It’s hard to live in Qatar and not bemoan the high cost of airfares out of Doha. Faced with a long drive and an often lengthy border crossing into Saudi Arabia, aviation is usually the travel mode of choice, even for the shortest journey out of the country.
However, finding the right ticket at the right price can be difficult. To this end, frequent flier Mohammed Al-Jufairi, a Qatari who works in the energy industry, offers these tips to navigate the oft-confusing, expensive process.
Plan in advance
It’s a cliche, but very true – the first tip is to plan your travel well in advance, and to try to avoid busy times if you can. Certain seasons (like Eid, Christmas, Easter, New Year, and Spring Break) are very popular – so tickets are more expensive.
Never underestimate the benefit of booking in advance. Many times, I’ve heard friends and family complain that they tried to book a business class seat to London for a huge sum of money – but their flight was only two days away! Flights to high-end premium destinations (such as Europe, North America, Australia and Japan) will go up considerably if you do not take advantage of early bookings.
But if you are not sure when to travel – let’s say you know that it’s going to be sometime at the end of August, but it depends – what do you do? I suggest that you buy the ticket and keep it. At least you will secure your seat. If you do cancel or change your ticket, however, just be aware of the cost of doing so. But in my experience, this usually isn’t more than QR100.
Also, make sure you’ve checked the fare rules if you decide to extend your stay at a destination. During peak times, you will often have to pay a lot of extra cash to postpone your travel just for a couple of days.
Take advantage of offers – quickly
In the past, Qatar Airways has been has been criticized by both nationals and expats for ticket prices that are “too high.” Personally, I think these people are wrong.
I’ve noticed that ticket prices have generally been lower out of Doha this year than in the previous years. And every now and then, the airline sends out emails offering good discounts to certain destinations.
Do not ignore these emails. Book! Be aware that Qatar Airways carries more than 23 million passengers per year, so the good prices will disappear quickly as more people around the globe hurry to buy their seats. So, as soon as you get that email, open your browser and book. Make sure, though, that you check the cancellation/change policies, as certain offers are limited to a certain travel window, or restrict the return date.
Of course, other airlines have offers as well—but I haven’t seen too many tempting ones from the other big Gulf carriers, Etihad or Emirates, recently.
Transit is always cheaper
Another complaint I hear a lot is from people questioning why Qatar Airways charges way more for a direct flight from Doha to a particular destination, compared to a flight with another Gulf carrier that would require making a transit stop.
The national carrier does this because this is the aviation industry’s business model, which revolves largely around transfer passengers. This is why Qatar Airways charges a higher fee for the luxury of going direct, without the hassle of a busy transfer. A Qatar Airways flight to London from Dubai via Doha is always cheaper than direct flight from Doha to London. Get over it!
However, it’s worth noting that Emirates and Etihad are not always cheaper than Qatar Airways’ direct flights. Both airlines are part of the Middle East “Big Three” and their fares tend to vary, and with QR’s offers, you might get a cheaper direct fare than Emirates or Etihad, so don’t always assume, and do your research wisely.
Make Doha your stopover
At first I was reluctant to share this tip, but people do deserve a decent price on the world’s best airline!
The trick is: Buy a one-way ticket to Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, or Bahrain, and then purchase another Qatar Airways ticket online from that destination to any Qatar Airways destination, via Doha—and you will notice fares drop by up to 60 percent versus going direct.
Of course, going from Doha to Dubai and back to Doha and then onwards can be tiring, but Bahrain is only 15 minutes away, while Dubai and Abu Dhabi are less than 50 minutes each.
Here’s an example of how this works. A Doha – Dubai – Kuala Lumpur ticket on Emirates is usually more expensive than a Dubai-Doha-Kuala Lumpur on Qatar Airways. So take advantage, and fly from Doha.
Take advantage of the oneworld alliance
As you probably know, Qatar Airways recently became part of oneworld, an alliance of several airlines spread around the world. Flying in any of the member airlines will earn you miles and points in Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club.
If you’re going to the US, British Airways and American Airlines offer excellent prices and their prices are much lower than direct Qatar Airways fares. Plus, American Airlines has an excellent business class product on its Boeing 777-300 aircraft, if you are looking to travel in premium class.
Usually it’s best to go to BA and AA agents in Qatar in person rather than booking online, as I’ve found that old fashioned travel agents often offer a better price for American destinations, where it can really complicated if you want to make a stopover in London or elsewhere.
Beware of hidden charges
Even though you may find a really cheap ticket on FlyDubai or Air Arabia, be aware that the terms and conditions and extra charges can make it more expensive and far less convenient than you’d hoped.
First of all, FlyDubai charges extra for checked-in baggage, food and water, online seat allocation (which is a must if you’re traveling with family members) and other items you are probably not aware of. This may turn your low-cost ticket into one that rivals the price of a flight with a traditional carrier.
And, if you’re flying on a no-frills carrier, and your flight is delayed or cancelled due to weather, they’re unlikely to accommodate you in a hotel or on another flight. All you may get is the refund of the ticket price. Also, bear in mind that FlyDubai and Air Arabia usually have smaller seats than national carriers, and operate from busy, crowded terminals.
Choose your aircraft wisely
Most people do not know the difference between an “Airbus” and a “Boeing” and instead refer to planes as “the big one” or “the small one.” Planes have names and feelings too, so learn about them! This can bring big benefits.
For example, Qatar Airways flies its Boeing 777s to many destinations around the world. Its economy class on the 777 is considered the biggest in its class. It fits only 9 seats per row, compared to 10 on Emirates or Etihad, which means you get to sit in a (relatively) wide seat.
Meanwhile, seats in Business Class in Qatar Airways are also superior to other airlines in the region. Emirates flies 777s with 7 seats in a row, while Qatar Airways flies them with only 6, plus extra legroom. In my opinion, when you have this information, choosing the airline becomes a no-brainer.
Use travel search engines
I use Kayak or Travelocity to book seats, simply because they search many different options for me. Instead of opening Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways, and Turkish websites and searching for flights which is very time consuming, these websites do that for me in one click.
After taking note of the cheapest fare, I opt to book via the airline’s website—not the travel agent website. I never book from these online travel sites simply because I have personally encountered resistance from the carriers to alter a booking, since I have not booked directly with them.
And finally – flying to Dubai?
If you are planning a trip to Dubai (who isn’t), here are some specific tips.
Tickets can be cheap in economy – you can get them for QR700 if you book well in advance. The busiest times (and therefore the times to avoid if you can) are Thursdays after-work (between 2 to 6pm) and flights on Saturdays ((between 8pm to midnight).
Emirates tends to offer the best chance of finding a decently-priced ticket on return flights to Dubai. Qatar Airways tends to fly smaller planes to Dubai, so seats sell out fast, and prices inflate quickly.
And remember, Dubai has three airports within a close vicinity that Qatar Airways flies to (Dubai International, Al Maktoum Airport, and Sharjah Airport). Sharjah has the cheapest deals, and is less expensive than Dubai, or try Al Maktoum – it’s only a half an hour taxi ride away from anywhere in Dubai.
Are you a frequent flier? Do you have any tips you’d like to share?
Guys, I cannot BELIEVE you ended this article without – thoughts?
I’m afraid I do not agree Qatar Airways prices are less this year. In fact since they joined the one world alliance their fares have clearly increased. I fly with Qatar Airways 3 times a year and I am paying 25% to 30 % more this year than last.
in fact, the same for me, then I realized why: we have to pay for the new airport!
As far as flying to Dubai is concerned United often has great fares and I’ve never seen them over $200 round trip. They are often the cheapest option and are even cheaper than flydubai by a few dollars. They fly a 777 on the route and because most of the passenger are just flying the IAD to DXB leg the plane is usually empty between DOH and DXB with maybe 10 to 20 percent of seats filled. The only real downside is the departure time. It departs Doha at either 7pm or 8:15pm depending on the day so you get into Dubai later in the evening.
Here’s another important tip: Always browse airline websites using “private/incognito mode”. Airlines use cookies to rush you into buying tickets. Read this http://www.theguardian.com/money/blog/2010/aug/07/computer-cookies-booking-online
My tip is use skytracker, expedia etc. Also flying to Melbourne Australia I pay around 800AUD with Emirates/Qantas return via Dubai, to fly return from Doha to Melbourne withe Qatar Air I have to pay about 2600 AUD. The Dubai Australia with Qantas is on the double decker super dopper plane, whatever its called :-). Its pays to look around.
This just looks like a ‘Qatar Airways is better than everybody else’ article.
so better that have a look here how they save money but make us pay a lot!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9A6Ya_Dxyg
Qatar Airways employs 20,000 workers based in Doha. More than 90% are
migrant workers with temporary work visas. The visas are directly linked
to their jobs and labour contracts with Qatar Airways. The ITF explains
why it is taking action to shame Qatar Airways..
Disney has visas directly linked to their jobs. the employees at EPCOT Center are brought over, worked for 2 years and sent home. (Unless they can transfer to another area in Disney or be lucky enough to get a new work visa)
I haven’t found QA prices to be higher. They seem about the same as previous years. My biggest tip is to book early. My multi-leg flight to the U.S in June, cost $1,200 in November. In January it was $1,600 and now almost $1,750. QA has a wonderful low fee to change dates. 100qr is nothing to be able to change dates.
Qatar airways flights are def higher to South Africa and UK.
you’re right, transit in Doha for people traveling from Europe is cheap….in fact, it is us the ones living in Doha who make up for the cheap tickets they pay, we pay for what they don’t!!! We don’t have many choices.
Qatar airways the airlines boycotted by Qataris!
Qatar Airways always cheap service and high prices: chose Ethiad, Emirates or Lufthansa. Much much better!
Obviously you’d pay higher because you’re in Doha. Just like people in Abu Dhabi paying more for Etihad and people in Dubai paying higher for Emirates. The simple fact is in this region transit trips make about 90% of an airline’s revenue. So a transit customer is more valuable to an airline than a local one.
It is very logical, I get it.
But most of the time this increase in prices is not really justified. It is a monopoly, it is not a free market….we all know that.
Still cheap service, stinky planes, bad food. Not worth the 5-stars and you pay for the ticket with paid in-flight commercials interrupting your entertainment that it is not 5 stars for sure. I avoid QA when possible.
This is all kind of common sense stuff that’s been told and retold forever.
In terms of total service and experience Qatar Airways is the worst out of the ‘Big 3’. You cannot beat Emirates service and flying experience . Dubai is great for transit and everything from the ground crew to inflight entertainment and catering are better than QR .
For all it’s 5 star promises and multi million dollar advertising campaign the airline is overpriced and poorly run , this is plain to see with poorly trained and demotivated cabin crew and staff .
People fly QR because there’s direct routes , nothing more , nothing less .
Maybe if you fly biz/first class but for people in steerage it’s no better than anyone.
I fly Emirates to San Francisco twice a year in business. The seats are idiotic for such a long haul (180 degrees at slant, like the old QR planes to Europe) and the service is lousy. I rarely get my choice of meal, and if I try to order at a time different from their usual service times you can forget about getting served. It compares badly to QR’s service on US flights of anytime service.
I have to say though their first class service is much better especially on the A380s to NY.
One other things, I have found that they also have the most flirtatious crew from the big three.
Ettihad has been consistent not wow, but I’d fly it anytime over Emirates had they had more convenient connections.
I am a gold member on Emirates and platinum on QR, I’d fly QR any day over Emirates, only reason I use them is to avoid the hassle of connecting in the US on the way to the west coast.
I actually don’t believe you don’t get your choice of meal as premium class flyer with Emirates , your numbers don’t stack up , you say you fly twice a year in business and rarely get your choice of meal , if there’s one place you will get a choice it’s as a premium paying customer, please tell us the outcome of the complaint with customer service , i’d be interested to hear it ?
Ive been a gold member for Emirates for over 10 years and a gold member of Qatar Airways for 4 , i do an awful lot of flying and from my experience on like for like Qatar Airways is way behind . Like most things in Qatar , it promises a lot but only delivers an average product / service at best. Remember , this is an airline that has access to an infinite line of credit and doesnt have to worry about making a profit , that initself shines through in it’s service and product.
Qatar Airways could be without a doubt one of the best airlines in the world but it’s not , you really have to ask yourself why and maybe start at the top.
I flew back home to SF and NY via Emirates in the last year and I have to say, for economy seats, service was pretty good. Actually, one of the best I’ve had on a long haul flight compared to KLM and Lufthansa.
I know a lot of people who do transfers. But honestly it is a hassle to board a airplane, then get off just to get on another one. Too much of a headache. I rather pay the extra loot.
I’ve been flying with Qatar airways for 10 years now. I honestly don’t see where all the bashing comes from. I’ve been on far worst airlines. Try flying a US carrier.
It’s worth it to me 2600 aud compared to 800 aud and I get better service from Qantas then Qatar by a mile.
I guess if you can afford it, but if you have a large family then the extra cost per ticket quickly adds up… And of course there are many airlines worse than Qatar airways, but it’s all relative, when you’re expensive and advertise yourself as 5 star, people’s expectations will be high
This is woefully one-sided and missing some key points. For example, the author correctly states that the aircraft matters…why? Yes, on the B777 you get great seats, and lie flat beds. But as soon as you get onto the airbus, the configurations are so varied you have no idea what you’ll get! Want to fly Business Class in an A-320? I hope you like the guy in front because he’ll be reclined on your knees! Wanna lie flat in an airbus – choose first class on an A-330, where there is a metal bar across your back in the seats (so old, the foam in the seat has worn thin), and the TV screen 8 feet from your face is smaller than my iPad. Or take one of the A330 aircraft that have the brand new lie-flat Business class configuration. I must say, it’s almost as good as the B777….but they are only changing around 8 aircraft over, so guess what? You MIGHT get this one, or you might get the one with the Business class seats that give you a bad back and are so badly angled that they make you slide slowly towards the floor!
Qatar Airways crew, in my experience, are the best. The food onboard is good. But the product offered to passengers is so variable that it’s impossible to know if your ticket price is worth it until it’s too late to do anything about it.
Qatar Airways have a long way to go to play catch-up with the other airlines in the region, if they want to keep their 5-star, “we’re the best’ attitude.
If you fly one way to Dubai and then catch Qatar Airways to fly via Doha it is 60% cheaper but then on the return are you allowed to disembark in Doha or you will have to get off Dubai and return to Doha on one way again?
Good question….hopefully someone knows..
I’ve done it. With hand baggage only. On arriving in Doha on the return trip, instead of following the signs to Transit, I entered Qatar through immigration. Went to the Qatar Airways desk, said I would not be able to get the onward flight to Dubai, and went home! Saved QR 900.
This article is so heavily weighed to Qatar airways.
Doha News – why was my comment awaiting moderator approval, and then got removed? Is commenting only for those willing to pay your membership fees?
All I said was that the services offered on the fleet was so varied that as a paying customer you never knew what you were getting. I then offered a break down of their Business class and first class seats, and said they fell short of other airlines. Didn’t realize I broke any rules there!
A couple of my comments the last days have disappeared too?
I swear it must be this new pay-to-be-approved scheme they’re trying to introduce!
I’ll just stop bothering… Too the applause of some here. 😉
Hi guys, this is the first time I’m sitting to comments on this post. Disqus automatically filters out comments that are long, have profanity or have been flagged by others. So that may be the problem with your remarks.
Additionally, we have a separate, private forum for paid members, so not sure why you think that has anything to do with this comment section.
My post just mentioned that I observed a certain nationality leaving ODC with 84 bottles of scotch, and was wondering weather he was thirsty or an onseller….obviously mentioning nationalities , although the truth, is now not allowed
Should be ok now – have cleared everything in pending.
I think mine was flagged because I spoke honestly about QA not being the best and cheapest there is! I can’t see any other issue with my post. It wasn’t flagged by a user – the moment I posted it, there was a note above the comment stating it was awaiting moderator approval. Then it disappeared…which means a moderator didn’t approve it.
Regarding the paid members area, that was a tongue in cheek comment because of the fact that so many people seem to be having their comments removed. There were people complaining about the same thing on the video of the former PM’s interview. Clearly something is going on, that’s different than before (intentional or automatic).
Unfortunately for families there aren’t that many options, most of the time you have to fly during peak period since this is mostly determined by schools calendars, and there usually aren’t any offers then. One stop over is a good way to save a bit but you don’t really want to do more than that if you can help it. My experience with Qatar airways has been good, but they’ve always been more expensive so I tend to do stop-overs with other good airlines now (and I still compare prices, Qatar airways has always been the most expensive in my case)
You’re writing something that makes sense, this article is predictable and honestly QA always been more expensive for most of us. Sometimes we are limited by the school calendar, something this article lacks
I am limited to a school calendar, but I book almost as soon as I return from my summer vacation. It is hard to plan, but harder to know I paid $2,000 more by waiting a few months. I typically fly KLM since I like the layover instead of 15 hours straight, but I will pay more for the perks of QA. QA is now doing this little trick online though and I hate it… since they joined One World, they show a low price to the States, but when you start booking, you realize it isn’t nonstop. It stops in London then you have to take AA to your destination. Nonstop is about 2000qr more. It’s a bit “bait and switch” if you ask me.
well sometimes with work I cannot do plan so in advance. QA does little tricks everywhere. I so think and was told they know with time when people rating them are on board!!! That’s how they get their unexistant 5 stars
I don’t even know anyone who can afford business class never lone get annoyed it is more expensive when you want to book a day or so ahead. Common theme yet again is planning… Like when you want to turn left set up on the left lane a couple of hundred meters ahead don’t just swing over from the far right lane 20 meters out from the turn.. Planning something not done well here it seems.
Like the bloke behind me at check in at DIA on Sunday. He was getting irate that his plane was leaving soon and he was stuck in a queue. Given he arrived only an hour before his flight, I should think that counts as his fault.
Book early and avoid Qatar Airways. Later booking might be worth Qatar Airways for direct flight.
QA is Lower / cheaper?!?!?!?! Where are you lookign for flights.
QA to London last Christmas was the same price as my flight with Emriates, my car hire for 3 weeks, and my petrol (at UK prices) for 600 miles of tavel.
Just wanted to mention online check-in and selecting seats. Most airlines offer this function these days, its quick and easy and it allows you to by pass the check-in Que at the airport. If you know which aircraft you are flying you can even check sites like seatguru,com which will help you chose a better seat with extra leg room or avoid a bad seat such as one close to a toilet etc.
Thanks for this well written advice.
Man, I hope this guy enjoys his free business class ticket to London for writing that Qatar Airways ad. My experience with Qatar Airways:
* Always the most expensive. I fly to Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America for (mostly) business and leisure, and I price check every time. Never have I seen QA beat anyone (except maybe Swiss Airlines).
* Subpar service on flights compared to Emirates, who I would assume is their biggest rival. On one Emirates flight we had forgotten to designate my son’s meal as a child’s meal, but they were more than accomodating. Not so in the exact same situation on QA.
* It’s nothing short of impossible to use your Qcredits or Qmiles to book reward travel or upgrades….unless you’re flying to Dammam. I’ve known several people that have moved back home with a pile of Qmiles that effectively went in the trash.
* Their website “could be (much) simpler” in a lot of ways.
* Customer service is terrible. It takes several days to get a return email on any request, even if using the Privilege Club members’ service account.
* “World’s five star airline” isn’t proper grammar.
* Etc., etc., etc.
I must agree that it is really difficult to use the qmiles one accumulates–and there is hardly any benefit difference between the burgundy and silver class! Although they marketed their new system as easier to be tiered graded to the next level actually it is much harder as each month the miles of the flight form the previous year’s month is deducted. Go online now and try and look for an airmiles seat to UK in December even–nothing. Most people cannot travel at rally really unpopular times. One airline that I wont use in a hurry though is Swiss air–the seats were so narrow, no leg room that I got a DVT–first time ever! (and I am a slim,active person–but literally could ot move much at all.
Is this a paid ad?
People use QA because its more convenient, not because they are good. No point telling us how the extra 1 inch of leg room makes them better! It makes little difference to tall people like myself!
At least in Dubai / Abu Dhabi there is more of a choice of direct flights, especially to the UK.
Having said that, I am keen to see what the service / experience will be like when I fly the A380 to London in July.
I definitely use QA because they are better…. Have you ever taken an U.S. based carrier? Awful…. I will pay more for guaranteed in-seat entertainment, better food and flight attendants who don’t scowl at you. I will never forget the AA flight I took from NY to Rome in order to save $$. The AA flight had broken seats (at least 50% couldn’t recline) the food was a cold sandwich, and the “inflight entertainment” was the drop down screen in the ceiling that showed Garfield. All because I wanted to save $200.
Most of what is written here is useful common sense but the comments defending Qatar Airways prices are a nonsense. Case in point: to fly to Ninoy airport in July and returning in August costs 4,000 QAR, if I go via Dubai on Emirates (at least as good quality, arguably better) it will cost me 2,800 QAR. And there are many other examples of Qatar Airways taking advantage of its virtual monopoly to make excess profits from residents of Qatar. I have been impressed by Ooredoo’s recent efforts to offer more value for money why can’t Qatar Airways listen and do likewise?
Ooredoo have compitition in Vodaphone, QA have have very little compitition, especially with direct flights.
Very true so the answer is clear: allow Emirates or Etihad to start direct flights from Doha. There’s about as much chance of that happening as rain in August in Doha!
It is not common to allow foreign airlines to operate out of their country when neither origin nor destination is the foreign airlines home country, particularly national carriers. Those that do tend to do so on a route by route basis, and largely to it keeps the route commercially viable for the airline or there as a stop over to somewhere further away. For example BA stops at Bahrain on the way to Doha as there aren’t enough passengers for either destination to put a plane on each route to keep it viable. BA also stops as Singapore on the way to Australia as no plane has sufficient range to do it in one stop.
Not letting Emirates or Etihad operate direct routes from Doha is not something unique to Qatar.
You take my comment too seriously … what I am really saying is that competition should be allowed as that is the only way to get Qatar Airways to shift its attitude towards residents or the government should step in and appoint an independent regulator to determine prices. You cannot have a situation where there is neither competition nor effective regulation, unregulated monopolies act in ways that are unfair to customers.
How? The competition or lack of it is no different that at say, Heathrow. BA are the largest carrier there and fly across the world. In turn, the national carrier of the destination country will compete with BA over that route. For example, LHR to DXB is competed on by BA and Emirates – neither airline nor airport will allow competition on this route. This form of protectionism is rife in the airline industry and there is little true competition. Qatar is not alone. The way other airlines compete is through the transit model therfore Air France may compete on price with BA and Emirates by shifting people to Charles De Gaulle then flying them to DXB – exactly the same as the Doha/Abu Dhabi/Dubai situation.
You’re over thinking it and the UK comparison is not valid, there is plenty of competition on price in the UK and your own DXB example proves that there is some competition which is better than none. The substantive point applies: you must have competition or effective regulation, preferably both, if you have none the consumer loses. Case closed.
Case not closed – saying that doesn’t mean it is. OK take a different route, say Doha to Frankfurt. QA and Lufthansa both fly that – there is the competition. But there is no chance either airline, or the airports would let, say Emirates or BA or Air France fly the route. This model is replicated over and over.
looks like the gentleman is trying to promote QATAR AIRWAYS
I use, http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ to find my flights. An added bonus when looking for flights.