Covid-19 Coming Back Early?
Mar 19, 2020, 10:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 60
Covid-19 Coming Back Early?
I'm currently abroad with my family of 5 (including me) and my return flight to the UK is 30 March. We spent 2.5k on tickets in Economy.
I am wondering whether it is worth returning back early or not as I am concerned that by the 30th the UK government may close the airports.
We are in no rush to come back, but dont want to be delayed coming back after the 30th.
I managed to get through to the travel agent who quoted me £210 per person to change the tickets for Monday. I checked and QR have the same flights one way for £290, so all I am saving is £80 by changing my travel dates (almost effectively repurchasing the return tickets in their entierity).
Is the travel agent having me on with this price or is that what I should expect? Considering half our ticket prices would be worth £250 and if the return flight costs £290 then I would have expected to pay £40 per person? Not sure how they came to the £210 figure.
Is it worth contacted QR direct? Should I bother returning earlier if it costs so much? Considering if the border closes before my new return date then its wasted money anyway.
Interested in opinions I guess...
I am wondering whether it is worth returning back early or not as I am concerned that by the 30th the UK government may close the airports.
We are in no rush to come back, but dont want to be delayed coming back after the 30th.
I managed to get through to the travel agent who quoted me £210 per person to change the tickets for Monday. I checked and QR have the same flights one way for £290, so all I am saving is £80 by changing my travel dates (almost effectively repurchasing the return tickets in their entierity).
Is the travel agent having me on with this price or is that what I should expect? Considering half our ticket prices would be worth £250 and if the return flight costs £290 then I would have expected to pay £40 per person? Not sure how they came to the £210 figure.
Is it worth contacted QR direct? Should I bother returning earlier if it costs so much? Considering if the border closes before my new return date then its wasted money anyway.
Interested in opinions I guess...
Mar 19, 2020, 10:36 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: HKG, BHX, MAN
Programs: Qatar Gold (OWS), Asiana Diamond (*G)
Posts: 1,493
Did you book with QR direct? Where are you right now?
Which airport in the UK are you supposed to travel to? Some airports are struggling financially and might need a bailout or might just collapse.
I recommend returning ASAP, especially if you're in a high(er) risk country.
At the end of the day, the situation changes very frequently and people might also rush to get back to the country resulting in prices rising.
Which airport in the UK are you supposed to travel to? Some airports are struggling financially and might need a bailout or might just collapse.
I recommend returning ASAP, especially if you're in a high(er) risk country.
At the end of the day, the situation changes very frequently and people might also rush to get back to the country resulting in prices rising.
Mar 19, 2020, 10:38 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 60
I'm currently abroad with my family of 5 (including me) and my return flight to the UK is 30 March. We spent 2.5k on tickets in Economy.
I am wondering whether it is worth returning back early or not as I am concerned that by the 30th the UK government may close the airports.
We are in no rush to come back, but dont want to be delayed coming back after the 30th.
I managed to get through to the travel agent who quoted me £210 per person to change the tickets for Monday. I checked and QR have the same flights one way for £290, so all I am saving is £80 by changing my travel dates (almost effectively repurchasing the return tickets in their entierity).
Is the travel agent having me on with this price or is that what I should expect? Considering half our ticket prices would be worth £250 and if the return flight costs £290 then I would have expected to pay £40 per person? Not sure how they came to the £210 figure.
Is it worth contacted QR direct? Should I bother returning earlier if it costs so much? Considering if the border closes before my new return date then its wasted money anyway.
Interested in opinions I guess...
I am wondering whether it is worth returning back early or not as I am concerned that by the 30th the UK government may close the airports.
We are in no rush to come back, but dont want to be delayed coming back after the 30th.
I managed to get through to the travel agent who quoted me £210 per person to change the tickets for Monday. I checked and QR have the same flights one way for £290, so all I am saving is £80 by changing my travel dates (almost effectively repurchasing the return tickets in their entierity).
Is the travel agent having me on with this price or is that what I should expect? Considering half our ticket prices would be worth £250 and if the return flight costs £290 then I would have expected to pay £40 per person? Not sure how they came to the £210 figure.
Is it worth contacted QR direct? Should I bother returning earlier if it costs so much? Considering if the border closes before my new return date then its wasted money anyway.
Interested in opinions I guess...
Mar 19, 2020, 10:42 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: PAR
Programs: QR Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,090
Just read that thread :
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qata...june-30th.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qata...june-30th.html
Mar 19, 2020, 10:52 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 60
Just read that thread :
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qata...june-30th.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qata...june-30th.html
Mar 19, 2020, 10:39 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 60
Well here is a good update, finally got through to the travel agent who confirmed that the flight schedule has been changed and they have not accepted the new schedule yet, they say I will be called by the correct department to discuss this but effectively I should be able to propose any new return date FOC.
Saves me £1k and gets me home sooner so am happy, just gotta wait for the call.
Saves me £1k and gets me home sooner so am happy, just gotta wait for the call.
Mar 20, 2020, 4:15 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,557
I don't know where you are enjoying yourselves and whether you are UK citizens.
Luckily for you, the UK is the slowest country to impose travel restrictions. And LHR is a major destination for QR.
AT this point in the global crisis, it might be silly to worry about a few pounds with a family of five. I would suggest that you take the earliest convenient schedule, hoping that QR does call you. Stay near your phone.
Luckily for you, the UK is the slowest country to impose travel restrictions. And LHR is a major destination for QR.
AT this point in the global crisis, it might be silly to worry about a few pounds with a family of five. I would suggest that you take the earliest convenient schedule, hoping that QR does call you. Stay near your phone.