QR Flight Cancellations DOH -> CBR

[NM]

even though this was a QF-issued ticket, as the routing change is made by QR, I would expect QR is responsible for getting passengers all the way to CBR, even if that means putting them onto QF or VA revenue seats. Might mean an overnight is needed in MEL and get them out following morning. But it should be QR's problem and a lack of QF award seats should not result in passengers not completing their journey.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

At the end of the day Qatar has to honour the travel contract they made with you. If that means having to call in Qantas or heaven forbid JetStar to get you to CBR so be it.

-RooFlyer88

 

[spade1686]

I am flying on the 1st of October (which I believe is the start date for this service) and the same thing has happened to my flight as well. Luckily my final destination was Melbourne but booked through to Canberra as I couldn’t get rewards seats to Melbourne. My hotel for the night and next day flight were cancellable so no extra charge.

Qatar didn’t offer any any alternatives when they called which was a bit surprising (although I didn’t push), surely if you booked a flight to Canberra they need to get you to Canberra through some alternative means?

Following on from this, checking in at Copenhagen this afternoon which is connecting to the Melbourne flight, they were unable to give me a boarding pass for the DOH-MEL sector and I was neither able to check in online or select my seats

I have to get my onward boarding pass in Doha - my luggage has been checked through to Melbourne but hoping no last minute issues

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I have to get my onward boarding pass in Doha - my luggage has been checked through to Melbourne but hoping no last minute issues

So long as it hasn't been ticketed by QF there shouldn't be!

 

[NM]

Following on from this, checking in at Copenhagen this afternoon which is connecting to the Melbourne flight, they were unable to give me a boarding pass for the DOH-MEL sector and I was neither able to check in online or select my seats

I have to get my onward boarding pass in Doha - my luggage has been checked through to Melbourne but hoping no last minute issues

Did you manage ok at Doha and make it through to Melbourne as planned?

 

[spade1686]

Did you manage ok at Doha and make it through to Melbourne as planned?

made it through ok, collected onward boarding passes in Doha (took them a while though since our arrival gate was in a deserted part of the terminal). There was a small issue at the lounge, when they scanned the BP - it said access not granted, see reception. Had about 5 people at the reception trying to figure out why, in the end they just marked it as a redemption ticket and allowed us in

other issue was that since we were the last to check in (and I had been unable to select our seats earlier), myself and my wife’s seats were not together as the flight was full. Gave me an opportunity to try out the window seat though!

on arrival at Melbourne, Qatar was organising onward flights to Canberra and accomodation for certain passengers (since they would have to spend the night in Melbourne) - quite a few ground crew on the bridge to assist, Listening to other passengers on disembarkation, it sounds like not everyone go this offer which is strange

 

[Pusiek]

Qatar was very excited to announce the return of DOH -> CBR - Qatar Airways Resumes Canberra-Doha Flights

This involved a technical stop in MEL. Today I received an email advising they are cancelling the onward journey from MEL-CBR. I have a already booked a hotel for the night in Canberra (as the arrival time into Canberra was 1.50AM), and a business class flight with Virgin that afternoon to Brisbane (my final destination). This is a huge inconvenience and stress now, just 2 weeks out from flying. I booked the business class flight from CBR to BNE as I needed the additional luggage allowance. I will have to pay cancellation fees for that, and rebook a new flight and hotel. Cash fares on both Qantas and Virgin are now $400+ for economy and no rewards flights that I can see for Oct 16th when I need to return from MEL - BNE on Qantas. Virgin has some business class rewards for 158,400 points, when I paid 15,500 points for the original booking (and I don't have 100,000 Virgin points to book with, even if I wanted to)

1. Anyone else's QR onward flight to Canberra get cancelled? Trying to work out if it is just this day (15th Oct) or if they are pushing back start dates of the flights to CBR?

2. Would I be entitled to any refunds in terms of points or cash given this change? The flight now stops in MEL instead of CBR... did I pay any extra points or cash initially for it to go to CBR?

3. What are my chances travel insurance will assist with any of this? Or will they refer back to airline? For example I booked the original CBR -> BNE in business using points (was around $49.50 and 15500 points), now the flights are like $1000-$2000 for cash fares? Does travel insurance normally cover any of that?

4. I booked the hotel using a $100 Qantas Hotel voucher, which is supposedly non-refundable.... given this situation is out of my control, anyone else had any luck with Qantas re-issuing the $100 voucher or offer any other compensation?

If airline has cancelled your flight you are entitled to the full refund. Changing your flight's details is the same as cancelling your flight.

I did contact Qantas hotels once before with exactly the same problem, and they did eventually reinstated my $100.00 voucher, if not then I would suggest to contact your insurance.

I am not sure if that arrival's time into Canberra plays the role in their decision , but Qatar has contacted me last week desperately trying to find a transport for its crew from Canberra Airport to hotel. Airlines do use operators like me to shuttle their crews from and to the airport, but they do not want to pay reasonable rate to have someone to be on the standby from 2.00 AM, seven days a week.

 

[antler]

So, I booked a CBR to MAD flight on 'J' using QF rewards, however, I got an email from Qantas and Qatar saying that the CBR to MEL leg has been cancelled "due to operational reasons". Are the rest of the flights in limbo as well? I'm afraid to call QF call centre incase they stuff it up and cancel all of it. I tried "managing" the flight via the QF website and keep getting an error page. So, what are my options here?

 

[Mwenenzi]

So, I booked a CBR to MAD flight on 'J' using QF rewards, however, I got an email from Qantas and Qatar saying that the CBR to MEL leg has been cancelled "due to operational reasons". Are the rest of the flights in limbo as well? I'm afraid to call QF call centre incase they stuff it up and cancel all of it. I tried "managing" the flight via the QF website and keep getting an error page. So, what are my options here?

As a QF award QF need to resolve. When are the flights?
Are there any QF flights that would get you CBR-MEL for the QR flight?
As other threads some QF phone agent have problems fixing awards that have changes. Leading to cancellation in error.
Possibility QF may resolve without your input, but would not put money on that.
Good luck! (You may need it)

 

[Viper6]

Is Qatar responsible for now organising accommodation in Melbourne?

What about the onward journey to Brisbane I had booked for the next day with Virgin?

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers who are currently booked to travel on QR988 and QR989 to and from Canberra,” an airline spokesperson said.

“All passengers will be provided with alternative travel arrangements and will be assisted to ensure smooth onward connections to their final destination.”

Do I need to contact Qatar or Qantas to assist with this?

 

[Surferjoe]

We were booked business class from Canberra to Paris. Qatar re-booked our cancelled legs to and from Melbourne on Qantas and Virgin business class. Slightly different flights from Melbourne to Paris and back but at least on the same days. Not clear why the flights were cancelled. Loads would have been good. Newspaper reports say issue with ground handling. No wonder when only flight arriving at 2am.

 

[ketsuzei]

Qatar re-booked our cancelled legs to and from Melbourne on Qantas and Virgin business class.

They certainly do go both ways.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Is Qatar responsible for now organising accommodation in Melbourne?

What about the onward journey to Brisbane I had booked for the next day with Virgin?

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers who are currently booked to travel on QR988 and QR989 to and from Canberra,” an airline spokesperson said.

“All passengers will be provided with alternative travel arrangements and will be assisted to ensure smooth onward connections to their final destination.”

Do I need to contact Qatar or Qantas to assist with this?

If the VA flight is separate its all your problem. No airline covers consequential loss. That 's for your travel insurance.

Did you pay QF or QR for your flight?

 

[Viper6]

We were booked business class from Canberra to Paris. Qatar re-booked our cancelled legs to and from Melbourne on Qantas and Virgin business class. Slightly different flights from Melbourne to Paris and back but at least on the same days. Not clear why the flights were cancelled. Loads would have been good. Newspaper reports say issue with ground handling. No wonder when only flight arriving at 2am.

Are you based in Melbourne? So basically saved yourself a trip to Canberra? Did Qatar cover any of your additional costs, or there weren't any costs to cover in this case?

I thought Qatar would at least help towards hotel in Melbourne or for flight from Melbourne to Brisbane (my final destination) now that they have cancelled the Canberra leg, but it seems they are no help at all....

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers who are currently booked to travel on QR988 and QR989 to and from Canberra,” an airline spokesperson said.

“All passengers will be provided with alternative travel arrangements and will be assisted to ensure smooth onward connections to their final destination.”

Those are just words, they don't actually want to help with anything? I jumped on live chat and they said they not paying for any hotels since COVID started, and that I need to talk to Virgin regarding the flight from Canberra to Brisbane. Virgin actually allowed me to cancel the flight without any penalty (and are now reselling that business class seat for x10 more points... was 15,500 now 150,000).

Virgin is not the one who changed the flight schedule to cancel CBR leg. Qatar did. They all just point the finger at each other.

Did you pay QF or QR for your flight?

It was booked via QF.

 

[MrJetset]

Have you called QF, maybe you have, but none your posts indicate so.

You should be transported to CBR as your final destination on this ticket.

 

[tradingup]

Hi Everyone,
I have also been caught up in the Qatar flight cancellations into Canberra. I had a J QFF award booking from Vienna to Canberra on 30 October and was looking forward to experiencing QSuites. My booking went from confirmed to partially confirmed (after the Canberra cancellation), and a new Melbourne destination added, to now the entire booking has disappeared. This is despite 2 online chats with Qatar (who only refer me to Qantas) and an (unanswered) email to Qantas. I am currently in Italy and feeling very anxious about getting home. I would appreciate any advice on how to have Qatar honour their confirmed booking. The flight from Vienna - Doha - Melbourne is still operating.

 

[scottie222]

Hi Everyone,
I have also been caught up in the Qatar flight cancellations into Canberra. I had a J QFF award booking from Vienna to Canberra on 30 October and was looking forward to experiencing QSuites. My booking went from confirmed to partially confirmed (after the Canberra cancellation), and a new Melbourne destination added, to now the entire booking has disappeared. This is despite 2 online chats with Qatar (who only refer me to Qantas) and an (unanswered) email to Qantas. I am currently in Italy and feeling very anxious about getting home. I would appreciate any advice on how to have Qatar honour their confirmed booking. The flight from Vienna - Doha - Melbourne is still operating.

I am literally in the same boat as you. I had a MAD-DOH and DOH-CBR (which changed to DOH-MEL) booked using QFF which was confirmed to partially confirmed to being cancelled. I’ve also contacted Qatar this afternoon who referred me to Qantas. I can’t see these reward flights on Qantas site but Qantas are looking into re-instating it but not holding my breath. I’m also in Italy funnily enough!

 

[tradingup]

At the end of the day Qatar has to honour the travel contract they made with you. If that means having to call in Qantas or heaven forbid JetStar to get you to CBR so be it.

-RooFlyer88

Apparently it is no longer possible to rely on an award booking for your travel arrangements!

As per my earlier post on 7 October, my Qatar operated QFF rewards booking for 30 October in business class Vienna-Canberra was cancelled. Unfortunately for me I was already in Europe, before it was announced. Both Qantas and Qatar claim the other is responsible to confirm a flight home. Qantas call centres give a different answer every day and after two weeks, I am no closer to a re-ticket home.

There must be other passengers affected? Does anyone know how to navigate this issue?

I know similar cancellations have affected lots of other passengers, and the airlines need to be held accountable. Cancelling my business class award flight is currently very lucrative as they can easily sell the seat for a ridiculous price. It is also reprehensible conduct. I do not intend to succumb to their delaying and pass-the-buck system and purchase a ticket home.

I would appreciate any ideas to ensure both airlines honour their obligations to fly me home in a timely manner in the class I booked.

 

[djkelly69]

any ideas

Just checking you have a current contact phone number attached to your booking so that one or the other can contact you while o/s? It is likely to be a special team fixing up these issues, rather than the standard call centres, so they might be trying to contact you.

As a last resort, Executive Traveller seemed to have a contact at QR for their story when these changes were announced (which said QR would be fixing any issues), so could maybe try reaching out to them?

 

[tradingup]

Thank you. I will update the contact number with both airlines to my husband's (as he is in Australia). I will also try contacting Executive Traveller.