Jun 5, 2017, 6:48 am
Last edit by: plunet
Wiki last updated: 21 July 2017 18:00 UTC
Summary of key traveller experiences and feedback on this forum since Mid-June
Some specific data points from other travellers:
(but there is a lot more valuable information if you can trawl back through the thread)
#753 CAI-LHR-DOH been offered as alternative for ex-CAI 4 days prior to 1st sector.
#772 KUL-DOH-LXR reroute to CAI and IST refused
#792 AUH-DOH-DPS by QR rebooked to DXB-HKG-DPS by CX
#794 Australia-DOH-HBE rebooked as DOH-BEY on QR on 2nd attempt.
#808 CAI>DOH>BOS>DOH>CAI rebooked to KRT and date change
#818 SYD-DOH-CAI changed to SYD-DOH-KWI-CAI, layovers optimed and +Qatar stopover
#830 and #840 Economy ICN-DOH-DXB rebooked onto CX ICN-HKG-DXB
#849 ex-CAI ininaries changed to ex-AMM but needed to HUACA a few times.
#856 CAI-DOH-BKK changed to FCO-DOH-BKK all on QR
#868 DFW-DOH-HBE changed to DFW-DOH-LCA all on QR 2 weeks out.
#906 Unable to get LXR-DOH-HKG-BNE rerouted until 72 hours prior
#927 CAI-DOH-BKK rebooked onto CAI-BAH-AMM on Gulf DOH-BKK (on QR) and return back to AMM
#966 DXB-DOH (award ticket) was changed to DXB-KWI-DOH on Kuwait+QR 48hrs in advance
#966 DOH-CAI (2 award tickets) were changed to DOH-BEY on QR 48 hours advance
#966 CAI-DOH-MUC (paid business) were changed to BEY-DOH-MUC 72 hours advance
#981 HKT-DOH-DWC (J/F tix) change to HKT-DOH-KWI all on QR 10 days out.
#985 ex-LXR ticket rerouted by OTA as CAI-BEY-DOH outside the 72 hr window
#1004 BKK-DOH-CAI in F rebooked as BKK-DOH-BEY in QR F, BEY-CAI in C on ME
#1005 HEL-DOH-DXB rebooked HEL-DOH-MCT on QR and MCT-DXB on Oman once ticket status went to unconfirmed.
#1057 MAN-DOH-DXB rebooked as MAN-LHR-DXB on BA (had to HUACA 3 times)
#1141 Multiple ex-CAI itineraries CAI-DOK-BKK return in J, CAI-DOH-LHR return in J, CAI-DOH-BKK single in F changed to all be ex-KWI. Had to HUACA 3 times.
#1157 LXR-DOH-NRT booked in January, flight changed to CAI-DOH-NRT
#1172 Rebooked CAI-(F)-DOH(J)-BKK to CAI-(C/ME)-BEY-(F)-DOH-(C)-BKK at 77hrs from departure
#1173 Rebooked at QR office HBE-DOH-DPS to HBE-IST-DOH-DPS on TK/TK/QR and improved timing on DOS-DPS segment
Offical guidance from QR website as of mid July:
What Happened
On the 6th of June flights from Qatar to Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (and vice versa) were suspended.
This includes all Qatar flights between Doha and Abu Dhabi, Abha, Alexandria–Borg el Arab, Bahrain, Buraydah, Cairo, Dammam, Dubai–Al Maktoum, Dubai–International, Gassim, Hofuf, Jeddah, Luxor, Madinah, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, Sharjah, Tabuk, Ta'if and Yanbu.
Adding to this at 00:00 (UTC) on the 6th of June restrictions were put in place limiting flights to Doha to one particular corridor through the airspace of Bahrain. This has since been relaxed to two specific corridors through Bahrain airspace with a second corridor up the Saudi Arabia the new addition.
All other flights to other Qatar Airways destinations including the Maldives are still operating although some have delays due to the extended time required to avoid restricted airspace.
There are a couple of routes that are having to make fuel stops in Athens or Muscat but this seems to be dependent on the type of aircraft as well.
Details on the Airspace can be found here - https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/f...ain-and-egypt/
What about my Flights to other destinations?
Flights to Europe, Asia, Pacific and Norte America are operating as per schedule with minimal delays. There is no need to contact QR regarding these services.
Flights between Doha and Souto America are facing delays due to longer times and/or need for a technical stop-over. Flights to GRU and EZE are 2hr to 5hrs longer.
Flight between Doha and Africa/Middle East have longer flights times due to the airspace restrictions. Some routes like Doha to Khartoum have felt the full force of the restrictions with the flight now taking 2hr 30 mins longer than normal.
Qatar has begun to re-time flights to ensure the network continues running smoothly. Changes have been since Monday 12 June 2017, so it is advised to check your flight status and times on the Qatar website.
What about my flight to a suspended destination?
If you are due to fly in the next few days, search for alternative routings and note them down.
24 hours before your scheduled departure time, contact your LOCAL QR office, and ask for their assistance. Advise them that you have found an alternative routing which you would be willing to accept and see if they will book it for you.
If you are due to fly more than 5 days from today, try and relax. Do not panic and please do not call QR as you are blocking the lines for those flying in the next 24 hours. At this stage, Qatar is only offering options to those who are traveling in the next 24 hours.
Currently, people in the thread have suggested that Qatar is rebooking on flights through Muscat, Kuwait, Amman, Istanbul, Mumbai, Beirut, Athens and Tunis.
You can only get a refund if your booking is to one of the destinations listed at the top! (The number of people asking QR on Twitter for a refund of other flights is amazing)
What about other airlines?
Most other carriers in and out of Doha are still operating except for Air Arabia, Air Arabia Egypt, Air Cairo, EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai, Rotana Jet and Saudia.
Most other carriers are using the new restricted routes into Doha although provided the aircraft is not registered in Qatar they are allowed to use the Saudi Arabia or Egypt Airspace.
Timeline of Events:
5 June 2017
- UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace
- All MS flights between CAI and DOH was zeroed out
- All GF flights between BAH and DOH closed for sale
- All QR flights between DOH and CAI closed for sale
- All QR staff travel was canceled
6 June 2017
- Airspace Restriction came into effect at 00:00 (UTC)
- All QR flights between DOH and UAE/Bahrain/KSA closed for sale
- QR flights between DOH and MLE still bookable
- QR Charters 3 aircraft from Jeddah to Muscat
7 June 2017
- QR Charters an aircraft from Jeddah to Kuwait
8 June 2017
- Qatar Airways website blocked in the UAE
- Qatar Airways offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain close
11 June 2017
- Second flight corridor added along the Saudi Arabia Coast
13 June 2017
- UAE Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar but they are still not allowing flights between the UAE and Qatar from any operators.
- Egypt Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar. The new rules also allow for non Qatar or Egypt registered aircraft to operate flights between the two countries.
14 June 2017
- Agreement between QR and BA/A3 on reticketing passengers (link below)
Further information:
- QR Travel Alert http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...bile_site=true
- QR FAQs http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...002369667-FAQs
- QR Charter flights arranged from Jeddah KSA to Muscat Oman http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...Muscat-to-Doha
- QR agreement with BA & A3 to reticket their flights http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...r-help-qr.html
- Political background and latest updates: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40155829
Summary of key traveller experiences and feedback on this forum since Mid-June
- Policy statement (link) for the travel industry issued 15th June 2017
- Refund is always an option, but very varied experiences of how quickly the refund is processed, from a few days to "still waiting". Some experiences of passengers being pressurised into taking refunds when this is not necessary if you can wait.
- If you want to reroute from a closed destination to another middle east destination still served by QR, you might be able to do this as early as 30 days from 1st sector, although we have had reports of rerouting at 6 weeks out.
- Where QR have to reroute onto other carriers, long haul reroutes typically onto BA, CX and TK seem to be quoted most often. In the Gulf region ME, KU, WY are quoted most often. Although RJ is a OneWorld carrier and should be a parter for QR, they are not accepting QR rerouted tickets.
- Status of reservations for travel to affected destinations typically changes to "Unconfirmed" 7 days ahead of travel.
- If your booking was via a 3rd party or agent you probably can't get Qatar to change the ticket until 72 hours before the first sector. 3rd parties and agents seem to be offering refunds rather than rerouting, although there has been some success if you can show them the QR rebooking policy document.
- There has been a very mixed bag of reports of how QR are handling rebooking. Some people have no luck getting itineraries changed before 72 hours before departure, but others do. So some good advice is to always be polite but if you don't get what you want, then thank the agent for their time and HUACA (hang up and call again) - preferably after you have had a drink and have calmed down, and maybe calling a different office.
Some specific data points from other travellers:
(but there is a lot more valuable information if you can trawl back through the thread)
#753 CAI-LHR-DOH been offered as alternative for ex-CAI 4 days prior to 1st sector.
#772 KUL-DOH-LXR reroute to CAI and IST refused
#792 AUH-DOH-DPS by QR rebooked to DXB-HKG-DPS by CX
#794 Australia-DOH-HBE rebooked as DOH-BEY on QR on 2nd attempt.
#808 CAI>DOH>BOS>DOH>CAI rebooked to KRT and date change
#818 SYD-DOH-CAI changed to SYD-DOH-KWI-CAI, layovers optimed and +Qatar stopover
#830 and #840 Economy ICN-DOH-DXB rebooked onto CX ICN-HKG-DXB
#849 ex-CAI ininaries changed to ex-AMM but needed to HUACA a few times.
#856 CAI-DOH-BKK changed to FCO-DOH-BKK all on QR
#868 DFW-DOH-HBE changed to DFW-DOH-LCA all on QR 2 weeks out.
#906 Unable to get LXR-DOH-HKG-BNE rerouted until 72 hours prior
#927 CAI-DOH-BKK rebooked onto CAI-BAH-AMM on Gulf DOH-BKK (on QR) and return back to AMM
#966 DXB-DOH (award ticket) was changed to DXB-KWI-DOH on Kuwait+QR 48hrs in advance
#966 DOH-CAI (2 award tickets) were changed to DOH-BEY on QR 48 hours advance
#966 CAI-DOH-MUC (paid business) were changed to BEY-DOH-MUC 72 hours advance
#981 HKT-DOH-DWC (J/F tix) change to HKT-DOH-KWI all on QR 10 days out.
#985 ex-LXR ticket rerouted by OTA as CAI-BEY-DOH outside the 72 hr window
#1004 BKK-DOH-CAI in F rebooked as BKK-DOH-BEY in QR F, BEY-CAI in C on ME
#1005 HEL-DOH-DXB rebooked HEL-DOH-MCT on QR and MCT-DXB on Oman once ticket status went to unconfirmed.
#1057 MAN-DOH-DXB rebooked as MAN-LHR-DXB on BA (had to HUACA 3 times)
#1141 Multiple ex-CAI itineraries CAI-DOK-BKK return in J, CAI-DOH-LHR return in J, CAI-DOH-BKK single in F changed to all be ex-KWI. Had to HUACA 3 times.
#1157 LXR-DOH-NRT booked in January, flight changed to CAI-DOH-NRT
#1172 Rebooked CAI-(F)-DOH(J)-BKK to CAI-(C/ME)-BEY-(F)-DOH-(C)-BKK at 77hrs from departure
#1173 Rebooked at QR office HBE-DOH-DPS to HBE-IST-DOH-DPS on TK/TK/QR and improved timing on DOS-DPS segment
Offical guidance from QR website as of mid July:
Passengers who have purchased their tickets from Qatar Airways have the following options to refund their tickets:
For tickets booked on qatarairways.com, they can:
Passengers who have purchased their Qatar Airways tickets through a Travel Agency can request their refund from the issuing Travel Agent.
For tickets booked on qatarairways.com, they can:
- Go to Refund requests;
- They can approach their nearest Qatar Airways Office; or
- They can call the Qatar Airways contact Centre at +974 4022 0072
- Contact their nearest Qatar Airways Office; or
- Call Qatar Airways Contact Centre on +974 4022 0072
Passengers who have purchased their Qatar Airways tickets through a Travel Agency can request their refund from the issuing Travel Agent.
Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kingdom of Bahrain and Egypt please use: https://refundsapp1.blueivysync.com/...er-refund.html
This is a different web form as the Qatar website is blocked from some of these countries.
This is a different web form as the Qatar website is blocked from some of these countries.
For further information and FAQs please visit: http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...002369667-FAQs
On the 6th of June flights from Qatar to Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (and vice versa) were suspended.
This includes all Qatar flights between Doha and Abu Dhabi, Abha, Alexandria–Borg el Arab, Bahrain, Buraydah, Cairo, Dammam, Dubai–Al Maktoum, Dubai–International, Gassim, Hofuf, Jeddah, Luxor, Madinah, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, Sharjah, Tabuk, Ta'if and Yanbu.
Adding to this at 00:00 (UTC) on the 6th of June restrictions were put in place limiting flights to Doha to one particular corridor through the airspace of Bahrain. This has since been relaxed to two specific corridors through Bahrain airspace with a second corridor up the Saudi Arabia the new addition.
All other flights to other Qatar Airways destinations including the Maldives are still operating although some have delays due to the extended time required to avoid restricted airspace.
There are a couple of routes that are having to make fuel stops in Athens or Muscat but this seems to be dependent on the type of aircraft as well.
Details on the Airspace can be found here - https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/f...ain-and-egypt/
What about my Flights to other destinations?
Flights to Europe, Asia, Pacific and Norte America are operating as per schedule with minimal delays. There is no need to contact QR regarding these services.
Flights between Doha and Souto America are facing delays due to longer times and/or need for a technical stop-over. Flights to GRU and EZE are 2hr to 5hrs longer.
Flight between Doha and Africa/Middle East have longer flights times due to the airspace restrictions. Some routes like Doha to Khartoum have felt the full force of the restrictions with the flight now taking 2hr 30 mins longer than normal.
Qatar has begun to re-time flights to ensure the network continues running smoothly. Changes have been since Monday 12 June 2017, so it is advised to check your flight status and times on the Qatar website.
What about my flight to a suspended destination?
If you are due to fly in the next few days, search for alternative routings and note them down.
24 hours before your scheduled departure time, contact your LOCAL QR office, and ask for their assistance. Advise them that you have found an alternative routing which you would be willing to accept and see if they will book it for you.
If you are due to fly more than 5 days from today, try and relax. Do not panic and please do not call QR as you are blocking the lines for those flying in the next 24 hours. At this stage, Qatar is only offering options to those who are traveling in the next 24 hours.
Currently, people in the thread have suggested that Qatar is rebooking on flights through Muscat, Kuwait, Amman, Istanbul, Mumbai, Beirut, Athens and Tunis.
You can only get a refund if your booking is to one of the destinations listed at the top! (The number of people asking QR on Twitter for a refund of other flights is amazing)
What about other airlines?
Most other carriers in and out of Doha are still operating except for Air Arabia, Air Arabia Egypt, Air Cairo, EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai, Rotana Jet and Saudia.
Most other carriers are using the new restricted routes into Doha although provided the aircraft is not registered in Qatar they are allowed to use the Saudi Arabia or Egypt Airspace.
Timeline of Events:
5 June 2017
- UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace
- All MS flights between CAI and DOH was zeroed out
- All GF flights between BAH and DOH closed for sale
- All QR flights between DOH and CAI closed for sale
- All QR staff travel was canceled
6 June 2017
- Airspace Restriction came into effect at 00:00 (UTC)
- All QR flights between DOH and UAE/Bahrain/KSA closed for sale
- QR flights between DOH and MLE still bookable
- QR Charters 3 aircraft from Jeddah to Muscat
7 June 2017
- QR Charters an aircraft from Jeddah to Kuwait
8 June 2017
- Qatar Airways website blocked in the UAE
- Qatar Airways offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain close
11 June 2017
- Second flight corridor added along the Saudi Arabia Coast
13 June 2017
- UAE Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar but they are still not allowing flights between the UAE and Qatar from any operators.
- Egypt Relaxes rules allowing non Qatari registered aircraft to use their airspace to/from Qatar. The new rules also allow for non Qatar or Egypt registered aircraft to operate flights between the two countries.
14 June 2017
- Agreement between QR and BA/A3 on reticketing passengers (link below)
Further information:
- QR Travel Alert http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...bile_site=true
- QR FAQs http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...002369667-FAQs
- QR Charter flights arranged from Jeddah KSA to Muscat Oman http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/e...Muscat-to-Doha
- QR agreement with BA & A3 to reticket their flights http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...r-help-qr.html
- Political background and latest updates: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40155829
Qatar Airways - UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace
Jun 20, 2017, 5:55 am
#901
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
Gagravarr please be assured that QR will get you to DXB. There is no doubt about that. If you fly to DOH then you will have two short flights to DXB, most likely via MCT.
However do look at post 899 of this thread. This seems to be a sensible alternative.
It is unclear if you cn do this yourself in the 3 day window or if it has to be QR. Since they are paying commonsense says that it has to be QR.
However do look at post 899 of this thread. This seems to be a sensible alternative.
It is unclear if you cn do this yourself in the 3 day window or if it has to be QR. Since they are paying commonsense says that it has to be QR.
Jun 20, 2017, 6:04 am
#902
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL, BA LTG/GFL, Honors Diamond, Accor Platinum, Bonvoy Silver
Posts: 718
YMMV.
Jun 20, 2017, 6:51 am
#903
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ADL
Programs: QFF, AAdvantage, All
Posts: 1,137
We all know why airlines sometimes price 2-sectors cheaper than one of those sectors alone, and perhaps there are protecting this device, but the fact remains that the requested change benefits the airline.
Jun 20, 2017, 7:07 am
#904
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: QF, VA, AC, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 3,784
jjakobv84 indeed if you were to insist on dropping the DOH-DXB leg before three days before then you you would not only be saving them money you would actually be putting a considerable sum of your own money into their coffers!
When the time comes QR will reroute you to DXB, probably via MCT.
If you try to force a cancellation of DOH-DXB before 27 June you will find that the revised ticket (CPH-DOH) has to be repriced at the fare for the day of travel. Fares CPH-DOH are under normal circumstances much more expensive than CPH-DOH-DXB. Thus you have a big fare difference to pay. After 27 June the result will probably be the same.
Whether you recognise it or not what you are trying to do is to cheat QR out of the CPH-DOH fare!
Do not consider staying in DOH since your return journey starts in DXB and a noshow in DXB would very probably result in the cancellation of the DOH-CPH sector so you would be stuck in DOH!
When the time comes QR will reroute you to DXB, probably via MCT.
If you try to force a cancellation of DOH-DXB before 27 June you will find that the revised ticket (CPH-DOH) has to be repriced at the fare for the day of travel. Fares CPH-DOH are under normal circumstances much more expensive than CPH-DOH-DXB. Thus you have a big fare difference to pay. After 27 June the result will probably be the same.
Whether you recognise it or not what you are trying to do is to cheat QR out of the CPH-DOH fare!
Do not consider staying in DOH since your return journey starts in DXB and a noshow in DXB would very probably result in the cancellation of the DOH-CPH sector so you would be stuck in DOH!
Jun 20, 2017, 8:41 am
#905
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
Just imagine that QR did as you suggest and broke their own ticketing rules in 'special cases' it would be the 'thin end of the wedge'. When this crisis is over QR would be inundated with similar requests. Comments such as 'You did it for A and for B so you should do it for me. I am also a special case' 'You have made exceptions before, you can do it again' etc. would abound.
If QR gave in then very soon there would be very few higher priced x-DOH tickets sold but many more much cheaper x-DOH-y where the DOH-y segments were canceled.
If QR did not give in to pressure I am sure you can see the Rants and raves thread of this forum would explode with all sorts of weird and wonderful stories and anger. The fallout would almost certainly cost many customers!
So QR are taking the long term view and not relaxing their rules.
Jun 20, 2017, 10:34 am
#906
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
Posts: 5,762
With all due respect this has nothing to do with what QR should do when operations return to normal. Most people with tickets originating in affected countries bought their tickets well before the current situation arose and are not trying to game the system. they are trying to make the best of a bad situation and I don't think QR's response is reasonable.
In my case
1) Flew CAI-SYD in first in April
2) Had reservation SYD-CAI a week ago
- was unable to get QR to confirm a change to DOH-CAI flight until 24hrs before departure at which time the best they could do was get me to CAI 14 hrs late via KWI. There had been better connections available 48hrs earlier
3) Missed my flight CAI-DOH-MPM because of the delay and cancelled trip to Mozambique because next flight 3 days later
4)Have flight booked LXR-DOH-HKG-BNE in 2 weeks time but QR will not entertain confirming a different routing/origination until at best 72hrs prior.
I will be in LXR and won't know until 3 days prior to travel what the new arrangements will be
-will I be flying Kuwait Air/EgyptAir fro Kuwait?
-will I need to change my origin to CAI or AMM for better flight options?
-can I drop the LXR-DOH segment and make my own way to DOH
-will the only option be cancellation and a refund on my ticket?
I would be happy with any firm solution (happier with some than others sure) but not knowing makes it impossible to plan.
I have hotel reservation in LXR,DOH and HKG that I might need to cancel
I might need to make reservations in CAI,AMM or who knows wher else
I might need to make my own reservations to fly to CAI or AMM or wherever
and doing it now will give me more choices at better prices than 3 days prior to departure.
At the moment most are being kept in limbo and would just like a resolution , not to scam the system. If the resolution is advantageous to some that is a side-effect not the purpose of the changes sought.
In my case
1) Flew CAI-SYD in first in April
2) Had reservation SYD-CAI a week ago
- was unable to get QR to confirm a change to DOH-CAI flight until 24hrs before departure at which time the best they could do was get me to CAI 14 hrs late via KWI. There had been better connections available 48hrs earlier
3) Missed my flight CAI-DOH-MPM because of the delay and cancelled trip to Mozambique because next flight 3 days later
4)Have flight booked LXR-DOH-HKG-BNE in 2 weeks time but QR will not entertain confirming a different routing/origination until at best 72hrs prior.
I will be in LXR and won't know until 3 days prior to travel what the new arrangements will be
-will I be flying Kuwait Air/EgyptAir fro Kuwait?
-will I need to change my origin to CAI or AMM for better flight options?
-can I drop the LXR-DOH segment and make my own way to DOH
-will the only option be cancellation and a refund on my ticket?
I would be happy with any firm solution (happier with some than others sure) but not knowing makes it impossible to plan.
I have hotel reservation in LXR,DOH and HKG that I might need to cancel
I might need to make reservations in CAI,AMM or who knows wher else
I might need to make my own reservations to fly to CAI or AMM or wherever
and doing it now will give me more choices at better prices than 3 days prior to departure.
At the moment most are being kept in limbo and would just like a resolution , not to scam the system. If the resolution is advantageous to some that is a side-effect not the purpose of the changes sought.
Jun 20, 2017, 12:03 pm
#907
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: TK Gold, Etihad Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold, IHG Gold.
Posts: 798
Hi All,
I am flying back from the Seychelles and checked my flights online and was surprised to see my flight departure was moved 1 hour earlier. No notification of update was ever sent from Qatar Airways though my ticket was booked directly with Qatar. This one hour difference means I need to take a boat 6 hours earlier from the hotel. I asked if I could change the flight to the next day and was told a flat out NO, even though space was available.
I think QR does not realize that many people have boats or domestic flights to connect to the other islands in locations like the Seychelles, though I am sure they moved earlier to accommodate connecting flights in Doha.
Just thought I would share.
Cheers,
Timo
I am flying back from the Seychelles and checked my flights online and was surprised to see my flight departure was moved 1 hour earlier. No notification of update was ever sent from Qatar Airways though my ticket was booked directly with Qatar. This one hour difference means I need to take a boat 6 hours earlier from the hotel. I asked if I could change the flight to the next day and was told a flat out NO, even though space was available.
I think QR does not realize that many people have boats or domestic flights to connect to the other islands in locations like the Seychelles, though I am sure they moved earlier to accommodate connecting flights in Doha.
Just thought I would share.
Cheers,
Timo
Jun 20, 2017, 12:37 pm
#908
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,079
With all due respect this has nothing to do with what QR should do when operations return to normal. Most people with tickets originating in affected countries bought their tickets well before the current situation arose and are not trying to game the system. they are trying to make the best of a bad situation and I don't think QR's response is reasonable.
In my case
1) Flew CAI-SYD in first in April
2) Had reservation SYD-CAI a week ago
- was unable to get QR to confirm a change to DOH-CAI flight until 24hrs before departure at which time the best they could do was get me to CAI 14 hrs late via KWI. There had been better connections available 48hrs earlier
3) Missed my flight CAI-DOH-MPM because of the delay and cancelled trip to Mozambique because next flight 3 days later
4)Have flight booked LXR-DOH-HKG-BNE in 2 weeks time but QR will not entertain confirming a different routing/origination until at best 72hrs prior.
I will be in LXR and won't know until 3 days prior to travel what the new arrangements will be
-will I be flying Kuwait Air/EgyptAir fro Kuwait?
-will I need to change my origin to CAI or AMM for better flight options?
-can I drop the LXR-DOH segment and make my own way to DOH
-will the only option be cancellation and a refund on my ticket?
I would be happy with any firm solution (happier with some than others sure) but not knowing makes it impossible to plan.
I have hotel reservation in LXR,DOH and HKG that I might need to cancel
I might need to make reservations in CAI,AMM or who knows wher else
I might need to make my own reservations to fly to CAI or AMM or wherever
and doing it now will give me more choices at better prices than 3 days prior to departure.
At the moment most are being kept in limbo and would just like a resolution , not to scam the system. If the resolution is advantageous to some that is a side-effect not the purpose of the changes sought.
In my case
1) Flew CAI-SYD in first in April
2) Had reservation SYD-CAI a week ago
- was unable to get QR to confirm a change to DOH-CAI flight until 24hrs before departure at which time the best they could do was get me to CAI 14 hrs late via KWI. There had been better connections available 48hrs earlier
3) Missed my flight CAI-DOH-MPM because of the delay and cancelled trip to Mozambique because next flight 3 days later
4)Have flight booked LXR-DOH-HKG-BNE in 2 weeks time but QR will not entertain confirming a different routing/origination until at best 72hrs prior.
I will be in LXR and won't know until 3 days prior to travel what the new arrangements will be
-will I be flying Kuwait Air/EgyptAir fro Kuwait?
-will I need to change my origin to CAI or AMM for better flight options?
-can I drop the LXR-DOH segment and make my own way to DOH
-will the only option be cancellation and a refund on my ticket?
I would be happy with any firm solution (happier with some than others sure) but not knowing makes it impossible to plan.
I have hotel reservation in LXR,DOH and HKG that I might need to cancel
I might need to make reservations in CAI,AMM or who knows wher else
I might need to make my own reservations to fly to CAI or AMM or wherever
and doing it now will give me more choices at better prices than 3 days prior to departure.
At the moment most are being kept in limbo and would just like a resolution , not to scam the system. If the resolution is advantageous to some that is a side-effect not the purpose of the changes sought.
Jun 20, 2017, 1:44 pm
#909
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
Changes before 72 hours
Like many others have complex itineraries. Is it still possible to change tickets bought directly from Qatar Airways before the 72 hour mark for flights to the affected countries?
I've tried calling the offices several times and been told no even though I am trying to do relatively simple things like change flight times and ask about reroute on British Airways.
I've tried calling the offices several times and been told no even though I am trying to do relatively simple things like change flight times and ask about reroute on British Airways.
Jun 20, 2017, 2:06 pm
#910
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Programs: BAEC Gold [>20k Lifetime TPs] | Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond [as is Mrs PtF] | Various Others
Posts: 6,156
Jun 20, 2017, 2:36 pm
#911
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ADL
Programs: QFF, AAdvantage, All
Posts: 1,137
Jun 20, 2017, 2:46 pm
#912
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ADL
Programs: QFF, AAdvantage, All
Posts: 1,137
Absolutely. In the current context, pax has to be assumed to be inconvenienced by the airlines forced limitations.
If this is true, it appears to be one of their few faults in handling the current crisis.
If this is true, it appears to be one of their few faults in handling the current crisis.
Jun 20, 2017, 2:59 pm
#913
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
Agreed it is very frustrating that they will not make any adjustments prior to 72 hours when there clearly so many reasons to do so. anyone having luck/methods for getting them to change flights more than 72 hours away?
Last edited by BOStonTravels; Jun 20, 2017 at 3:05 pm
Jun 20, 2017, 3:58 pm
#914
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 519
You may have better luck once the reservation switches to unconfirmed (D-7 in my case). Then they are willing to put you on other QR routes. But for OW reroutes, still not before 72 hours. YMMV.
Jun 20, 2017, 4:00 pm
#915
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,512
This was certainly my experience when I recently changed a ticket with destination HBE to BEY. It meant I had to buy a new ticket to FCO on A3 for $250, but I was happy to do this just for the relative certainty.