Changes to JQ On Departure Upgrade Prices

[moa999]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

I would also speculate that JQ pay money to the QF FF scheme when points (and assosciated status credits) is earned - given that FF operates as a separate entity of Qantas.

So in essence the directive to JQ staff to not process the upgrade as a fare change would mean that JQ keep more of the upgrade fee, increasing their profitability.

 

[Platy]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

I doubt Platy's travelling companion will get StarClass points/SC for the trip.

Some weeks later...actually Serfty I shared your expectations but aforementioned travelling companion did eventually get those Scs and points for the HNL-SYD flight taken back in August (mind you he had some help in how to chase them up ).

 

[Platy]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

So in essence the directive to JQ staff to not process the upgrade as a fare change would mean that JQ keep more of the upgrade fee, increasing their profitability.

Assuming, Aubs, that the lack of points/SCs does not affect rate of uptake of paid upgrades of course...less uptake could result on downward pressure of potential profit.

 

[serfty]

Some weeks later...actually Serfty I shared your expectations but aforementioned travelling companion did eventually get those Scs and points for the HNL-SYD flight taken back in August (mind you he had some help in how to chase them up ).

Sweeeet!

 

[Platy]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

Sweeeet!

Yeah - he now has enough FF points for a PQQ-CNS run to come visit the tropical north!

 

[Alanslegal]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

I just did a dummy booking on JQ's site and JQ3 ON 25/11 SYDHNL still has up to 25 *class seats available for sale. That's almost 3/4 of the cabin still empty at this stage, T-50hrs.

Interestingly, should I attempt to pay $800 for 2 pax's ODU which now appears to be lacking of any SC/FFpoints earn *rhetoric question to myself*

 

[Dave Noble]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

I just did a dummy booking on JQ's site and JQ3 ON 25/11 SYDHNL still has up to 25 *class seats available for sale. That's almost 3/4 of the cabin still empty at this stage, T-50hrs.

Interestingly, should I attempt to pay $800 for 2 pax's ODU which now appears to be lacking of any SC/FFpoints earn *rhetoric question to myself*

Do you want the extra comfort of star class or not? If yes, then it would be worth it; I wouldn't get het up on things like mileage earning/SC earning in regards to the upgrade.

For my upcoming flight to HNL, I will be v happy if no-one takes up the offer(if it is available) and leaves the cabin less busy

Dave

 

[file51]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

Interestingly, should I attempt to pay $800 for 2 pax's ODU which now appears to be lacking of any SC/FFpoints earn *rhetoric question to myself*

Please let us know how you go with this if you do decide to pay the extra and sit upfront.

Whilst it would appear things have been tightened up in regards to QFF points & SC's some people are still being awarded the points, maybe there is still some human error factor in the way in which the booking is amended at the time of departure.

Good luck, and have a good flight

 

[Platy]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

First be sure your frequent flyer number is entered into the Deathstar booking - there is a chance points/SCs will be awarded automatically. Then make sure the check in staff stamp your boarding pass "STARCLASS". You then have the option to mail the boarding pass into the Qf FF department and may get lucky!!!

 

[Alanslegal]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

Ok I'm in the SYD QP now but did not pay ODU to *class because I was not prepared to pay $800.

With this trip to HNL an out of the blue booking, due to an excellent deal, we're trying to keep cost as low as possible due to the decrease in AUD in the past 12 weeks.

Our hotels are costing upwards of USD$220++pn so guess every buck counts at this stage and we can make most of AUD$800 spending it somehow in Waikiki

 

[Platy]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

Ok I'm in the SYD QP now but did not pay ODU to *class because I was not prepared to pay $800.

With this trip to HNL an out of the blue booking, due to an excellent deal, we're trying to keep cost as low as possible due to the decrease in AUD in the past 12 weeks.

Our hotels are costing upwards of USD$220++pn so guess every buck counts at this stage and we can make most of AUD$800 spending it somehow in Waikiki

Is that $800 one way??? :shock:

On departure upgrades are usually something like $400! Aren't they?

 

[NM]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

Is that $800 one way??? :shock:

On departure upgrades are usually something like $400! Aren't they?

I think Alan was not travelling alone

 

[Timtammi]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

Just back from Japan after travelling Jetstar Starclass via ODU OOL-KIX and then KIX-OOL.

OOL airport is a mess! and the new terminal looks a long way from being finished. Simply lined up at the *class check-in 3 hours out and asked for the upgrade. They did have a little sign saying they were available but unless you were looking for it I dont think you had have noticed. Price $250 AUD ea (there were 2 of us). Only 10 people in *class and I was very impressed with the service and quality of the food and offerings. Yes the seats are not nearly as good as a skybed but compared to travelling QF business class to japan the price (including cost of upgrade) was a steal!

Did the same thing on the way back. No sign at all at check-in but asked and was told it was $200 AUD ea (Bargain!! we thought! Cheaper than before!) - until she started to write out a receipt for 40,000 yen for the 2 of us. Hang on! thats not the same as $400 AUD we said! She smiled and said "depends on exchange rate on the day". umm.. its a been a while now since the AUD and the yen have been 100 to 1! So it cost us more like $600 AUD for the return flight for the two of us but again was really worth it. About 14 people in *class on the return flight.

Cant wait till they start flying to Tokyo (where I really need to go for work), although on this last trip we did have a commitment in Osaka so it was fine flying in there. Took the shinkansen up to Tokyo afterwards - 2.5 hours.

Got my 120 status credits each way already so I'm a happy camper!

Cheers

 

[Timtammi]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

Well looks like there have been some substantial changes to the ODU process for Jetstar starclass - to Japan anyway.

I recently travelled MEL-OOL-NRT return. The MEL-OOL sectors were booked as separate tickets on jetstar.

When booking in at Mel we were hit with some pretty substantial excess luggage charges ($330!) as we had some panels in 2 large bags that we needed for the trade show we were exhibiting at in Tokyo. We knew they wouldnt be lenient but were surprised at how expensive it was. They wanted to charge us at the time for the OOL-NRT leg as well for excess luggage but we mentioned we were going to try and upgrade to *class at OOL and that the extra luggage allowance would then cover us. They then told us that a - the one way ODU charge had gone up from $250 AUD pp to $500 pp (!!) and that b - odu's did not qualify you for the extra baggage allowance given to starclass passengers. They also said no status credits and points but we already knew that (and also knew if you are lucky you do get them sometimes).

Anyway, we said we would try and sort it at OOL (as I really didnt think the check-in staff at MEL had any idea what they were talking about, they kept on contradicting themselves, they were trying to be helpful but I really think noone really knew the answers).

On arrival at OOL airport to check-in for our flight (the following morning, we overnighted in OOL) we recognised the check-in staff member from the last time and she remembered us also as there had been a bit of a stuff up with our upgrade request last time. Anyway, she confirmed the increase in price to $500 pp (gulp!) but no mention was made of our overweight luggage and she checked it all in happily (needless to say we didnt say anything!).

We paid the $500 ea and happily travelled in *class with about 4 other people. Every flight I have been to Japan on Jetstar starclass has been pretty empty. This flight economy was chockers though so we were extra glad of the upgrade although I really think for $500 its not good value and in fact with the *class promo fares it might even have been cheaper to buy upfront but of course we didnt know it had doubled in price until we got to the airport.

On the way home we also got a nasty shock. We had resigned ourselves to paying the $500 pp again with the thought that next time we would look at QF options ex SYD again or maybe *class promo pricing if available. At least with QF I can try to upgrade with my points.
At check-in at NRT we were told that *class upgrades from Japan were no longer being sold due to Japanese Govt regulation. She quoted us to "buy" *class seats but at over $3000 USD for the 3 of us we declined. She seemed disappointed and was trying to help but her hands were tied.

So we flew cattle, and *class had only 1 passenger! Economy was about 2/3 full.

I think the benefit of flying *star and using ODU's to get a better experience at minimal extra cost has now gone as they have made them too expensive, or now not available at all. With *class seemingly flying so empty all the time I dont understand why they have put the price up so much.

Interestingly, much to my surprise I did get SC and points for the OOL-NRT leg so that was much appreciated. This is the first time they have credited to my account since Jet* have put in their new system so it shows it does still happen sometimes.

Cheers

 

[JohnK]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

I think the benefit of flying *star and using ODU's to get a better experience at minimal extra cost has now gone as they have made them too expensive, or now not available at all. With *class seemingly flying so empty all the time I dont understand why they have put the price up so much.

Sad to hear that things did not go according to plan but there was going to be a time when ODU to *class were going to be difficult to get if most *class passengers are ODUs and no one pays for *class outright. One of the minor drawbacks of FF sites revealing too much information on how to get around the system.

It would be interesting to hear if these changes apply to other *class routes....

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

I think the benefit of flying *star and using ODU's to get a better experience at minimal extra cost has now gone as they have made them too expensive, or now not available at all. With *class seemingly flying so empty all the time I dont understand why they have put the price up so much.

Erm - you said that the flight you paid $500 for an upgrade (i.e. the increased price) was full.

And the only empty flight was one where, according to the checkin agent, cheap upgrade were no longer for sale due to government regulation.

Not sure I'm convinced on these two data points that Jetstar is pricing itself out of the market. +$500 for star class OOL-NRT is still a bargain in my books (especially if QFF SCs post)

 

[moa999]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

My parents flew SYD-OOL-KIX on JQ11 this morning.

Confirmed that upgrade cost is now A$500 pp

Very surprising given *Class loads were 11/34 on checking earlier in the week. Think JQ will not be filling its forward cabins.

 

[DTM1]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

Even so, it would not be that surprising if a material number of *class pax who would otherwise have paid full fare wait and upgrade at the airport.

If everyone knows that most *class cabins are flying < 50% capacity, you'd be really unlucky to turn up early and miss out on the upgrade.

The on departure upgrades are precisely the reason that the United J class product from Aus to US has been so devalued.

 

[hayden]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

Just having a look then at this - OOL to Japan in July for example

$771 + $1000 of ODU's if booking in economy, versus just paying for *class upfront and paying $2050. Surely its worth the extra $200+ dollars to just lock in the fact that you'll def earn the SC's ?

When I last did it it was $200 leaving australia and $250 coming home, but that was in September last year... given now its basically doubled in price thats a rather large increase. Although, it sounds like you can't do it at all coming home anymore anyway

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Re: ODU - Jetstar Starclass

I have heard Thai Airways no longer sell ODU's ex-Japan as well. Why would the government not allow this practice? Seems silly