Experience with Qatar repatriation

Purplebogmonster

Hi,

I’m currently in Vietnam having flown out with my wife just before the current Middle East situation kicked off. We are supposed to fly back with Qatar Airways on the 1st April. I believe all Qatar scheduled flights are cancelled until 28th March and given what I read in the news it looks like Middle East airspace could be impacted for some time. Qatar have repatriated some people from Doha and apparently very limited point to point flights from places like Hanoi direct to Paris. How have people found support to help get home from South East Asia via Qatar? I have quite a severe anxiety disorder and I’m getting quite uptight about the current situation. Looking at other airlines but very limited options and very expensive. I had to give up work early due to poor mental health so really trying to manage expenditure. There is very little information out there. Our trip was independent and whilst we have travel insurance, cover is limited in this scenario. Would be good to understand other’s experiences…

MyRealNameToo

Have you actually spoken to your insurers? Unfortunately there likely is less cover than for those wanting to cancel a trip that was going to be going through the Middle East but havent actually left yet but it's always worth a conversation.

With a highly volatile situation it's something you are likely going to have to assess closer to the time.

Bicycleman22

Qatar flew Thailand to Manchester direct this week two times. Once with A380 from Bankok and another direct from Phuket……I guess they are flying to and from elsewhere as well.

Caz3121

those I know with returning flights with Qatar in the last week requested refunds and booked alternatives elsewhere. Their other option would have been to wait for flights resuming at an unknown date at their own expense

Unlike EU/UK carriers, there is no regulations requiring non-EU airlines to provide duty of care or reroute unless the affected flight is departing the EU/UK.

mebu60

There's still more than two weeks before your scheduled flight, I imagine Qatar Airways will not be making any definite decisions until nearer the time as a lot can change. Have you spoken with them about current / likely options?

Purplebogmonster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81925379#Comment_81925379

I’ve booked through an agent, gotogate, and they have so far ignored my email which isn’t promising. Other flight options are in the 4 to 5k mark for both of us so not great. We could stay out for another couple of weeks but unsure if that will improve things much…

Purplebogmonster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81925367#Comment_81925367

In theory we can hold out to end of April. By that time our visa wavier will expire and my wife will be out of medication. Vietnam is cheap but it isn’t a great situation. Ideally don’t want to spend weeks camped next to the airport waiting for a flight. Guessing our flight with Qatar will be eligible for a refund in the next few days. Need to find best reliable alternate options. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul or Air France direct to Paris, both speedy. Very little on Singapore airlines available. Emirates have plenty of flights and are running at 60% of schedule but a risky option I think. What a mess.

Grumpy_chap

Have you contacted your travel insurer?

They may offer a solution that works if there is potential that they could be on the hook for some costs. From the insurer's perspective, it may be more favourable to pro-actively put some alternative forward so they have known costs exposure than what could be a prolonged stay in Vietnam, or extended interchange duration in Doha.

You say you have insurance but "cover is limited in this scenario". What is the scenario for which cover is limited? There is likely an "act of war" exclusion but that may not have been invoked, given that war is not affecting where you actually are.

Purplebogmonster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81925543#Comment_81925543

I have emailed them once and they have said cover for medical will extend at no fee, but did not mention about any other costs incurred. My take on it is that they will not cover any additional costs or help with repatriation but I think it makes sense to explicitly ask the question.

silvercar

Have you looked at flights with Malaysia airways or China Airlines? Not sure where Vietnam Airlines fly to, but that another option.

Given the circumstances, how difficult would it be to get your visa extended? For medicines, contact your insurers, they should know where to get medicines from. There are international pharmacies around who could probably help. There is no such thing as prescriptions in Vietnam, as they don’t have GPs as we know them, so the pharmacy may be able to sell you the medicines direct. It will be a lot cheaper than it would be at home. At least accommodation is cheap.

Purplebogmonster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81926165#Comment_81926165

As it is a visa wavier I think people who overstay try and get a letter from British Consulate and plead with immigration on exit. Alternatively exit and re-enter the country to get a reset - easy from HCMC, a pain from Hanoi. On medication, it’s Thyroxine, not especially rare but also not everyday. I have looked at China Air. I was put off because I think I read many of their flights were also heavily disrupted due to the airspace they used, not sure how accurate that is. Vietnam Airlines don’t appear to have many suitable routes, often terminating in Middle East for destinations onward to Europe. If I need to rebook, taking a punt on Emirates looks the best bet. Sure, might still be some disruption but currently a large proportion of their flights are getting through - unlike Qatar Airways…GoToGate, the agent I booked with refused to to answer emails ☹️