A few weeks ago I booked two Qatar Airways business class fares from Vietnam back to the United States. Thanks OneMileAtATime for posting about the fares. At the time no one was exactly sure if the sale was a mistake or not. Some people were saying the fares were mistakes while others said they were legit. I didn’t want to take any changes so I searched and paid for two trips right then and there. In the past I’ve put tickets on hold only to find them canceled days later. This time I didn’t want to take any chances. Sure enough some people’s held tickets were canceled, but later reinstated. Both of my tickets however held up and I’m not just over a month from my first trip to Vietnam, Doha, and New York, all in less than a week….
I’m excited, but still need to figure out a few details. One of those details is where I’m going to stay in Doha during my 19 hour layover. Qatar Airways offers a free transit hotel for long layovers, but apparently I’m ineligible for the benefit.
Booking The Perfect Qatar Airways Flights
On the night of the sale it was nearly impossible to actually book a full trip. By the time you selected your flights and moved to the payment page the flights were gone. Then moments later, the flights were once again available. Trying to piece together the perfect itinerary seemed impossible. After a lot of trial and error I ended up with the perfect flights.
First, I’d fly from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to New York (JFK) via Doha (DOH) and back. The SGN to DOH portion of the trip I’d fly on the A330 and the DOH to JFK portions of the trip I’d fly on the A350 aircraft. I’ve yet to fly on the Qatar A350, but many say it’s one of the best business class products in the world. Although I’d get to fly the A350 to and from New York, I’d have to endure a 19 hour layover in Doha. A small price to pay for 26 hours of A350 business class.
Note: I also booked a second trip back to Chicago as my return flight. That trip was much easier to book and features short layovers in Doha in both directions. Unfortunately that trip also is on the A330 and Boeing 777. Both of those planes feature Qatar’s 2-2-2 business class product. Since I’m already flying the 777 on that itinerary I’d like to stick to my original plan to/from NYC on the A350.
19 Hour Layover In Doha
For my trip to and from New York I wasn’t thrilled about the long layover in Doha. Although the layover is long, I’ll at least have access to the Al Mourjan business class lounge. Additionally, Doha airport features a fitness center, complete with a lap pool. I understand 19 hours is a long time to spend in an airport, but it seems Doha might just be the best place to do it in the world.
However, just a few days ago Qatar Airways announced the extension of their free transit hotel program through the end of 2017. The program offers international travelers with long layovers in Doha a free hotel night in Doha. Business and First class travelers have access to top-tier hotel brands while economy travelers only have access to other properties. Since my trip featured a 19 hour layover in Doha I expected to be eligible for the free transit hotel. Sadly, when I reached out to Qatar on Twitter they informed me that my itinerary is ineligible for the transit hotel benefit.
Per Qatar, the transit hotel benefit is only available to passengers with long layovers if no shorter layover exists. That last part is the most important part of my situation. Apparently, I booked a JFK to DOH itinerary with a 19 hour layover in DOH, but there is another option with only an 9 hour layover in Doha. Since the shorter layover option exists, I’m ineligible for the free transit hotel option. Obviously this isn’t great news for my pocketbook, but I’m not sure it’s worth changing my itinerary to the shorter layover.
How Should I Proceed?
Here’s the issue. Qatar Airways offered for me to switch my return flight to Doha to a later flight. The later flight features a shorter connection in Doha, but Qatar operates that flight with a Boeing 777. The 777 offers an inferior business class product to the A350 and I’m not sure I want to spend 12.5 hours in a worse seat. Also, I’ve wanted to visit Doha for a while now. I realize I can’t see the whole city in just 19 hours, but at least I’ll actually have time to leave the airport and see what Doha has to offer.
Although I’m ineligible for the free transit hotel, Qatar Airways also offers a free 96 hour transit visa to all passengers. Using the transit visa I could still explore Doha during my 19 hour layover. Also, hotels in Doha aren’t all that expensive to begin with. In fact, I can book the Ritz Carlton Doha for just $145 a night. If I book through Amex Travel the hotel is a little more expensive, but I’ll receive a $100 property credit from Amex and 5X Membership Rewards points.
Instead of changing my flights I think I’m going to stick to my original plan. The only odd part of the plan is that I arrive in Doha at 7AM and depart at 2AM the following day (technically). I’m not exactly sure what checking in/out of a hotel will be like. I’m not sure what time the hotel will allow me to check in or check out. I’d like to use the hotel to store my bag during the day and freshen up at night before my flight. I guess I need to email a few hotels to see what options I have.
Final Thoughts
The past few days have been filled with mixed emotions. First I learned Qatar Airways extended the free transit hotel benefit, then I found out I am ineligible. I’m surprised Qatar Airways offered to change my return flight for free. Still, I’m not sure that I’ll take the offer. I already planned on spending the day in Doha and I don’t wan to miss out on the opportunity.
Luckily, hotels in Doha aren’t all that expensive. In fact, I can currently book the Ritz-Carlton Doha for just $145 a night. If I book through the Fine Hotel & Resorts program the price goes up, but I also receive a $100 property credit. At the moment I plan to stick to my original plan. I’m going to retain my 19 hour layover and still book a hotel on my own.
Featured Image Courtesy of Good Free Photos
