Got the news this morning which is totally stuffing my upcoming trip
Qatar Airways have decided to reschedule their 19 40 flights from BKK - Doha and it now departs at 20 50. That in itself isn't so bad, but I and my party of 5 have been placed on the 08 35 same day flight
I have spent over 1.5hrs on the phone to Expedia, and Qatar Airways telling them that the 08 35 is no use to me, as my Air Asia connection from Phuket lands at 14 20 that afternoon.
I will lose that flight, and the money, have to buy 6 more tickets from HKT to BKK a day earlier, lose one day of my trip, and pay for 6 to stay in a BKK hotel so we can check in early enough for the 08 35 flight
I also have to rearrange my pick-up from LHR from 17/4 back to 16/4 and don't even know if they are available (its already booked and paid for)
Expedia were very good, its not their fault, and they have tried every avenue to get me home but the problem is seats from Doha to London. Qatar, and nearly every other airline is fully booked apart from stupid detours over Moscow and Paris
Cheapest flight is now over £1k return per person economy
Qatar on the other hand are severely lacking in customer relations. When I explained the situation, and asked why I have been placed on an earlier flight, their response was to take it up with Expedia
Apparently there are only 4 seats available on the connecting flight Doha - London and I need 6. Naturally I asked about an upgrade for 2 but that fell on deaf ears.
All the possible solutions have been tried, and Qatars response was to get Expedia to put us on the wait list for the 20 50 flight. Not good enough, and I am going to give Qatar some severe grief when I check in. I can see the duty manager being severely harrassed as I am determined to get on that later flight.
Expedia have told me to keep every receipt for extra expenses, and they will claim this from Qatar, and thats good. But it doesn't help with the immediate problem. Claiming on travel insurance is a nono as I already know about the change before I leave. I am a very annoyed customer of Qatar today!