sdsearch

First, I did not make a decision to go to CPT until long long after I'd booked the flight (with AA mles) to JNB.

Second, I was flying those intra-SA flights in business, which cost only slightly more Avios, but would have cost significantly more than economy in cash. And I'm on the tallish side, so given the slight increase in points and in co-pay needed for business, that seemed the simplest way to get an extra legroom seat. And on Comair, business class is actually nicer than intra-Europe.

Plus I can't ever find another way to reasonably use Avios points. (In the US, there's never availability anyway on nonstops from LAX, and fares tend to be cheap enough anyhow.) So I was sort of "desperate" to use some up! (I loaded up on Avios for longhaul business, but then they devalued terribly a couple years ago, so it's no longer useful for that.)

1. That's only practical, tho, if you're driving the Garden Route. The lower admission fee will be offset by the much greater driving if you're trying it as a day trip from Capetown (because you're not driving the Garden Route). If you're staying in Capetown and flying both in and out of CPT then Boulder Beach is way more practical to visit.

2. If you're into photography, I found the natural-looking background of the sand and boulders and grass much nicer for photographing the penguins at Boulder Beach than the greyish concrete reclaimed industrial setting of Stony Point. I took zillions of photographs at Boulder Bay (where I went first), and I looked around at Stony Point but didn't find it worth photographing at all by comparison.

3. I was only a few feet away from penguins at Boulder Beach (specifically, the ones "uphill" from the walkway). So it's not like you're always at a long distance away from all of them.

markprice22

I'm booked for next summer, 3 pax, JFK-DOH-JNB in J. When looking for DOH-JNB leg I found regular availability on QR 1363, the 777, departing DOH at 2:40am. But no J availability ever on QR 1367, the 787, departing DOH at 8:20am. Some C availability, especially when searching 330 days out, but no J, whether searching far out or close in. (I'm searching on BA, and so far the AA agents in US have seen exactly what BA site shows.)

Because the JFK-DOH flights arrives at 6:30am, QR 1367 would be about a 2 hour layover, while 1363 requires 18 hours.

Trying to figure out whether I should keep checking back for J availability or just accept the long layover and go find something to do with the family in Doha for the day? Would help to know if anybody has succeeded in snagging J seats on QR 1367.

Thanks!

FlyerBeek

I would definitely lock-in an available routing while you can. Even with a long layover, Doha isn't the worst place to spend some time. You might even appreciate the chance to stretch your legs a bit after the longhaul from JFK. You can always keep checking back (or simply use BA) for QR availability and change the DOH-JNB segment for free if something better opens up (unlikely).

I cannot answer definitively regarding QR1367, but I've searched many times and have never found J availability on this flight (either close-in or far out) while the 2am flight always seems to have decent award space available.

-FlyerBeek

markprice22

Thanks FlyerBeek, and thanks for all posters here whose advice I've been following for months as I tried to put this trip together. Good point about breaking up the trip. I locked it in. Calling Qatar to select seats now. Family is psyched. I travel too much for work, and at least we get business class to Africa on AA miles as a reward.

sdsearch

Maybe it's a plot to get people using miles to visit Qatar? @:-)

You're in DC, and the person you're replying to is in NYC. You east coasters arrive in the morning, and you can't find a connection to the morning flight but you can to the 2 am flight.

Well, some people coming from the west coast (including me from L A) had the opposite experience: Those flights arrive at DOH in the evening, and then they can't connect (on awards) to the 2am, only to the morning flight.

So is it a plot to get you to stay overnight in Doha no matter what time you arrive?

robdls

Looking to book an award with my AA miles and open to many destinations...Istanbul, Thailand, Africa (Cape Town and/or Safari), also open to suggestions.

What is the best reward redemption on Qatar from USA? Is a 2-3 stopover in Doha possible? Thinking March - May 2018.

Thanks!

markprice22

You can only stop in Doha for 24 hours max. After that would need to book separate awards. As for destinations, I start by where I want to visit, then work back. Typically for me and my family it is African countries, and QR is great for that, including JNB and NBO. One of the few remaining bright spots on the AA partner award charts. Haven't looked at redemptions to Istanbul or Thailand.

sdsearch

To Africa (and I think) the Indian Subcontinent QR is valid for one award (due to a special AA routing exception, IIRC). For many other destinations, certainly Europe, it takes two awards to get there via Doha. So you need to check if Thailand via Doha would be two awards or one. If AA counts Turkey (Istanbul) as Europe, then it's two awards; if AA counts Turkey as Middle East, it might be one award.

So from your list, Africa is the best bet.

SanDiego1K

I'm stymied again trying to book Qatar.

• I got an Awardnexus alert today that LAX-DOH was available on the date I wanted.
• I called AA. Agent saw space but it came back unconfirmed.
• She then told me that AA was ending its relationship with Qatar and would no longer be able to book on them.
• I challenged her. It was evident that she was confused by the routes within the Middle East that can no longer be booked.
• I called AA Australia. Again, agent saw space but it came back unconfirmed.

allset2travel

Wow, disturbing news! (?). If true, AA does it again without advanced announcement!

erik123

QR is Oneworld so complete nonsense.

krdvg

Just tried to get NBO-DOH-LAX booked, availability is showing on BA/QF, the agent tried lots of things and was on hold for more than 30mins, but at the very end step they are having some troubles on the backend to secure the seat from QR. Sigh.. any other oneworld programs that I can use for this??

JonNYC

no

allset2travel

^

apuraja

I have a two flights in business booked via AA. phl-doh-bom and return mle-doh-bom .. both the layovers are about 12-14 hours.

Do AA business class awards quality for the Qatar transit accommodation service?

In some cases, Qatar Airways will arrange accommodation, entry visas, airport transfers and meals for passengers facing extended transit times in Doha.

This service may be available if all the following conditions apply:

There is no connection of less than eight hours available;
The transit time in Doha is between eight and 24 hours;
The booking does not include flights to or from Kuwait (KWI) or Muscat (MCT).
For bookings made within 72 hours of departure, transit hotel accommodation cannot be pre-booked. In cases where your ticket is booked within 72 hours from your arrival in Doha, please proceed to the transfer desk when you arrive at Hamad International Airport to arrange your transit accommodation.

Transit accommodation is at the discretion of Qatar Airways. Not all fares are eligible for this stopover service. Please contact your nearest Qatar Airways office to confirm whether this service is available for your journey. Charges may apply.

*Confirmation of your hotel at Doha does not guarantee entry into the State of Qatar. This is entirely at the discretion of the Qatar Immigration Authority. Qatar Airways is not liable in the event entry is not permitted, in spite of a hotel booking.