Jetstar booking change - experience and thoughts

[medhead]

This is a 2 part post.

Some may recall that I recently booked a test flight SYD-ADL with jetstar based solely on schedule. Who would've thought Jetstar have the best schedule for my needs.

Anyway, that flight has been cancelled for "operational reasons" and they've moved me from a 19:15 flight to a 17:25 flight. I could take the earlier flight without any hassle from work, but the whole point was 19:15 is the optimum time for my needs.

First to the information part of it, I originally booked a plus pack. It appears that the plus pack has been converted into base fare. Manage my booking is showing a higher base fare and the seat selection has dropped off. I'm just about to call them to find out the story on that one.

To the "your view" section of the post. I've already contacted them and asked to be moved to the 18:40 QF flight. they offered me a flight the next morning. My reply "Whose going to pay for my hotel, your honour?" They then offer to refund the flight and the thinking music is playing. The question is do I take the money and run, or should I try to move the flight to another week?

 

[RooFlyer]

My entirely negative reaction to your JQ experience is entirely predictable.

I'd take the money and run. You booked on the basis of schedule, and that's been rubbed out. Start again.

(But I'm not sure what the intent of a 'test flight' is - I didn't see that earlier post.)

 

[medhead]

My entirely negative reaction to your JQ experience is entirely predictable.

I'd take the money and run. You booked on the basis of schedule, and that's been rubbed out. Start again.

(But I'm not sure what the intent of a 'test flight' is - I didn't see that earlier post.)

I fly the route weekly. I can nominate a dozen alternative dates for the flight. The available Qantas and Virgin flights are either way too early (18:10), too early (18:40) or too late (20:10) for my needs/preference. The intent of the test flight was to see if I could handle jetstar, as 19:15 means I don't have to rush away from work with stuff not done, and I get home at decent hour.

 

[eastwest101]

I would take the money and run. I just checked some weekday schedules, and I agree that this is a shame (all the other QF and VA flights leave early enough to get caught up in the afternoon peak hour sillyness at Mascot, or leave later, but mean a late arrival time in ADL). Until JQ can deliver a scheduled service, reliably, at a time that actually suits you, it may be that you may have to put up with the less than ideal QF or VA flight times. I assume that these are mostly Thursday or maybe Friday night flights medhead?

 

[medhead]

Thursday night only. When I travel on Friday it's mid afternoon, only the Qantas schedule is suitable then.

 

[eastwest101]

Thursday night only. When I travel on Friday it's mid afternoon, only the Qantas schedule is suitable then.

Yes - its kinda silly that with all the narrowbody flights around and this fixation on frequency, that you can only get out of SYD to ADL either in the middle of peak hour and cutting your work day in SYD short or having a much later flight and arriving into ADL fairly late. Mascot airport between 430pm and 6pm is the last place I want to go - unless I am in transit from somewhere to somewhere else. Even flying via MEL or CBR doesn't really give you any time effective or sensible connection options with either QF or VA.

 

[amaroo]

Having done > 300 J* sectors doing the weekly MCY-SYD-MCY commute - I'd probably ditch J* and stick with VA or QF.

J* worked for me as the destination is overwhelmingly leisure, resulting in full tubes for the Monday morning MCY depart and Friday arvo MCY arrival. The old "operational reasons" was never dealt out - I assume because the flights were always full.

TBH, If I lived closer to BNE - I never would've boarded a J* bird. It worked for me for the same reason you want it too......better balance of family/work.

My guess - J* could be very disruptive to your balancing objective.

 

[medhead]

Yes - its kinda silly that with all the narrowbody flights around and this fixation on frequency, that you can only get out of SYD to ADL either in the middle of peak hour and cutting your work day in SYD short or having a much later flight and arriving into ADL fairly late. Mascot airport between 430pm and 6pm is the last place I want to go - unless I am in transit from somewhere to somewhere else. Even flying via MEL or CBR doesn't really give you any time effective or sensible connection options with either QF or VA.

Adl capacity must be the limiting factor. But then Qantas have no departures after 19:45 from Adl, so the both evening aircraft from SYD must stay overnight. Scheduling qf743 for a later departure shouldn't be a problem at the ADL end.

 

[docjames]

What is the QF/VA pricing on the same date as you'd have to factor that into cancel / rebook with another.


I'd look at moving to a later date (same 1915 flight just a different week).

 

[medhead]

What is the QF/VA pricing on the same date as you'd have to factor that into cancel / rebook with another.


I'd look at moving to a later date (same 1915 flight just a different week).

They're $39/$25 more. But still within my budgeted cost.

Edit: problem solved. The most Jetstar will move the flight is to the next day. On hold trying to get a refund done.

 

[UP4014]

Take the money even if you want to re book at a later date.

Matt

 

[medhead]

Gee, that was fun!

First phone agent would happily move the flight 2 weeks later, I just need to paid $50 to change the flight. Considering I can buy that flight for the same cost, I decided that wasn't acceptable. Asked for a refund, and had to be connected to customer care (or something like that). 10 more minutes on hold I get a lovely helpful person who advises me that the purpose of the flight hasn't changed as it is a within 3 hours. When I mentioned that I had to be at work until 5pm (this was a slight lie as technically I have to be there until 5:30pm) they asked me to provide proof, as in written proof, that I had to be at work until 5 pm. At this point I cracked a little bit and said that Jetstar changed the flight not me. The alternative is not acceptable. I can still fly at 19:15. Jetstar changed the flight not me. You can put me on QF743 or QF785. Jetstar changed the flight not me. The agent cut me off at this stage and asked if the following day was an alternative. I replied that I'd be happy to fly the next day, if they pay for my hotel. At that point a refund was offered.

Now to wait 15 business days for the refund to be processed. At which point I predict I'll have to call the credit card company.

 

[docjames]

Sounds like you're having the full Jetstar experience.

Game enough to try again in the future????:shock:

Doesn't seem worth the $25 saving but I understand the timing argument.

 

[medhead]

It's not worth the saving. As I could have booked VA for the same price originally. I did include the plus pack, which I wouldn't do if price was the issue.

Not sure if I'd try again. The timing is important enough that I'd like to know if this would work. But this first attempt doesn't make it seem reliable, which is an even more important consideration.

 

[get me outta here]

Unbelievable!

.... they asked me to provide proof, as in written proof, that I had to be at work until 5 pm.

 

[medhead]

Unbelievable!

That's one word for it. Probably not the word I was thinking at the time.....

 

[Buzzard]

As somebody has previously said, now you know why there is only one star painted on the aircraft.

 

[N860CR]

Unbelievable!

.... they asked me to provide proof, as in written proof, that I had to be at work until 5 pm.

What a joke. It's easy to blame these Philo call centre workers for dumb statements like that... But some idiot in Australia must have thought such a policy was a great idea...

 

[medhead]

Unbelievable!

What a joke. It's easy to blame these Philo call centre workers for dumb statements like that... But some idiot in Australia must have thought such a policy was a great idea...

The idiot in australia is most certainly the target of my ridicule.

 

[Anna]

The likelihood of JQ cancelling flights or changing schedules after booking is the main reason why I won't go near them willingly. Closely followed by the second reason of the absolutely carp service they dole out after they have stuffed you up with their cancellation / change.