Hi folks,

Long time lurker but I'm hoping to get some advice from the collective wisdom here.

I flew to KUL via DOH from LHR on QR004 June last year. QR004 was delayed and I ended up missing my connecting flight to KUL. The absolute kicker was that I found out later QR4991 to KUL was also delayed and I would have been able to get onto that flight if it wasn't for a staff member gathering everyone from QR004 who were meant to take QR4991 and telling us that we have misconnected. So, best alternative route Qatar could find for us was to take a flight via CMB to KUL. A 18 hour journey ended up to be nearly 30 hours long (if only I had ignored the ground staff and ran to QR4991!). We landed around midnight in Doha and technically we would be entitled to overnight stay as a compensation as the CMB flight did not depart until 11am the following day. Unfortunately all we were given were just food and drinks as it took them nearly 4 hours to get alternative flights sorted, no lounge access, no hotels given. It was definitely a scary experience as I was waiting by the transfer desk areas without my passport as they took it away to rebook me onto the next available flight.

Anyways, got to KUL a day later than planned but at least my luggage and I did get there eventually. I know since the flight departed at LHR I will be eligible to claim EC261 compensation (or rather UK261). I filled via the complaints procedure to Qatar for my compensation after I completed the full leg. The first reply I got from them was frankly shocking and shoddy as they offered their condolences for my father's passing (which was untrue) and told me that the flight I was on is not eligible for compensation. I responded back and quoted EC261 to them, flight from LHR so in scope for EC261. It wasn't a weather-related delay as another afternoon QR flight departed LHR on time (QR008 I believe). Heard nothing back for months. I sent a PM to goingplacestogether on here but also heard nothing back.

What are my options in trying to claim compensation for this missed connection? Escalate to the CAA or small claims court?