Flight delay where do I stand

budgetflyer

Virgin are well paired. My only experience with Qatar was certainly not 5 star. Both in the air and on the ground , I felt they were miles behind BA or Emirates. + the airport is poor too.

However, this is going to ruin your holiday unless YOU do something positive.
So just book a hotel. From as little as about £30 for a dbl room, you can have an overnight stay in DOHA.
No stress

http://www.hotelscombined.com/City/Doha.htm

pufling

@kochi1 yes there prob are other airlines but I booked it as part of a package with virgin so I didn't get a choice.

Yes I could book a hotel but if I am honest the thought petrifiys me, surely you can't just walk out of the airport mid flight & then walk back in & isn't Doha airport in the middle of no where?

What shocks me most is I thought that if you book with a tour operator a package holiday that's your safety net if things don't go to plan.

Tojo_Ralph

pufling wrote: »

Yes I could book a hotel but if I am honest the thought petrifiys me, surely you can't just walk out of the airport mid flight & then walk back in & isn't Doha airport in the middle of no where?

What I think you now need is a plan D that you can use if all else fails and that would appear to be the Oryx lounge. So I would suggest you do some research, confirm 24 Hr opening, length of stay restrictions, etc.

http://www.dohaairport.com/en/shopping_dining_facilities/airport_facilities_services/airport_lounges/airport_lounges.html?

Oryx Lounge
Here's your chance to escape the crowds and work or relax, whichever airline you're flying with. The Oryx Lounge at Doha International Airport caters to airline’s First and Business Class passengers or can also be booked for a nominal fee of QAR 140 (USD 39) per person when travelling in Economy. You will enjoy your own quiet haven of tranquility, complete with complimentary drinks (including alcoholic), snacks, newspapers and magazines. The premium lounge also offers a business centre with several computer stations and Wi-Fi, a nursery room, shower facilities, a smoking area and a cloak room. The lounge is conveniently located opposite the Costa Coffee on the first floor in the transit area. For more information please contact: +974 4465 6658. Email: almahaservice@qatarairways.com.qa

Some info here ..........

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g294009-i3512-k1068981-Oryx_Lounge_how_to_pre_book-Doha.html

claire16c

pufling wrote: »

To quote, just in case I picked it up wrong

As a Tour Operator we don't have a contract with any Doha Airport hotels and so are unable to book this for you. Due to Health and Safety restrictions we are not able to book a hotel for you that hasn't been audited by our H&S team.

.

What a load of rubbish. Yet another reason never to book with Virgin when I hear them saying stuff like that.

budgetflyer

claire16c wrote: »

What a load of rubbish. Yet another reason never to book with Virgin when I hear them saying stuff like that.

Im not sure about the H&S bit though.That could well be a legitimate policy.
Thomas Cook employees were charged with manslaughter (or similar) after the Carbon Monoxide deaths at a Corfu complex a few years back.

One certainty is - Virgin and Qatar will not do anything.

pufling

Thanks everyone,

Yes I have been planning in the background.....

Plan a - virgin do the right thing ( not holding my breath, but I can at least get £80 off them - it was ZERO at the start of all this so I have gained there. Also we're actually traveling with friends who have a teenage grandchild, thinking they won't leave them sat, mind they have still not been told of the flight change)
Plan b - Qatar to do the right thing, initially they said I couldn't book the hotel thing with them I had to go through my tour operator, I explained virgin said that wasn't possible & they opened up a bit - again not holding my breath. Even if I had to pay, I never refused to pay for this in the first place just wanted virgin to sort it.
Plan c & d - hotel myself not via Qatar or lounge - emailed the people about this on tuesday, still waiting
Plan e - take my pillow lol

See what next week brings, I have 6 weeks to keep trying a lot can happen between now & then.