immediately see the status and grant access.
Most every flight I take on QR it is recognized and mentioned by my flight attendant (Wow you must fly a lot! Emerald!"), I've never had another carrier recognize my alliance status (top on all three) like QR does. Yet another reason I fly with them whenever it make even remote sense. Bottom line: if you have OW status you don't need to pay-up for next level ticket.
Does Sapphire get any privilege?
Originally Posted by
david55
No status except what comes with my Amex Plat.
You all have been most helpful and kind with your responses. Thank you.
May I ask for one other opinion. I don't mind paying a bit more for my ticket for lounge access. There are two flights from ATH to DOH. One that leaves at 1:10AM and gives us 2 hours connection at DOH before our Seattle flight....the other at 7:25 PM that would give me close to 8 hours of connection time. Assuming our ticket gives us access to the the Al Mourjan lounge.... is it worth taking the earlier flight for the lounge experience....knowing that we will never have this opportunity again?
I think the lounge is worth it. There are rest areas with lounge type chairs where u can rest - not a private room or lay flat but pretty comfortable. A large selection of food (and champagne if that matters - but u have to ask it is not on display - maybe b/c of Ramadan, didn't ask about other alcohol)