Zackers

I’m travelling from Bangkok at 19:10 in J, I’m OneWorld Emerald. Does anyone know if the Qatar check-in desks are open earlier than 3 hours before departure? Thailand is observing a national holiday and I have no idea what the traffic may be like so planning to get there earlier right after I check out.

Also, flight is completely full and the 3 remaining seats that were available in F have been blocked off. Does anyone know if this means there are OpUps and are any potential operational upgrades are done on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis when checking in / collecting boarding passes at the airport or are these typically done automatically based on status etc?

I wasn’t able to get OLCI completed on the way out here, I received a ‘confirmation pass’ but had to go to the check-in desks anyway. No luggage to check in. I can’t seem to check-in online at all here or collect a confirmation pass and it is telling me that I need to go to the check-in desk. Could this mean that I’ve been upgraded to F?

Many thanks

brunos

I don't know if you are travelling Sunday or Monday.
QR operates 2 flights in the evening (last morning flight departs at 9:05) and QR835 is the first evening one. I doubt that you can check-in over 3 hours before.

If you depart on Monday (national Holiday), it is not unusual that OLCI not open exactly 48h before departure. It might open a couple of hours later.

I doubt that any longhaul airline proceeds OPUP to F on a first come basis. In your case, all QR flights BKK-DOH are zeroed out on Sunday and Monday.
If you cannot even get a "confirmation pass" shortly before your flight, I would also be worried about a potential downgrade.
Opups and downgrades will depend on many factors such as your booking class (are you on a BA award?), status, etc..

gsberlin

You perhaps cannot check in online due to “passport / visa check” depending on your final destination or return flight (e.g. visa on arrival, etc)?

This is so annoying when we have no luggage…

nilsfr69

Last week I ask specifically about their C/I opening times, it was 15:30 last week and they were checking in both evening flights.
(I had times when they strictly opened the counter a T - 3 hours)

Zackers

I’m travelling on Monday. I waited a while and as you suggested check-in opened a few hours later. I managed to actually get my boarding pass this time and confirmed for my seat in J, however this time I couldn’t change seat. All the seats that were blocked off in EF were available to be switched to previously.

Now that you mention it I guess it does make sense that OPUPs can be priorities by fare class etc. I’m on a cash fare but only I class.

My final destination is EDI on this trip (UK passport holder) so no special entry requirements.

Since I’ve got my boarding pass and no luggage to check in, does anyone know if the gates at BKK kick up a fuss if you try to head through a few hours earlier? I haven’t been to the Qatar lounge there but from what I’ve heard its quite nice, and I’d rather spend time there than sat in the hotel lobby!

MartinJS

In my recent experience of Qatar at BKK I was told check-in opens 4 hours before departure. I've also read that a real paper boarding pass is expected by Qatar's boarding processes, so I'd recommend heading to a check-in desk at T minus 4 to get your two boarding passes. The desk should also be able to change your seat on the BKK - DOH leg if there are still some blocked seats showing; for some reason the Bangkok flights usually have all J seats blocked, but I know these can be allocated by check-in staff (I've done it myself) or perhaps over the phone.

nilsfr69

The QR Lounge will be closed midday. I believe they do not open before 15:30 for the evening flights

Zackers

That’s good to know thanks. I had to print them on the way out but strangely this time I got my 2 boarding passes on my phone and the app said I should proceed straight through to immigration if I don’t need to drop bags.

I plan to get to the airport at 3ish (traffic permitting) so the timing works perfectly at T - 4.

Currently at the front of the cabin, same seat as the flight here and given the proximity to the galley I think I’d prefer one a few rows back. No other window seats available though so I think I’ll stick with it, especially given it’s not a late departure.

All of your replies have been really helpful, thanks all.

Schwann

Why does this read like AI wrote it?

Tobias-UK

Perhaps you would be kind enough to let us know how you got on, and what times the desk opened to help others who may visit this topic in the future 👍🏻

Zackers

Sure. Arrived early at the airport as traffic was non-existent. Check-in desks were closed at 2:30pm as expected. There was a long line at the economy check-in area but no one behind the desks, however there were self check-in machines which I used. I had my digital BPs but as per someones comment above I thought I may as well print them. 11A on the upper deck of the A380, no other seats available in the cabin.

Was through security and arrived at the lounge at 3pm but had to wait until the 3:30 opening time. The airport itself was quite busy so imo I don't think there's any reason to get to BKK particularly early if you just want to get checked in and head straight to the lounge.

Food on offer was excellent, really enjoyed the surf and turf and I actually managed to meet a fellow FTer (first for me) who had read this thread

Flight departed from the satellite terminal, head out the lounge, take a left and down the escalators to the train which take you there. Boarding was announced in the lounge 1hr 20 mins before departure time. I left 5-10 minutes after and by the time I reached the gate I was able to immediately board the plane.

celtic_warrior

thanks for the update. useful info on check in and getting to satellite terminal. Do you have to take the train or can you work like @ T5 Heathrow?

Zackers

I didn't notice an option to walk, although someone else might know definitively. One thing I'd point out is it wasn't nearly as busy as the train in T5 can get, but maybe that's just anecdotal

nilsfr69

didn't see any walking pathways last time and knowing thai ways of handeling things, even though there might be "a" tunnel (for emergencys) they will never allow you to use that one just for walking.

ft101

When it broke down a few days ago they were using buses so don't think there is an option to walk.