Qatar Airways unbundling business class "R" fares

[MEL_Traveller]

I think M-T’s analogy is very appropriate. QR has lopped off lounge access for one Biz class. With AA IIRC, no Biz gets lounge access. Dunno about other benefits, but in the light of AA policy, QR’s decision is pretty unremarkable, isn’t it?

With the exception of select transcons, AA's domestic fares don't come with automatic lounge access. But you can use (non-AA) OW status to get entry.

Thinking some more about it, QF denies OW sapphaire entry into domestic business class lounges, which is outside OW rules. So QR could in theory do the same with R class fares (carve out lounge entry, even with status).

 

[serfty]

...
With AA IIRC, no Biz gets lounge access. Dunno about other benefits, but in the light of AA policy, QR’s decision is pretty unremarkable, isn’t it?

North American (Domestic +) AA Biz on two class services gets no class of service lounge access.

All other AA Biz does get lounge access.

 

[Valann]

No woman should ever fly through Doha again. This was not an isolated incident- know someone it happened to and Qantas staff onboard told her it had happened more than once before. Surely we can all find another airline to fly on that avoids Doha, in solidarity.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Qatar Airways is removing lounge access and seat selection from "R" class sale fares marketed as "Business Classic".

Presumably you'll continue to have advance seat selection and access to a lounge with Oneworld status - although in Doha that may be the inferior lounge for status pax flying Y rather than the Al Mourjan lounge.

Qatar Airways Business Class Fares With No Lounge Access (Pay $500 - $2,000 Extra)

Business-class passengers on Qatar Airways now need to pay extra for selecting a seat and accessing lounges.

loyaltylobby.com

My current booking with them shows as "Business (U)" on their site, any idea if this means i'm screwed Re: Lounges? Cheers

 

[Mattg]

My current booking with them shows as "Business (U)" on their site, any idea if this means i'm screwed Re: Lounges? Cheers

Is this a reward booking? If so, I believe Qatar has just removed lounge access on those tickets too.

 

[hb13]

My current booking with them shows as "Business (U)" on their site, any idea if this means i'm screwed Re: Lounges? Cheers

I believe that 'U' bookings are reward tickets, and as of now you no longer get access to the lounge. Quite ridiculous tbh - I'm still scratching my head with this one.

 

[oz_mark]

With the exception of select transcons, AA's domestic fares don't come with automatic lounge access. But you can use (non-AA) OW status to get entry.

Thinking some more about it, QF denies OW sapphaire entry into domestic business class lounges, which is outside OW rules. So QR could in theory do the same with R class fares (carve out lounge entry, even with status).

There is an exception on the OW rules for Qantas

Sapphire tier frequent flyers are welcome in Business Class* or frequent flyer lounges. (*does not include Qantas Domestic Business Lounges)

Airport Lounges: oneworld Lounges & Airport Lounge Access

Enjoy airport lounge access at nearly 700 airport lounges worldwide through your oneworld Priority tier. Exceptions may apply.

www.oneworld.com

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There is an exception on the OW rules for Qantas

Indeed - the point I made in my post!

 

[RooFlyer]

No woman should ever fly through Doha again. This was not an isolated incident- know someone it happened to and Qantas staff onboard told her it had happened more than once before. Surely we can all find another airline to fly on that avoids Doha, in solidarity.

Welcome to posting in AFF Valann .

I’m not sure we are all in ‘solidarity’ on this one. Whilst what happen in Doha was despicable, if we apply the shun logic to all airlines whose government act in like ways, or similar, it would be very slim pickings.

 

[Mattg]

Looks like Qatar has quickly reversed the "no lounge access on reward bookings" rule.

 

[SydneySwan]

Looks like Qatar has quickly reversed the "no lounge access on reward bookings" rule.

Where did you see this?

 

[Flashback]

Looks like Qatar has quickly reversed the "no lounge access on reward bookings" rule.

Well, the quote I read mentioned tickets issued through QR PC. Didn't say anything about other OW airline issued award tickets.......

 

[Mattg]

Where did you see this?

Did Qatar Airways Cut Lounge Access For Business Class Award Tickets? (Update)

Qatar Airways introduced "basic" business class, without lounge access and seat assignments. Are award tickets now also subjected to this?

onemileatatime.com

A Qatar Airways spokesperson is quoted as saying:

We have also not made any changes to award ticket policies as a result of fare family changes. Our valued Qatar Airways Privilege Club members booking a Business Class award flight will receive the same benefits as before including complimentary lounge access and seat allocation.

 

[RooFlyer]

A Qatar Airways spokesperson is quoted as saying:

That quote refers to QR Privilege Club members booking an award ticket ... Should we be cynical?

 

[Flashback]

Well, the quote I read mentioned tickets issued through QR PC. Didn't say anything about other OW airline issued award tickets.......

That quote refers to QR Privilege Club members booking an award ticket ... Should we be cynical?

Yep, hence my comments. A lot of their recent extra promos have been for QR PC members only e.g. a better book with confidence policy for example.

 

[Mattg]

That quote refers to QR Privilege Club members booking an award ticket ... Should we be cynical?

I don’t believe so. The provision of lounge access is based on the fare class, and reward flights book into the same fare class regardless of whether Privilege Club miles or points from a partner airline are used.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

A data point...
I recently booked a business class QR flight, via QFF, redeeming a OWCA, for late next year (fingers crossed...). This booking was done a week or so *before* the R class and Award downgrade announcements hit this forum.
The booking is showing as U class, but when I go to MMB on the QR website, there is no facility to do Seat Selection (nor via the App).
Coincidence or not....

Edit: Manually correcting an unwelcome AutoCorrect...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A data point...
I recently booked a business class QR flight, via QFF, redeeming a OWCA, for late next year (fingers crossed...). This booking was done a week or so *before* the R class and Award downgrade announcements hit this forum.
The booking is showing as U class, but when I go to MMB on the QR website, there is no facility to do Seat Selection (nor VOA the App).
Coincidence or not....

Seems this is a common issue... I found this thread on another bulletin board from March 2020... so well before the current 'R' class unbundling: How to select QR seat on award? - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[PineappleSkip]

In the short run, the question is an academic one for travel ex AU. Finally booked that QR flight for Jan and Mar next year and not a "Classic" fare to be seen. Everything was "comfort" and "elite" and the comfort fare booked into I. OK, so I have selected seats and will drink the %#@$ lounge dry.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In the short run, the question is an academic one for travel ex AU. Finally booked that QR flight for Jan and Mar next year and not a "Classic" fare to be seen. Everything was "comfort" and "elite" and the comfort fare booked into I. OK, so I have selected seats and will drink the %#@$ lounge dry.

I noticed this too. I think this is caused by the current QR 'black friday' sale which is offering 30% off all 'R' and 'A' class fares. Of course searching for R and A class came up with nothing! So either they have restricted them to some very specific routes during the sale, or they haven't loaded the fares yet.