Originally Posted by
l00semarble
1. Should we let Audley book this for us? They said that if there is any trouble with flight delays or cancellations they will be able to help where if we book it ourselves we are on our own to show up for the rest of the trip. Can a 3rd party agency book a Qatar Holidays stopover package since I'm guessing this is put together by their own travel agency? Our agent is not available until Monday to ask.
Yes, let Audley book for you. When there is a flight delay and you're on track to miss some part of your ground arrangements so you call Audley to rearrange, you don't want Audley to say that they can't help you (or there's a penalty/service fee) because they didn't book the air tickets.
Originally Posted by
l00semarble
2. If we want to add Al Mourjan biz class lounge access I think it is $129/person/visit. Does this sound right? Better to reserve this ahead of time or just pay at front desk? Worth it?
DO NOT pay in advance. You might be unexpectedly delayed on your return to HIA after your visit to Doha such that you don't have much or any time to visit a lounge at the airport, in which case you would have wasted your money. Pay at the door.
Originally Posted by
l00semarble
3. Paying for seat selection is kind of annoying on a $5,xxx ticket but since we are 2 couples together we will probably do so. Is the 4-person pod thing in the Q-suites cool or gimmic or ? Not used to being rear facing but two of us would be. Or we can book 4 front facing?
If you are a group of four, the four person seating is not a gimmick, it's quite nice. But you don't want to book four front facing, that won't work. If you're all facing the same direction, you can't be facing each other.
Originally Posted by
l00semarble
4. During Doha stopover is it better/cheaper to book Doha airport transfer and excursions at same time? Or can same be booked outside of Qatar airlines for less/better?
Assuming that Visit Qatar doesn't include excursions, book them outside of QR. Some will be cheaper, others more expensive. What's certain is that you'll have a much wider selection from which to choose.
Originally Posted by
l00semarble
5. I think I understand that during a stopover stay you do not collect your checked bags. Can someone confirm?
I do not know for certain either way, however, if you're not permitted to collect your bags, that means that they will have been checked two days in advance for KTM. I don't think that airlines generally accept bags two days in advance. Best to call QR in advance and ask, or have Audley do it for you.
Originally Posted by
l00semarble
Yes every moment we have in Nepal including hotels/tours in Kathmandu, ground transpo, trekking guide, teahouse stays, and a Chitwan safari are all arranged by Audley. A true full service and private tour situation. And I am inclinded to let them book the air tickets as it shoudl be same price and we have their backing but I was not sure if it is normaly for a 3rd party TA to be able to book the special "stopover" deals.
In terms of same price for the air tickets, airlines stopped paying regular commissions to travel agents decades ago, so Audley may attach a service charge. OTOH it has fees already built into your package, so perhaps not. Call and ask them.