First time on Qatar Airways - my thoughts

[Human]

Hi, I am looking to book some Qatar Business class flights using Velocity Rewards.

I was checking out the Qatar website to make sure the flights I was choosing on Virgin site were for Q Suites, and I noticed on the Qatar site that you have to pay to choose your seats, even in Business class. Will I have to pay to choose seats on Qatar when booked through virgin, or will I even have an option to choose seats, even by paying

I have booked numerous Qatar business class awards using Velocity points and have never had to pay to choose seats. Just go into the Qatar website or app once you’ve made the booking.

 

[RooFlyer]

I noticed on the Qatar site that you have to pay to choose your seats, even in Business class. Will I have to pay to choose seats on Qatar when booked through virgin, or will I even have an option to choose seats, even by paying

QR give 3 fare options for business class - only the cheapest doesn't include free seat selection - is that what you were looking at. Other fares include



Actually, I was a bit surprised to see Lounge Access included on the 'classic' fare. On some QR J fares, lounge is not included.

I'm not sure how the VA points seat will translate into QR fare classes - you may have to call up to check. EDIT - Ah, I didn't see Human's post - you should be OK.

 

[jase05]

I'm not sure how the VA points seat will translate into QR fare classes - you may have to call up to check. EDIT - Ah, I didn't see Human's post - you should be OK.

Likewise I’ve booked several QR awards with Velocity points and never paid a cent for J seat selection.
After you have made the booking the VA website gives you the QR PNR and you go on the QR app or website and select seats

 

[DC3]

No charge for seat selection on QR in F, but that was several years ago.

 

[Secco]

I have booked numerous Qatar business class awards using Velocity points and have never had to pay to choose seats. Just go into the Qatar website or app once you’ve made the booking.

Thanking, I was hoping that would be the case.

 

[SYD]

QR give 3 fare options for business class - only the cheapest doesn't include free seat selection - is that what you were looking at. Other fares include

View attachment 391149

Actually, I was a bit surprised to see Lounge Access included on the 'classic' fare. On some QR J fares, lounge is not included.

I'm not sure how the VA points seat will translate into QR fare classes - you may have to call up to check. EDIT - Ah, I didn't see Human's post - you should be OK.

It’s the QR J “Lite” fare that books into P Class that doesn’t come with lounge access. But as a OW elite, you still get lounge and seat selection.

AFAIK, VA and QF reward bookings include seat (and lounge).

 

[RooFlyer]

It’s the QR J “Lite” fare that books into P Class that doesn’t come with lounge access. But as a OW elite, you still get lounge and seat selection.

it doesn’t look like QR gives fare classes when making a booking. I was expecting the P class to be given as a pricing option when I made my random booking but it wasn’t. (I always book via a travel agent so this is tacky issue never comes up. )

 

[bernardblack]

Hi, I am looking to book some Qatar Business class flights using Velocity Rewards.

I was checking out the Qatar website to make sure the flights I was choosing on Virgin site were for Q Suites, and I noticed on the Qatar site that you have to pay to choose your seats, even in Business class. Will I have to pay to choose seats on Qatar when booked through virgin, or will I even have an option to choose seats, even by paying

I have redeemed Velocity points for a QR J award and selected my seats at QR's website/app, for free, with no problem.

There is an issue that they won't let a smaller group break up the double or quad sets of seats in the middle of QSuites (at least not until OLCI/departure), so if that's all the seats available the ability to select seats may be disabled for the cabin.


***edited***

Sorry, I now see several other people already answered this.

 

[equus]

There is an issue that they won't let a smaller group break up the double or quad sets of seats in the middle of QSuites (at least not until OLCI/departure),

I am not sure it is so black and white. It probably depends on how many quad sets are available. I was able to select a double out of a quad for the two of us 10+ days out with no issues on a couple of flights (bit of a last minute booking), but there is at least one remaining quad left. 2 x WP if that makes a difference.

 

[luckypierre]

I have redeemed Velocity points for a QR J award and selected my seats at QR's website/app, for free, with no problem.

There is an issue that they won't let a smaller group break up the double or quad sets of seats in the middle of QSuites (at least not until OLCI/departure), so if that's all the seats available the ability to select seats may be disabled for the cabin.


***edited***

Sorry, I now see several other people already answered this.

Could you please advise if you hold QR status that permitted free seat selection. There seems to be contrary experiences on the forum. Seeking definitive information, if you hold no QR or QFF status and book an VFF award flight for J class, are you permitted to select seats , free of charge via the QR app/website ?

 

[Cessna 180]

Could you please advise if you hold QR status that permitted free seat selection. There seems to be contrary experiences on the forum. Seeking definitive information, if you hold no QR status and book an VFF award flight for J class, are you permitted to select seats , free of charge via the QR app/website ?

I did this a few months back. Booked with Velocity points, thence added QFF # and selected seat 1K for no charge.
WP at Qantas.

 

[luckypierre]

I did this a few months back. Booked with Velocity points, thence added QFF # and selected seat 1K for no charge.
WP at Qantas.

Thanks for your reply, my case I don’t have QFF status, I have edited my previous post , seeking the answer for my circumstances

 

[bernardblack]

I have flown QSuites:

1. on a Cathay award, with no Oneworld status at the time
2. on a cash ticket, with Velocity Gold linked

I have upcoming QSuites bookings:

1. on an American award, with no Oneworld status
2. on a Velocity award, as Velocity Platinum

I have been able to select a seat for free in all cases.

 

[Secco]

Can anyone tell me what time of day the Qatar reward flights become available on Virgin.
I know they go very quickly, so I want to be online when they become available.

Thanks.

 

[Human]

Can anyone tell me what time of day the Qatar reward flights become available on Virgin.
I know they go very quickly, so I want to be online when they become available.

Thanks.

12am Brisbane time (AEST), 330 days before the flight.

 

[RooFlyer]

Do QR also release 'last minute' inventory to VA?

 

[jase05]

Do QR also release 'last minute' inventory to VA?

I really don’t think they have a pattern

 

[Treecliffe]

Seeking definitive information, if you hold no QR or QFF status and book an VFF award flight for J class, are you permitted to select seats , free of charge via the QR app/website ?

We have no status on any airline and in May we flew QR in J Zrh - Per, booked as a Velocity award, and were able to select seats on QR website with no charge