J Passengers can pay for Al Sawfa Access - Now 600 QAR
Jan 23, 2019, 9:44 am
#48
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Singapore & Globe trotting
Programs: QR Gold, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, GHA Titanium, Taj Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 423
Yes, was allowed to buy access to Al Safwa with a J award flight issued by Japan Airlines.
I asked the lady scanning boarding passes at the bottom of the AM escalator. She said yes it is possible, just go talk to the Al Safwa front desk. AS front desk called their supervisor, she checked my boarding pass and said I was eligible. And charged my credit card. 250 QAR.
I asked the lady scanning boarding passes at the bottom of the AM escalator. She said yes it is possible, just go talk to the Al Safwa front desk. AS front desk called their supervisor, she checked my boarding pass and said I was eligible. And charged my credit card. 250 QAR.
Jan 23, 2019, 3:47 pm
#50
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Silver,, Oman Air Gold
Posts: 747
First time in Doha, first time on Qatar and having reading this thread I went to Al Safwa and enquired about the paid entrance for Business Class passengers...
Initially, puzzlement was expressed: “where did you hear about this?” I replied “I read about it online”. A phone call was made, my details were transmitted over the phone and I was asked to sit down while they kept my boarding pass. I took that as a good sign...
About 8 minutes later (having rejected about three people who came asking for paid access) I saw a woman come with a credit card machine. She said the limit was 6 hours but my layover was just a little over that, so it was fine. I paid my 250 QAR, my boarding pass got stamped and I am in.
I was immediately greeted (all the staff are so friendly) and offered a sleeping room which is a private bedroom with shower and bathroom attached. I’m tucked up for the night and ready to sleep in a bed one fifth the cost of the transit hotel. I will explore Al Safwa in the morning but now it’s time to sleep.
Initially, puzzlement was expressed: “where did you hear about this?” I replied “I read about it online”. A phone call was made, my details were transmitted over the phone and I was asked to sit down while they kept my boarding pass. I took that as a good sign...
About 8 minutes later (having rejected about three people who came asking for paid access) I saw a woman come with a credit card machine. She said the limit was 6 hours but my layover was just a little over that, so it was fine. I paid my 250 QAR, my boarding pass got stamped and I am in.
I was immediately greeted (all the staff are so friendly) and offered a sleeping room which is a private bedroom with shower and bathroom attached. I’m tucked up for the night and ready to sleep in a bed one fifth the cost of the transit hotel. I will explore Al Safwa in the morning but now it’s time to sleep.
Last edited by CoweyB; Jan 23, 2019 at 4:17 pm
Jan 23, 2019, 4:07 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,106
There is a maximum of 6 hours on the purchased access.
Jan 24, 2019, 2:50 am
#52
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: QRPC
Posts: 18
Would it be possible to get paid access to Al Safwa after spending a few hours in Al Mourjan? I have a 15 hour layover next month and given that they appear to be strict with the 6 hour rule for paid access to AS, I was wondering if I could split my time between the two?
Jan 24, 2019, 3:38 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,106
Would it be possible to get paid access to Al Safwa after spending a few hours in Al Mourjan? I have a 15 hour layover next month and given that they appear to be strict with the 6 hour rule for paid access to AS, I was wondering if I could split my time between the two?
Jan 24, 2019, 8:45 am
#54
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: East Coast US
Programs: Hyatt: Diamond. Marriott: Platinum. AA: EXP 1MM. Delta: Silver. Etihad: Silver. Emirates Silver
Posts: 387
Will Al Safwa staff find you and kick you out once your 6 hours are up? I imagine it will be difficult to do that. I have a 9 hour lay over, was thinking thew first 3 hours spend in AM and then move over to AS when there are just 6 hours left, hopefully that would work? I don't think AS would let me in at the very beginning of my 9 hour layover as they can't keep a tab on me and ask me to leave and go to AM once 6 hours are over.
Jan 24, 2019, 9:39 am
#55
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: BA Gold/Hilton Gold/Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 24
Yes, was allowed to buy access to Al Safwa with a J award flight issued by Japan Airlines.
I asked the lady scanning boarding passes at the bottom of the AM escalator. She said yes it is possible, just go talk to the Al Safwa front desk. AS front desk called their supervisor, she checked my boarding pass and said I was eligible. And charged my credit card. 250 QAR.
I asked the lady scanning boarding passes at the bottom of the AM escalator. She said yes it is possible, just go talk to the Al Safwa front desk. AS front desk called their supervisor, she checked my boarding pass and said I was eligible. And charged my credit card. 250 QAR.
Will arrive DOH at 1615 on 05JUN and leave DOH at 0725 on 06JUN (hope the lounge will be refilled with alcohol as Ramadan ends on 04JUN).
As first time to DOH(also first time on QR), I think I will grab a taxi and have a short visit to the Museum of Islamic Art before it closes at 1900,
then walk to Souk Waqif and have a dinner before getting back to the airport. As per above posts the visit of AS lounge will be limited to 6 hours
so I will stay in the AM lounge until 0100 and head to the AS lounge afterwards.
Jan 24, 2019, 10:39 am
#56
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
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Jan 24, 2019, 3:13 pm
#57
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Silver,, Oman Air Gold
Posts: 747
Will Al Safwa staff find you and kick you out once your 6 hours are up? I imagine it will be difficult to do that. I have a 9 hour lay over, was thinking thew first 3 hours spend in AM and then move over to AS when there are just 6 hours left, hopefully that would work? I don't think AS would let me in at the very beginning of my 9 hour layover as they can't keep a tab on me and ask me to leave and go to AM once 6 hours are over.
Jan 24, 2019, 3:38 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,106
Will Al Safwa staff find you and kick you out once your 6 hours are up? I imagine it will be difficult to do that. I have a 9 hour lay over, was thinking thew first 3 hours spend in AM and then move over to AS when there are just 6 hours left, hopefully that would work? I don't think AS would let me in at the very beginning of my 9 hour layover as they can't keep a tab on me and ask me to leave and go to AM once 6 hours are over.
At a point I stopped to check the departure screens to see my gate, one of the lounge attendants immediately appeared, "Mr CPH-Flyer, your gate is B9" so they definitely know who is who.
Jan 24, 2019, 6:49 pm
#59
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,745