Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and UAE cut diplomatic ties with Qatar.

[hossein_au]

The support for Iran is a major stumbling block as it is a Shia state,the rest Sunni and this is at the heart of virtually all ME problems.

Exactly like one being Catholic and the other Protestant was at the heart of virtually all UK-Ireland problems?

I think the reality is 'a tad' more complicated than that.

 

[alieninperth]

Exactly like one being Catholic and the other Protestant was at the heart of virtually all UK-Ireland problems?

I think the reality is 'a tad' more complicated than that.

Well thats how it has been played out in the press. 'Everyone' thinks its all about religion, but those of us who live, have lived or feel any kind of fondness for the place knows its about more than that.

From your posts, I am reading that you have some experience and thoughts on this complicated matter. I for one would like to educate myself better on this and would appreciate an ELI5, if you pardon the Reddit phrase. Could you give a coherant, if simplified, run down of the events in the ME.

Big thumbs up from me if you can.

 

[Happy Trails]

I usually find Robert Fisk to be a bit up himself, but this article may be of interest.

The Qatar crisis has nothing to do with Al Jazeera and everything to do with the war in Syria | The Independent

"The Qatar crisis has nothing to do with Al Jazeera and everything to do with the war in Syria. [FONT=&amp][FONT=&amp]It is about taming the one Gulf nation which has the potential to outshine the Saudi kingdom and dictate the outcome of the Syria war."[/FONT]
[/FONT]

 

[RooFlyer]

Exactly like one being Catholic and the other Protestant was at the heart of virtually all UK-Ireland problems?

I think the reality is 'a tad' more complicated than that.

Yes, it IS much more complicated than Protestant V Catholic in Northern Ireland, so first statement is incorrect, second one is correct. And drron is also correct. It is mainly about Shia vs Sunni beliefs and the consequences of that.

 

[hossein_au]

Yes, it IS much more complicated than Protestant V Catholic in Northern Ireland, so first statement is incorrect, second one is correct. And drron is also correct. It is mainly about Shia vs Sunni beliefs and the consequences of that.

Sure; if you say so...

 

[RooFlyer]

Sure; if you say so...

Thank you

 

[hossein_au]

Well thats how it has been played out in the press. 'Everyone' thinks its all about religion, but those of us who live, have lived or feel any kind of fondness for the place knows its about more than that.

From your posts, I am reading that you have some experience and thoughts on this complicated matter. I for one would like to educate myself better on this and would appreciate an ELI5, if you pardon the Reddit phrase. Could you give a coherant, if simplified, run down of the events in the ME.

Big thumbs up from me if you can.

I acknowledge and appreciate your kind request. I am, however, mindful that this might not be the best medium for such a dialog (tacitly admitting my lack of tact and expertise in effective communication using written words). If you don't mind I like to defer this to a time and place where we can exchange ideas face-to-face?

 

[alieninperth]

I acknowledge and appreciate your kind request. I am, however, mindful that this might not be the best medium for such a dialog (tacitly admitting my lack of tact and expertise in effective communication using written words). If you don't mind I like to defer this to a time and place where we can exchange ideas face-to-face?

Sure thing. Happy to converse on PM too, if you'd prefer? I'll give you a hollar the next time I'm in the beautiful capital.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Afternoon AFF's.

Currently in Europe and have a QR J Award Booking from Madrid to Dubai via Doha later in the month.

Have scoured the forum, but clearly missing where others may have posted about their QR experiences transiting to the UAE. Could someone please put up a link to the thread (if there is one), or advise of any experience they've had with this issue recently. I understand they will arrange to re-book us (at least for the Doha-Dubai leg), but just not sure what that actually means (ie who with, how long etc). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Suz

 

[pjm99au]

Suz

You really need to contact them to look at your options. One possible re-route is DOH - KWI - DXB but I don't know who the second leg will be flying with.


From what I've read no-one has reported yet how QR is dealing with this problem of getting to Dubai from Doha.

The contact details are as follows

For passengers with existing bookings, please call +974 4022 0072 or contact your nearest Qatar Airways office: https://www.qatarairways.com/en/worldwide-offices.html

I have a booking for DXB -DOH later in the year so please report back on how they respond

 

[Dudditz]

I have a booking in late October from CAI-DOH-KUL and returning Nov from BKK-DOH-CAI both in J class. I called Qatar and was firmly told their policy is either:

1. A full refund of the ticket or
2. Rebooking via an alternate carrier or route only available 72 hours prior to departure.

Obviously I wasn't satisfied with this as I have made plans around my original itinerary which I booked in uh December last year. I was willing to shift my origin and destination to be Amman but no luck in convincing Qatar to do that and save dramas down the track. The service agent and his supervisor wouldn't budge and suggested if I didn't like this to send a response to their feedback email.

Hoping the situation sorts itself soon otherwise it's either cancel or playing the waiting game and seeing what they can offer 72 hours prior.

 

[drron]

Exactly like one being Catholic and the other Protestant was at the heart of virtually all UK-Ireland problems?

I think the reality is 'a tad' more complicated than that.

Actually not even close.The clue is in the title IRA.It was a Republican Army not religious.It was fighting for the reunification of Ireland.If you happened to be a Catholic who supported the Union you were just as likely to be knee capped as your Protestant neighbour.Protestants were at times part of the IRA or it's sympathisers.Yes it is true most Catholics supported reunification and most Protestants the Union but that does not make it a religious war as the common over simplification goes.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Suz

You really need to contact them to look at your options. One possible re-route is DOH - KWI - DXB but I don't know who the second leg will be flying with.


From what I've read no-one has reported yet how QR is dealing with this problem of getting to Dubai from Doha.

The contact details are as follows

For passengers with existing bookings, please call +974 4022 0072 or contact your nearest Qatar Airways office: https://www.qatarairways.com/en/worldwide-offices.html

I have a booking for DXB -DOH later in the year so please report back on how they respond

Many thanks for the details. QR provided this info to me a few days ago, but with the advice that we can't be re-booked until 72 hours prior to departure. I assume it's because they're hoping it will be resolved sooner rather than later.

It does make things a little challenging however as this trip was booked using points via various airlines, so hoping our flight to Dubai goes relatively as planned otherwise the next leg is going to be difficult. We do have a couple of days to play with so fingers crossed.

Will post once I know an outcome.

Thanks again.

Cheers, Suz

 

[Danger]

From what I've read no-one has reported yet how QR is dealing with this problem of getting to Dubai from Doha.

According to FlyerTalk people are being re-routed via Muscat on Oman Air.

I have a booking in late October from CAI-DOH-KUL and returning Nov from BKK-DOH-CAI both in J class. I called Qatar and was firmly told their policy is either:

1. A full refund of the ticket or
2. Rebooking via an alternate carrier or route only available 72 hours prior to departure.

Obviously I wasn't satisfied with this as I have made plans around my original itinerary which I booked in uh December last year. I was willing to shift my origin and destination to be Amman but no luck in convincing Qatar to do that and save dramas down the track. The service agent and his supervisor wouldn't budge and suggested if I didn't like this to send a response to their feedback email.

Hoping the situation sorts itself soon otherwise it's either cancel or playing the waiting game and seeing what they can offer 72 hours prior.

You may, may have some luck calling other QR call centres around the world. Again, on FlyerTalk there has been the odd report of success using this path.

 

[clifford]

I have a booking in late October from CAI-DOH-KUL and returning Nov from BKK-DOH-CAI both in J class. I called Qatar and was firmly told their policy is either:

1. A full refund of the ticket or
2. Rebooking via an alternate carrier or route only available 72 hours prior to departure.

Obviously I wasn't satisfied with this as I have made plans around my original itinerary which I booked in uh December last year. I was willing to shift my origin and destination to be Amman but no luck in convincing Qatar to do that and save dramas down the track. The service agent and his supervisor wouldn't budge and suggested if I didn't like this to send a response to their feedback email.

Hoping the situation sorts itself soon otherwise it's either cancel or playing the waiting game and seeing what they can offer 72 hours prior.

There is a lot of relevant info on flyertalk that may help:
Qatar Airways - UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace - Page 71 - FlyerTalk Forums

FWIW I have a booking in J coming up in a couple of weeks, which originally terminated in CAI. As I wanted a little more certainty with my arrangements (accommodation, connecting flights, etc), I requested that my destination be changed to Beirut (BEY), and after a couple of phone calls they (a little reluctantly I think) changed my ticket.

Based on my own experience, I would suggest that if you don't get the answer you are looking for the first time, you should hang up and call again. I've found that many phone agents (in the Indian call centre) are quite unhelpful, but there are some who are more willing to assist. It's a bit of a lottery, unfortunately.

 

[SuzieQ68]

There is a lot of relevant info on flyertalk that may help:
Qatar Airways - UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Egypt withdraw licenses and close airspace - Page 71 - FlyerTalk Forums

Appreciate for the link Clifford - very helpful. Flight still a couple of weeks away so will sit tight.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Feedback as promised on our MAD-DOH-DXB flight via QR.

Clifford's link was great to be able to keep an eye on where things were at and what options were being offered by QR. Thank you Clifford!

Outside of the 72 hour window you can cancel (and receive a refund) or possibly change your flight (to another airline). The changing flight part seems to depend on who you speak with. Some people have been offered flights with TK or BA or re-routing legs with KU. We specifically wanted to stay on QR metal as much as possible so these weren't an option for us.

When I called QR one week out we could only change our flight from DOH-DXB to be via Kuwait. Didn't want to re-route via Kuwait so was advised that we would have to wait for the 72 hour window to open up before more airline/route options could be offered. No problem.

At T-72 (well really T-60) I called QR again. Point to note here is that if you have an award ticket you MUST call the Privilege Club to change the booking. The reservation call centre cannot change a miles purchased ticket. Other point to note also is arm yourself with details of options that suit you before you call.

The process was super simple at this point. The fabulous CSA that I spoke with was happy to assist with the changes I specifically wanted. The flights were re-ticketed and emailed to me as we spoke. Brilliant customer service.

We ended up MAD-DOH-MCT (all via QR), MCT-DXB (via WY). Obviously took a little longer to get to DXB, but the absolutely amazing service on the QR flights made it very worthwhile (esp as we were in J). Didn't really care much for WY but as the flight was only 45 minutes not really an issue. Think it was the service more than the airline. Lounge in MCT is nice though.

Anyway, we've made it to Dubai and, although it took a little longer than anticipated, huge kudos to QR for the way they handled everything. Have no doubt it's been a challenging time for them, but their service all round did not disappoint.

 

[yld200]

I have a 280K J booking with a DOH>DXB>DOH flight with QR. A few days ago the status of the DOH>DXB flight changed to 'unable to fly' tonight it's been cancelled. Waiting on a return call from QF now to see where it's at.

Flight is 17th September FWIW.

 

[Scr77]

I have a 280K J booking with a DOH>DXB>DOH flight with QR. A few days ago the status of the DOH>DXB flight changed to 'unable to fly' tonight it's been cancelled. Waiting on a return call from QF now to see where it's at.

Flight is 17th September FWIW.

This will be interesting. Can you pls keep us posted. As the ticket provider, I wonder if Qantas will be helpful or if they will just offer a refund and leave you to find your own way there.

We have J rewards, via QF, from Venice to Singapore. Although, all should be well, I've wondered how helpful QF would be if QR had to cancel one of our flights.

 

[Mattyana2003]

I have a QA FF Qatar flight Athens-Doha-Singapore in September which I now coincidentally need to cancel anyway. I was wondering what anyone's experiences are with cancelling Qatar QA FF bookings without any points penalty because of the current situation? Thanks.