JQ travel to earn FF points - for a Fee [even in 'Business']

[medhead]

First a massive THANKS to all those people who have been whinging about starclass not being business class. Note for the future, when your on the gravy train keep your mouth shut.

Been doing some searches to japan. Business max pricing varies between the $200 mentioned up to $415 (is the highest I seen) depending on base fare. I did get a excellent deal to show at one stage, but that was a mistake. However, should have booked it instead of mucking around.

No one seems to have noticed the little fare condition about ASAs. Basically, explicitly states that all changes will be done with money using the original monetary value as determined by jetstar.

 

[oz_mark]

First a massive THANKS to all those people who have been whinging about starclass not being business class. Note for the future, when your on the gravy train keep your mouth shut.

+1

I, for one, was quite happy with the price/product as it was

Been doing some searches to japan. Business max pricing varies between the $200 mentioned up to $415 (is the highest I seen) depending on base fare. I did get a excellent deal to show at one stage, but that was a mistake. However, should have booked it instead of mucking around.

I have done a couple of searches on things I am likely to do - generally the base fare has gone down, but the bundled fare ends up being higher than it was.

No one seems to have noticed the little fare condition about ASAs. Basically, explicitly states that all changes will be done with money using the original monetary value as determined by jetstar.

Probably easiest for Jetstar to do it that way.

 

[BVT]

Can you imagine the trouble that the call centre peeps are going to have in answering questions about this new fare structure? They were appalling when it was all relatively simple, but now ....

BTW, is anyone else having trouble with the website, I keep putting in origin, arrival ports and dates and then get an error message asking me to put in origin, arrival and dates!!

 

[samh004]

Reading through the thread I'm alarmed to see the bundle add-ons aren't a set amount extra but a fixed total that the ticket has to meet.

So a sale fare with SC's will end up costing the same as non-sale, rather than simply paying a couple hundred extra for the benefit.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Lets also not forget that;
- the burn rates on QF are terrible
- some J seats needs to be booked 300+ days out :shock::shock::shock:

If VA can come up with reasonable burn rates (when they overhaul velocity this year), l have a feeling l might be looking to jump ship. Burn all my QF points and start from scratch on VA....

Even if you compare QF to SQ (both expensive burn rates), SQ still have availability (J and F) close to departure dates.

 

[medhead]

Probably easiest for Jetstar to do it that way.

Indeed it is probably the easy way. Only mention it because of the situation with JASAs and the conversion to dollars vs dealing in points. There is now an explicit statement that the monetary method must be used. Flagging a possible change across the qantas group.

 

[openseat]

Does anyone know if it is possible to purchase the 'bundle' after initial ticket purchase?

 

[Danger]

Three things that jump out at me:

1. Confusion. For the passenger and for staff.
2. According to the new JQ information page here, "Qantas Club members and Business Max passengers may access Qantas Club, Gold Coast and partner lounges, where available, when travelling on a Jetstar (JQ), Jetstar Asia (3K) or Valuair (VF) flight." I think this is greater access than before, yes?
3. Apparently, eligible QFF earning JQ fares earn Silver flyers a 50% bonus and Gold 75%, whereas with QF it's only 25% and 50%. Surely a typo/incompetence of those formulating the changes.

 

[WindowSeat]

If VA can come up with reasonable burn rates (when they overhaul velocity this year), l have a feeling l might be looking to jump ship. Burn all my QF points and start from scratch on VA....

+1

I was hoping the JQ changes would give me a reason to maintain the QF/JQ loyalty but really will probably do the opposite with StarClass changes, the recent QF domestic price hikes etc.

I'm also flying a lot less this year so am unlikely to retain QF SG, so in all honesty my circumstances have changed too so I probably would have been going to reassess regardless of these changes.

 

[djfuzz]

Apparently, eligible QFF earning JQ fares earn Silver flyers a 50% bonus and Gold 75%, whereas with QF it's only 25% and 50%. Surely a typo/incompetence of those formulating the changes.
[/LIST]

Seems to be consistent with this though:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ng-qantas-frequent-flyer-changes-30095-1.html

 

[oz_mark]

Three things that jump out at me:

1. Confusion. For the passenger and for staff.
2. According to the new JQ information page here, "Qantas Club members and Business Max passengers may access Qantas Club, Gold Coast and partner lounges, where available, when travelling on a Jetstar (JQ), Jetstar Asia (3K) or Valuair (VF) flight." I think this is greater access than before, yes?
3. Apparently, eligible QFF earning JQ fares earn Silver flyers a 50% bonus and Gold 75%, whereas with QF it's only 25% and 50%. Surely a typo/incompetence of those formulating the changes.

1. Perhaps
2. Less - normal Business (you have to be on Business Max) does not give access to the lounge. No change for QFF Gold/Plat
3. In line with the QFF changes today

 

[oz_mark]

My, my, Jetstar give a lot of baggage weight options now (15,20,25,30,35,40 kg).

 

[Keith009]

On a Jetstar Business fare to Singapore, I now have to pay an additional $400 for Max Bundle to earn points and status credits, over what I'd pay for the class formerly known as StarClass. This removes any incentive to fly Jetstar whatsoever. Especially after our massively unimpressive flights to DPS and back with them, where everything that could go wrong with an LCC did go wrong and Jetstar struck me as an inept and incompetent operation; but for the J points and SCs we seriously regretted not going Garuda Business! As for SIN, I think I'd now rather fly BA WTP via SYD. At least I can be assured of an on-time arrival.

C'mon VAus... your Asian expansion cannot happen soon enough!

 

[Danger]

Seems to be consistent with this though:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ng-qantas-frequent-flyer-changes-30095-1.html

1. Perhaps
2. Less - normal Business (you have to be on Business Max) does not give access to the lounge. No change for QFF Gold/Plat
3. In line with the QFF changes today

Thank you both. I'd missed that very exciting thread in my morning troll through the threads.

 

[oz_mark]

On a Jetstar Business fare to Singapore, I now have to pay an additional $400 for Max Bundle to earn points and status credits, over what I'd pay for the class formerly known as StarClass. This removes any incentive to fly Jetstar whatsoever. Especially after our massively unimpressive flights to DPS and back with them, where everything that could go wrong with an LCC did go wrong and Jetstar struck me as an inept and incompetent operation; but for the J points and SCs we seriously regretted not going Garuda Business! As for SIN, I think I'd now rather fly BA WTP via SYD. At least I can be assured of an on-time arrival.

C'mon VAus... your Asian expansion cannot happen soon enough!

While I have only had positive *Class experiences (apart from running late), I do understand your position on travel to Singapore. It is a more expensive proposition now (if you want points!)

 

[Austman]

MEL-SIN JQ Starclass/Business RT earning QFF points and status credits just went from $981.00 to $1,768.00. Admittedly the $981.00 was a sale fare. But an easily obtainable one.

A $787.00 difference just to maintain lounge access, 9,374 QFF points and 240 Status Credits?

They must be joking! Bring on the sale fares!

 

[medhead]

Admittedly the $981.00 was a sale fare. But an easily obtainable one.

The sale did end yesterday as well. Until the next sale it is hard to compare.

 

[Keith009]

While I have only had positive *Class experiences (apart from running late), I do understand your position on travel to Singapore. It is a more expensive proposition now (if you want points!)

The cabin crew were actually very good, and are about the only positive thing I can say about the airline. But unfortunately the rest of the experience was abysmal. We had an equipment downgrade on SYD-DPS which resulted in us being involuntarily downgraded as the A320 we flew on had no StarClass. Zero prior communication from the airline. And of course we had to fly via DRW given the A320's smaller range. Didn't help that my suitcase was left behind in Sydney, but this can happen on any airline and to their credit the ground staff they use in DPS were very helpful and I was renuited with my bag the next day. There were also significant delays both ways (over 90 mins) with no communication from ground staff whatsoever.

The whole experience just reminds me of why I avoid LCCs in the first place, even if dressed up as 'StarClass' with all the bells and whistles. Now with the new fares structure, I do not see any incentive to fly them in the first place. Heck I think I'd rather fly a proper carrier in whY over StarClass. Unless of course I get hold of one of their sale fares, which makes the Max Bundle a little easier to swallow... and I don't have to be anywhere urgently.

 

[BVT]

MEL-SIN JQ Starclass/Business RT earning QFF points and status credits just went from $981.00 to $1,768.00. Admittedly the $981.00 was a sale fare. But an easily obtainable one.

A $787.00 difference just to maintain lounge access, 9,374 QFF points and 240 Status Credits?

They must be joking! Bring on the sale fares!

Same, same.

My proposed Japan trip has just increased significantly in cost, but still at Business Max or whatever, signifcantly cheaper than QF J class. Not the same levels of service and comfort but ...

 

[fef1960]

MEL-SIN JQ Starclass/Business RT earning QFF points and status credits just went from $981.00 to $1,768.00. Admittedly the $981.00 was a sale fare. But an easily obtainable one.

A $787.00 difference just to maintain lounge access, 9,374 QFF points and 240 Status Credits?

They must be joking! Bring on the sale fares!

I was looking for Starclass flights this morning and came across their Re-badgeing, incredible that a supposed low cost carrier, can take away what little incentive there was in the first place to fly with them.
I had two (asian)flights already booked in the next month and called them to ensure the previous conditions (i.e starclass apply, credits lounge etc) I was told they would be honoured, but would be amazed if it turned out painlessly!