Booking Business class with Qatar or third party adverts

[stu961]

I did the IB codeshare DOH-MAD 2 yrs ago. Yes, it was cheapest but not the same level as QR but satisfactory given the savings.

We had MAD-DOH booked on the IB codeshare but it was impossible to select seats. So not a bad outcome cancelling that one. Based on that experience, I’d be inclined to avoid QR marketed codeshare flights TBH.

Iberia has as many "quirks" back end as Qatar!!... and selecting a seat is one of them when a code share... have more than once walked up to the desk at the Iberia Madrid lounge and asked if I can select a seat for an upcoming codeshare flight in say 1 week time... no can do!! same for codeshare flights with BA, their systems are "Interesting".. .. but because we are flying the Spain-UK route often and we have our status with QR it's a case of shrug shoulders and smile...

 

[stu961]

I guess so; and they've also taken CAI off the list of being regional 'First' Class.



Still? I'm surprised. I'm booked on them in November and haven't contemplated booking a fall-back this time. Time will tell!



It may have been a seasonal thing re Madrid. But after 2 bad experiences with them, I have a 'thing' about IB so I avoid them. I could have flown from Malaga to Barcelona on IB in my forthcoming trip with an Avios Award, but chose the train instead, even though it will take most of the day. I've done Cordoba to Barcelona before and its quite a pleasant trip in first 'Confort' class once you got through the crowded stations.

If we have time we do Madrid to Valencia or visa versa on the train... baggage is our bad experiences with IB but after the first couple times you learn the IB way!! file under "interesting"

 

[SYD]

Still? I'm surprised. I'm booked on them in November and haven't contemplated booking a fall-back this time. Time will tell!

It’s the risk of a “Do not travel” warning coming back on.

It may have been a seasonal thing re Madrid. But after 2 bad experiences with them, I have a 'thing' about IB so I avoid them.

I’ve no issue with IB. Just avoid codeshares now. It’s got worse with airlines locking down their MMBs.

I called IB months out, the guy even sent me an email with a seat allocation but they never stuck. You used to be able to just open the IB PNR in the IB app/website and select seats. Not anymore….