(annoying) visa questions

[Justinf]

I promise I have looked everywhere here (at least I think I have) and also ABSOLUTELY everywhere else, but no choccies.
I have a Finnair booked flight from Helsinki to Doha on AY metal and then a 9-hour layover in Doha before boarding a QR metal flight to Melbourne (comfort business class fare, which offers lounge access).
I’ve tried to see whether I qualify for the free hotel, but it seems not as I’m on an AY-purchased fare.
I arrive Doha at 11.50pm and the Melbourne-bound leg is at 8.30am. Obviously there will be no city tours at that time.
I’d love to leave the airport even though it’s really poor timing being in the dead of night.
I understand the tourist free-visa is only issued if I have a hotel booked in Doha.
I don’t really want to book a hotel when all I want to do is leave the airport for a few hours to look around (maybe a taxi tour or a stroll along the Corniche) and then head back and use the lounge before boarding.
Is the transit visa only bookable once you arrive at Hamad? I do understand this part: “If you do not qualify for visa-free entry, you can apply for a Transit Visa for QAR100 at Discover Qatar Transit Desk at HIA”.
However, the transit visa is only issued if you are flying with QR. Technically I am flying on QR metal, but on an AY booked itinerary.

“Passengers flying with Qatar Airways and transiting for a minimum of 6 hours at Hamad International Airport, who are not eligible for visa-free entry but are interested in a Doha transit tour, can apply for a transit visa at the Discover Qatar Transit Desk located in the airport.”

So do I qualify for the transit visa or am I stuck at Hamad (worse places to be stuck I know)?
Also I am travelling J on the comfort fare and am Velocity Gold. Which lounges can I access and which one is best for a long layover (in case I don't leave the airport after all)?
I’m really sorry for the annoying questions and apologise again if this information is able to be sourced more easily than bothering you good folk on here.
I’m just a little bit confused and am a compulsive planner.

 

[RooFlyer]

comfort fare

You are on AY itinerary, so not sure if that means QR J comfort fare, but if it is, you can access either the Al Mourjan lounges and I'd recommend the new, north lounge, 'Garden' which is huge, with the whole works. Has 24 'quiet rooms'

https://www.qatarairways.com/en-au/lounges/al-mourjan-garden.html

Can't help with the visa thing, sorry, but if you aren't flying QR code, then they'd assume you are just another punter wishing to enter Qatar and you will be up for the visa fee

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’ve done a bit of research on this as we’re doing a similar itinerary early next year, but flying in on Turkish and out in Virgin (operated by qatar).

There IS a company offering midnight tours! They pick you up from the airport and drop you back, taking in a few points of interest along the way. There’s a stop at the Souq Waqif where there are some late night shops and restaurants open, even after midnight. Here’s one link:

I think they also have another tour that takes you out to the dunes after dark for a buggy ride and star gazing.

But they’re not cheap… looking at minimum $250 per person.

Of course you could also just take a taxi to the same place!

Re visa: Visas | Qatar Visa Check

You do not need to be flying Qatar airways for the free visa on arrival (now called e-visa).

 

[Justinf]

You are on AY itinerary, so not sure if that means QR J comfort fare, but if it is, you can access either the Al Mourjan lounges and I'd recommend the new, north lounge, 'Garden' which is huge, with the whole works. Has 24 'quiet rooms'

https://www.qatarairways.com/en-au/lounges/al-mourjan-garden.html

Can't help with the visa thing, sorry, but if you aren't flying QR code, then they'd assume you are just another punter wishing to enter Qatar and you will be up for the visa fee

Thanks heaps.
My itinerary is available on the Finnair, Qatar and Qantas apps (as I have chosen to direct points etc to QF).
I can select a seat on the QR operated flight in the QR app only and not the AY app. It's a class I business class fare.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Reward fares can come with some restrictions, such as no chauffeur cars. But otherwise you should should get the same inclusions as a regular ‘bundled’ (rather than ‘unbundled’) fare. So that includes bags, lounge access, seat selection etc.

BA is the exception, where you need to pay for seat selection on regular fares! (unless you have status or are in F)

 

[Justinf]

I’ve done a bit of research on this as we’re doing a similar itinerary early next year, but flying in on Turkish and out in Virgin (operated by qatar).

There IS a company offering midnight tours! They pick you up from the airport and drop you back, taking in a few points of interest along the way. There’s a stop at the Souq Waqif where there are some late night shops and restaurants open, even after midnight. Here’s one link:

I think they also have another tour that takes you out to the dunes after dark for a buggy ride and star gazing.

But they’re not cheap… looking at minimum $250 per person.

Of course you could also just take a taxi to the same place!

Re visa: Visas | Qatar Visa Check

You do not need to be flying Qatar airways for the free visa on arrival (now called e-visa).

This is brilliant.
Almost AUD$400

 

[jase05]

Have stayed in Doha at least a dozen times and never once been asked if we have hotel booking.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This is brilliant.
Almost AUD$400

A taxi to the souq is apparently USD7-14. We might do that. We have 8 hours from 1am… not sure if we’ll go into town or just hang out at the lounge and use one of the quiet pods or rooms or whatever we can find.

 

[jase05]

A taxi to the souq is apparently USD7-14. We might do that. We have 8 hours from 1am… not sure if we’ll go into town or just hang out at the lounge and use one of the quiet pods or rooms or whatever we can find.

Dependant on time of day it can be as little as $5. You can get a luxury car for under $20 to the Souq dependant on time of day