VA/QR Booking Question

[MJL19]

Hi All,

Just looking to book flights from Europe to BNE in July. There’s no reward seats left the whole way on the date I want, so I’m looking to pay for one of the legs and use points for the other.

On the Qatar website DOH-BNE in July is $2200 per person, but if I book AUH-BNE also with QR and a change in DOH, it only costs $1300. It’s a few hours longer but so much cheaper - $2000 for two of us.

If I get a Velocity reward seat from Europe to AUH with QR and purchase the flight above the flight would be:

Europe > DOH > AUH - AUH > DOH > BNE

Is there a chance Qatar would change my booking when I check-in so I wouldn’t have to do the DOH > AUH - AUH > DOH leg and stay in the airport in Doha?

If I do have to, would my luggage go all the way through to the return flight, or would I need to collect luggage and check-in again in AUH?

Also, are we able to pay cash for the VA flights from DOH to BNE or can we only get them on points?

Thanks

 

[Hvr]

As soon as you miss a flight in your booking the rest of the booking will be cancelled.

So, no you can't wait in the airport.

 

[MJL19]

Hi Hvr, thanks for the reply. I wouldn’t miss the flights. I was thinking more along the lines that as they are all operated by Qatar, they’d be able to change around my booking when I go to check in.

 

[AIRwin]

Is there a chance Qatar would change my booking when I check-in so I wouldn’t have to do the DOH > AUH - AUH > DOH leg and stay in the airport in Doha?

If the changes are made within 3 hours prior to departure time, the no show fee will be applicable.

https://www.qatarairways.com/en-ae/help/faq.html

 

[antycbr]

Id think this would be exceptionally unlikely as it would require the check in agent in the European port to effectively reticket two separate itineraries and check in agents priority is to get you on your way as ticketed.

If there is irrops or similar such as weather or flight cancellations then maybe but I doubt it.

 

[ben95]

all operated by Qatar, they’d be able to change around my booking when I go to check in.

0 chance for that to happen. Be prepared to do your own transfer at AUH (grab luggage, head back upstairs to check-in and be responsible for any missed connection).

What you are tying to do is sort of like skiplagging and airlines very much frown upon it because it messes with their revenue control.
You’d most likely need to do your own transfer at AUH as well as I doubt the QR out station agent in Europe would be willing to manually tag through this kind of trip for you. To be safe use some of the savings to spend a night relaxing at an AUH hotel before the second leg.

 

[antycbr]

0 chance for that to happen. Be prepared to do your own transfer at AUH (grab luggage, head back upstairs to check-in and be responsible for any missed connection).

What you are tying to do is sort of like skiplagging and airlines very much frown upon it because it messes with their revenue control.
You’d most likely need to do your own transfer at AUH as well as I doubt the QR out station agent in Europe would be willing to manually tag through this kind of trip for you. To be safe use some of the savings to spend a night relaxing at an AUH hotel before the second leg.

The bag tag would also be quite confusing for the ramp and systems in DOH which is another reason why the almost definitely outsourced staff in your point of origin won’t do it:

xx_-DOH-AUH-DOH-BNE

 

[odysseus]

Agree with the other comments that what you asked about will not be offered. Staff don't know your purpose e.g. you may be meeting (or travelling with) someone to travel to Abu Dhabi, so can't/won't assume that you don't need to make that flight (aside from tickets not being linked as it appears). And won't change on request as that then falls under ticket change requests.

You also asked a question about booking the VA flight. It's not possible to book that VA flight itself originating outside Australia. The closest is you can book the same flight as Qatar's code share, which can be done through Qatar. However, note that is the QR flight number, not the VA number.