-
Hi all,
Apologies if this has been asked before but I’m just after a bit of advice.This may turn out to be an easy solution, or it may be completely impossible – which is why I’m here seeking help.
We are looking to book flights as a family of three to Bangkok via Doha using a BA companion voucher. We would like to spend a night or two in Doha to break up the journey.
Is our best option to book flights to and from Doha using the companion voucher on BA and then make a separate Avios booking for the Qatar flights between Doha and Bangkok? We should have enough Avios for this.
Ideally we would like to book this trip all on one booking, but not sure if it’s possible?
Is what we are proposing the most cost effective(Avios and cash) way of doing it?Thanks in advance for your help
You can get all this information from the dedicated articles and threads, but in brief, you can’t mix BA and QR on a 241 booking. You can certainly use the voucher to fly to DOH, however it would be much better value if you could find 3 seats to BKK, which BA has now brought back. If you don’t mind spending more avios, however, what you suggest is perfectly doable.
You also need to check QR avios pricing for your dates as they have a habit of doubling the price at peak times!
Thanks NorthernLass for the reply.
We looked at going straight to BKK but as we’re travelling with a toddler, decided to break up the journey a little bit and spend some time in DOH.It’s good to know what we are proposing is doable, so will see what we can book
With a toddler, you are better off flying straight to Asia, assuming business class.
Doha is too short (7 hours) to need a break. If you exclude 2 hours either end for takeoff, landing, meals, snacks, toilets, you’ll be left with 3 hours and toddlers need more time settle. But once they settle down, they can sleep longer. Sure, each child is different, but if flying business, direct flight is preferable.
Btw, don’t know if BKK is available for next summer. You can book KL instead and do a short hop to BKK the next day.How old is the toddler? If over 2 and needing their own seat, check what seating you’re likely to get (though of course it can change). Club suite-type seats are not suitable for young children. However, as above, if the toddler is in their own seat, they’re likely to settle and sleep quite a bit on a long flight.
With a toddler, you are better off flying straight to Asia, assuming business class.
In any cabin, I’d be flying straight to BKK with a toddler. With our own son, I found 12-14 hour flights easier than 6-8, especially if timed overnight, as he could get a decent chunk of uninterrupted sleep. I’m sure views on this will vary though.
With a toddler, you are better off flying straight to Asia, assuming business class.
In any cabin, I’d be flying straight to BKK with a toddler. With our own son, I found 12-14 hour flights easier than 6-8, especially if timed overnight, as he could get a decent chunk of uninterrupted sleep. I’m sure views on this will vary though.
Completely agree – little one always had 8 hours++ in whatever seat, arriving in Asia bright and breezy while we arrived…dull and bleary?!!
I don’t disagree with the comments on here, however there are so many variables.
I can only share my own experiences, and what I have planned for the future. For instance, we are going to Singapore with our baby using a companion voucher, which is ideal for us this time as we are hoping she will have a good sleep on the overnight flight.
In February though, we are flying to Bangkok from Manchester and flying Qatar. We have opted for the longer transit in Doha so the infant will sleep on the 01:35 flight and land in Bangkok at 12:05 where she can adjust easily (hopefully) and sleep at night.
Yo don’t know how many Avios you have, but it could be an option and save your companion voucher for another time.
Come back and let us know what you are choosing to do.
For instance, we are going to Singapore with our baby using a companion voucher, which is ideal for us this time as we are hoping she will have a good sleep on the overnight flight.
Assuming you mean a flight departing evening UK time, it’s actually quite helpful to get a lousy night’s sleep and arrive tired as you’ll be getting in in the late afternoon/early evening. Some consolation if, like I did, you spent most of a flight to Singapore walking a baby around the cabin.
I agree with everyone else on the stopover. OP will know their own child best, but I would take one twelve hour flight over two seven hour flights every time.
I would suggest as much as possible aligning departure times with normal home time zone waking or sleeping times (depending on whether you want your toddler to be awake or sleeping). With an overnght stopover and un, there is a risk that someone in the family will be off cycle and not sleep, frustrating the purpose. Otherwise, one approach that worked well for us (3.5 yo) last summer was a 6 hour daytime stopover in AUH after an 0500 departure from Asia; I booked a day room at a hotel near the airport, and we had a meal / swim / shower. The swimming and playing meant that CamFlyer3 enjoyed a healthy nap on the AUH-LHR flight and gave us a break (but after food, etc, not so much that she was wide awake on landing), and CamFlyer1 & 2 as parents were refreshed as well.
We flew with a toddler and newborn on a morning flight with Qatar from Manchester to KUL last year and never again !
If we are flying long haul now, it must be an overnight and prefer a longer flight time if transiting. Worked for us on our last Easter KUL-SIN-LHR but would otherwise prefer a direct 13-14 hour flight.
As with others have commented, you know your little one best and good luck !
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Popular articles this week:
