Earlier this year I booked a flight online with Qatar airways to Europe and did not opt to select a seat. I then received an email close to the flight offering me to book a seat- which I stupidly ignored....

I went to check in at BKK airport and they told me that Im on standby. Obviously I was disappointed but waited an hour in suspense and they managed to get me a seat.

I think its prudent to get a seat allocation online prior to your flight to avoid disappointment....

Bit cryptic for a public forum

I select A seat when I book if I can. Korean air said they only assign seats 30 days before he flight

I encountered something similar a few times travelling with another middle eastern airline. It's common for them to overbook on certain sectors.

Now I online check-in up to 24 hours before hand and haven't had a problem since.

It is always worth checking in online... because as a rule most flights when busy are overbooked! because there are usually always a few no-shows.

However checking in online has its downsides too, should your taxi breakdown and you miss your flight there is little recourse from the airline because you have already checked-in...

Would think it is your own fault for not taking note of the two times they told you to book a seat.

I have never had problems with Qatar.

My family and I are flying with them tomorrow,,,,have pre-booked seats anyway, but hope this don't happen.

Had more than 50 flights with Qatar, when they first started getting bumped was common but great (put on business class with another airline + a free return ticket for anywhere on their network) sadly now they are more organised doesn't seem to happen anymore.

Flew with QA many times past two years. Good airline overall but they have a membership system which gives different privileges. A gold member is top which is very nice for them as they can turn up at the airport without a booking and demand a seat. Even if over booked the airline will pull passengers off the flight for gold members. Usually Arabs and/or native Qataris. Otherwise people who fly a hell of a lot with them. Lucky if you ever get gold membership but silver and burgundy are attainable but with fewer privileges.

So.....if the gold member Qatari turns up with his 4 wives and all his kids, any lesser privileged traveller is going to lose out. I saw this happen many times.

Always best to reserve a seat online and checkin online. But as I say. If the gold member shows up your on the next flight.

Flew with QA many times past two years. Good airline overall but they have a membership system which gives different privileges. A gold member is top which is very nice for them as they can turn up at the airport without a booking and demand a seat. Even if over booked the airline will pull passengers off the flight for gold members. Usually Arabs and/or native Qataris. Otherwise people who fly a hell of a lot with them. Lucky if you ever get gold membership but silver and burgundy are attainable but with fewer privileges.

So.....if the gold member Qatari turns up with his 4 wives and all his kids, any lesser privileged traveller is going to lose out. I saw this happen many times.

Always best to reserve a seat online and checkin online. But as I say. If the gold member shows up your on the next flight.

All well and good but that Gold Card Member who just turns up at the Airport demanding a seat will pay heavily price wise........

Likely full fare even in Economy. Thats not what Gold Cards are for in my opinion !!

I believe they would pay full fare but they can afford it............

Flew with QA many times past two years. Good airline overall but they have a membership system which gives different privileges. A gold member is top which is very nice for them as they can turn up at the airport without a booking and demand a seat. Even if over booked the airline will pull passengers off the flight for gold members. Usually Arabs and/or native Qataris. Otherwise people who fly a hell of a lot with them. Lucky if you ever get gold membership but silver and burgundy are attainable but with fewer privileges.

So.....if the gold member Qatari turns up with his 4 wives and all his kids, any lesser privileged traveller is going to lose out. I saw this happen many times.

Always best to reserve a seat online and checkin online. But as I say. If the gold member shows up your on the next flight.

Hi,

I'm a Gold card holder with Qatar airways, I can assure you that I'm neither Arab with four wives and kids or a Qatari national (not that there's anything wrong with being either). I'm afraid your knowledge of Qatar Airways Privilege members benefits is sadly lacking. I fly with Qatar Airways quite a lot (probably far more often than yourself) and have never seen what you are describing, but as I'm unaware of all the facts, which I suggest might be the same as yourself, I cannot comment on peoples check-in conversations and their booking. Overbooking of flights is common practice throughout the airline industry not just Qatar Airways.

Here is a couple of direct quotes from Qatar Airways Privilege club website for Gold members benefits.

Priority standby If you are on standby for a flight, you will be given priority if a seat becomes available.

Priority waiting list If your preferred Qatar Airways flight is full, you will be put on a waitlist and given priority if a seat becomes available.

No mention of any guaranteed seat on any flight.

I believe they would pay full fare but they can afford it............

Again I pay for all my own travel and no way could I afford to pay full fares all the time. You should think again before making statements with sweeping generalisations of all gold members.

But getting back to the OP, yes I always find it better to check-in online if possible.

Best Regards

Edited August 13, 201312 yr by ragandboneman

Dear Ragandboneman, The info I posted is from personal experience. I have seen it happen many times with QA they are not going to advertise it are they.

If you were a Qatari Citizen or wealthy Arab im sure you would be able to pay the full fare but its not about that. You obviously don't have "wasta"

Edited August 16, 201312 yr by MonkeyLoo