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
Aug 27, 2017, 10:17 am
#1381
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 239
Last question: I'm booked CAI-DOH in F and DOH-MIA in C. If I add a LHR or CDG leg, will this automatically be in F?
Thanks a lot!
Aug 28, 2017, 5:27 pm
#1382
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: QFF, VA
Posts: 6
After some advice re transiting in MCT.
I'm looking to change my DOH>DXB>DOH segment to DOH>MCT>DOH and paying for my own flight from MCT>DXB with FlyDubai.
My question is around the transit in Muscat and whether I'll have to go landside to collect my luggage and check-in for my Fly Dubai connection or will I be able to organise this all air side at a transfer desk?
My partner and I have Australian passports and according to the tourism Oman website, Australians will need to pay 20 Omani Rials (~$65 aud) for a 30 day visa which I assume is single entry. We're already going to have to for out an extra $400 for the fly dubai flights which I'm happy to pay given the situation, but an extra $260 just to transit is another kick I don't really want or need.
Ideally would love to be able to sort it all out airside. Anyone been in a similar situation recently that they can shed some light on?
FWIW the flight details would be:
DOH>MCT arrival @ 10:20am (QR)
MCT>DXB departure @ 12.35pm (FZ)
DXB>MCT arrival @ 9.10am (FZ)
MCT>DOH departure @ 11.40am (QR)
QR tickets are issued by Qantas and are part of a RTW trip on one ticket.
I'm looking to change my DOH>DXB>DOH segment to DOH>MCT>DOH and paying for my own flight from MCT>DXB with FlyDubai.
My question is around the transit in Muscat and whether I'll have to go landside to collect my luggage and check-in for my Fly Dubai connection or will I be able to organise this all air side at a transfer desk?
My partner and I have Australian passports and according to the tourism Oman website, Australians will need to pay 20 Omani Rials (~$65 aud) for a 30 day visa which I assume is single entry. We're already going to have to for out an extra $400 for the fly dubai flights which I'm happy to pay given the situation, but an extra $260 just to transit is another kick I don't really want or need.
Ideally would love to be able to sort it all out airside. Anyone been in a similar situation recently that they can shed some light on?
FWIW the flight details would be:
DOH>MCT arrival @ 10:20am (QR)
MCT>DXB departure @ 12.35pm (FZ)
DXB>MCT arrival @ 9.10am (FZ)
MCT>DOH departure @ 11.40am (QR)
QR tickets are issued by Qantas and are part of a RTW trip on one ticket.
Aug 29, 2017, 1:36 am
#1383
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: London, England
Programs: United 1K MM, QR Platinum
Posts: 244
Another data point: I called the Hong Kong QR phone number yesterday and had my Oct 29 CMB-DOH-CAI and Oct 30 CAI-DOH-CMB changed to CMB-DOH-BEY-CAI-BEY-DOH-CMB, all in biz/first. The BEY-CAI-BEY is booked on ME, an airline I have never flown. I have approximately six hour layovers in BEY in both directions, which isn't ideal, but not the end of the world. My only worry is that the BEY-DOH-CMB segment has a connection of 1.25 hr in DOH, and that makes me a little uneasy, although there is a flight about an hour later (which was the original flight segment I was on with an A330 aircraft).
When discussing the flight changes with the reservation agent last night, I didn't realize at the time that my DOH-CMB flight segment was on a slightly earlier flight using an A320 aircraft (my fault for not doing my homework). I didn't realize it until today when I looked at the itinerary more closely that the flight was not the original flight segment I was booked on. I called back QR Hong Kong tonight to see if they would change my DOH-CMB back to the later (original) flight that I was booked on but QR was unwilling to make a change, even when I offered to pay a change fee. I can live with the rebooked change, but I may have to dash it through HIA to catch my CMB-bound flight should it arrive late into to DOH from BEY.
In any event, it seems that QR is able to make a change well ahead of the T-72 threshold by calling through the Hong Kong office but it seems (though not confirmed) that only certain airlines, like ME for connections through BEY, are available this far in advance. When calling the US call center about a month ago, they were only willing to rebook at T-72, unless if it was on TK, then T-14, which I did not want to do.
While I am not pleased about the embargo, I am relieved that QR found a workable option for me. However, I do believe that QR should provide more flight options for passengers impacted by the embargo, and not force impacted passengers onto fights that are less than ideal. I like QR; it's probably one of my favorite non-US carriers.
I won't necessarily stop flying QR as a result of this international embargo situation, as I already have booked an LAX-DOH-SIN for next March. However, unless their airfares are significantly lower than their competitors, I won't plan on using QR as my automatic go-to airline when traveling globally.
When discussing the flight changes with the reservation agent last night, I didn't realize at the time that my DOH-CMB flight segment was on a slightly earlier flight using an A320 aircraft (my fault for not doing my homework). I didn't realize it until today when I looked at the itinerary more closely that the flight was not the original flight segment I was booked on. I called back QR Hong Kong tonight to see if they would change my DOH-CMB back to the later (original) flight that I was booked on but QR was unwilling to make a change, even when I offered to pay a change fee. I can live with the rebooked change, but I may have to dash it through HIA to catch my CMB-bound flight should it arrive late into to DOH from BEY.
In any event, it seems that QR is able to make a change well ahead of the T-72 threshold by calling through the Hong Kong office but it seems (though not confirmed) that only certain airlines, like ME for connections through BEY, are available this far in advance. When calling the US call center about a month ago, they were only willing to rebook at T-72, unless if it was on TK, then T-14, which I did not want to do.
While I am not pleased about the embargo, I am relieved that QR found a workable option for me. However, I do believe that QR should provide more flight options for passengers impacted by the embargo, and not force impacted passengers onto fights that are less than ideal. I like QR; it's probably one of my favorite non-US carriers.
I won't necessarily stop flying QR as a result of this international embargo situation, as I already have booked an LAX-DOH-SIN for next March. However, unless their airfares are significantly lower than their competitors, I won't plan on using QR as my automatic go-to airline when traveling globally.
Aug 29, 2017, 2:29 am
#1384
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
May I ask which hotline you called? Furthermore, how could you explain that a CAI-LHR-DOH makes sense? Did you just refuse any IST, ATH, KWI, AMM, etc. option?
Last question: I'm booked CAI-DOH in F and DOH-MIA in C. If I add a LHR or CDG leg, will this automatically be in F?
Last question: I'm booked CAI-DOH in F and DOH-MIA in C. If I add a LHR or CDG leg, will this automatically be in F?
As a point of reference Master PtF is currently flying a CAI-DOH-MIA-DOH-CAI F/J itinerary - recently amended before first flight to AMM-DOH-MIA-DOH-AMM. This was at my insistence, as other options would otherwise not have opened up until T-72.
I would be very surprised if QR are still offering re-routings via LHR or CDG (don't understand how CAI-CDG would work). I would been even more surprised if QR offered to book you in F on anything other than the MENA routes on which F is already sold.
Aug 29, 2017, 2:43 am
#1385
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Spotted this earlier which did make me chuckle - http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/e...airways-flight
M
M
The UAE embassy in Oslo playing travel agent on what seems like a non-refundable ticket for a BA flight operated by QR?
Reminds me of some people who would use their embassies as piggy banks of sort and ask the staff at their embassies to do all sorts of things that would make quite an amusing list -- more amusing than the lists of weird requests that US embassies/consulates get.
Aug 29, 2017, 4:46 am
#1386
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Dubai
Programs: EK Gold, FB Silver
Posts: 318
I bought 2 tickets in J just before "the situation" happened:
- DXB-DOH-TBS-DOH-DXB for travel in 7-10 June
- DXB-DOH-JNB-DOH-DXB for travel in 31 August - 4 Sept
When I called end May to change my ticket to TBS, QR couldn't rebook it because the only alternative was FZ and they're not allowed to book them. Fair enough, it was a difficult connection.
When a few weeks later it became clear that QR wouldn't be able to resume their flights to the UAE soon, I called QR again and asked them to change my JNB flight also. By that time they "had changed their policy" and could only execute changes at T-72h. The agent told me that KE would be an alternative and the return JNB-DOH-MCT-DXB.
Called QR again at T-72 and was told that QR "had again changed their policy". From the UAE, QR ONLY accepts changes on Oman Air or Kuwait Airlines. Obviously because it being Eid holidays, all flights on those airlines are fully booked. They refused to put me on the earlier mentioned KE flight (even though seats were available). I ended up changing my reservation to MCT and driving DXB to MCT.
So 2 changes, without any sort of announcement! Unbelieveable.
- DXB-DOH-TBS-DOH-DXB for travel in 7-10 June
- DXB-DOH-JNB-DOH-DXB for travel in 31 August - 4 Sept
When I called end May to change my ticket to TBS, QR couldn't rebook it because the only alternative was FZ and they're not allowed to book them. Fair enough, it was a difficult connection.
When a few weeks later it became clear that QR wouldn't be able to resume their flights to the UAE soon, I called QR again and asked them to change my JNB flight also. By that time they "had changed their policy" and could only execute changes at T-72h. The agent told me that KE would be an alternative and the return JNB-DOH-MCT-DXB.
Called QR again at T-72 and was told that QR "had again changed their policy". From the UAE, QR ONLY accepts changes on Oman Air or Kuwait Airlines. Obviously because it being Eid holidays, all flights on those airlines are fully booked. They refused to put me on the earlier mentioned KE flight (even though seats were available). I ended up changing my reservation to MCT and driving DXB to MCT.
So 2 changes, without any sort of announcement! Unbelieveable.
Aug 29, 2017, 3:16 pm
#1388
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: PAR
Programs: QR Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,089
When a few weeks later it became clear that QR wouldn't be able to resume their flights to the UAE soon, I called QR again and asked them to change my JNB flight also. By that time they "had changed their policy" and could only execute changes at T-72h. The agent told me that KE would be an alternative and the return JNB-DOH-MCT-DXB.
Called QR again at T-72 and was told that QR "had again changed their policy". From the UAE, QR ONLY accepts changes on Oman Air or Kuwait Airlines. Obviously because it being Eid holidays, all flights on those airlines are fully booked. They refused to put me on the earlier mentioned KE flight (even though seats were available). I ended up changing my reservation to MCT and driving DXB to MCT.
Called QR again at T-72 and was told that QR "had again changed their policy". From the UAE, QR ONLY accepts changes on Oman Air or Kuwait Airlines. Obviously because it being Eid holidays, all flights on those airlines are fully booked. They refused to put me on the earlier mentioned KE flight (even though seats were available). I ended up changing my reservation to MCT and driving DXB to MCT.
If that can help, Oman air is WY and Kuwait Air KU.
Sep 1, 2017, 1:29 am
#1391
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 57
Sep 1, 2017, 3:10 am
#1392
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,948
Sep 1, 2017, 4:46 am
#1393
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA Platinum MM; DL Silver; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Hilton Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 24,249
QR's current reaccommodation policy for those traveling to or from blockade countries is substantially worse than before. 
For Egyptian outstations, QR will only route into or out of CAI, even if the impacted ticket was for LXR. The passenger is on his own to get to or from CAI on his own dime. I actually had a QR Hong Kong supervisor suggest that I take a bus from Luxor to CAI. To be fair, domestic flights within Egpyt aren't terribly expensive, but the process of arriving, transferring on one's own, collecting baggage at the baggage claim, changing between Terminals 3 and 2, and checking back in at the zoo that is CAI on separate, unprotected tickets is a recipe for unpleasantness, at best.
In addition, QR Hong Kong and QR USA are telling me that the current policy eliminates the ability to re-route on service recovery partners like TK and BA on the long-haul. In July, when I flew back from CAI-IAH in business class, QR kindly re-routed me on the logical and efficient CAI-IST-IAH on TK. Now, QR insists that the long-haul must be on QR via DOH. As such, to get to or from CAI, I'm told I must double connect via BEY, KWI, MCT, IST, or ATH. This makes it impossible to fly from the USA to CAI with a travel duration of departure day +1, making any such trip a +2 with an unavoidable forced overnight.
This is a really frustrating change because on my way over on my upcoming IAH-CAI, also in business class, QR's best solution is IAH-DOH-BEY-CAI, with an eight hour forced overnight at BEY. Yuck! As an alternative, I would happily fly IAH-DOH-AMM, do a day's worth of sightseeing at Petra in Jordan, and pay my own way from AMM to Egypt, but for the fact that all of QR's USA-DOH flights arrive too late to connect to a same-day DOH-AMM. I'm a little surprised QR or RJ don't run an evening DOH-AMM service to carry onward traffic from the USA seamlessly.
On my way back from LXR-IAH, QR's options are understandably limited because most LXR service is on non-partner European carriers and charter operators. As such, I asked to be re-routed starting with TK's flight from nearby HRG-IST; QR refused saying I have to make my own way to CAI, and from there I am offered CAI-KUW-DOH-IAH or CAI-BEY-DOH-IAH.
I have a copy of QR's Update # 14 (June 26, 2017), which outlined travel options that existed under the previous policy. Unfortunately, QR Hong Kong and QR USA both told me that they are prohibited from furnishing me a written copy of the current policy in effect that replaced it. This too is a step in the wrong direction.
I, for one, am really unhappy with the reaccommodation policy becoming more restrictive and more customer-unfriendly. QR is a great airline and the blockade is not its fault, but QR really should be do better and be more flexible, especially for premium-cabin passengers, when flights are cancelled and its passengers' travel is disrupted.
For Egyptian outstations, QR will only route into or out of CAI, even if the impacted ticket was for LXR. The passenger is on his own to get to or from CAI on his own dime. I actually had a QR Hong Kong supervisor suggest that I take a bus from Luxor to CAI. To be fair, domestic flights within Egpyt aren't terribly expensive, but the process of arriving, transferring on one's own, collecting baggage at the baggage claim, changing between Terminals 3 and 2, and checking back in at the zoo that is CAI on separate, unprotected tickets is a recipe for unpleasantness, at best.In addition, QR Hong Kong and QR USA are telling me that the current policy eliminates the ability to re-route on service recovery partners like TK and BA on the long-haul. In July, when I flew back from CAI-IAH in business class, QR kindly re-routed me on the logical and efficient CAI-IST-IAH on TK. Now, QR insists that the long-haul must be on QR via DOH. As such, to get to or from CAI, I'm told I must double connect via BEY, KWI, MCT, IST, or ATH. This makes it impossible to fly from the USA to CAI with a travel duration of departure day +1, making any such trip a +2 with an unavoidable forced overnight.
This is a really frustrating change because on my way over on my upcoming IAH-CAI, also in business class, QR's best solution is IAH-DOH-BEY-CAI, with an eight hour forced overnight at BEY. Yuck! As an alternative, I would happily fly IAH-DOH-AMM, do a day's worth of sightseeing at Petra in Jordan, and pay my own way from AMM to Egypt, but for the fact that all of QR's USA-DOH flights arrive too late to connect to a same-day DOH-AMM. I'm a little surprised QR or RJ don't run an evening DOH-AMM service to carry onward traffic from the USA seamlessly.
On my way back from LXR-IAH, QR's options are understandably limited because most LXR service is on non-partner European carriers and charter operators. As such, I asked to be re-routed starting with TK's flight from nearby HRG-IST; QR refused saying I have to make my own way to CAI, and from there I am offered CAI-KUW-DOH-IAH or CAI-BEY-DOH-IAH.
I have a copy of QR's Update # 14 (June 26, 2017), which outlined travel options that existed under the previous policy. Unfortunately, QR Hong Kong and QR USA both told me that they are prohibited from furnishing me a written copy of the current policy in effect that replaced it. This too is a step in the wrong direction.
I, for one, am really unhappy with the reaccommodation policy becoming more restrictive and more customer-unfriendly. QR is a great airline and the blockade is not its fault, but QR really should be do better and be more flexible, especially for premium-cabin passengers, when flights are cancelled and its passengers' travel is disrupted.
Last edited by SAT Lawyer; Sep 4, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Sep 2, 2017, 12:51 am
#1394
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: QR Privilege Club Platinum, EK Skywards Gold, IHG Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 141
After some advice re transiting in MCT.
I'm looking to change my DOH>DXB>DOH segment to DOH>MCT>DOH and paying for my own flight from MCT>DXB with FlyDubai.
My question is around the transit in Muscat and whether I'll have to go landside to collect my luggage and check-in for my Fly Dubai connection or will I be able to organise this all air side at a transfer desk?
My partner and I have Australian passports and according to the tourism Oman website, Australians will need to pay 20 Omani Rials (~$65 aud) for a 30 day visa which I assume is single entry. We're already going to have to for out an extra $400 for the fly dubai flights which I'm happy to pay given the situation, but an extra $260 just to transit is another kick I don't really want or need.
Ideally would love to be able to sort it all out airside. Anyone been in a similar situation recently that they can shed some light on?
FWIW the flight details would be:
DOH>MCT arrival @ 10:20am (QR)
MCT>DXB departure @ 12.35pm (FZ)
DXB>MCT arrival @ 9.10am (FZ)
MCT>DOH departure @ 11.40am (QR)
QR tickets are issued by Qantas and are part of a RTW trip on one ticket.
I'm looking to change my DOH>DXB>DOH segment to DOH>MCT>DOH and paying for my own flight from MCT>DXB with FlyDubai.
My question is around the transit in Muscat and whether I'll have to go landside to collect my luggage and check-in for my Fly Dubai connection or will I be able to organise this all air side at a transfer desk?
My partner and I have Australian passports and according to the tourism Oman website, Australians will need to pay 20 Omani Rials (~$65 aud) for a 30 day visa which I assume is single entry. We're already going to have to for out an extra $400 for the fly dubai flights which I'm happy to pay given the situation, but an extra $260 just to transit is another kick I don't really want or need.
Ideally would love to be able to sort it all out airside. Anyone been in a similar situation recently that they can shed some light on?
FWIW the flight details would be:
DOH>MCT arrival @ 10:20am (QR)
MCT>DXB departure @ 12.35pm (FZ)
DXB>MCT arrival @ 9.10am (FZ)
MCT>DOH departure @ 11.40am (QR)
QR tickets are issued by Qantas and are part of a RTW trip on one ticket.
them proof that WY have an interline agreement with QR and complained that I would have to get a visa etc. so they relented. Transiting through MCT was very quick and easy as most pax don't use it as a transit hub. You have to check in to your FZ flight online first though and make sure you have printed boarding passes.
However, I'm not sure if you can interline onto FZ. If you can't the important thing is to be on the first bus and to be first off it into the terminal so you can be on of the first in the visa queue.
Transfer services at MCT aren't very advanced or organized so honestly speaking I doubt you will be able to arrange luggage transfer and connection there and then I'm afraid.
Sep 4, 2017, 8:19 pm
#1395
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,269
PC have refused to extend the validity of my soon expiring Q Credits despite the current situation. Very disappointing, when its so difficult to use QR from AUH/DXB/DWC...