Newbie questions around booking first QF Award flight

[MELso]

JQ 'business class' should be thought of more as premium economy (which is why the points redemption is closer to QF premium economy). Having said that, they will ply you with food, drinks and an amenity kit (although as noted, no lounge access), you'll get baggage and you get access to entertainment.

In contrast, an economy redemption on JQ comes with baggage allowance but is buy on board for food, drinks, entertainment.

From the 'Full Fare Conditions' on the booking page:

On Economy Reward flights operated by Jetstar, food, beverages, Video On Demand units (where offered) and amenity kits (where offered) are not included. These items may be purchased inflight subject to availability. Alternatively, you may pre-purchase and confirm these items by calling Jetstar Telephone Reservations on 13 15 38 at least 24 houts [sic] before your flight. Jetstar Business passengers are provided these items as part of the Jetstar Business in-flight service.

 

[Stargazer]

Kangarooflyer88 - what do you mean by a good travel credit card. How will this save my hotel booking if flight plans are ruined by airline cancellation of my flight. Even if given a flight one or two days later, I will have lost the equivalent value of one or two nights accommodation and thats assuming that the hotel doesn’t cancel the booking as a no show.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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?

your travel insurance, if you get a comprehensive policy - ie one that is more than 'medical only' - will cover you for the loss of hotel accommodation.

Otherwise it's a case of just absorbing the cost as part of travel

 

[Stargazer]

Do hotels keep your booking in place if you alert them to the fact that your flight has been cancelled and you might arrive two days later. This is all new territory to me.

 

[MARTINE]

Do hotels keep your booking in place if you alert them to the fact that your flight has been cancelled and you might arrive two days later. This is all new territory to me.

I assume you have a flexible booking guaranteed by CC and not paid upfront.
If T’s and C’s state no charge if cancelled by x’o clock local time and you do inform them you will not be there - ok…they may modify your booking as a new one for which you will still be expected to arrive by xo’clock on another date (e.g. in two days time) or you will still lose one night of the new booking if late or all nights if you are a no show (and be charged accordingly). Given that room was allocated to you for that period they are likely to try to negotiate and be reasonable but only if you communicate before the deadline.
Never assume is my mantra in travel (and life).
Of course if you have fully paid and T and C state no refund after x date you may only get your remaining dates or lose the lot.
As prior poster advised always have travel insurance that covers these eventualities and whatever conversations you have with the hotel to comply with their requirements followup with a quick email to get them to confirm and later show the insurer you did everything possible. Also those pesky texts that advise of the flight delays.
Hope that helps
Bon Voyage

 

[Stargazer]

I assume you have a flexible booking guaranteed by CC and not paid upfront.
If T’s and C’s state no charge if cancelled by x’o clock local time and you do inform them you will not be there - ok…they may modify your booking as a new one for which you will still be expected to arrive by xo’clock on another date (e.g. in two days time) or you will still lose one night of the new booking if late or all nights if you are a no show (and be charged accordingly). Given that room was allocated to you for that period they are likely to try to negotiate and be reasonable but only if you communicate before the deadline.
Never assume is my mantra in travel (and life).
Of course if you have fully paid and T and C state no refund after x date you may only get your remaining dates or lose the lot.
As prior poster advised always have travel insurance that covers these eventualities and whatever conversations you have with the hotel to comply with their requirements followup with a quick email to get them to confirm and later show the insurer you did everything possible. Also those pesky texts that advise of the flight delays.
Hope that helps
Bon Voyage

Just a quick question. You mentioned a flexible booking guaranteed by CC and not paid upfront. Firstly, why not paid upfront. Secondly I was planning to use a booking service like Trivago or Booking.com. Don’t these require advance payment in full? Thirdly, do you prefer to book with the hotel direct to see if they are willing to include extras such as breakfast beating by $s the offering on the booking services.

 

[justinbrett]

Just a quick question. You mentioned a flexible booking guaranteed by CC and not paid upfront. Firstly, why not paid upfront. Secondly I was planning to use a booking service like Trivago or Booking.com. Don’t these require advance payment in full?

No, it depends on the hotel. Many hotels on these sites say "pay at the hotel" or "no payment required" etc. Some require full payment but offer free cancellation.

Generally, if you can get a hotel that you can pay on check in, take it. That money is better in your pocket, not theirs.

There are some exceptions when going overseas. When I went to the US in Sep/Oct, I could see the AUD falling below 70c and it didn't look like it was going to improve - I went ahead and prepaid all of my hotels so I could lock in the exchange rate. I spent about US$4000 on hotels, and the dollar was down to 63c - I saved around A$600 doing that.

Thirdly, do you prefer to book with the hotel direct to see if they are willing to include extras such as breakfast beating by $s the offering on the booking services.

It's almost always better to book direct with the hotel. It may not be any cheaper than those sites, but it shouldn't be any more expensive (and if it is, often they have a lowest price guarantee). You're much less likely to have to prepay if you book direct. You almost always will be treated better by the hotel if you book directly with regards to upgrades or just better located rooms. If you are a member of their loyalty program, often you have to book direct to receive points and use their benefits.

In general, book direct, cut out the middle man. Use aggregator sites to compare prices but not for booking, unless it's a boutique hotel or b&b without a good website.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

On these hotel booking websites, there are some places, ie, hotels on the website that says "pay on arrival", its not all pay the hotel service booking agency there and then.
Sometimes, they ask for credit/debit card details, to "guarantee" the booking, but they don't actually debit your account for the hotel nights booking, they just have your card details.
So it all depends on the hotel booking website, or the hotel involved.
I am with ALL Accor, and while I have provided my card number, it says "pay at hotel".
In the past, a few days before check in, they will debit the amount due, sometimes, they won't touch the money till you check out of thehotel.

 

[MARTINE]

post Covid - I never book upfront as that gives me flexibity up until the day before. I always book direct w hotel whose prices are never dearer
If it is a certain hotel or booking around time of significant event and I must pay upfront - I reinforce my understanding of the T’s and C’s upfront with the hotel so there is no ambuigity.
For trips over more than 2 days - I also start a personal dialogue about how much I am keen to be in their hotel/special requests etc (contact details in the booking receipt). This gives you a personal connection should things go wrong.

I do not like any aggregators except to look at price or hotel details which I find booking.com provides in better detail (esp things like parking)