Desert_life

Just got a phone call from Qatar, saying that tonight’s flight QR1163 (DMM-DOH) was oversold, asking me to change to a later flight. I said no as the next flight already sold out all the first class fares and that would be a very tight connection. I’ve already checked in and used my BAEC number (OWE). This is the first time for me to be notified for oversold flight. Should I be worried?

diamantaire

Being an owe you should have some priority, I would suggest head to the airport a bit early.

brunos

It is nice that QR calls to try to get some pax to voluntarily change flights. Maybe because you are in F.
If you have checked in and have a seat assigned, you should not worry, especially if you are OWE and this is a paid ticket.
Even if this is an award ticket issued by BA or QR, I would not worry too much.
If this were an award on AA or some other FFPand you have no OWE, I would worry.

Schwann

Interesting, we don't see many reports of QR being proactive. Did they dangle any carrots for you to change or?

What makes an AA reward more worrisome compared to a BA one?

Desert_life

I’m surprised for their proactive approach too. They called me twice last night after 10 PM, but my phone was on “Do Not Disturb“. Then this morning again. I guess they are desperate, as QR1163 was originally a Qsuite 777, but it was changed to 737 MAX without any notification. Only managed to get a seat like T-72 as row 1 was blocked. So let’s see how this is gonna play out. But it’s a trip to Europe, so EU261 can be handy if things go south.

No incentive was mentioned at all for changing the flight. And the next available flight to make the connection only has Y class. Still need that 60 TP for my BAEC gold renewal. So just a hard no.

KingCanute

That's a big drop in capacity so not surprising they are looking for volunteers. Unfortunately EC261 won't cover you on the flight to Europe as QR are not an EU carrier. If they don't hold your seat I might be inclined to encourage them to alter the travel plans of a Y passenger on the original flight. Let's hope that's not necessary

billy.f

Does EU261 cover non-EU airline which is not departing from EU countries? I thought it only covers EU airlines and flights departing from EU countries (plus a few other countries / territories).

Desert_life

To be honest, maybe I was wrong for mentioning EC261. Need further research into this.

Schwann

You are incorrect unfortunately. EU261 covers EU airlines from any destination worldwide, and covers non-EU airlines from Europe only.

There is also UK261 which covers UK airpines/departures and follows the same rules as EU261.

Desert_life

So here is the update. To be honest, quite disappointed for the way the airport agent handled the situation.

The highway we usually took to the airport had a really bad congestion, ended up arriving at the airport like 2.5 hours before the flight. Was told all the seats in F was taken. But I tried to argue with them that I was told my seat was reserved over the phone. But I just got a blunt reply for first come first served, and you were the last one in F arrived at the airport. I tried to argue how they treated OWE this bad, then they tried to give me the seat back but with no avail. Then they started to offer downgrade with payout. I just declined right away before they could explain further more. So they tried to put me on the next flight QR1155. It took them like one hour before Doha side proceeded with the request.

So I guess the bottom line of the story is to try to arrive at the airport the earliest if your flight is oversold.

msm2000uk

This sounds very odd.

I wonder if there is a State of Qatar delegation onboard, and hence pax were moved.

M

KingCanute

Possibly, although the aircraft changed from a widebody with 24 or 42 F seats to a 737MAX with only 8. Check-in agents have a pretty thankless task in those situations. Candidates to be bumped are most likely chosen by the computer (as with upgrades) or someone higher up, but the agents have to handle the angry fallout. It may also not be a stretch to think that 8 of the original passengers could have been QRPC platinum and/or holding a full fare F ticket and so were deemed higher priority for a seat by the algorithm than the OP.

On a very short hop like that, taking the downgrade compensation, relaxing in the lounge at DOH rather than spending a few hours stressing at DMM, and then claiming Original Routing Credit from BAEC might have been a win for some.

The main thing though is that the OP got on their way

celtic_warrior

I had the same problem in MAY at check in they said flight was over sold and I had been re routed on Turkish airlines. Initially they would not budge. I then asked about compensation. They immediately offered $600. I then asked if it was possible for me to go to their lounge and be added to my original flight if for some reason there were some no shows. They agreed and I lucked out and got on my original flight. Several other passangers in the lounge had been phoned the day before ad declined. I basically got an email 2 hours before check in started at BKK( I had already checked in on line)

Schwann

I'd probably take TK and $600... although perfectly understandable why anyone wouldn't.

celtic_warrior

The problem I had was that I had used my final destination AMS as a positioning flight. I needed to be back in the uk. I would have missed my flight to the UK.Otherwise , yes I would have taken the $600 as TK are very good in Business Class. Was lucky enough to Fly First with them years ago when they leased Jet airways aircarft.