Is Qantas blocking flight searches through Doha/Qatar?

12 replies

jubbing

American Airlines - AAdvantage

Member since 13 Jul 2015

Total posts 60

Hi Guys,


Came across this issue while looking for reward bookings with Qatar - anytime I try to search 'Doha' on the Qantas website for either Paid or Reward bookings through Doha - the website is unable to even locate the city. Link here - https://imgur.com/a/NtcUa

When I contacted Qantas in twitter - they simply said let them know which routes I want on a DM and they'll check. I didn't hear anything about Qantas blocking Doha flights before - so why is this happening now? (Side note - most other One World city destinations I tried work - with Doha being the exception).

Thoughts?

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

It's because Qantas can't ticket bookings online in Qatari Riyals (QAR), which is the currency that needs to be used when beginning a journey in Qatar. This has unfortunately been the case since Qatar Airways entered Oneworld, and isn't anything new.

Instead, you can call Qantas and they can book itineraries beginning in Qatar over the phone. Any co-payment amounts due will be collected in AUD (the operator will convert the amount owing from QAR to AUD and bill your credit card in AUD), and as these itineraries cannot be booked online due to limitations on Qantas' part, the telephone booking fee is normally waived for this.

mspcooper

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 May 2013

Total posts 457

Try booking a flight to india from australia or reverse. Qantas gives a significant majority of connections via jet airways rather than cathay!

patrickk

Qantas

Member since 19 Apr 2012

Total posts 737

The reason for jet Airways is they have a commercial arrangement including code shares on some sectors. They do not have such an arrangement with CX and I am not sure whose fault it is. In the case of CX to India there is also a bit of a backtrack vis a vis Singapore

josephjohn8484

Member since 17 Jan 2013

Total posts 61

theres a trick to it, just do a multi city or a return - and you can see the availability on flights leaving qatar

mspcooper

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 May 2013

Total posts 457

[QUOTE=2484;43324]

The reason for jet Airways is they have a commercial arrangement including code shares on some sectors. They do not have such an arrangement with CX and I am not sure whose fault it is. In the case of CX to India there is also a bit of a backtrack vis a vis Singapore

[/QUOTE]


Not sure what you mean by back track?
CX is an one world alliance member, surely they have better arrangement with each other compared to what they have with Jet Airways?

NQflyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Jun 2015

Total posts 64

You can look and see what’s available by doing a multi-city search on QF a website, originating from Europe for example. They seem to only have J availability DOH-DPS as the nearest destination to Australia - jetstar from there :-(

west49th

Member since 11 Aug 2017

Total posts 5

I think it has something to do with Qatar Airways rather than Qantas. I use American Airlines AAdvantage and they don't show any Qatar Airlines availability online either, but they do offer the flights if you call the AAdvantage line to check and book. They also waive the usual call centre fee for these flights as it's impossible to book online.

wicks21

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 26 Oct 2013

Total posts 5

A year ago I had no problem booking a Qatar flight Sydney - Larnaca return J/F but I now find very little availability on Qatar to Doha...

Markhk60

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Jan 2018

Total posts 1

I had no problem booking a multi business class with one leg being Adelaide to Doha

kimshep

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 11 Oct 2014

Total posts 412

The reason for jet Airways is they have a commercial arrangement including code shares on some sectors. They do not have such an arrangement with CX and I am not sure whose fault it is. In the case of CX to India there is also a bit of a backtrack vis a vis Singapore. [/end]


"Whose fault it is?"

That can be answered in two relative sentences:

1. The notorious lack of co-operation between CX and (QF .. and most other OW carriers btw) is legendary.

2. The Australian authorities historically have not allowed CX/QF codesharing on HKG/Australia routes and v.v. due to competition concerns ie: OneWorld 'monopoly' route(s).

Remember, VA's entry on the MEL-HKG-MEL route is very recent. Perhaps, as competition increases, the view may change - but I wouldn't hold my breath for a while yet.

Last editedby kimshep at Jan 18, 2018, 01:52 PM.

robdub

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Sep 2017

Total posts 1

Same issue with CMB, sometimes OK if origin is another place going to CMB but if I want to originate in CMB, forget is with Qantass. I need to call them and of course pay their greedy fees, taxes, charges. Recalcitrants.

Frank

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 Sep 2013

Total posts 107

Cant remember the last time I tried a multi-city booking quote when didn't get an error message on the QF site. It is one of the worst going around.

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