Jetstar to QF in MEL

[Chucksta]

I am travelling on jetstar from BKK to MEL in Feb which arrives around 10am.

I need to book a connecting flight from MEL to PER on QF on the same day.

Which flight should I book? I am really worried that the jetstar flight could be delayed and miss my QF connection to PER.

So far, I am considering 2 options:
QF769
QF777

Which fare class should I book? I'm worried if i book super saver or red e deal that Qantas will say 'tough luck' if the jetstar flight is delayed... and i will lose the fare.

 

[Flashback]

The more knowledgable will correct me if I'm wrong, but you *may* be able to book the flights onto 1 to avoid that - alternatively try booking the JQ as a QF codeshare.

 

[tassiedude]

I suggest to ring QF and ask them, also take out Travel Insurance it is a small price to pay and it should cover any missed connections

 

[N860CR]

Does travel insurance cover that though? I queried an insurance company about it as I'll shortly be connecting in SIN from an Air Asia flight to a Qantas flight and, knowing how unreliable Air Asia are, I was concerned that if I missed the flight I'd be totally stuck. Anyway the insurance company said they don't cover missed connections as a result of flight delays. Is that normal?

 

[Dave Noble]

Anyway the insurance company said they don't cover missed connections as a result of flight delays. Is that normal?

I am not too surprised. With a genuine connection ( single ticketed itinerary ) , then in the event of a missed connection the airline is responsible for getting you to your destination so no reason for the insurance company to cover it

Dave

 

[serfty]

This may be of assistance: Jetstar - Recommended Connection Times and Baggage Transfers , but only in that even JQI to QF Dom transfer in MEL is 2 hours minimum.

If you have QP access, book the later flight. (I am guessing the JQI flight is already booked.)

 

[Chucksta]

Hi Serfty: If I book the later flight as a flexi saver, do you think Qantas will let me swap to the earlier flight free of charge?

ie, Swap at the domestic QC in MEL if the JQ arrives on time.

 

[pauly7]

I actually had this experience about 5/6 months ago!

JQ LST-MEL was late (fog) and I missed my QF MEL-ADL (which was a red-edeal). Went to Qantas in Melbourne, explained what had happened and they checked, verified that the JQ flight was late and booked me onto the next bus out to ADL...

So worked out fine for me - not sure if this is standard operating proceedure. Qantas have always been great helping me out in situations like this....

 

[Evan]

Had a similar thing happen to me when arriving on an MH flight to Brisbane, they kindly booked me on the next flight without any comment, i was surprised but please just the same.

I just changed 2 of my connections in SYD in Feb to be 30 mins extra time as i was at the minimum for a transfer, to me the extra time is good for less stress, and if you happen to be through early, there is always the QP to visit if you have access.

Evan

 

[dajop]

Hi Serfty: If I book the later flight as a flexi saver, do you think Qantas will let me swap to the earlier flight free of charge?
.

Do you have a reason to go to MEL, or are you on a Jetstar fare that earns you lots of points? If not, and given that a Flexi Saver from MEL to PER is $675 AUD, have you considered saving yourself the stress and trying to find a one way fare from BKK-PER? I picked a random day in Feb, and zuji was selling fares on MH for $522 USD inc taxes, which about same price as the MEL to PER leg, and you should be able to get your taxes refunded on JQ.

 

[Standby]

From a mate who works at MEL apt...QF have a basic policy with most Int carriers that if they are late and you miss the QF connection they will stand U by for the next flight subject to seats being avail (If you are on a QF int to QFD and the flights are in the saame booking they will auto rebook once they know the int flight is late) all this appears to be irrespective of fare U pay...having said that i would want to try that the other way round from Qantas to JQ
so spend what you have to
hope that helps

 

[Chucksta]

yep, i'm flying JQ starclass from MEL to BKK return to earn me lots of SC and points.

so what do u think guys, book a super saver ticket MEL to PER on QF?

and work it out with QF if the JQ flight from BKK is delayed?

I have no checkin, only carry on.

 

[Evan]

I would give it a go if your prepared to risk a few $ is there usually cheap flights MEL-PER on thos days, ie will you be able to get a new red-e-deal if you miss your first one just in case QF don't assist ?

And if you take off late, let the staff on the JQ flight know about your connection, they may be able to make sure your accomodated better should there be an issue. (ie contact QF and advise them a passanger may miss a connection)

SC rate is about $8 an SC (current full prices, not sure what discount if any you got) so its not a fantastic run, but for under a couple of grand a J seat (even is a domestic style J seat) all the way to a nice destination seems like a good idea, and as you say 240 SC from MEL, more for your PER trips.

Evan

 

[Dave Noble]

yep, i'm flying JQ starclass from MEL to BKK return to earn me lots of SC and points.

so what do u think guys, book a super saver ticket MEL to PER on QF?

and work it out with QF if the JQ flight from BKK is delayed?

I have no checkin, only carry on.

You need to make the decision; the risks are that if the inbound service is delayed that you miss the flight to PER and QF has no requirement to assist and you could end up having to purchase a new ticket. They may, if you are lucky, elect to assist.

Looking at fares, a red-e-deal is about $265 and a flexi saver is $675 . Do you want to take the risk based on the fairly significant difference of $410 . If you take the cheaper fare then do make sure that you leave a decent time between the arrival and departure to handle delays

Also do consider, based on Jetstar's previous form, what is the likelihood that they will change the scheduled time of their service

If you go for the cheaper flight, then take a rededeal if its available since it makes no odds to likelihood of being assisted whether you are on that or a supersaver, both have similar restrictions

Dave

 

[Chucksta]

Jetstar have retimed the arrival of JQ30, BKK to MEL to 10:35am tomorrow morning.

Great... My QF connection leaves at 12:15pm.

Should I do online checkin for QF flight? I use the quick check kiosk?

If i miss the flight and do OLCI, can i still change the flight???

arggggggh.

Chucksta

 

[serfty]

The operating A/C landed 34 minutes late this morning. Showing on Qantas.com as due to depart for BKK on time at 2pm and arrive back on time tomorrow.

With only carry on you should have enough time to do the transfer. If your flights are not on the one PNR, I would contact Qantas and ensure that your JQ30 flight is entered as an information sector into your 12:15 flight (PER?) so at least they would know where you may be.

 

[Chucksta]

Made it home on time.

JQ30 has been retimed to arrive at 10:35, although still leaves at 9pm. Maybe the pilots take a different route now, which takes slightly longer.

Have already received my QF SC for MEL to PER flight. Still have not received the starclass SC for BKK to MEL. hmmm......

Seems to be business as usual at BKK airport. (Toilets are so dirty, given that it is a new airport)

Chucksta

 

[serfty]

How was Loui's Tavern?

 

[NM]

How was Loui's Tavern?

Sounds like a French explorer to me.

 

[Chucksta]

The tavern in BKK sucked.

There was cheap booze (eg Red label), no toilets (had to go outside the lounge and the floor was so dirty), the food looked like it had been there all day, TV was not working, and chairs were uncomfortable.

Don't sit near the glass windows. There's an annoying strobe light on the tavern sign.

Only good thing was free wifi. I could connect to Airports of Thailand or Cathay.