Jetstar no longer selling Max bundle in Economy

[nancypants]

Seems for my specific circumstances in most cases this will be a wash. I generally don’t have checked luggage so have been booking the max fares purely for the SC. The old flex didn’t earn SCs at all so now I can save some cash and sacrifice the SCs. Or, when presented with my usual choice (JQ redeye ex DRW vs QF red eye ex DRW) it will make me feel “less bad” about taking the Qf option and upgrading to J (which is possible most of the time)

No more Starter Max which earned at "Flexible Economy" rate (higher than "Economy" and "Discount Economy")

 

[nancypants]

Interestingly I decided I would try to book to maximise my SC for an upcoming flight in my next earning year- the change has already been made which means no income for Jetstar from me today

 

[alexczarn]

the 14kg change sucks imo, the only bundle I ever really bought was flex

 

[dylarr]

I use Jetstar extensively and purchased a Starter Max bundle on every single Jetstar flight without fail. The inclusions of the Max Bundle made flying JQ an attractive proposition for me. Not a fan of the new bundles, especially "Flex Plus" now earning at a lower rate and reduced baggage allowance - this move right there kills the days of me always purchasing the most expensive bundle on offer and makes JQ not as great of an option.

Also, "Origin and Destination" changes are listed as an inclusion of "Flex Plus" but not "Flex". However both "Flex Plus" and "Flex" allow you to cancel to a credit voucher. In effect, you can use the credit voucher from "Flex" to do an O/D change without having to go for "Flex Plus".

 

[Saab34]

Some of those bundles work out the same price if adding the add-ons separately too I see.

 

[wandering_fred]

I suppose now the only real purpose of JQ/3K flights will be to ensure that the 4 annual squiggles are obtained cheaply....
I suppose that only really applies to those not taking the time to attend the annual OzFest at the end of May each year. Which might be the only reason I would have for domestic wandering
Fred

 

[Mwenenzi]

I use Jetstar extensively and purchased a Starter Max bundle on every single Jetstar flight without fail. The inclusions of the Max Bundle made flying JQ an attractive proposition for me. Not a fan of the new bundles, especially "Flex Plus" now earning at a lower rate and reduced baggage allowance - this move right there kills the days of me always purchasing the most expensive bundle on offer and makes JQ not as great of an option.

Also, "Origin and Destination" changes are listed as an inclusion of "Flex Plus" but not "Flex". However both "Flex Plus" and "Flex" allow you to cancel to a credit voucher. In effect, you can use the credit voucher from "Flex" to do an O/D change without having to go for "Flex Plus".

My common JQ tickets were AU<--->NZ "plus bundle" which had 20kg checked bay, std seat selection and some QF points/SC. At times did book JQ "max bundle" which had more SC's and any seat (including exit rows). Have had some good SC value MEL-OOL-CHC JQ "max bundle" flights.
To get the same now would need to be "flex plus", but with lesser SC's. Or "flex" and pay for bags.

To me schedule & price and the main factors with ff points secondary. These JQ changes will result in less $$ from me to JQ/QF group. Or nil $. Looking for flights in few months Air NZ have become more competitive. JQ (QF points-SC) no longer with that tie breaker for the same money.-schedule when looking at all up cost, checked bags, inclusions & benefits. Will use PP for lounge access and not QF Club-gold.

In years gone by JQ used to list the QF SC's earn, But that was removed so had to use the (poor) QF SC calculator or self estimate. The "plus bundle" was 15kg checked bag but that went to 20kg with an increased price. {I have screen shots go back years of prices vs bundle inclusions}

 

[SYD]

Although i do note the QBR seems to be new. Don't remember seeing that before.

Email in offering double QBR points on eligible JQ and QF flights.

 

[Mattg]

It looks like the Business Max bundle now earns at the "Discount Business" rate instead of "Business", as well.

So on a flight from Australia to Asia, for example, you would now earn 120 status credits instead of 125. And slightly fewer Qantas points.

 

[sap1l]

It looks like the Business Max bundle now earns at the "Discount Business" rate instead of "Business", as well.

So on a flight from Australia to Asia, for example, you would now earn 120 status credits instead of 125. And slightly fewer Qantas points.

What a sneaky change! Thanks for the spot.

I still think that JQ Business Max is a great value earner depending on the route, and the product is pretty decent for what you pay.

Still, the overall devaluation (sorry, “enhancement”) across the board hurts.

 

[Jacques Vert]

It looks like the Business Max bundle now earns at the "Discount Business" rate instead of "Business", as well.

So on a flight from Australia to Asia, for example, you would now earn 120 status credits instead of 125. And slightly fewer Qantas points.

Another example of QF loosing the plot, IMHO.

 

[moa999]

Another example of QF loosing the plot, IMHO.

Not much difference between Business and Discount Business.
To be honest I'm surprised they didn't make it earn at PE rates, given that's a more realistic product comparison.

 

[DC3]

Not much difference between Business and Discount Business.
To be honest I'm surprised they didn't make it earn at PE rates, given that's a more realistic product comparison.

PE earn might be a better fit, now that you mention it

 

[SYD]

PE earn might be a better fit, now that you mention it

Don’t give them ideas!

 

[Revenge]

Really disappointing that they've taken away the ability to earn SCs at the Flex Economy rate with the Starter Max bundles. I've earned a good number of SCs with those bundles over the years for relatively cheap.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Not much difference between Business and Discount Business.
To be honest I'm surprised they didn't make it earn at PE rates, given that's a more realistic product comparison.

My point is that when QF are supposedly trying to rebuild their reputation and loyalty base, they are making all the wrong moves: devaluing (sorry, enhancing) status credit earn in JQ, introducing an underwhelming CR+ product, maintaining those o/s call centres, increasing fees for Qantas Club, etc., etc.

I'm finding it difficult to think of something they have done recently that has inspired me.

 

[bPeteb]

Glad we're all booked and paid for our trip to Seoul over Christmas. The sc have been great at economy rates. Good while it lasted.

 

[TheInsider]

Another example of QF loosing the plot, IMHO.

JQ run their business completely separate to QF. This would be a JQ decision and a decision with their ancillary revenue team. They clearly see more profit by changing the product offering.

 

[wandering_fred]

JQ run their business completely separate to QF
And the aircraft maintenance is still put out for competitive bid?
Rumors I did not hear while wandering
Fred

 

[TheDefenestrator]

It looks like the Business Max bundle now earns at the "Discount Business" rate instead of "Business", as well.

So on a flight from Australia to Asia, for example, you would now earn 120 status credits instead of 125. And slightly fewer Qantas points.

I'm having trouble confirming the earn rate change for Business Max fares, as annoyingly some of the links on https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/articles/updated-fares-and-bundles-2024 seem to be broken.

Funnily enough, the fare rules page for Business Max (https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/articles/business-class-fare-with-max-bundle-fare-rules) says this:

• Qantas Points and Status Credits
  • Business Class with Max bundle passengers are eligible to earn Qantas Points and Status Credits.
  • Qantas Points and Status Credits are earned at the Qantas Flexible Economy Rate.

...and it looks like it hasn't been changed/fixed considering the above contradicts the main Jetstar QFF page (https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/flights/frequent-flyer-partners/qantas-frequent-flyer).

Waiting to see if the QFF Earn Category tables get updated too.