Smeagol

I booked (heavily) discounted Biz class tixs on Qatar LHR to NRT waaay back in February for flights in November

Since then i have been reading that Qatar are prolific bumpers, which of course has stressed me out a bit. I hadn't had my e ticket from the travel agent (who said they don't issue till a couple of weeks or so before the flight) anyway i finally got those today and noticed that one of the seats I had pre booked was missing off the intinerary.
So rather than call the TA i tried to log onto Qatar airways and retrieve my booking to check my seats choices were still showing (which i have done many time this year to put in API and choose my seats)

Anyway it keeps coming up with" error please check last name or reservation numbers"....
So i called the web support at Qatar and he kept saying you should be able to do it you must try both surnames.... (which i had) he then say oh well try later. (although he did confirm my booking was visible to him)

The reason i am nervous is I wanted to check in online to hopefully reduce my chances of being bumped (I realise I can't do it yet) but if I can't even retreive my booking i won't be able to do that in a couple of weeks...

Maybe i should be patient and see if it comes back up in a few hours time, I do know this is the day they have officially joined One world so maybe there are some web issues - but he didnt say and the actual web page is ok.

So, what would you do?

yestravel

I'd be nervous, just as you are and I would keep nervously checking. I would first check with Qatar reservations not their web support. You could also give a call to the TA and see what they can see. You could very well be right about a glitch related to their joining One World.

Smeagol

Thank you Yestravel . The TA thought i may have the wrong reference (which i don't) i have asked him to check the seat selection. If i cant get in tomorrow i will ring the reservation team in the UK and if i dont get any joy i will ask my TA to double check......

yestravel

It's probably ok, but I hate little problems like that.

Smeagol

I really hope so... I have asked the TA to look into it.......I too hate these additional stresses.

Gardyloo

Qatar joined the Oneworld alliance today. Part of the entry process (in fact, the most difficult part) has to do with the "new" airline synchronizing its IT platform with the rest of the alliance, so that bookings, fares, baggage rules, etc. can be as "seamless" as possible.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if your problems weren't related to that complicated task, and hopefully the problem will be resolved after a (brief?) "shakedown" period.

Smeagol

Thank you Gardyloo, I kind of thought that too and fingers crossed that's all it is.
I am nervous about this airline for some reason, so any little thing makes me jumpy! Stupid I know.

Smeagol

My TA just came back to me ref my seat choices are all as I chose so I'll just wait and see?

Kathie

Hopefully, this will all go smoothly for you!

Smeagol

Thanks Kathie.

mrwunrfl

I would call Qatar Airways and ask them for their booking reference code and use that at the airline's website while also checking the seat selection with the agent.

Worldnomad

In August I flew Qatar Airways Kathmandu to Dubai (BC) with a stop in Doha. When I arrived in Doha and was transferred to the First/Business Class Lounge I was greeted by smiling CSRs who told me that this flight no longer had a Business Class and they would be happy to get me a seat in Economy or I could wait several hours for the next flight where BC seats were available. Short flight - less than one hour - I said OK to Economy. When I questioned if the difference in price would be refunded to my credit card, (my method of payment) they told me no, I would have to go to a Qatar office of which there are many worldwide. I replied that this did not seem like 5 star customer service and went to the lounge, thankfully I was still permitted to use the BC Lounge. A short while later the CSR found me and advised they had found a seat for me in 1st class, no need to go to the office for my refund. As an aside, I flew several times in Qatar BC. The seats are the same as those in first on some legs.

Smeagol

Well firstly my TA did come back to me and confirmed the seats (which were the same seats I had on my itinerary)

I then called Qatar today and a very helpfull lady looked into it. After being on hold for a while - (she wanted to speak with her supervisor),she said they are having some issues with the website but my ticket had been revalidated due to a change in the schedule (which to be honest happened months ago) she said she had passed it on to the tech team but if i could still not access my booking on Monday to call back then (she felt sure it would be fixed though!).
She did say there is nothing wrong with my booking and it is ALL confirmed.....

Whilst she was very helpful and did try to alleviate my fears, having read some of the things i have read about Qatar, it's making me very nervous BUT i will wait and see what happens... I'll let you know the (hopefully positsive) outcome!

Mr W the booking ref code i have is correct.... she confirmed it.

DonTopaz

I am troubled because the 2 airlines I can think of beginning with "Q" do not follow this letter with a "u".

Cranachin

I'd be prepared for the unexpected.

I flew QR (economy) to Kuala Lumpur in August. When I went to check in for my return (morning) flight I was told that I had been moved to an evening flight. That was news to me!

I had to be pretty firm with the check-in agent that the evening flight was unacceptable (I had purposely planned for a long layover in Doha so I could meet with someone there), and he finally—and miraculously!—found that my exact seat I had previously requested was available.

[To Qatar's credit, the agent did say when he first told me my flight had been changed that they would provide a hotel room where I could spend the 12 hours or so until the evening flight.]

MissGreen

I've flown business and first with Qatar. There are some very forceful middle eastern people who fly with them. If there is ever and issue with bumping, stick to your guns and refuse to be bumped. They will possibly move on to easier targets.

I saw a number of instances where passengers would not do what the fight attendants or staff wanted and in the end they just gave up and let the person do whatever they wanted.

Smeagol

MissG the stories you mention are exactly why I am nervous. My BF will be very forceful ( he is used to dealing with demanding customers himself) so I am hoping that should the situation arise he will handle it. And yes we will stand our ground.......
I still can't get into my booking........

MissGreen

Just ring a travel agent and see if there are any vacancies on your exact flight.

You can still be pleasant whilst standing your ground. I am sure everything will be fine. There were no issues with my trips.

Smeagol

Will do Ms green. Will of course be pleasant. Getting nasty with people gets you nowhere I always think.

Anyway, will see how it goes

silverlex

I have flown on Qatar for the last 2 years (so far on Premium class only) and have never had any issues about off-loading. Just get you Qatar agent to send you a copy of your booking/ticket. Their merging with Oneworld has given the website some grief and I also had some problems withn it for a few days. If you have more than 8 hours in Doha they will give you a hotel room on request ( and you need to pre book with your agent. ) However the premium lounge is so comfortable and you can find a great place to sleep - they even provide blankets for you, have a shower if you have enough time and loads of food. I skipped the room the last time when my lay over was 8-1/2 hours as the hassle of immigration was probably not worth while as they need to fetch you from the hotel about 2 hours before your flight. As you are transiting in Doha and you are flying business class, make sure you disembark from the aerobus at the Premium lounge.