[Pls Help] Qatar + Qantas Booking Shambles

3 replies

HusseinAl98

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 24 Apr 2014

Total posts 15

Hi all - was hoping someone can assist with what I should do next regarding this nightmare of a booking.

Back in August, I booked a classic flight award (using QF points) from PER-SIN-DOH-BGW and BGW-DOH-KUL. PER-SIN was on QF J - and the rest on QR Y. Outbound Dec and return in Jan.

Since then, Qatar have changed each one of their 4 flights, at least twice. The majority have been times changes by an hour or so, but there have also been cancellations which resulted in a 2-3hr layovers turning into 9-14hours

Ultimately, I could live with all of it - despite how frustrating the whole thing was. However, the last change earlier this week was cancelling the DOH-BGW flight and putting me on an earlier one. This meant that instead of arriving in BGW around 10.30am, I would arrive 3am. I didn't want to arrive in BGW during dark hours as BGW isn't my final destination. I still would have to travel by road for an hour or so and it is not exactly that safe to do so in the dark (Appreciate that most here would consider BGW not safe at all but ultimately not the point as I imagine there is a variety of reasons why a suggested alternate flight is not suitable).

I called QF and asked for any alternative which would mean I arrive during daytime hours (even if there is an extra flight and layover) and they advised as it was a classic award booking - there was little they can do. They suggested cancelling the outbound flights, and booking PER-DXB-BGW on EK, but maintain the return from BGW-DOH-KUL. This is what I did. My account then showed PER-DXB-BGW as a new booking, and BGW-DOH-KUL from the existing booking.

A day later - by pure chance, I logged on to the Qantas app and noticed that the DOH-KUL segment had disappeared. From what I gathered from calls to QF was that it was either: the ticket did not reissue in time and/or there was no classic award seat. Not sure why it would be the latter as I had the seat and am confused how one segment (BGW-DOH) could be issued but not DOH-KUL.


QF are now saying that QR have cancelled the availability for the return. I am confused how this has occurred because I have had the seat since August

At this stage I don't know what to do. I really need to be on the return flights as I am travelling with others for the return (They're on a separate booking cause the leave PER earlier). It will cost a decent chunk to just book it commercially at this point ~$1000 difference (plus the additional cost of $1,605 to change the outbound to EK).

Please could anyone with any advice on how to proceed please let me know their suggestions. I am at a lost and this should not be as painful as it has been.

HusseinAl98

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 24 Apr 2014

Total posts 15

Originally Posted by Turnblatt

Originally Posted by HusseinAl98

Hi all - was hoping someone can assist with what I should do next regarding this nightmare of a booking.

Back in August, I booked a classic flight award (using QF points) from PER-SIN-DOH-BGW and BGW-DOH-KUL. PER-SIN was on QF J - and the rest on QR Y. Outbound Dec and return in Jan.

Since then, Qatar have changed each one of their 4 flights, at least twice. The majority have been times changes by an hour or so, but there have also been cancellations which resulted in a 2-3hr layovers turning into 9-14hours

Ultimately, I could live with all of it - despite how frustrating the whole thing was. However, the last change earlier this week was cancelling the DOH-BGW flight and putting me on an earlier one. This meant that instead of arriving in BGW around 10.30am, I would arrive 3am. I didn't want to arrive in BGW during dark hours as BGW isn't my final destination. I still would have to travel by road for an hour or so and it is not exactly that safe to do so in the dark (Appreciate that most here would consider BGW not safe at all but ultimately not the point as I imagine there is a variety of reasons why a suggested alternate flight is not suitable).

I called QF and asked for any alternative which would mean I arrive during daytime hours (even if there is an extra flight and layover) and they advised as it was a classic award booking - there was little they can do. They suggested cancelling the outbound flights, and booking PER-DXB-BGW on EK, but maintain the return from BGW-DOH-KUL. This is what I did. My account then showed PER-DXB-BGW as a new booking, and BGW-DOH-KUL from the existing booking.

A day later - by pure chance, I logged on to the Qantas app and noticed that the DOH-KUL segment had disappeared. From what I gathered from calls to QF was that it was either: the ticket did not reissue in time and/or there was no classic award seat. Not sure why it would be the latter as I had the seat and am confused how one segment (BGW-DOH) could be issued but not DOH-KUL.


QF are now saying that QR have cancelled the availability for the return. I am confused how this has occurred because I have had the seat since August

At this stage I don't know what to do. I really need to be on the return flights as I am travelling with others for the return (They're on a separate booking cause the leave PER earlier). It will cost a decent chunk to just book it commercially at this point ~$1000 difference (plus the additional cost of $1,605 to change the outbound to EK).

Please could anyone with any advice on how to proceed please let me know their suggestions. I am at a lost and this should not be as painful as it has been.

Seriously this was excruciating to read. Buy a ticket .

No one really forced you to read this - I figured if anyone had any suggestions and wanted to be helpful, I would give all the facts.

They way this is going - yes, I will probably end up buying an overpriced ticket - but it is still dodgy to issue a ticket, and then declare that there is no availability and that seats are not guaranteed

avatar2201

Member since 03 Apr 2018

Total posts 24

I assume you booked all flights in one booking and try to change the outbound flights, not the inbound flights? QF is notoriously infamous for the delay in ticketing which often result in QR and CX cancelling the bookings. I'd suggest you call QF again and tell them that it was their mistake that they didn't issue a new ticket on time resulting in your loss. Tell them that you previously had that segment ticketed and they could send a message to Oneworld help desk so that QR could release the seats back to you again. No guarantee it'll be successful but be persistent and hope for the best.

Joe

Member since 03 May 2013

Total posts 179

Always ask for the ticket to be issued immediately when doing anything points wise. That is your only guarantee.

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