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I booked CDG-DOH in F, and a separate onward connection in J, using Avios directly with QR. At the time business availability on the outbound was only available at 2x rates, so F on their A380 at the ‘normal’ rate was a no-brainer. I booked separate tickets since married together the F deal wasn’t available. Nothing available out of London for the date I needed, hence I took an ex-CDG departure.
Since then they’ve moved the A380 to the later service in the day, leaving my flight operated by a 777, obviously without a First class cabin. I can’t say I’m too disappointed by the prospect of Q-suites instead of F given the short flight distance, but am a bit miffed that I feel I paid for a service I won’t receive. As things stand I have an unconfirmed J ticket, and the cancelled F sector. Their initial response was to confirm a business seat, offer me free cancellation (no good to me, I do want to travel) or move to the later flight (no good to me, I’d miss my separately-booked connection). No willingness to offer a refund of the difference between business and first because they’re comparing with the 2x business rate (admittedly all that was available both now and at original time of booking) and concluding the business ticket on offer is worth more than I paid. I’m mulling my options before trying the call centre again, so any advice about how to most sensibly handle this situation gratefully received, please. Wondering if I could at least convince them to allow me access to the Al-Safwa lounge for my connection…
It’s a bit messy, but the practical reality is that you will have to negotiate the best you can with QR as while you have EC261 reimbursement rights for the downgrade, if they don’t play ball, you would need to litigate in France – bonne chance with that. QR is also very process driven, so it is difficult to persuade them of creative solutions. Re Al Safwa, I would take the improved Al Mourjan over but you can ask if you think that offers value; I think they sell entry for $100. Ex-EU bookings have their advantages and disadvantages…
The more I read about Qatar the more I feel like their outside display is of being a high quality airline but dig underneath and it’s poor.
Why not see if they’d switch the starting point to another route with First? eg from London, Toulouse or Germany. Toulouse starting but doubtful they have First on that? Might as well try.
Why not see if they’d switch the starting point to another route with First? eg from London, Toulouse or Germany. Toulouse starting but doubtful they have First on that? Might as well try.
When they changed the planes last year from Paris to Doha and couldnt offer me First Class – they readily agreed to ticket me from London. I subsequently had the points returned from my separate London to Paris flights. Win for us as they didn’t offer reward flights in First from London in first instance 😀
Appreciate the input, thanks folks. I’ll give them a call and report back in due course.
In your circumstances, I’m pretty sure Qatar will allow a change of airport within 300 miles.
Appreciate the input, thanks folks. I’ll give them a call and report back in due course.
In the last year QR has really let me down on multiple occasions, and I’m platinum. I’m betting you’ll call and get hit with computer says no by some drone.
Edi-doh last month taxied to a remote stand at doh, and there was no assistance for my disabled mother. She had to hobble down the stairs in front of the waiting bus. Both of us were in J.
Kul-doh on at least three occasions this year has switched out the one Qsuite flight daily for their horrendous old style 2x2x2 777. Every time the email comes in less than 24 hours before departure. I wouldn’t mind if they gave more notice, but when they take the mick I always insist on switching to a Malaysia flight instead of fly on their awful old 777’s.
The rudest flight attendant I’ve ever encountered on any flight in J doh-Kul 3 weeks ago. She was so rude I told the purser to find me a new flight attendant.
QR disappointed me so much this year, today I started to look at if it makes sense for me to switch all my travel to Malaysia airlines next year. Unfortunately it looks like they moved to revenue based rewards. They also don’t have any direct flights to the USA. Looks like all my travel will be with Singapore airlines next year….
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