Qatar Airlines flight refund/rebook - anyone else stuck abroad? Thread for shared experience/tips

[SkiTurtle]

We're currently in Phuket and we have flights booked with Qatar airlines on 7th March via Doha. Obviously the flights won't be going ahead but Qatar haven't cancelled as yet, they are only offering rebook or refund. We are not taking either option yet. From what I've read online, Qatar are not being very helpful and people are struggling to contact them.

Is anyone else in a similar situation?

We're thinking of booking flights to Bangkok (it's coming up quite cheap) and assessing our options from there. It will also be cheaper accommodation there if we're stuck out here for a period of time.

I've seen another thread on here but the OP has booked with BA so it's a slightly different situation. There's a couple of websites mentiobed on there so I'll look at those.

Any help or tips would be appreciated.

Several years ago, we were due to fly through Doha, and the border between KSA (where we lived) and Qatar was shut.
Qatar were brilliant - when we eventually got through. But all we needed was a refund - DH was simultaneously on the phone to Emirates to get us new tickets!

Are you sure the flight won't go ahead? They are releasing a statement on the 6th.

Id say you have 2 choices - hold firm, and wait for Qatar to reroute you, or take the refund and book new flights. Can you afford the current flights from Bangkok with a different airline before a refund arrives?

I'm only presuming the flights won't go ahead as I can't see anything changing so soon.

We're lucky in that we do have savings so we can afford to pay for alternative flights.

.... although alternative flights seem to be hard to come by. We've quickly had a look but will look more in depth later.

We are going with Emirates via Dubai to Sri Lanka but not yet left so different situation but monitoring it closely.

I would also expect your flight to be cancelled though its very fast moving - Emirates today cancelled there's until end of 7th. I am not sure what the position is as if you fly on a non-EU airline the flight back isn't covered by must reroute or refund protection. The flight out is and if they cancel before leaving whole thing is refunded. If they don't cancel its cancellation charges (around £1k for us).

The Flyertalk forum seems to be the best one and go on your airline though Emirates one may also be worth a read if you can get access easily. Its up to Qatar/Emirates what they offer and what they charge / refund for flight back. Emirates are saying for cancelled flights its a full refund on both ways now. All flights up until 12th are now covered. I've seen people night before being offered alternative flights though sometimes these are cancelled. These are flights out though. I am not sure of situation re flights back. Missile has just been intercepted by Turkey so be very careful.

Thank you - I'll check out Flyertalk.

DH is now looking at flights going east. It may take longer to get home but it should be a safer route.

I wouldn’t cancel your flights with them , if you cancel they have no need to look after you and will wash their hands . I’d keep your tickets and wait for them to cancel . Buy separate tickets to get you out of there if you can afford to . I was cancelled by Qatar on the runway Saturday to Doha and went to BA for a refund as I booked through them . Refund from BA was seamless . Advised of cancellation. refund issued in full and in my back 2 days later .

We have no intention of cancelling with Qatar, we'll see what thier next contact is, although I'm not holding my breath.