Latest rip-off from Jetstar

[anat0l]

I'm not sure if this was touched on earlier (and I'm pretty sure it wasn't there last time I flew with them) but JQi now charges $2 in order to access seat selection for any seat.

I thought this was only for JetSaver Light fares?

 

[markis10]

I'm not sure if this was touched on earlier (and I'm pretty sure it wasn't there last time I flew with them) but JQi now charges $2 in order to access seat selection for any seat.

It's almost a trivial amount and I'm on a cheap domestic sector, but since I had already paid the fare and they were trying to charge me again on the website, I didn't do it on principle - having said that I would have to think twice about whether I'd stump up for it on an international segment (especially with several sectors and several passengers).

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That charge is only for the jetsaver light fares!

Want a Window or Aisle Seat?

For just $2 per passenger, in each direction JetSaver Light passengers are able to purchase any available standard seat. JetSaver and JetFlex passengers are able to request any standard seat for no extra charge, subject to availability.

 

[drron]

Flew SYD-MCY on JQ this sunday with mrsdrron.No computer access so no OLCI.Have to check in at kiosk.I was on a light fare(only carry on 1 book-felt naked),mrsdrron had the case.So allocated seats a fair way apart as no choice.Get to bag drop and ask to sit together down the back which is arranged-must be a waste of time for staff just to make an extra couple of bucks.

 

[djfuzz]

I thought this was only for JetSaver Light fares?

Fair enough - I may not have noticed it previously when I was also on JetSaver Light fares. So I imagine that effectively makes the baggage allowance for Jetsaver fares $2 'cheaper'?

FWIW, with an empty StarClass, those 'up-front' seats are actually pretty good - was pretty much straight off the aircraft and straight to immigration (empty MEL arrivals hall helped). But then again, I didn't have to pay for the seats either for whatever reason. So a relatively pleasant experience anyway.

Also noticed two interesting things on this flight - first, despite a half hour delay prior to boarding, the departures screens at SYD still advised pax to 'Go to Gate', resulting in a long queue forming with no sign of boarding, or any communication about the delay. Accordingly, out of habit, I left the QP just prior to the boarding time before the call itself - can't seem to win it seems, go before the call and wait a long time, or go after the call and fight for overhead storage space. Are PA announcements / updates about delays something that was cut in order to preserve Jetstar's LCC margins?

Second, the first 'priority' boarding call was for StarClass passengers (barely any), certain rows at the back, and Chairman's Lounge members. I was intrigued since it seems Jetstar's LCC model is not to grant any privileges (other than lounge access) to QFF/OW elite members, but does still extend to CL members (if they happen to have the misfortune of lowering themselves to flying JQ I suppose!). Also, I was surprised to hear CL members specifically singled out, which I've never heard before either - I just assumed that both they themselves and QF know that CL is special and they have high priority access as a matter of course (I also assumed that they would have been upgraded and simply be part of the highest class of service anyway). I was surprised that any attention at all was drawn to CL, as I would have thought they keep its existence on the down-low (there's no sign other than 'Private' outside any of the CLs themselves, is there?) while quietly giving them priority wherever possible.

 

[serfty]

I have heard the CL calls before.

From it's inception, JQi have restricted priority boarding (& check-in) to *Class and CL members.

 

[djfuzz]

I have heard the CL calls before.

From it's inception, JQi have restricted priority boarding (& check-in) to *Class and CL members.

Again, I probably hadn't heard the calls properly before - just thought it was interesting.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Flew SYD-MCY on JQ this sunday with mrsdrron.No computer access so no OLCI.Have to check in at kiosk.I was on a light fare(only carry on 1 book-felt naked),mrsdrron had the case.So allocated seats a fair way apart as no choice.Get to bag drop and ask to sit together down the back which is arranged-must be a waste of time for staff just to make an extra couple of bucks.

The important thing to remember with JQ is to allocate seats at the time of booking especially if travelling with children or when you are in separate pnrs as was the case above.

That way when you use use the JQ self checkin kiosks at the airport your boarding passes should reflect the seats you have already pre-allocated to yourself.

The JQ checkin process via the self service kiosks at the airport does not display a seat map whereby you can change your seats or choose where you want to sit so if you have not preallocated any seats your seat number will be at the whim of JQ's Navitaire system.

 

[yo yo ma]

Now that is no more. While it is handy to be able to get a seat in the pointy end (especially if you don't have luggage to collect) is it really worth an extra $10 ($20 return)?

Can't see how it is a rip-off if you have the option not to pay it?

 

[Archphoto]

All the cheap Asian airlines charge this, including Jetstar. And yes, you have the option to choose, or not - entirely up to you.

I think a bigger Jetstar rip-off is the fact that booking a FF flight with them uses exactly the same number of FF points as other OW carriers, but you have to pay extra for blankets, meals, in-flight entertainment etc!