Qatar Airways – any tips or cautions?

[Cranzle]

I’m planning on booking flights directly with Qatar.
Does anyone have any tips (discount codes, upgrade opportunities) etc or cautions?
They seem to have a generous cancellation policy, who knows what it’s like in practice?

Is it easy/competitive to try and upgrade at check-in desk (or during online check in)?

[Rhys]

Their cancellation policy in early 2020 wasn’t amazing, but then neither was Lufthansa etc.

Most of their aircraft only have economy and business so there isn’t a huge amount to upgrade to/from – it’s not like you can book premium economy and hope for a cheap upgrade at check-in!

[Jacob]

Not sure what the latest practice is around upgrades, but before covid they were proactively emailing economy passengers with upgrade offers – first come first served basis. Some data points from early 2019:
DOH-LHR from economy to business £641
DOH-ZNZ from economy to business £222

[Lady London]

Expect your aircraft type to change esp if you book far ahead.

Be ready for your nice shortish connection that you booked in Doha (say 1-3 hours) getting onto your next plane there at a late but just about acceptable hour, to turn into a long connection (7-9 hrs if you’re lucky) through the night, after your decent connection time disappears in a puff of Qatar rescheduling.

Happens too often.

PS As @Polly said, QR J is pretty much on a par with BA F, just be realistic expect the above tradeoff

[Cranzle]

Thanks for the replies.

What lounges in Doha can I access if BA silver, and is it worth paying for access to a better lounge?
Can I pay at the door as I would probably only want a better lounge if there is a flight delay.

[SteveCroydon]

Don’t trust any of their website special codes. They don’t seem to work or get withdrawn without notice.
See other threads on HfP about code FLYQR3 and discount code MEM22.

[pbcold]

QR is fabulous in the air but a disaster if anything goes wrong. I think the risk is worth it.