Newbie questions around booking first QF Award flight

[ferntree]

Next year, I'm flying Qantas J MEL - SYD - LHR and return, leaving Melbourne 15 July and leaving London 15 August.
My QFF anniversary date is the end of July. My question is: do I lose the status credits I get for the Melbourne to London flights when my anniversary date ticks over while I'm still in London?

You'd likely get more expert/authorative answers on the Qantas forum.

 

[John in Melbourne]

You'd likely get more expert/authorative answers on the Qantas forum.

Thanks, Ferntree

 

[Stargazer]

I am planning my first overseas trip, flying business class on Qantas points redemption (classic rewards). I have found flights that fit in with my plans but would like some clarification. The outbound flight MEL/SIN is JQ7 on a Boeing787-8. I clicked on the flight number and noted that there was no meal service offered. I assume the flight attendants will provide the opportunity to purchase food on board. Will this be a substantial meal or just snacks. If the latter do you bring some food in your carry on for consumption on the flight.

As an aside if I was a full paying passenger in business class would there be a meal service provided as part of the Jetstar fare.

My next question relates to the perks offered in business class. I read an AFF article on Jetstar business class and it mentioned that drinks were included, an amenity kit provided, in flight entertainment and wi fi offered together with lounge access. As a classic awards points redemption passenger am I entitled to these benefits.

I am finding the process of booking classic rewards flights a minefield. As a newbie there seem to be so many issues that I need to consider. Any light you can throw on the pros and cons of redeeming flights with points would be appreciated.

 

[Hvr]

Having flown JQ Business class many times I have only ever seen the FAs distribute meals/drinks etc to everybody.
Nothing for sale in the business cabin. It's all included on the plane.

Lounge access is not included unless you pay for the Max package or are allowed in by virtue of your QF status and there is a QF lounge that is open in the location.

 

[Stargazer]

Still confused. Clicking on the flight number brought out flight details such as departure/arrival terminals. But next to Meals there was a dash signifying nil. Just want to be as prepared as possible so I don’t slip up.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

As said on here, lower your expectations, (on/for fly flying JQ/being a JQ customer), and it will all be all ok/all be ok.
Small things, when I flew JQi a few times, all as a dom pax on an int flight, a few things that would have happened on full service QF, would have been there, but on JQ, it didn't.
No pre flight take off drink, etc, small things that might niggle.
If the flight times match your needs, and the points burn is ok, go for it.
Its a shortish 8 hours flight, and day I believe, if you have QF SG, you would have J lounge access at Tulla T2 anyway, or if you have P1/WP, its the F lounge, I have been into both.

 

[Stargazer]

No don’t have status. So going from the two posts, a meal will be provided, as will an amenity kit, in flight entertainment and wi fi. Drinks (pre flight and in flight) not included. I just want to feel the business class experience

 

[GrahamBRI]

next to Meals there was a dash signifying nil.

To find out more details on airline service, you can go to that airlines website (Jetstar) and make a dummy booking for the same flight and read what it says. JQ7 states for its business class;

Meals, drinks and snacks on request​

For more details on what that is, you will find a menu on the Jetstar site.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Just eat in the open area, or secure area of Tulla T2.
For a 15.30 departure, I think you could pay to get into Aspire, (need to check opening times for this one, as its not all the same for the various days of the week), or the Maharba lounge, they accept pay on entry.
The Maharba was the EK lounge of years ago, not flash, but at the least you can feel something, even if just a bit of plushness.
Sometimes on here, on a subbranch of this website, they (other members) offer lounge passes (you can't ask, but they can offer), I don't have any on hand, but have a look see anyway, or someone might be flying the same time as you, and can guest you into the QF J/F lounge at Tulla.
***
Edit:
Asipre lounge Tulla opening hours:

MONDAY	08:30 - 16:00
TUESDAY	12:30 - 01:00
WEDNESDAY	15:00 - 22:30
THURSDAY	08:30 - 16:00
FRIDAY	12:30 - 22:30
SATURDAY	10:30 - 18:00
SUNDAY	12:30 - 22:30

 

[justinbrett]

But next to Meals there was a dash signifying nil.

I wouldn't take any notice of that. I have QF8 (DFW-SYD) booked in J and it also has a dash

I'm going to be pretty hungry after that flight if that's the case

I just want to feel the business class experience

It won't be comparable to a legacy carrier business class, so manage expectations. I haven't flown JQi, but I'm told it's comparable to QF domestic J, or QFi Y+.

That said, if it's not an overnight flight, it should be quite good.

 

[Stargazer]

To find out more details on airline service, you can go to that airlines website (Jetstar) and make a dummy booking for the same flight and read what it says. JQ7 states for its business class;

Meals, drinks and snacks on request​

For more details on what that is, you will find a menu on the Jetstar site.

But if I log into the Jetstar website and look up the flights won’t this just be information for full paying passengers. When I looked at classic reward flights on the QF website and clicked on the flight number there was a dash next to meals. I would ring up Jetstar direct but can’t face the long waiting times. Just thought someone might have been in a similar position flying classic rewards Jetstar to Singapore.

 

[TomVexille]

We recently flew JQ Business on a QFF award and meals and drinks were included. Don't rely on the poorly coded QF website.

 

[MARTINE]

Having flown JQ Business class many times I have only ever seen the FAs distribute meals/drinks etc to everybody.
Nothing for sale in the business cabin. It's all included on the plane.

Lounge access is not included unless you pay for the Max package or are allowed in by virtue of your QF status and there is a QF lounge that is open in the location.

If you have amex you could use their lounge - its quite good -next to SQ

 

[p--and--t]

But if I log into the Jetstar website and look up the flights won’t this just be information for full paying passengers. When I looked at classic reward flights on the QF website and clicked on the flight number there was a dash next to meals. I would ring up Jetstar direct but can’t face the long waiting times. Just thought someone might have been in a similar position flying classic rewards Jetstar to Singapore.

A few years back now, but flew JQ on QF points in business to HCMC, seats were like QF domestic Business, free meals and drinks were served (not at all fancy), an amenity kit was provided (not fancy), crew were slapdash and seemed untrained.

You will be far and away more comfortable than those people up the back, the trip will be comfortable for a daytime flight, and better crew/passenger ratio, but you will not experience the true legacy carrier Bus Class experience if that is what you are aiming for.

Whether you are on points or full fare paying won't make any difference

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Here's a trip report one vlogger one made of that flight in J about a month ago:

 

[Stargazer]

Thank you Kangarooflyer88 for the video. It answered all my concerns. One issue raised was cancellation of one sector the day prior and the attempt by Jetstar to downgrade the passenger to economy without any notice. These sorts of concerns would push me into panic mode. How do you deal with an airline intent on changing a booking within 24 hours of departure. What are your rights and the airline’s obligations?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Thank you Kangarooflyer88 for the video. It answered all my concerns. One issue raised was cancellation of one sector the day prior and the attempt by Jetstar to downgrade the passenger to economy without any notice. These sorts of concerns would push me into panic mode. How do you deal with an airline intent on changing a booking within 24 hours of departure. What are your rights and the airline’s obligations?

In those cases you need to prepare yourself emotionally before you travel. What is crucial is to not be afraid of cancellations but rather to look forward to them as being an opportunity to make a trip even better. Almost every cancellation or schedule change I have received from an airline has always worked in my favour: be it a better timing, a better routing (for more status credits), or the ability to change that award to the date I really wanted to travel (rather than the date that had saver availability). In the back of your mind, you'll want to determine what your options would be should a flight get cancelled. For instance, is there a Qantas flight that could get me there? If yes, then chances are QF will open up a seat for you to re-accommodate. Not only that, you also want to be thinking about routings. To give you a specific example, I was booked to fly HBA > SYD on JQ as a classic award (9,600 mile redemption). However, a schedule change allowed me to later select a QF flight departing around the same time I was scheduled to leave HBA at no additional cost. This came with all the benefits of flying QF including guaranteed access to the lounge @ HBA along with better on board service without me having to pay them an extra cent or point.

Case in point, my parents were travelling with me from Toronto to Saint John. Flight got cancelled and I was instantly rebooked on the next flight to Saint John scheduled to take off first thing in the morning. Parents weren't so lucky - no seats available for Saint John (including connecting flights) for next 3 days. This fact could've made their trip be in vain since they were only gonna be in Saint John for a week to visit my sister. Thinking on my feet I thought, well if there's no flight to Saint John, what about to neighbouring cities like Fredericton, Moncton or heaven forbid Halifax. As it turned out there was a nonstop to Moncton in the morning. Sure my sister had to drive an hour away to pick them up but it was a better alternative to either them driving (about a 2 day drive) or waiting for that flight to Saint John in 3 days time.

-RooFlyer88

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Two things... confirm your sector is actually in Jetstar business class... sometimes the search engine returns results of economy on one sector and business on another.

If you are in business class then all meals and drinks and other amenities are included. There is nothing to buy. Lounge access however is NOT included.

Don't get confused between awards and revenue (paid) tickets. Award tickets are still 'paid' - just you are using points rather than $$. As far as the airline and crew are concerned - and this is on any airline - you are considered a fully 'paid' passenger. No difference to the person next to you.

When airlines refer to unpaid travel or special fares in their terms and conditions they are referring to things like charter flights, staff on discount, agency staff on free or heavily discounted fares... not to award travel.

 

[Stargazer]

Once again kangarooflyer88, thank you for your detailed reply. I was thinking about my hotel accommodation - how that would be effected if flights were changed at the last moment. These days with strict cancellation policies in place (particularly within 24 hours of arrival) — how do you protect your accommodation booking?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Once again kangarooflyer88, thank you for your detailed reply. I was thinking about my hotel accommodation - how that would be effected if flights were changed at the last moment. These days with strict cancellation policies in place (particularly within 24 hours of arrival) — how do you protect your accommodation booking?

A good travel credit card! And I've had this happen to me a couple of times with cancellations where I lose a night in a multi-day stay booked due to such nonsense. That to me is the only real annoying part. Everything else is gravy as I extract as much value out of the airline for their cancellation/flight schedule change.

-RooFlyer88